Bonjour Provence Tour - Day 4 Program Details

Day 4 of the Tour today and what an exciting one ahead.  After yet another tasty breakfast at the Aquabella Hotel, we are off to Barjols and its Sunday market.

With a population of around 2200, Barjols is a small town, located about 20 km northeast of Saint Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume.  Barjols is a commune in the Var department in the Provence – Alpes – Cote d’Azur region in south-eastern France near the Verdon gorges.  This peaceful village, set on a limestone cliff, is an inviting stop for visitors. 




Barjols - Courtesy Google Images

 A refreshing place with 42 man-made fountains, Barjols' architecture and life have been determined for centuries by the omnipresence of water.  Leather that was the mainstay of the village until just a few decades ago when production moved to emerging economies and economic decline set in.  Because of this more recent industrial past Barjols didn't develop into a big tourist destination and so has kept many features and characters of French village life. 

One of the many fountains in Barjols

The market takes place every Sunday morning on La Place de la Rouguière.  There are stalls selling local produce, flowers, clothing and general souvenirs.  As Barjols is the hub for surrounding villages it also offers several bakeries, butchers, small and large stores, hairdressers etc. not to mention a good selection of cafés and restaurants.

The Barjols Market

At the market, we all select all sorts of goodies for the upcoming picnic later that morning and the choice is endless, cheeses, smallgoods, fresh fruit and veges, olives, breads locally-produced honey with the flavours of Provence.  We also pick up a selection of cakes and pastries for dessert at the Boulangerie Patisserie Gervasoni.  For more details on the patisserie, CLICK HERE.

The Saucisson and Pate Stand

The Local Honey and Dried Fruit Stand

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Stand

Next stop is the "Chevrerie des Garagaies" a small Goat cheese farm nestled in the nearby hills which produces its cheeses in the old traditional way.  Everything is hand-made and your hosts Martine and Andre LE LUËC will take you on a tour of their farm where you will meet the goats, learn about the operation from the feeding to the milking and the cheese production.  A degustation of their products will follow accompanied by a selection of local wines, olives and breads.

Your Hosts Martine and Andre Le LUËC

The Goats

Andre by the Milking Stand

Product Sample

We now leave the chevrerie and head off to the winery for the day at Château La Coste where a visit of the winery and a degustation of its most famous vintages is awaiting us.

Chateau La Coste -
Image Courtesy Chateau La Coste

Château la Coste is a stone’s throw north of Aix-en-Provence, between forests of green and white oaks, meadows of almond trees and swathes of wildly growing flowers. A vast land of wooded hilltops, olive groves and 250 acres of meticulously tended vines awaits you.  At the heart of the domaine, a lovely Venetian villa has stood since 1682.

Chateau La Coste -
Image Courtesy Chateau La Coste

Château la Coste strives to preserve the terroir, protecting its fertility, safeguarding the essence of the soil.  This careful approach ensures the natural expression of the wine and brings new life to a long tradition.

The Vines on the Chateau La Coste -
Image Courtesy Chateau La Coste

At Château La Coste, the vines, the wine-making process and the quality of the finished product are paramount.  Architect Jean Nouvel was commissioned to design a state of the art, technologically superior wine processing facility, which ensures that the wines produced there are equal to the quality of the grapes grown on the land.

State of the Art Wine-Making -Image Courtesy Chateau La Coste

You will receive an introduction to all the steps of wine making and learn how organic principles are implemented at Château La Coste.  You will also have the opportunity to taste the white, red and rosé wines produced on the Domaine.

Chateau La Coste Wine Display -
Image Courtesy Chateau La Coste

We will purchase some wines during the visit and it's now time to settle for our picnic.  We have all our goodies, cakes, wines etc... Time for a feast. !!!
 

Sunday Picnic near Barjols

 

Time to head back to Aix en Provence to freshen up at the Aquabella Hotel before dinner.  This time, you have a choice of going out in a group or simply choose a romantic "Tête a Tête" dinner in one of the many restaurants the city has on offer for you to enjoy.

Open air Restaurant in Aix

 

The Pleasure of Dining "Al Fresco"

After the meal, back to the hotel for another well earned rest in preparation for tomorrow's excursion. 

What a day!!!  The highlight was the visit at the Goats' farm. The place itself, the way the goats are milked and the cheese is made gave you a really good idea of what it was like not so long ago.  As for the food and the wines; one word:  Yummy !!!