Olive Oil
The Green Gold of Provence
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is heir to a time-honoured olive growing tradition inherited from the Ancient Greeks, who planted the first olive trees here. Heralded throughout the globe, Provence’s olive oils are distinguished by AOC and grand cru appellations, and have literally nothing in common with the oils you’ll find at your local supermarket. Here, olive oil production is often a family affair. Visit the local workshops to find out how the presses and sandstone grinders of yesteryear have given way to modern methods, whereby the olives are crushed then placed in a centrifuge to extract their oil. And of course, your fascinating foray into the world of green gold winds up with a tasting session – the perfect way to appreciate the powerful flavour of Provence’s olive oils to the full.
The best addresses
- Moulin des Varzelles, Les Mées
- Moulin d’Opio, Opio
- Moulin du Calanquet, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
- Moulin Cornille, Maussane-les-Alpilles
- Moulin La Cravenco
- Domaine Terre de Mistral, Rousset
- Château Virant, Lançon-Provence
- Moulin à Huile du Partégal, La Farlède
- Moulin Bastide du Laval, Cadenet
- Moulin du Clos des Jeannons, Gordes
- Moulin Dauphin, Cucuron
