Villajoyosa - Spain

Located at the northern end of the Costa Blanca, around 26 kilometres from the city of Alicante, Villajoyosa is a delightful and historic town.  It stretches the length of a wide, sandy beach, with coloured fishing houses running along the seafront against a backdrop of mountains.  Villajoyosa has a rich cultural heritage. Its history as a town dates back to the 6th century.  It has been settled by the Greeks, Phoenicians, the Romans and of course the Moors, when it actually fell into decline.  The town as it is known today was founded in 1293 by an Admiral who served in the Kingdom of Aragon’s navy. Its name Villajoyosa literally means Joyful town.

Throughout the centuries Villajoyosa has been an important trading destination with olive oil, cereals and wine as well as shipbuilding, amongst others.  What it is probably most famous for however is its chocolate.  During the 19th century the town started to develop a chocolate-making industry.  Because of its trade connections, it started importing cocoa from Ecuador and Venezuela and the industry grew and grew.  The chocolate brand, ‘Valor’, which can be found in most shops and supermarkets throughout Spain, comes from Villajoyosa.

The Second Generation of Valor Chocolate Makers

The main reason for my going to Villajoyosa was indeed to visit its famous chocolate factory.  I really wanted to discover that famous factory but most importantly taste its products. 

A sample of some of the Valor Chocolates available to the Public

As one would expect, the Valor factory has a rich history and one of the sections of the building has been allocated to host the impressive chocolat-making machinery and tools from past centuries.  The museum is well appointed and the guided visit most interesting.

A Section of the Museum and the Machinery from the Past

Various Stages of Chocolate-Making - From the Bean to the Final Raw Product 

Cocoa Plants Growing in a Hot House at the Valor Chocolate Factory

We then proceeded to the chocolate-making area of the enterprise but no photos were allowed in that section.  The visit ended with a stop at the shop where all the Valor products were on sale.  The biggest issue at that point was what to choose and how much to buy as everything was so tempting. 

Individual Chocolate Display  Cabinet

The Exit of the Valor Chocolate factory

In addition to its chocolate factory, Villajoyosa offers lots of amenities and facilities; shops, bars and restaurants in abundance, a lively fish market and bustling local market, where you can pick up fresh local produce, home-made local souvenirs and crafts.

Villajoyosa really comes to life for the Moors and Christians festival in the last week of July - a re-enactment of the defeat of the Algerian Pirate Zala Arráez who came to ransack the town in 1538.  For seven days, the entire town dresses up as Moorish pirates or Christian defenders to re-enact the defense of the town.  Spectacular fireworks and lots of delicious food and drinks are available for everyone.

La Maison Auer - Confiserie - Chocoaterie - Nice

Nice; the jewel of the French Riviera offers many shops but one in particular has caught my eye.  It is the Patisserie – Confiserie Henri Auer; generally called La Maison Auer, opposite the famous "Opera de Nice".

The Opera of Nice
Image - Courtesy Google Images

One can read on the window "MAISON - AUER - NICE - DE PÈRE EN FILS - DEPUIS 1820". This wonderful shop with its Florentine style décor that seems to originate from an old fairy-tale, is almost 200 years old and certainly worth a visit.  This famous institution has been handed down from father to son since its inception in 1820.

The front entrance of La Maison Auer

Henri Auer; a young Swiss confiseur settled in Nice and started the business.  In 1890, his son Henri-Chrétien took over; himself followed by Henri Joseph and then his son Jean-Jacques.  Thierry Auer is the fifth generation of Auer confiseurs.

What you first see as you enter La Maison Auer

All the Maison Auer products are made following traditional methods and recipes passed on from generation to generation with Simplicity and Authenticity as their motto.  “This is how every day, I respect my family’s tradition” - states Thierry Auer.

 

Some of the irresistible products of La Maison Auer

 

More products from the amazing range at La Maison Auer

The Maison Auer chocolates have no glucose, no preservatives and no artificial colourings – just chocolate and cream.  Sweet teeth will also love the crystallised fruit sold at this traditional sweet shop.

The selection of crystallised fruit and fruit gums

The Maison Auer featured in the 1984 movie “Joyeuses Pâcques” starring the famous French actors Jean-Paul Belmondo and Sophie Marceau.

French Actor Jean-Paul Belmondo
Image - Courtesy Google Images

French actress Sophie Marceau
Image - Courtesy Google Images

 

Bonjour Provence Tour - Day 1 Program Details

Welcome to Daniel's "Bonjour Provence Tour", where you get to enjoy mouth watering foods, exquisite regional wines and enchanting settings like this ...

The perfect Provence Picnic Setting

The Bonjour Provence Tour is an eight-day/seven-night fully accompanied tour which has been specially designed to make you discover all the wonderful destinations that this famous region of France has to offer.

The Tour begins on a Thursday afternoon at the Hotel Vendome where the guests have been booked for the night.  The Vendome is located in the centre of Nice, and only about 500 metres from the beach and the Old Nice. This ancient private hotel of the nineteenth century has been completely renovated and air-conditioned; combining ancient charm with modern comfort.

The Hotel Vendome

The Hotel Vendome staircase

The Hotel Vendome ceiling and chandelier

Once settled in your room, Daniel; your personal Tour Companion will meet you at the hotel Lobby and take you on a visit of the "Vieux Nice" (Old Nice) where you will discover the charms of the original part of that wonderful city. You will walk in its narrow streets lined with cafes, souvenir & food shops of all kinds.

Entering the Old Nice

The narrow streets of the Old Nice

Checking the many restaurants on offer

Anyone for fresh oysters just out of the sea?

 

Or maybe some sea urchins; sometimes referred to as Poor Man's caviar

You will see the Nice Opera; enter the Maison Auer; famous for its mouth-watering home-made chocolates and crystallised fruits.  To see more of the Maison Auer, click HERE



The Nice Opera - Image Courtesy Google Images

Inside La Maison Auer

Our walk will also take us past the building where the renowned painter Matisse lived for a while and painted some of his timeless creations. 

The house where the famous French painter Matisse lived and worked

The old part of Nice is also famous for its "Hotels Particuliers" (Private Residences) such as La Maison d'Adam et Eve where the well-to-do aristocrats and Nobility lived and entertained their entourages.
 

La maison d'Adam et Eve

It will soon be time for an Aperitif before dinner.  On the menu; a traditional Pastis, a Rosé wine or your favourite drink accompanied with the Nice specialty the "Socca" - a chick-pea-based snack that the locals just can't get enough of or maybe some Porchetta or a slice of Pissaladiere; the traditional caramelised onion tart with black olives.

 



Socca cooking in a wood-fired oven

Who could resist a slice of delicious Porchetta!!!

Having teased the appetite, dinner is on the agenda.  the only problem with this task is where to go !!!  Dozens of restaurants are on the offer all with the local specialties.  This is where local knowledge comes in handy to find the best place at the most reasonable rates.

 

Outside dining; a favourite occupation in France

Friends enjoying dinner

After dinner, a gentle walk through the Place Massena back to the hotel and maybe a stop at a "Gelati" place on the way for the all the Sweet Tooths of the group.

Place Massena - Nice

 

Off to bed now for a good rest in preparation of what will be a very exciting day tomorrow.

Hotel Vendome bedroom

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my blog.  I hope you have enjoyed reading what the first day of the Tour has to offer and made you want to find out some more about this great culinary adventure.

It's goodbye for now and I look forward to your company on Day 2 of the Tour in this Blog.