When your mind wanders to beautiful Provence in Southern France, the first thing that may come to mind is the fragrant lavender fields, but the region offers more than purple horizons and perfect sunsets. This region is home to ancient villages, coastal treasured, along with a vibrant, fresh, and local food and wine scene. Provence is a paradise for anyone that wants to experience southern France. If you are planning a holiday to Provence and are looking for unique experiences to enjoy beyond the lavender fields, continue reading.
1. Private Cooking Classes
The best way to really understand the history and culture of Provence is through flavours. Private cooking classes can be held in a villa kitchen, your holiday rental kitchen, or a kitchen workshop in the area, providing you with a hands-on experience into regional cuisine. You learn how to prepare classic local dishes, such as bouillabaisse or ratatouille, using the freshest, hand-selected ingredients from the local fresh produce market. Your private chef provides you new skills, from preparing the ingredients, to using local herbs, olive oils, and wines, to add flavour and aroma. Every class ends with recipe cards, along with chef to table service.
2. Camargue on Horseback
The best way to explore Camargue is on horseback, as you ride through a protected nature reserve, known for it’s iconic white horses, wetlands, rice fields, and pink flamingoes. Enjoy a leisurely rise through dramatic landscapes, soaking in the beauty of the area.
3. Explore a Traditional Olive Mill
Olive oil is known as liquid gold in Provence. Exploring a traditional olive mill, provides you with insight into how the olives are harvested, pressed, and transformed into liquid gold. A olive mill tour often includes olive oil tastings, where you can try a variety of herb-infused oils, along with pastries made using olive oil. You learn the centuries-old production methods that have been passed down through generations.
4. Wine Tasting at a Family-Run Vineyard
Rose is the wine Provence is most famous for. While there is no shortage of well-known vineyards, there are small family-run wineries, where you can enjoy an intimate tasting. They offer the chance to meander through the vineyards, meet the winemakers, and sample the delicious local Rose wines.
5. Soak Up the Beauty of the Ochre Trails of Roussillon
The Ochre Trails of Roussillon is often called the “French Colorado.” It is a geological wonder, with golden cliffs, and spectacular scenic trails. Walking these trails is walking through a natural art gallery, offering a stunning backdrop, surrounded by spectacular scenery.
6. A True Market to Table Experience
In Provence, meal times are social experiences, a chance to family and friends to share food, socialise, and spend quality time together. It all starts at one of the fresh produce markets in the area in the mornings, where you can buy all your fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients from land and sea. From your infused olive oils and fresh seafood, to a selection of local herbs and meat. You can shop for all your fresh ingredients at the market, transforming them into a delicious lunch.
7. Cassis Calanques
The Calanques National Park, located between Cassis and Marseilles, offers turquoise inlets with dramatic cliffs, which is best explored by kayak or boat. Explore hidden beaches or take a dip in the clear waters. The area is truly one of the most beautiful secrets in the area.
8. Visit L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue for Antiques
This lovely riverside town is known as the Venice of Provence, with well-known antique markets where hundreds of dealers offer the finest French art, furniture, and other items. The market is held each Sunday and the ideal place to find souvenirs to take home with you.
9. Discover the Roman Ruins
Provence is more than lavender fields and mouthwatering cuisine, it is also rich in Roman history. Arles, is home to an amphitheatre, known for gladiator battles, while Glanum near Saint-Remy is an ancient Roman city with preserved ruins, offering you a chance to explore Provence’s past.
10. A Hilltop Sunset
If you are looking for something unique and timeless, take the time to head to a hilltop village in Provence, such as Gordes or Bonnieux, where you can enjoy a spectacular sunset as the cobblestone lanes glow. Don’t forget to take your picnic hamper and Rose wine to enjoy as the sun sets over the region.
Conclusion
Provence is so much more than lavender fields. The area is a blend of landscapes, traditions, flavours, and unforgettable memories. Whether you want to explore nature, soak up the local history, or enjoy a unique gourmet experience, Provence offers a host of unique experiences that ensures your stay is one you will remember for years to come. Contact Cooking Classes in Provence for a unique cooking class experience.
