The best local producers Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur

Christian Hogedez, beekeeper, welcomes groups of children to his farm and explains to them everything about obtaining honey. For other visitors, he offers lavender, spring and garrigue honey as well as gingerbread, nougats and other products of the hive, made and sold on the spot all year long. If you are lucky enough to be present when the honey is extracted, he will be happy to show you his know-how and to share some secrets with you.

It's been a family affair for four generations. The owners pamper 12 ha certified in organic agriculture from which they obtain an AOC Provence oil. You will find it at the estate shop, in pretty bottles, fruity or flavoured (lemon, truffle, basil, Espelette pepper), alongside green and black tapenades. And as the benefits of olive oil are multiple. Take the time to discover the other products of this mill where cereals are grown.

The Haut brothers have been running the mill for 5 generations. The olive oil is crushed by stone millstones. The extraction is then done in a horizontal centrifuge. The fruité vert is extracted from the aglandau variety, more commonly called "verdale de Carpentras" in this part of the department. The Comtat mill markets the oil from its own orchards and from a few olive growers, and offers individuals the opportunity to crush by batch, and thus leave with their own oil.

From the rocky outcrops of the Moroccan Atlas (argan oil) to the terraced olive groves of the Pays d'Aix (Aix AOC olive oil), the gastronomic oils of this house are pure, healthy and tasty. Here is sunshine for your cooking! Walnut and hazelnut oils are also used in our salads. This is the basis, but the shop offers many other products: the noble truffle and vinaigrettes, antipasti, chutneys... A farandole of refined flavours and plenty of ideas to treat yourself. Ideal for a change of scenery while enjoying yourself!

During the visit to the miellerie of explanations you will be provided on the work of the hive.

This family business continues to produce about ten different honeys (the great-grandfather already harvested honey in 1890!), acacia, heather, chestnut, lavender, mountain, Provence, rosemary, fir, thyme, lime tree, all flowers, arbutus, sunflower, royal jelly, propolis, pollen, and offers at the shop many derivative products, mead, nougat bars, pastry, soap... Notice to gourmands! Finally, Fabienne and Vincent also manage the operation and rental of the Apigîtes cottages.

Velaux, a charming town in Provence, is home to Terroirs de Provence, a renowned olive oil producer. Since 2000, they've been selling their products online, offering olive oil lovers the world over the chance to sample their production. Their site offers a variety of information on their production, store, olive oil cooking, recipes and health benefits.

Beekeepers for generations, Christophe and Pierre take care of the hives and bees, Delphine takes care of the commercial development of the brand Miel et Une Tentations. The traditional raw honeys are all harvested in France and potted in Les Mées, as well as organic honeys, all from the Italian Piedmont. Neither mixed nor pasteurized, they are as harvested in the hive, to preserve their gustatory qualities. Rosemary, acacia, chestnut and lavender honeys are harvested at the corresponding flowering times.

Here is a shop that will make gourmets fall in love. Not far from the house of Nostradamus, the establishment proposes, in the course of its displays, shortbread, macaroons, calissons, nougats, in short a huge palette of sweets that we want to try one by one. And, by the smell of it, it's definitely what we're going to do. The staff is friendly and pleasant, the products are really of high quality. Le Petit Duc is an institution in Saint-Rémy and it's not by chance. Well, we'll go there right away!

Marc Lamoine and Monique Ksourah welcome you to their honey house throughout the year. On sale are the products of their hives, with nine different varieties of honey, including five rare monofloral honeys of low production. Among the other gourmet products, you can also find black nougat, gingerbread pure honey, or chestnut jam from the Maures massif, made according to a local recipe with the best fruits of the Maures massif. You can also find all his products on the surrounding markets.

Tasting of olive oil, tapenade, honey... it happens in the store of the mas de Cayol, a pretty store where a pleasant smell of Provence emanates. You can find there countless gustatory treasures, but also wooden utensils and the famous beer of the gardians. Groups can also take part in a nice walk in the olive trees with a tasting of olive oil and olives on the way back. The welcome is friendly, even good-natured. A pleasant stopover that we can only recommend.

This producers' store is the fruit of teamwork and is run by the farmers who offer their products for direct sale. All year round, La Bardane offers a wide range of products from the southern Luberon and the Durance plain, including fruit and vegetables, wines, meats, preserves, cheeses and bread. The store embodies the values of peasant agriculture, promoting practices that respect the environment and people. The products on offer meet strict ethical criteria, notably excluding soil-less agriculture and intensive livestock farming. Here you'll find quality and good cheer!

