12 Unmissable Foodie Escapes of the Vallée
Wine, cheese, olive oil, seafood, mustard – France’s finest flavours are all here for you to enjoy…
1. DIJON GINGERBREAD
Find out how Dijon’s classic gingerbread (pain d’épices) is made through a visit to the excellent and informative Mulot & Petitjean museum and factory, which has been manufacturing the biscuits since 1796.
Dijon gingerbread
2. ANISEED BONBONS
They’ve been making aniseed bonbons at Flavigny’s Benedictine abbey since the 16th century, ensuring Les Anis de Flavigny is one of France’s oldest commercial food brands. Tourists can visit the factory and the museum.
Aniseed bonbons Les Anis de Flavigny2
3. RED BERRIES
Ferme Fruirouge grows various organic red berries which are destined for jams, butters, pastes, condiments and drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, including the famous Crème de Cassis de Bourgogne.
Red berries Ferme Fruirouge2
4. DIJON MUSTARD
Here’s a chance to create your own Dijon mustard. At a workshop in the city’s Rue Monge, the famous mustard producer Edmond Fallot reveals the family secrets and sends you home with your own homemade hot stuff.
Atelier-Moutarderie Fallot cr Destination Dijon
5. OLIVE OIL
Head for the 17th-century Moulin Cornille in Maussane-les-Alpilles, a traditional cooperative mill where an exhibition reveals the secrets of cold-press olive oil production and explores the region’s centuries-old expertise.
Olive oil Moulin Cornille
6. CAMARGUE SHELLFISH
In Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, in the Parc Naturel Régional de la Camargue, there’s an oyster farm called Camargue Coquillages. Here, they claim to have found the world’s largest oyster – a 2.36kg monster. Free to visit.
Camargue shellfish Camargue Coquillages
7. RICE CULTIVATION
La Maison du Riz, in Albaron, offers a unique, educational museum dedicated to Camargue rice cultivation, guided by a passionate local family. Visitors can also stay in traditional gîtes on the wetlands.
Rice cultivation Maison du riz.jpg
8. MARSEILLE HERBALIST
For six generations, they’ve been making herbal treatments at the Père Blaize pharmacy-cum-herbalist in the heart of Marseille, sharing their experise in thousands of medicinal plants, herbs and natural remedies.
Marseille herbalist Pere Blaize2
9. BEAUJOLAIS WINE
For 350 years, the beautiful Domaine du Château de La Chaize in Odenas has produced exceptional wines across 150 hectares of vineyards. The estate honours tradition and terroir while crafting distinctive wines.
Beaujolais wine Domaine du Château de La Chaize
10. LA MÈRE LÉA
This restaurant in Lyon has been welcoming diners since the Second World War, with traditional Lyonnais cuisine. La Maison Léa has menus starting from €23, while Le Bouchon Léa starts at €32.
Lyon Restaurant La Mere Lea
11. CHEESE & WINE PAIRINGS
At Les Toqués du Fromage in Lyon, fromager Antoine and wine merchant Quentin run hands-on workshops exploring creative pairings of cheese with wine, beer, chocolate and other rather moreish delicacies.
CHEESE AND WINE PARINGS Les Toqués du Fromage_Crédit
12. CITÉ DE LA RAVIOLE
Discover everything you always wanted to know about ravioli at the Cité de la Raviole, where you can discover the history and craft of Mère Maury’s famous ravioli, enjoy tastings and shop in the on-site boutique.
From France Today Magazine
Lead photo credit : Ravioli Mere Maury
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