With its geographical and cultural diversity, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region has a wide variety of lands that have influenced its culinary heritage, rich in colors, smells and flavors, deeply rooted in tradition yet resolutely forward-looking.
What a pleasure to sip a pastis, nibble on olives, taste some tapenade on lightly toasted bread, be tempted by a bouillabaisse, succumb to some nougats, calissons and fruit jellies!
But what an unforgettable experience is to learn the secret of making these sweets, to be introduced to the world of Provencal aperitifs, to visit French vineyards in region SUD, to learn the history of an old olive oil mill or to take a Mediterranean style cooking class!
With its geographical and cultural diversity, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region has a wide variety of lands that have influenced its culinary heritage, rich in colors, smells and flavors, deeply rooted in tradition yet resolutely forward-looking.
What a pleasure to sip a pastis, nibble on olives, taste some tapenade on lightly toasted bread, be tempted by a bouillabaisse, succumb to some nougats, calissons and fruit jellies!
But what an unforgettable experience is to learn the secret of making these sweets, to be introduced to the world of Provencal aperitifs, to visit French vineyards in region SUD, to learn the history of an old olive oil mill or to take a Mediterranean style cooking class!
The Scents & recipe of the Pays Salonais
This journey enters the universe of colourful sweets, hones the nose and palate at a winery and olive-growing estate and whets the appetite at a top restaurant before rediscovering Provençal and Mediterranean recipes at a cooking/canning workshop and scents at a traditional soap maker.
1 day
—
When is the best time to visit the Pays Salonais?
In spring when nature awakens. In summer when the days are long. In autumn to enjoy the golden colours. In winter when the air is clearest.
1 – Éguilles
CONFISERIE FRUIDORAIX
Confiserie Fruidoraix has been run by women for four generations, passed down from mother to daughter. Initially specialising in dried fruit, they then started to focus on local delicacies. These have been reinvented: Aix calissons in bright colours, nougats with candied olives, chocolate lollipops… After discovering the production process on the tour, enjoy a generous tasting session.
Éguilles > Lançon-Provence : 18 km
2 – Lançon-Provence
CHÂTEAU VIRANT
In the terroir of Aix-en-Provence, Château Virant is home to vines and olive trees. The site of the château is a rocky peak overlooking the estate with views of Sainte-Victoire and the Sainte-Baume massif. Meet a member of the Cheylan family for a guided tour and tasting session that combines the growth cycle of the vines and olive trees with the aromas and flavours of wines and oils.
Lançon-Provence > Saint-Chamas : 12 km
Our suggestion for lunch: Le Rabelais in Saint-Chamas. On the edge of the Étang de Berre, in an old 17th-century mill, chef Gérald Guilly selects fruit, vegetables, fish and meat for a seasonal gourmet cuisine using fresh, local produce.
3 – Saint-Chamas
MARIUS BERNARD
A visit to the cannery created by Marius Bernard in 1958 is an immersion in the universe of Provençal and Mediterranean recipes. He started by canning fruits in syrup before branching out to include products such as fish soup, ratatouille, tapenades and sauces. Today, the historic brand continues to produce savoury foods but also Provençal sweet treats, spices and more.
Saint-Chamas > Salon-de-Provence : 15 km
4 – Salon-de-Provence
MARIUS FABRE SOAP FACTORY
The Marseille Soap Museum traces the history of soap in Provence from the Middle Ages. It is a journey to the heart of Provençal scents and a discovery of the soap maker’s savoir-faire. Olive oil plays a central role, making soap a natural cosmetic body care product. A visit to the Marius Fabre soap factory offers a more technical presentation of a family business created over 115 years ago. The 20-tonne pot makes it possible to manufacture olive oil soap using the traditional Marseille process…
The Scents & recipe of the Pays Salonais
This journey enters the universe of colourful sweets, hones the nose and palate at a winery and olive-growing estate and whets the appetite at a top restaurant before rediscovering Provençal and Mediterranean recipes at a cooking/canning workshop and scents at a traditional soap maker.
1 day
—
When is the best time to visit the Pays Salonais?
In spring when nature awakens. In summer when the days are long. In autumn to enjoy the golden colours. In winter when the air is clearest.
1 – Éguilles
CONFISERIE FRUIDORAIX
Confiserie Fruidoraix has been run by women for four generations, passed down from mother to daughter. Initially specialising in dried fruit, they then started to focus on local delicacies. These have been reinvented: Aix calissons in bright colours, nougats with candied olives, chocolate lollipops… After discovering the production process on the tour, enjoy a generous tasting session.
Éguilles > Lançon-Provence : 18 km
2 – Lançon-Provence
CHÂTEAU VIRANT
In the terroir of Aix-en-Provence, Château Virant is home to vines and olive trees. The site of the château is a rocky peak overlooking the estate with views of Sainte-Victoire and the Sainte-Baume massif. Meet a member of the Cheylan family for a guided tour and tasting session that combines the growth cycle of the vines and olive trees with the aromas and flavours of wines and oils.
Lançon-Provence > Saint-Chamas : 12 km
Our suggestion for lunch: Le Rabelais in Saint-Chamas. On the edge of the Étang de Berre, in an old 17th-century mill, chef Gérald Guilly selects fruit, vegetables, fish and meat for a seasonal gourmet cuisine using fresh, local produce.
3 – Saint-Chamas
MARIUS BERNARD
A visit to the cannery created by Marius Bernard in 1958 is an immersion in the universe of Provençal and Mediterranean recipes. He started by canning fruits in syrup before branching out to include products such as fish soup, ratatouille, tapenades and sauces. Today, the historic brand continues to produce savoury foods but also Provençal sweet treats, spices and more.
Saint-Chamas > Salon-de-Provence : 15 km
4 – Salon-de-Provence
MARIUS FABRE SOAP FACTORY
The Marseille Soap Museum traces the history of soap in Provence from the Middle Ages. It is a journey to the heart of Provençal scents and a discovery of the soap maker’s savoir-faire. Olive oil plays a central role, making soap a natural cosmetic body care product. A visit to the Marius Fabre soap factory offers a more technical presentation of a family business created over 115 years ago. The 20-tonne pot makes it possible to manufacture olive oil soap using the traditional Marseille process…