On the heights of the village, this organic transhumance bee farm produces several varieties of honey: rosemary, garrigue, thyme, acacia, chestnut, calanques, lime and lavender, from the Vercors. You can also find propolis, vegetable ice creams, honey shortbread, wheat, small spelt, gingerbread, marshmallows, cakes and quince paste or soap. Courses and conferences are regularly given on themes of well-being

The estate owes its name to an ancient gypsum quarry located on its land. Organic farming is used to produce wine and olive oil. If you'd like to learn more about the mysteries of wine, you'll find wine tourism workshops and a tasting school. In the boutique, cuvées with enchanting names await you: Care du vent, Caresse du vent, Grande cuvée..

Located in the heart of the estate's 70ha of vineyards and olive groves, the Terrasses d'Adrien boutique offers top-quality wines and olive oils that you can taste on site. Two typically Provençal oils are produced from 1,618 olive trees, most of them grown in restanques: "Vert Intense", with notes of dried fruit and freshly cut grass, and "Noir d'olive", with aromas of candied olives, cooked artichokes and cocoa zest. Three other aromatic oils complete the range, adding pep to your recipes. To be enjoyed on site after a pleasant stroll around the estate.

Established since 2008, on a small traditional farm in the Ventoux, the farmhouse offers olive oil. They have put back into cultivation the saffron of Carpentras, forgotten for more than 100 years. As for the certified organic harvests (approximate dates) from 20/04 to 5/05 it will be the strawberry season, from 15/05 to 01/07 the cherry, from 25/05 to 10/07 the apricot, from 01/07 to 20/08 the fig, from 20/08 to 25/09 the grape and from 25/09 to 15/10 the quince; ideal for making good jam! What's up? Go and have a look if you are in the area. 100% biodynamic.

Installed around the Cloister, this agroecological farm covers 2 hectares and is the second operating site of the Paysan Urbain in France. Two main activities are developed there: on the one hand, the cultivation of microfoams and aromatic herbs, and on the other hand, an ecological vocation to raise awareness of environmental preservation, especially for schoolchildren. The microfoots, grown organically and without pesticides, are used to decorate the dishes of the region's restaurant owners, in a short circuit of course. Dill, basil, mustard, mizuna, arugula and pak choi: here we give time to cultivate. Numerous workshops for "greening" and exchanges between generations.

Former trumpet player, the owner Marcus Conrad, chose the oenologist Jérôme Dufour to accompany him and create superb AOP Cotes de Provence and IGP Pays des Maures wines in the 3 colours. He also vinifies 2 cuvées of natural wines without any input, in red and rosé. These are very successful wines, already spotted by specialized journalists and wine guides. On the estate, a Nature and winegrower's trail winds through the woods and vineyards, offering the chance to discover the rich flora and fauna of the area in a very pretty walk in the shade of the immense umbrella pines.

Since 2004, Manon has been growing biodynamic vegetables and fruit in Eguilles and selling them at the Aix and Puyricard markets every week. With her laying hens, she added greenhouses and left for Sicily to be in direct contact with organic citrus growers. In 2017, not content with meeting her customers through conferences, she developed a system of self-composed baskets, direct from producer to consumer. In her store, you'll also find a range of organic spices to spice up all your recipes, a delicatessen section with soups and jams, and a fresh produce section (her father's Vaucluse goat's cheese). Good and beautiful!

Cavage is the harvesting of truffles. The term comes from the Provençal word cavadou, a tool used for digging in the ground. Caverage or truffle extraction can be carried out with a dog trained from an early age. At Espenon, we work with the Lagotto Romagnolo, which seems to have the right qualities. From an early age, the puppy is conditioned to the particular scent of the black truffle, tuber melanosporum, and is rewarded when it finds one. When the dog starts digging, the master takes over and gently excavates the mushroom. For this highly unusual harvest, there's a real osmosis between owner and dog. The truffle is a subterranean fungus that needs a symbiotic relationship with the roots of trees, particularly holm and white oaks, in order to develop. Maison Espenon offers seasonal 3-day truffle stays with truffle dinners!

Stéphane Pax raises snails responsibly in a 1,200m2 park, using sustainable, natural methods and no chemicals. He is a member of the Biosphere Reserve, guaranteeing the quality and authenticity of his products, which he processes and cooks in his own laboratory, before selling them at markets (including the Motte d'Aigues market on Thursdays from June to August) and to Michelin-starred restaurants in the region. His speciality? Snail croquilles in crispy wafer shells, with flavors that vary according to the season. In addition to his farming activities, he organizes monthly "à la bonne franquette" snail dinners in the summer months.

