Gourmet products local specialties and wines Villeneuve-Lès-Avignon

If you don't have the time to explore the vineyards of the Rhône Valley, make a detour to this wine fair where François Cas, a sommelier by trade and a knowledgeable wine merchant who provides fine local cuisine, officiates. He has nurtured his passion and experience with starred chefs in France and elsewhere as far away as Uruguay and Canada. You can trust him, he knows what he sells and knows the estates and most of the winegrowers whose bottles fill his shop. Spend a Friday late afternoon there, you can extend it with the Apéro-Comptoir.

Located on a ring road in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, this winery opened its doors in 2017. Inside, you'll find over 900 references of wines from small producers and cooperative cellars, grands crus, champagnes and a large section dedicated to spirits and beers. All budgets are catered for, and there's plenty of advice on what to buy if you're not a wine connoisseur. The cellar also hosts vernissages, tasting evenings and wine gatherings. An address for those who love good wines and want to discover new ones.

The Chartreuse oil mill is one of the oldest in France still in operation. It was created in 1358 by the Carthusian order, and in 2009 its buildings were listed as historical heritage. The mill was taken over in 2008 by the Bronzini family. It is Philippe, master miller passionate about his job, who is in charge of crushing the olives to produce 3 oils: the Cuvée des Chartreux, the Cuvée Diamant Noir Provence and the Cuvée à l'Ancienne.

Breads of all kinds! Soft breads, rustic breads, holiday breads, savoury and sweet tarts and puff pastries, sandwiches, evening cakes, desserts, iced vacherins, macaroons, pastries (including a praline brioche so tasty that you'll have to make a detour). Didier Marcellin is an artisan baker, chocolatier, ice-cream maker and confectioner like his father, from whom he took over the family pastry shop in Saint-Symphorien-de-Lay, near Roanne. He chose to settle down in the south. And that's good for us.

Buying fresh produce, following the seasons, taking the time to chat with producers... Don't miss the Thursday market, where all the specialties of Provence are naturally brought together! The colors, the smells and, above all, the atmosphere. The market offers a wide variety of food products, as well as numerous stalls selling clothes, second-hand goods and other items. Early risers will be able to take home fish straight from the Mediterranean coast and fresh organic fruit and vegetables.

Our favorite in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, quantity and quality. An undeniable reputation on all the agglomeration. Some people come from far away to bargain and make good deals! We like the warm atmosphere which reigns there; the refreshment bar in the heart of the square and also La Petite Cuillère next to the tourist office; the tasting of oysters accompanied by a "p'tit blanc" on a shucking stand. To park, use the side parking lots after the market square or higher up towards the Philippe le Bel tower.

His name is Richard Ferrari and his ice creams and sorbets are absolutely gourmet. Whatever the flavor - 32 à la carte depending on the season - whether in a cup, coupette, cornet or by the liter to take away, the flavors are all there. At the height of summer, when the cicadas are singing and the mercury is reaching 30°C, the lemon basil yoghurt sorbet is a welcome treat, not very sweet and almost as thirst-quenching as a cocktail. At Christmas, we stock up on ice cream to garnish our homemade logs. The setting is simple, but the ice cream here rises to artistic heights.