| Even if we hear that tradition is dying , we can affirm honestly that Provence
has known how to conserve the traditions of its past. The identity of its people,
their way of thinking and their manner of behaving is an art of living which is
expressed every day
The olive and Olive oil
The olive tree has biblical associations : Noah's dove returned with an olive
branch in its peak, symbolizing hope and peace.Cultivation of the olive tree was
brought by the greeks 25 centuries ago.
The olive trees are silver, with a hint of blue or greenish . Van Gogh painted
a lot of olive trees in Fontvieille region. The region is the largest olive producer
in France. 80 % of the olives are used to make olive oil.
Did you know that the famous soap produced in Marseille is made with 72 %
fat content which come from the olive ? Besides olive oil, they make a paste of
olives, tuna and capêrs called " tapenade" , it comes green or black and it's
very good on toasts.
The varieties cultivated are " Picholine " or "Salonenque". Olives picking
last 5 months ( October to February ), olives are still mainly hand picked. An
entire museum is devoted to the olive in the Romanesque Chapel Sainte Blaise at
les Baux de Provence.
The olive road goes from Arles, tarascon St Rémy de Provence and the Valley
of Les BAux. Further north in The Drome region ,in NYONS, grow a lot of very famous
olive trees too.
Visitors can taste the olive oil produced in the 7 still working olive presses
in les Baux Valley.: for example, in Mouries the largest olive-oil producing community.
Olive oil has replaced the butter and cream in many restaurants all over the
country since it has been proved that olive oil is beneficial for the heart and
the respiratory system.
Garlic
Main ingredient for the Provencal cuisine ( aioli : garlic mayonnaise) , garlic
is sold in bunches and is very good for your health ( especially for heart )
The Pastis Thirst for farniente and the sun. It is made from aniseed
liquor and drunk with ice water. A must to taste
The Provencal fabrics Blue or yellow or any bright colour, their colour
sing of Provence. Square cotton scarf or flounced petticoat they make you look
like gipsy girls. The Provencal prints heirs to the earliest printed calico, fascinate
the world even the haute couture through Christian Lacroix,
Between tarascon to Orange , discover the manufacture and their secrets; in
Saint Etienne du Gres , next to St Remy , visit LES OLIVADES and in Tarascon,
the famous SOULEIADO trade mark.
FUGUES EN FRANCE can set up tours for you in Provence as well as cooking courses
Catherine Thevenin
FUGUES EN FRANCE
Email:fugues@club-internet.fr
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