Aix-en-Provence is the cultural heartbeat of the region with sun-drenched squares, grand avenues, and splashing fountains. For food lovers, it is a culinary paradise, rich with Mediterranean flavours, vibrant local outdoor markets, and century-old cooking traditions. If you are looking to experience the perfect food day in Aix-en-Provence, continue reading for a flavour-packed twenty four hour experience.
Start with a Traditional French Breakfast
Start your morning in Aix-en-Provence like a local at one of the cafés where you can enjoy a traditional French breakfast. From freshly squeezed orange juice to flaky croissants and pain au chocolats. Sit outside enjoying the morning sun as the city comes to life.
Head to a Local Farmers Market
Aix-en-Provence is famous for its rotating markets. Place Richelme is where the bustling food market is held every morning where the air is filled with fresh herbs, seasonal fruits, and roasted chicken.
As you make your way through the vibrant stalls, keep an eye out for regional specialities, including:
- Chèvre (Goat Cheese) – look for Banon, a local goat cheese wrapped in dried chestnut leaves
- Olives and Tapenades – sample plumb olives or rich tapenade
- Charcuterie – traditional dry-cured saucisson flavoured with Herbes de Provence
- Calissons – a signature sweet confectionery made from candied melons, ground almonds, and topped with royal icing
Provençal Cooking Class
To make the most of your perfect food day in Aix-en-Provence, consider booking a cooking class with a private and experienced local chef. Cooking Classes in Provence classes start with a guided tour of the market where you purchase the necessary ingredients, followed by a hands-on cooking session where you learn the techniques and secrets behind Provençal classic dishes, such as ratatouille or bouillabaisse.
Local Bistro Lunch
If you are not taking advantage of the chef to table service after your cooking class, where you enjoy the fruits of your labour, you can heard to a terrace table at a traditional bistro in the Old Town. For the best Provençal flavours, consider ordering a Salade Nicoise or Daube Provencale, a rich beef stew simmered in red wine.
Olive Oil or Wine Tasting Experience
After a leisurely lunch, it’s a good time to explore the olive oil, known as liquid gold. Visit a local olive oil mill with guided tasting, where you can learn how to distinguish the different notes. Alternatively, consider heading to a local vineyard for a wine tasting experience, where you can focus on the pale pink roses and robust reds of the region.
Evening Aperitif
As the day starts to cool and the squares fill up for pre-dinner drinks, you can find a café and order a class of Pastis, an anise-flavoured spirit diluted with cold water or a glass of Provençal wine, will you enjoy a complimentary bowl of olives.
End with Dinner
To end your perfect food day in Aix-en-Provence, head to one of the amazing restaurants. You can choose from Michelin-starred restaurants to cosy and hidden bistros, enjoying a menu that highlights the regions seasonal and local ingredients.
Conclusion
Spending a food day in Aix-en-Provence is a chance to enjoy the flavours of the Mediterranean. From your morning pastry to the last sip of local wine of the day, the region offers a culinary escape you will remember for the rest of your life. If you want to discover market stalls, hidden bistros and the best bakeries, then Aix-en-Provence is the ideal choice. Cooking Classes in Provence offers hands-on cooking experiences in the comfort of your rental kitchen or kitchen workshop, combined with a guided tour of the local market. Contact us now to book your perfect food day in Aix-en-Provence.
