Provence and the French Riviera: What to Eat and Drink in Southern France

A bit about Provence & the French Riviera

The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region stretches from the Rhône Valley to the Italian border, combining inland countryside of lavender fields and rolling vineyards with the glamorous coastline of the French Riviera. This region is shaped by the Mediterranean climate, with long sunny days, mild winters and sea breezes that help produce exceptional ingredients. Olive groves, vineyards, orchards, and vegetable farms thrive here, while the Camargue’s wetlands provide rice and sea salt. Along the coast, fishing ports supply fresh seafood that defines many of the region’s most famous dishes. This diversity is what makes Provençal cuisine so vibrant and varied.

What to Eat in Provence 

🫒 Olives, Olive Oil and Condiments 

Provence and the Côte d’Azur are defined by hot, dry summers, a climate that is ideal for olive growing. The olive tree is a true symbol of the region and olive oil forms the foundation of local cooking. Look for high-quality PDO oils such as Vallée des Baux-de-Provence, Aix-en-Provence and Nice, each offering distinct flavour profiles ranging from grassy and peppery to smooth and fruity.

Olives themselves are equally important, especially Olives de Nice PDO, known for their small size and delicate, slightly nutty flavour. They are the base of tapenade, the region’s iconic spread made with olives, capers and anchovies.

Herbs are another cornerstone of Provençal cuisine, bringing the region’s landscapes straight to the plate. Herbes de Provence, a fragrant blend of thyme, rosemary, oregano and savory (sariette), are widely used to season meats, vegetables and grilled dishes. Alongside them, Sel de Camargue PGI, harvested from the region’s salt marshes, adds a delicate mineral touch that elevates both simple and refined recipes.

🍅 Mediterranean Fruits and Vegetables

Provence is famous for its sun-ripened produce. Tomatoes are a cornerstone ingredient used in slow-cooked dishes such as the world-famous ratatouille as well as salads such as the iconic salade niçoise. Aubergines, courgettes and peppers are also essential to the region’s vegetable-based cuisine, often cooked with generous amounts of olive oil and garlic.

Summer brings an abundance of fruit, including apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums and juicy melons such as Melon de Cavaillon PGI. As late summer arrives, figs take centre stage on market stalls, especially Figue de Solliès PDO, prized for its intensely sweet flavour and melt-in-the-mouth texture. In winter, citrus lovers should seek out Citron de Menton IGP, renowned for its fragrant zest and low acidity.

🐟 Seafood and Meat

With direct access to the Mediterranean, seafood plays a central role in Provençal cuisine with a wide variety of fresh fish and shellfish from sea bream and red mullet to anchovies, tuna and octopus. The most famous dish is bouillabaisse, a traditional fish stew from Marseille originally prepared with rockfish such as rascasse, combined with other local fish and flavoured with saffron, garlic and olive oil, then served with rouille (a garlicky saffron mayonnaise) and toasted bread. 

Provence also produces excellent meat. Lamb from Sisteron is particularly prized for its tenderness and subtle flavour, thanks to the herb-rich pastures where the animals graze. It is an essential part of Southern France culinary traditions, especially at Easter, when the classic gigot d’agneau (roast leg of lamb) takes pride of place on the table.

🍯 Sweet and artisan products

Provence also has a rich tradition of artisanal sweets. Calissons d’Aix combine ground almonds with candied fruit for a delicate, chewy confection. Nougat de Montélimar PGI blends honey, almonds and egg whites into a soft, sweet treat. The town of Apt is famous for fruits confits, brightly coloured candied fruits used in desserts or enjoyed on their own. 

Honey production is another regional specialty, with Miel de Provence PGI offering a wide range of floral flavours depending on the surrounding vegetation including lavender, rosemary and thyme.

What do Drink in Provence

Wine is one of Provence’s greatest strengths, and it deserves special attention. The region produces a wide range of styles, with rosé wine being the most famous. Côtes de Provence PDO wines are typically light, fresh, and aromatic, with notes of red berries and citrus. They are designed for easy summer drinking and pair beautifully with Mediterranean dishes. Bandol PDO offers a more structured style. Its rosés are fuller-bodied and more complex, while the reds, often based on Mourvèdre, are powerful and age-worthy, with notes of dark fruit, spice, and herbs. White wines from Provence are often overlooked but worth discovering. Made from grapes such as Rolle (Vermentino), Clairette and Ugni Blanc, they tend to be crisp, mineral, and refreshing. Around Nice, the small but distinctive Bellet PDO stands out as one of France’s rare urban appellations, producing characterful whites, rosés and reds on the hills overlooking the Mediterranean.

Beyond wine, pastis is the region’s iconic aperitif. This anise-flavoured spirit is traditionally diluted with water, which turns it a milky hue, a ritual that reflects its name, derived from the Provençal word for “mixture”. Served well chilled and often enjoyed slowly before a meal, it perfectly captures the relaxed rhythm of life in southern France.

Unmissable Provence & French Riviera activities for food lovers

There are countless ways to explore the rich food culture of Southern France. Here are some of the best culinary experiences to try:

• Visit Provençal markets from Aix-en-Provence to Nice’s famous Cours Saleya to discover seasonal fruits, olive oils and regional specialities
• Enjoy a traditional bouillabaisse by the sea in Marseille, where the dish originated
• Taste wines at estates in the Bandol region or tour vineyards across the Côtes de Provence appellation
• Explore the salt marshes of Aigues-Mortes in Camargue and learn about traditional sea salt harvesting methods
• Sample local street food such as socca in Nice or panisse in Marseille
• Visit Menton during the Fête du Citron and try products made with Citron de Menton IGP
• Discover traditional confectionery in Apt and learn the secrets of fruits confits
• Stop in Montélimar to taste authentic Nougat de Montélimar PGI
• Visit an olive mill during harvest season to see how Provençal olive oil is produced
• Take a cooking class and learn to prepare Provençal classics such as pistou, tapenade or pissaladière

How to Bring a Taste of Provence to Your Home 

While a trip to Provence might not be on the cards this year, bringing a taste of the region into your home is surprisingly easy. With a few key ingredients and simple recipes, you can recreate the spirit of a Provençal apéro or dinner with ease by preparing some classic dishes from the South of France such as: 

• Tapenade, a staple aperitif spread made of olives, capers and anchovies, served with bread
• Fougasse, a rustic Provençal bread often flavoured with cheese, lardons or olives
• Pissaladière, a caramelised onion tart topped with anchovies and olives
• Panisse, golden fried chickpea bâtons
• Tomato & Tapenade Tart
• Salade niçoise, a fresh salad of tomatoes, tuna, eggs, olives and anchovies from Nice
• Grilled Sisteron Lamb Chops, served with Ratatouille and Camargue Rice for a classic Provençal main
• Pistou soup, a fragrant vegetable and beans soup enriched with pistou sauce
• Brandade de morue, a creamy purée of salt cod blended with olive oil, garlic and potato

Start the experience with a traditional pastis to set the tone, served chilled and diluted with water. For the meal, pair your dishes with a bottle of rosé from Bandol or Côtes de Provence PDO, or opt for a crisp Provençal white wine if you prefer something lighter. To elevate the atmosphere, put on a French-inspired playlist, scent the space with lavender and bring out a pétanque set if you have one. Your at-home escape to Provence starts now! 

🗺️ Hoping to explore more of the region?  

Now that you've explored this idyllic region in the south of France, why not experience it firsthand and savor its iconic cuisine? Dive into the flavors of Provençal cuisine, uncover the best spots to enjoy an authentic bouillabaisse in Marseille and treat yourself to some calissons in Aix-en-Provence!