A fun day today! A ‘Village Fete’ to celebrate Provencal cultural life and taste local food specialties was held at Parc Jourdan, a short walk from our apartment.
Starting at 11:00 was the free ‘Gourmet Market’ where regional winemakers and farmers provided samples of their special products. The ‘market’ wasn’t as large as we expected, but there are plenty of vineyards and gourmet foods available for sampling. Hard to believe it was free!
As part of the festivities, a ‘Provencal Lunch’ was held from 12:30 to 2:30. In the shade of the plane trees a temporary restaurant was set up for a Provence-style lunch prepared by three chefs from the Aix region and served with wines from a few of the local vintners. We had to pay for the lunch, but for €50 it was a steal. Seating was assigned and we were grouped with two French couples and a hostess from one of the wineries. They did their best to translate important parts of the discussions and it was fun to listen to the ‘chatter’. The food and wine were fantastic.
After 3:00 was the ‘Fete Mistralienne’ a traditional festival which is an homage to ‘Frederic Mistral’, a famous local poet that included Provencal singing and dancing by a local ballet troop, ‘La Capouliero’. A fine Provencal band provided music for the dancers. Good fun!
D.
I had found this little festival a month or two ago, when I was researching things to do when we were in Aix. When Dick and I hooked up several weeks ago, he suggested that we sign up for the lunch portion of the day. What a great idea. This is only the second year the festival has been in existence. It is a festival to showcase all things Provence – food, wine and culture. I was unsure what to expect, it was housed in one of the large local parks – Parc Jourdan, but only took up a small area of the park.
The first part of the festival was a tasting by local vendors of wine, cheese, olive oil, etc, and was open to all. We met a couple, originally from Dijon, 15 years in Naples, Florida and recently returned to Aix – very nice people.
The second part of the festival was a lunch (reservation required) by several of the local acclaimed chefs. We start with a mousse of sardines with sweet spices, roasted artichokes, apple juice, and a slice of baguette rubbed with olive oil from the Aix region. It is paired with several of the local wines. Next, we have the main course; a beautiful lamb shank roasted with thyme along with an eggplant and tomato side dish. This is also paired with some of the local wine. There is an interlude with a fresh goat cheese selection drizzled with an orange and olive oil sauce. We end with a dessert featuring a fig tatin with a sangria and lime sauce. Very nice.
After, there is local entertainment featuring cultural dancing and music and an homage to the local (and long dead) poet Frederic Mistral.
The weather is much cooler than expected and it is a very pleasant afternoon.
M.
