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Caves et domaines viticoles de Provence Occitane

Gastronomic weekend in Occitan Provence

My wife and I spent a memorable gastronomic weekend in Provence Occitane, with a focus on gourmet delights and discovering local flavours. With wine tastings , olive oil tastings, seasonal fruit tastings and meetings with passionate artisans, the weekend was a real immersion in theart of southern living. Here’s our programme, which I can wholeheartedly recommend to all those who love the pleasures of good food.

A welcoming B&B in Provence Occitane

There’s nothing like a stay in the heart of the vineyards to soak up the flavours and art of southern living from the very first moment.

A warm welcome in the heart of the vineyards

To make the most of this gastronomic weekend in the Gard, we booked a charming bed and breakfast in the heart of the countryside, with an owner who is a wine expert. As soon as we arrived, we were warmly welcomed and guided to our room, which overlooked the vineyards.

An introduction to regional wine tasting

That evening, our hostess offered us an introduction to tasting local wines. She explained to us the steps involved in tasting wines: from choosing the right glasses to the art of observing the colour, smelling the aromas and describing the flavours on the palate. Discovering the wines of the region in this way, with someone who is passionate about them, made for a captivating and enriching experience.

Pomegranates in all their forms in Milanoa orchards

Among the gourmet treasures of Occitan Provence, the pomegranate occupies a special place, grown with passion in sun-drenched orchards. We just couldn’t pass it up!

Guided tour of the pomegranate fields

The next morning, after a delicious breakfast based on local produce, we headed for the Milanoa orchards, where the pomegranate is king. The owner, who is passionate about this fruit with its many benefits, took us on a tour of his pomegranate fields, explaining all the stages of cultivation.

Tasting of pomegranate-based products

We had the chance to taste fresh pomegranate juice, jelly and vinegar, and he even gave us tips on how to cook this fruit in sweet and savoury dishes. It was a real treat for the taste buds. We left with a few products to repeat the experience at home.

Patrimoine culinaire en Provence Occitane

Provence Occitane wine tasting

It’s impossible to spend a gourmet weekend in Provence Occitane without exploring its vineyards and tasting the wines that are the pride of the region.

Visits to the region’s wineries

Provence Occitane means wine culture! So we had planned several visits to wineries to discover the great diversity of local wines. Each winemaker we met introduced us to their specialities, from the freshness of the whites to the deep aromas of the reds and the fruity notes of the rosés.

Learn the secrets of the terroir during a gastronomic weekend in Provence Occitane

The passionate and generous owners of the estates shared anecdotes about the vines, the harvest and the secrets of winemaking. After several tastings, we naturally bought a few bottles to prolong the pleasure when we got home.

Caves et domaines viticoles en Provence Occitane

Tasting a local beer on the terrace

After the local wines, take a refreshing break with a local beer, brewed with expertise and typically southern flavours.

A craft beer produced in Provence Occitane

The day after our wine tours, we decided to vary the pleasures and take a break on the terrace to taste a local craft beer. The weather was fine and warm, and sitting down in the shade to enjoy a cold beer was a real moment of relaxation.

A beer with authentic southern flavours

We chose a light, fruity lager brewed nearby. The terrace offered a beautiful view of the hills, and it was nice to enjoy this moment while observing local life.

Savour local olive oil at a traditional mill

A symbol of southern gastronomy, olive oil reveals all its richness here through varieties with subtle , enchanting aromas .

Discovering the green gold of Provence Occitane

Our gastronomic weekend in the Gard would not have been complete without an olive oil tasting. So we visited a traditional mill where the olives are pressed on site. The hostess guided us through several varieties of olive oil, with aromas of fresh herbs, hazelnuts and even red fruits. She taught us to distinguish the intensity and flavours of each oil, a bit like wine.

Meeting producers at local markets

To fully immerse yourself in the local flavours, there’s nothing like immersing yourself in the bustle of the markets, where producers and artisans share their passion.

Markets, the beating heart of Provence Occitane

Another must-do during our stay was a visit to the local markets. Here you can really discover the essence of the region: the stalls overflowing with sun-drenched fruit and vegetables, fresh goat’s cheeses, artisan breads, honey and many other delicacies. The markets in Pont-Saint-Esprit (Saturday mornings) and Bagnols-sur-Cèze (Wednesday mornings) were particularly appealing!

Meeting the producers of the Gard is always a pleasure: each one has its own history and working methods, and they are happy to share their advice. We filled our basket with specialities for an impromptu picnic, and I have to admit that everything tasted exceptional when eaten in the sunshine.

Caves et domaines viticoles de Provence Occitane

The gastronomic and bistronomic cuisine of Provence Occitane

What better way to bring out the best in local produce than at an exceptional table, where authentic flavours and creativity come together?

An evening in a gourmet restaurant

To round off our gastronomic weekend in Provence Occitane, I booked a table at one of the region’sgourmet restaurants . We sampled a menu concocted with local produce, where each dish was a real tribute to the terroir.

A bistronomic lunch to prolong the pleasure

The next day, we opted for a more relaxed experience at a bistronomic address. Here again, we were won over by the creativity of the chef, who offers refined, generous cuisine, with dishes such as risotto with seasonal vegetables and a dark chocolate mousse sprinkled with fleur de sel de Camargue.

A gastronomic weekend to remember!

From each meeting to each tasting, this weekend offered us a real gourmet interlude in the heart of the southern terroir.

A total immersion in the flavours of Occitan Provence

This gastronomic weekend in Provence Occitane was an incredible experience for us. From tastings to meetings with local producers and discoveries of new flavours, every moment was a celebration of the simple, authentic pleasures of southern life.

Lasting memories and a desire to return

My wife and I left with our taste buds enchanted and our heads full of memories. We can’t wait to come back and continue our exploration of the delights of this beautiful region!