LIP-SMACKING EVENTS
Avignon also means good eating! The Picnic of the Chefs, the Petite Cuisine des Halles, gastronomic weekend … An entire menu of festivities!
PICNIC OF THE CHEFS
Delicious Avignon!
Since 2017, Chefs in Avignon have created a major event full of friendly fun that takes place on the last Sunday in September. The chefs formed an association to propose a super gastronomic picnic on the banks of the Rhône, overlooking the Pont d’Avignon and the ramparts of the city. The picnic is shared by thousands of visitors who enjoy a simple, fun and delicious afternoon.
Children, families and grandparents delight in a picnic basket prepared by the Chefs and their apprentices at the Avignon Hotel School. A Côtes-du-Rhône wine bar, and tastings of regional products such as olive oil are offered, and there is a growers’ market for shopping. The pique-nique des Chefs is the association’s leading event and is a great way to enjoy good food and discover Avignon!
MILLEVIN
Primeur wines
Capital of the Côtes-du-Rhône, Avignon has lots of opportunities to celebrate its wines. Millévin, in the autumn, warms hearts and brings sparkle to the eyes of wine-lovers from far and near.
In mid-November, the entire city decks out in red to celebrate the new wine under a big tent that goes up on Place de l’Horloge. Wine tastings, discussions with the winemakers from throughout the Rhône valley as they present their primeur and other wines. Music, fanfare in the streets, colourful parade, and special menus in the restaurants. Millévin is the glass half-full. A popular, traditional celebration that goes until late at night!
AROUND AVIGNON
Feast of Saint Marc, Signargues, Castelas… food and wine celebrations!
How about taking advantage of your stay here to immerse yourself in a village food and wine celebration? Sharing good times and celebrating local gastronomy is a sure way to meet people and learn about the area. Give into the temptation of the “Escapades de Signargues” that take place in Saze, Rochefort du Gard, Domazan and Estézargues. These villages in county Gard, producing Rhône valley wines, have the appellation “Signargues”. Every Friday in July, they come together to propose food and wine pairings in venues that are part of their historical heritage. Join in!
In Villeneuve lez Avignon, the Feast of Saint Marc is an institution that, as they say, goes back to time immemorial! Year in and year out, the Feast of Saint-Marc takes place on the weekend following the 25th of April. Winemaker members of the Confraternity of Saint-Marc parade in the streets. There is folk dancing, blessing and distribution of brioches, a Mass in the Provençal language, and of course, a wine market to taste and select… An event full of Provençal traditions.
Races take place for all kinds of reasons. Here’s one that’s a bit unusual – the Ronde des Vignerons du Castelas – made just for you! This is an oeno-touristic foot race with a strong local accent. Three refueling stops along the race and a buffet at the finish full of local specialties and accompanied by Côte du Rhône primeur wine from the Castelas cellar. All the promise of a festive sports event!
BIENVENUE A LA FERME
An autumn weekend to taste the best
Two delicious days in November to satisfy gourmand appetites! Under a big-top on Place de l’Horloge, the very heart of the centre-city, the Bienvenue à la Ferme weekend features over twenty makers of regional specialties. You can sample and purchase their products. A fun and festive atmosphere for a super foodie weekend.