A few kilometers from Aix, the Petit Janet mill was established in November 2012 under the impetus of Sébastien Lézaud, in the heart of the Côtes chain in Lambesc; the last oil mill in this area had closed in 1956 after the terrible devastating frost. Son and grandson of a farmer, Sébastien, a wine and cereal grower, is passionately committed to his domain as an olive grower, producing two oils with an intense green fruity taste, but also as a miller for the inhabitants of Lambesc who own a few olive trees.

This wine and olive-growing estate is located in the heart of the Provencal countryside and produces wines from noble grape varieties. It benefits from the Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence PDO. Its oil mill has been awarded the distinction Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (Living Heritage Company), a label of excellence for French know-how. Among the flagship olive oils are the AOP Aix-en-Provence, the Fruité Mûr de Château Virant, the Vallon des Oliviers in AOP Provence, Fruité Mûr and Bio... Many home-made delicacies are available in the shop (cooked wine jams, olive caramels...)

7 ha on the Valensole plateau. Josiane and Gérard Terrasson have planted 1,500 trees, 90% of which are of the aglandau variety, which lends its typicality to their oil, an organic PDO Haute Provence olive oil that has won several medals at the Concours Général Agricole. The estate is located in the Alpes de Haute Provence, and the olives are crushed at the Moulin de Gréoux and the Moulin Bonaventure in Valensole, but they also sell their oil from their home in Aix, as well as in local organic stores

André Giauffret has been growing quails since 1992 for his olives, which he transforms into oil, paste and table olives, all certified AOP de Nice. But at La Sirole, you can also put your feet under the table of the family restaurant to taste these local products directly. An authentic Nissarde cuisine which gives pride of place to the olives from the estate. Taste the real pissaladière, the pan bagnat or the salad niçoise seasoned with André's olive oil. And there, under the shady arbour lined with olive trees, time stands still...

At Domaine de Vautubière in Coudoux, the Gaubens family cultivates 7 hectares of organic and PDO olive trees, vines and almond trees. Their olives, traditionally crushed at the Moulin de Coudoux cooperative, produce a quality olive oil that has won numerous awards. Composed of 95% Aglandau and Salonenque varieties and 5% ancient olive varieties, this lightly fruity sweetness holds the prestigious AOP Huile d'Aix-en-Provence label. This green gold perpetuates the olive-growing tradition of this estate, where olive trees were already growing in the 1st century.

The Pisciculture des Ecrins invites gourmets in the Hautes-Alpes to enjoy the freshest rainbow trout. Freshly caught, the trout are sold whole, gutted or processed into tasty smoked and canned products. The store is also packed with local produce: craft beers, quality wines, sparkling champagnes, local fruit juices, Label Rouge duck products, French gherkins and Label Rouge Tarbais beans. Whether you're looking for fresh fish of the day or local produce, Pisciculture des Ecrins has something for everyone.

Dried chickpeas, jars of cooked chickpeas or in flour, this legume is at the center of Raphaëlle and Christian Jorgensen's operation. They grow and cook them in their workshop according to a Provencal recipe. Their specialty: poichichades with AOC Haute Provence olive oil. A delicious puree of these peas, hummus style, accompanied by sesame, lemon, garlic and spices. Raphaëlle and Christian's preparations can be found in many organic stores in the department (see website).

Denis, santonnier, great defender of the rural world. It is dressed in his apron that he warmly welcomes you in his workshop in order to make you discover his art, his passion: the creation of santons in painted or waxed clay. Throughout the exchanges, Denis mixes the clay, paints it, signs the subjects. We find classic figurines such as the baby Jesus, the shepherd, the wise men, but what makes Denis popular is his little touch on some santons: he puts forward a villager (such as the herbalist, the baker...).

The Moulin du Grand Réal is a traditional oil mill, you can see the granite millstone, the scourtins and the two hydraulic presses during your visit. The olives harvested on the estate are crushed from November to December to give an A.O.C. certified organic oil. The oil of the mill as well as all the farm products directly cultivated or manufactured by the Grand Réal (seasonal vegetables, goat cheese...) are sold at the ESAT shop. They are also served at the inn. Freshness guaranteed.

