Christmas in Provence

December Events in Provence, 2018

November 29, 2018 by ashleyt 3 Comments

During December in Provence the local bakeries and gourmet grocery stores are filled with delicious specialties and the winding streets of hilltop towns come alive again (after quiet November) for the Christmas markets. The gift of food is king here. I have to say I cannot be more on board with that French policy.

Attend any of the events below and you’ll find yourself nibbling roasted chestnuts and wandering around a town square with a glass of champagne or mulled wine in your hand. Provence may not be known for it’s festive season in comparison to the Alsace region of France, but I’m certainly not complaining. If you happen to be in the area, I’m still offering market tours despite the more chilly weather. We’ll just have to sneak an extra glass of red to keep us warm!

Just about every single village in the Provencal countryside has their own Christmas market. I like the outdoor markets better than the markets held in the local community centres. I also prefer the markets that last only a weekend or a day. See Noel.org for a complete list of the many many Christmas markets and light festivals. Christmas markets (Marchés de Noel) generally only start at 10am and go until 6pm.

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December Events in Provence 2017

December 5, 2017 by ashleyt 1 Comment

December Events in Provence 2017

Gordes sous la Neige Photo © OTLCDP

Snow in Provence! For once we might get a white Christmas! There are many Christmas markets this month in Provence. This is the time to binge on delicious nougat, foie gras, pink champagne and oysters. Yes, that is basically a French Christmas. In my opinion, the best markets are outdoor which I’ve included here. Are you feeling merry yet?

Click the link for all the many small and large Upcoming Christmas Markets for Les Bouches du Rhone, including ongoing markets such as the Christmas market in Aix en Provence.

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November and December Events in Provence

November 10, 2016 by ashleyt 5 Comments

If you’re in Provence for the holiday season for the first time, you’ll notice that Christmas is not celebrated with the same gusto as in Northern parts of France or colder climates in general. However, there are some fantastic markets to get you into the mood for gorging on artisan chocolates and whatever else takes your fancy. I’m providing the best events for both November and December here so that you can organize visiting the markets that interest you the most.

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Merry Christmas from Provence!

December 24, 2015 by ashleyt 1 Comment

The cafes are full inside and out today in Provence as everyone enjoys the mild weather. The baker is furiously making fougasse/pompe à l’huile for tomorrow, the local epicerie can’t seem to keep fresh mejool dates (that melt in your mouth!) and clementines on the shelves. There are towers of foie gras beside the cashiers in the grocery stores. Just in case you somehow managed to forget to buy some for tomorrow’s meal. I can’t wait to see the fish stalls tomorrow in my local village. Just about everyone will be buying shellfish and smoked salmon. The meal of the 24th, or Le Gros Souper, is more important here than the meal of the 25th. Traditionally full of Christian symbolism, “Le Gros Souper” is actually a simple meal of simple dishes consisting of fish and vegetables all served at the same time. The dessert, the famous “13 desserts” is a mixture of seasonal fruits (fresh and candied), dates, nougat, dried figs and raisins, nuts and finally a

I can’t wait to see the fish stalls tomorrow in my local village where just about everyone will be buying shellfish and smoked salmon. The meal of the 24th, or Le Gros Souper, is more important here than the meal of the 25th. Traditionally full of Christian symbolism, “Le Gros Souper” is actually a simple meal of simple dishes. It consists of fish and vegetables all served at the same time. The dessert, the famous “13 desserts” is a mixture of seasonal fresh and candied fruits. These include dates, nougat, dried figs and raisins, nuts. The meal is completed with a pompe à l’huile or fougasse flavoured with orange blossom.

Are you in the spirit? Here are a few vintage postcards to get you in the mood…

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A Christmassy Weekend in Avignon

December 12, 2015 by ashleyt 7 Comments

These trees can be bought at the “Marché de Sapin” on Rue Carnot that is impressively open 7 days a week until Christmas!

Christmas markets in Avignon

Today and tomorrow Avignon is particularly in the mood for some Christmas spirit. Carols are playing all throughout the town and the fairy lights have been left on!

The main Christmas market (outside the town hall) is open as well as the classy Christmas festivities happening at La Hotel Mirande.

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Christmas Markets and December Events in Provence

November 30, 2015 by ashleyt 13 Comments

December is upon us!

I haven’t even begun my Christmas shopping. Oh my…

The Christmas markets have already started here in Provence but now it’s getting serious. Stacks of foie gras and artisan chocolates are piled high in the grocery stores, the smell of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine is already in the city streets. The countryside is permeated with the smell of wood fire oozing out of farmhouse chimneys (jealous!). It’s time to snuggle into the cold weather.

My Favourites of the Season

I’ve been to many, many village Christmas markets here in Provence throughout the past 2 years. The ambiance, product selection, and general joy of a Christmas market doesn’t necessarily depend on the size or beauty of a town. There are a couple factors; firstly, I’m sorry, but it must be outside. Secondly, I find the shorter markets that are held over a weekend or a day are much better than the longer ones due to general turn-out, ambiance and the energy of the stallholders. Thirdly, the more choice in gourmet products…of course the better! So, grab a scarf and brave the Mistral winds with a plastic cup full of mulled wine. Taste the nougat, faugasse, sacristin and all other traditional Christmas confections. It’s time to indulge.

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November Events in Provence

November 1, 2015 by ashleyt 5 Comments

Persimmon or ‘Kaki’ fruit. These are beautiful fruit that is meant to be picked after all the leaves have fallen off the tree. When I asked my local greengrocer what to do with them- she picked one up in front of me and devoured it- with the juice all over her face she said: “do that!” Fine with me!!

November in Provence

The smell of wood fires has returned to the air. The cuts of meat have completely changed at the butchers. The markets start a little later and clementines are all of a sudden in abundance. The leaves on the grapevines are a dark red and the Christmas markets (including some of my favourites) are already here!

Here is my selection of upcoming November events in the Bouches du Rhone region (and a little more) of Provence.

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