Discover the local specialties of the Alpilles region

When you hear the word Alpilles, you immediately think of the Regional Nature Park, the range of limestone hills and its quaint villages. We sometimes forget that this area in the Bouches-du-Rhône also boasts an exceptional terroir. From certified produce to Provençal cuisine, the Alpilles are the perfect place to tantalise your taste buds. That’s why, in this article, we’re going to take a look at the local specialities of the Alpilles. From regional produce to must-visit spots, not to mention recipes to try, discover everything you need for an epicurean holiday in Provence.

Local produce to discover in the Alpilles

The Alpilles region, a naturally fertile area par excellence, is renowned for its wine and olive production. These two industries form an integral part of the economy of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. So, between hikes or visits to local villages, why not discover the Alpilles in a different way, through its local specialities?

Olive oil: the green gold of the Alpilles

The most iconic regional speciality of the Alpilles is, without a doubt, olive oil. Produced from green or black olives, it comes in a variety of flavours. Discover the history of Provence’s ‘green gold’ and find out which places to visit to learn all about this product, which is the pride of our region.

The history of olive oil from the Alpilles

Set amongst vineyards and hills, olive groves dominate the valley of Les Baux-de-Provence. They are estimated to cover 2,400 hectares, comprising some 300,000 trees, making this the largest olive-growing area in France. However, the olive tree is not a native species. The first trees were planted in the Bouches-du-Rhône following the Phoenician conquests, several millennia ago. The microclimate of the Alpilles makes it a perfect haven.

Since ancient times, olive oil has been used in cooking, as well as in herbal medicine and personal care. In the Middle Ages, the olive tree made its appearance in religious ceremonies and became the emblem of the Baux-de-Provence valley. It was from the 18th century onwards that the first olive groves began to appear. Olive oil then became the flagship product of the Alpilles, where trade flourished. But that was without taking into account the capricious weather. In 1956, frost devastated the crops; two-thirds of the region’s olive groves were lost. It was thanks to the technique of coppicing and a good dose of patience that olive growers revived olive cultivation in the Alpilles.

Must-see attractions

Two professions play a key role in the production of Alpilles olive oil: olive growers and millers. Whilst the former cultivate the olive trees and harvest their fruit, the latter transform them into ‘green gold’. Olive growers are found throughout the region and number in the dozens. If you’d like to visit a farm, please feel free to contact the estates listed on the Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Tourist Office website. The millers producing AOP Vallée des Baux-de-Provence olive oil are fewer in number, but just as happy to show you around their estates.

Delicatessens worth discovering

You can, of course, find olive oil produced in the region, as well as other local specialities from the Alpilles, in the delicatessens near our La Vallée Heureuse campsite, located in Orgon. For a wider selection, we recommend taking a stroll around Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, particularly in the following shops:

“Chez Karen”, which gives pride of place to local producers and artisans ;
L’épicerie heureuse, an eco-friendly, zero-waste shop that works with local producers ;
Entre Sel & Terre, which also has a salt cellar.

The wine-growing region of Bouches-du-Rhône

The history of wine in the Alpilles

Wine-growing originated in the Alpilles during Roman times and flourished in the Middle Ages, thanks to the monasteries. Thanks to the Mediterranean climate and the diversity of the soils, the grape varieties that thrive here produce wines with a strong identity. Whether red, white or rosé, the wines of the Alpilles are renowned for their quality. Some even hold AOP or IGP designations.

Wineries worth visiting

Fancy trying wine tourism in Provence? What a great idea! Not only will you be helping to preserve the region’s wine-growing heritage, but you’ll also get to enjoy a whole host of fun activities. On the agenda: visits to vineyards, meetings with winemakers and wine tastings. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the vineyards we recommend:

the Fontchêne estate in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence ;
the Domaine d’Eole in Eygalières;
the Grand Fontanille estate in Saint-Étienne-du-Grès ;
Estoublon Castle in Fontvieille ;
Sainte-Marie de Pierredon Abbey in Mouriès ;
and the Valdition estate in Orgon, just a stone’s throw from our La Vallée Heureuse campsite.

Local specialities from the Alpilles to try

In Provence, the sun isn’t just in the sky – it’s on your plate too. With its healthy and colourful Mediterranean diet, our cuisine is well worth exploring. Come along for a tour of the regional specialities of the Alpilles.

Typical products of Provençal cuisine

So, what do people eat in Provence? Obviously, products made from the region’s iconic fruit: the olive. Top of the list is tapenade, which you’ll enjoy as part of your holiday aperitifs. But it would be a shame not to try the following specialities, which are so dear to our beautiful region:

candied fruit;
fresh goat’s cheese;
fougasse;
anchoïade, a paste made from anchovies, capers and olive oil, perfect with raw vegetables;
our Provençal charcuterie, such as Provençal-style andouillette or Arles sausage;
sun-kissed vegetables enhanced by our herbs.

And what better place than our Provençal markets in the Alpilles to discover this unique cuisine.

Provençal recipes to enjoy

It’s really hard to choose just one of the local specialities in the Alpilles. However, as you’re bound to be familiar with bouillabaisse and aioli, we thought we’d suggest some lesser-known but equally delicious dishes. Here’s our list of Provençal dishes to try during your stay in the Alpilles:

Provençal-style tomatoes, a classic oven-baked dish, nicely seasoned with garlic and herbes de Provence ;
stuffed vegetables, sun-ripened vegetables stuffed with a mixture of minced meat, rice and herbs ;
pistou soup, which is enjoyed in the summer, made with fresh vegetables, beans, pasta and pistou, a fragrant Provençal sauce ;
Provençal beef stew, made with beef simmered in red wine, along with onions, garlic, carrots and herbes de Provence.

Places to visit near the campsite

If you’d like to sample some delicious local specialities from the Alpilles, we can recommend the following places:

the Arcades restaurant, in our charming village of Orgon;
At Paulette’s, in Eygalières;
and Chez Titi, the restaurant at our La Vallée Heureuse campsite.

We’re pretty sure your mouth is watering after reading this. All the more reason to come and sample the local specialities of the Alpilles for yourself. So book your next gourmet break in the Alpilles now!