Nathalie has settled down with her herd of Rove goats between Sainte-Baume and Sainte-Victoire in the Regagnas massif. Nathalie will show you around her farm and her work, the milking parlour and the cheese dairy where she transforms the milk into brousse du Rove, a fresh, creamy PDO cheese since 2018. She also offers other mature, dry and semi-dry cheeses, tomme and goat ricotta. Children will love the biquettes with their twisted horns, the donkeys, chickens and ducks that live here... You can also follow the signposted trails.

The Mallessons farm 20 hectares of garrigue land, ideal for growing perfume, aromatic and medicinal plants. The plants are traditionally distilled in their laboratory to produce essential oils, floral waters and soaps. The rest is dried and transformed into herbes de Provence. They also produce a fruity green olive oil and honey. The distillery is not open to visitors, but you can see the lavender fields in bloom in July.

Near the village's main square, Boucan celebrates ceramics and beekeeping. In her workshop, Eléonore has created a warm and friendly atmosphere for her pieces. Cups, bowls, plates and vases fit perfectly into a decor where wood and stone blend harmoniously. These pieces stand out for their originality and will easily dress up any table. Don't miss the honey from Robert, her father, whose beehives are located in the commune. A beautiful store that combines craftsmanship and the environment.

Descended from a long line of farmers of Vaudois origin, François Aurouze created this estate in 1988. While he produced AOC Luberon wines until 2020, since then he has concentrated on olive oil production. Cultivated on just under 3ha of mainly Aglandau olive trees, the oil is certified organic. Visit the cellar in the heart of the village to taste this unique oil and tour the ^17th-century vaulted cellars and troglodytic oil mill.

Created in 1979 by André Llerena, Provence Chips has evolved much over the years with a constant concern for quality and integration of the latest production tools. His sons resumed the company and today it was Patrick Llerena who heads the Company. 750 tons of chips are produced each year and are distributed in many countries. Natural Allauch 100% chips with no dye or preservatives are the flagship product. Crispy, tasty and finely salted, they are exclusively prepared according to a homemade recipe. Other products: chips chips and potato chips Vitelotte which are naturally blue.

Cyril and Gilles honey producers joined together to give birth in 2006, to L'Or des abeilles. Since 2019, Théotime, Cyril's son has joined the Gaec, they now have 1000 hives. They produce a dozen honeys according to the transhumance: lavender, rosemary, thyme in Provence, lime, acacia, chestnut in the Drome and Ardeche. So many flavors, colors and textures for these honeys produced by craftsmen and in respect of the environment. On sale in the shops of Puyloubier and in the big stores of the region.

What if you tried a 100% home-made biscuit, made in Provence or rather made in La Ciotat? Maison Craquelin is the recent adventure of two childhood friends, Nicolas and David, passionate and great gourmands before the eternal. A varied and tempting range of products, mainly inspired by the Provençal region, made with products mainly from French production. Orange blossom or aniseed flavoured turnips, orange biscuits, lemon-poppy seed shortbread, raisin or fig palets and chocolate chip cookies...

Come and discover LOGIKBIO, a small organic farm in Villeneuve. The farm grows herbs, berries, saffron, vegetables and dried plants. It also has a small store selling its own processed products as well as those of local producers. A small nursery offers aromatic and soil plants, as well as seasonal vegetable seedlings. Various events are organized throughout the year at this authentic and friendly farm. It's an ideal destination for fun family activities.

It's a wonderful family story that began between the wars, when Henri Pellestor fell in love with the Sarteau pear (an ancient variety), and developed its cultivation on his farm. His grandsons Claude and Rémy took over the business. The orchard is organic, and their Sarteau pear is the first whole candied fruit in France to be certified organic. the candied fruit is sold under the Le Trésor de Marie-Augustine label, a tribute to the gourmet grandmother whose recipes made the company a success, even today.

Ferme les Charentais is an organic farm offering farm-gate sales of its products.

Georges Rasse, the winemaker, believes in the importance of sunlight in wine production, and lets his (organic) wines age for several months in tanks on the cellar's terraces. The result is surprisingly delicious. The estate also offers camping on the farm, with 6 tent pitches in the shade of olive trees and a gypsy caravan. Every year, new labels are created based on the paintings of painter Rémy Rasse, Georges' brother. The colors of the labels reflect the intensity of the vintage. For wine lovers in search of a unique experience, the Vignoble Saint Jeannet - Domaine des Hautes Collines is a must-see when visiting Saint-Jeannet.