Gourmet getaway in Avignon

My favorite gourmet addresses!

I’m an epicurean. If you’re like me, and discovering a destination also involves the pleasures of good food, you should know that Avignon is not only the City of the Popes and its famous Festival, but that when it comes to gastronomy, we know what we’re talking about! The city and surrounding area are brimming with places to sample the regional delights and local specialities that Provence has to offer.

Chloé Mariani

A native of Avignon and very attached to my city, I've been working at the Tourist Office for the past fifteen years. Passionate about culture and food, I love to share my tips, favorites and discoveries with you!

Stroll through the Halles market

Identifiable by its superb green wall, this covered market is a place of exchange and encounter. Frequented by locals and tourists alike, as well as top chefs who come to stock up on fresh produce, the Halles market is an Avignon institution. I love going there with my little boy to introduce him to the fruits and vegetables in season, and to chat with the shopkeepers, who are never stingy with culinary advice. Although I’m not a cordon-bleu cook, they’ve been invaluable to me on several occasions!

Les Halles - The indoor market in Avignon

Colors, smells, flavours… Tapenade, herbes de Provence, crunchies, candied fruit, fougasse… you’ll want to try it all!

olive oil

Yellow gold from Provence

Olive oil is at the heart of Provençal cuisine, and is an essential part of the region’s specialties. I use it a lot to cook and season my dishes. To find a quality olive oil, I invite you to cross the Rhône and go to the charming village of Villeneuve-lez-Avignon, where Maison Bronzini is located.The Maison Bronzini offers a wide range of olive oil-related activities: tours, tastings and sales.

Discover

Did you know?

Behind these walls backing onto the Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction lies one of Provence’s oldest oil mills, still in operation!

Aline Géhant Chocolatier

For sweet tooths

Being an inveterate gourmand, I have a predilection for chocolate, and to satisfy my cravings I regularly visit Aline Géhant’s pretty boutique. This designer offers a wide variety of chocolates: tablets, ganaches, pralines, mendiants… There’s something for everyone! Little gourmands are not forgotten: my son is crazy about chocolate lollipops, and it’s possible to book a workshop – it’s the perfect opportunity to develop their talent in a fun, creative activity. Another not-to-be-missed address is La Tropézienne patisserie, which offers “papaline”, THE specialty of Avignon. This two-layer chocolate-covered confection looks like a thistle and is flavored with Comtat liqueur. I’ll let you guess what it’s all about…

Capital of the Côtes du Rhône

Avignon is also a wine-growing mecca, the ideal starting point for discovering the wines of the Côtes-du-Rhône (the city has been its capital since 1996), and exploring a fabulous terroir boasting prestigious appellations such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Le clos de la vigne du Pape - Photo credit: Olivier Tresson - Avignon Tourisme

In the heart of the vineyards and the Côtes du Rhône appellation

I’m a wine lover, especially of white wine, but if you prefer red or rosé, you’ll find what you’re looking for in one of the cellars or estates in the area, where you can talk to passionate professionals.