If you are a food lover and are thinking of a dreamy holiday in Provence, choosing the right base will make all the difference. Provence isn’t one flavour, its a mix of micro-regions, shaped by it’s own terrain, traditions, and produce. You can stay in charming Mediterranean fishing ports to hilltop villages. If you are looking for a place to stay in Provence as a food lover, continue reading to see our Chef’s picks.
Aix-en-Provence
If you love the idea of daily fresh produce markets, authentic Provençal cooking, at a relaxed pace, then Aix-en-Provence will not disappoint. Known for its fountains, leafy boulevards, and vibrant markets, Provence is a great town. Here you will discover plump figs, fragrant melons, heirloom tomatoes, along with golden olive oils, known as liquid gold in the region.
This is a dream base if you enjoy food and want to wander from market to market, chatting to producers and artisans, sampling tapenades and olive oils, or choosing some lavender honey to take home. The town has an excellent selection of bistros and restaurants offering Provençal classics, such as daube provencale and aioli. What makes Aix-en-Provence a fantastic choice is it offer easy access to some premium vineyards and surrounding villages, along with private cooking classes you can enjoy in your holiday home kitchen or in a dedicated kitchen workshop in the town.
Avignon
Avignon is home to some of the most iconic vineyards in France. When you stay in Avignon you are a short trip from Cotes du Rhone and Chateauneuf-du-Pape, where the wine influences the local cuisine. This area offers full-bodied stews, braised meats, and dishes enriched with local wines. It offers atmospheric restaurants combined with medieval charm, along with covered markets, brimming with olive oils, cheeses, and truffles. It’s the perfect location to combine a private cooking class with the local wines.
Arles
Arles is located on the border of the wild Camargue, which gives the local cuisine richness. Here you will taste bull stew, briny seafood, along with rustic flavours that are shaped by the salt marshes, wetlands, and Mediterranean traditions. The weekly Arles market is well known as one of the biggest and most colourful markets in Provence. This is the perfect place to stay if you are looking for authentic culinary experiences that are rooted to local history, culture, and farming.
Bonnieux
Bonnieux is a village set high in the Luberon and a chef’s dream. This village is surrounded by goat farms, orchards, vineyards, and fields brimming with seasonal produce. When you stay in Bonnieux, you are staying in the heart of farm to table experiences, where menus change daily based on what the local market has available.
This village offers stone fruit desserts, lavender infused treats, artisanal goats cheese, along with simple dishes made using vegetables grown only minutes away. It’s a peaceful location, perfect for those looking for a food focused holiday experience, or a hands-on private cooking class.
Gordes
Gordes is known for its stone houses and panoramic views, along with a thriving fine dining scene. This area provides a refined and upscale take on Provençal cuisine, where you find tasting menus that celebrate the local truffles, olive oils, and seasonal produce. If you are looking for a luxury holiday experience where you can blend spectacular scenery with elevated gastronomy, then Gordes is the choice for you.
Cassis
Cassis (pictured above), offers a Mediterranean feast. This colourful harbour town is where you enjoy the freshest seafood’s, from traditional bouillabaisse to grilled sea bass, enjoying fresh from the boat to the table food experiences. The area has vineyards to one side and cliffs to the other, providing the ultimate in seafood gastronomy, combined with crisp white wines.
Conclusion
Where you stay in Provence shapes your culinary experience. Whether you love seafood direct from the sea or rustic flavours in a historic town, each destination offers a unique taste of the region. Whichever location you choose, you can incorporate a private cooking class, where you learn how to take advantage of the fresh, local flavours, taking a Provençal souvenir home with you. Contact Cooking Classes in Provence today to find out more.
