Provence is a dream destination for global travellers that want to immerse themselves in Provence’s culinary delights. The region offers bustling fresh produce markets, vineyard covered countrysides, artisan producers, along with world-class private cooking classes. This region offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the local cuisine. At Cooking Classes in Provence, we have put together a 7 day itinerary for food lover’s visiting Provence.
Day 1 – Settle into the Rhythm of Local Life
Your Provençal culinary journey starts the minute your feet hit the tarmac at the airport. Once settled into your accommodation, you can head to one of the local market squares, taking your first sip of local rose wine and tasting a few olives. Look for somewhere local to enjoy your evening meal, a simple tapenada, or a fresh and fragrant fish dish to get your holiday into full swing.
Day 2 – Cooking Class in Aix-en-Provence with Market Tour
Start your first full day in Provence with a cooking class that includes a visit to the local market. Here your private chef guides you through the vibrant stalls, brimming with fresh figs, cheeses, herbs, tomatoes, and seafood. This is where you select everything to make your chosen menu, inspired by the season and what is fresh. From here you return to the kitchen, whether your holiday rental kitchen or a small and intimate kitchen workshop, where you immerse yourself in a hands-on cooking class, where you learn the traditions, history, and culture behind each dish. The first day ends with a leisurely lunch, enjoying the dishes you prepared with chef to table service, complete with a local wine.
Day 3 – Hilltop Villages and Olive Oil Mills
The third day should be dedicated to Provençal olive oil, known as liquid gold. Visit a family-run mill where they explain how they grow the olives, how they are pressed and transformed into the finest olive oils in the country. After the tour, head to a beautiful hilltop villages, such as Gordes, where you can wander the cobbled lanes, and relax at a local café.
Day 4 – Wine Tasting
Provence is famous for its rose wines, and yes, it does make some fabulous red and white wines as well. Head to Rhone Valley or Luberon and enjoy a guided wine tour and tasting at one of the many vineyards and wineries in the area. Here you are taken on a guided walk through the vineyards, cellars, and you try the different wines. Consider staying at one of the wineries and enjoy an evening meal.
Day 5 – Traditional Pastry Cooking Class
This second cooking class is dedicated to the delectable pastries of the region. Here you dive into the depth of Provençal desserts. This can be held in your holiday home kitchen or a private workshop kitchen, where you receive expert guidance by a local and professional chef. Learn how to make famous macarons, chocolate éclairs, or millefeuille, a famous, local three-layer cake.
Day 6 – The Coastal Village of Cassis
Cassis is a beautiful coastal village, where you can take a leisurely stroll through the harbour before trying the freshest Mediterranean seafood for lunch. While in Cassis, consider a wine tour in the area, which is famous for its white wines, before enjoying artisan ice creams by the seaside.
Day 7 – Market Breakfast
Your final day in Provence is your last chance to take a stroll through a local market, buying a buttery croissant or fresh peaches. Spend the afternoon relaxing in a local bistro or café, sipping on local wines, a chance to reflect on the region and your experience before you head home.
Conclusion
This 7 day itinerary of Provence is an immersion into the region. From visiting local markets to taking hands-on private cooking classes, and visiting hilltop villages to visiting coastal areas, it offers a chance to experience the region that celebrates food. Are you ready to immerse yourself in Provence with a private cooking class? Contact Cooking Classes in Provence now at contact@chefclement.com to book your food lover’s dream in Provence today.
