The Food

The Food

Food is a central part of the retreat and one of the ways guests experience Provence most fully. Shared meals, local produce and the rhythm of dining together all help shape the atmosphere of the week, bringing together pleasure, community and a deeper connection to the region.

Home-Cooked Meals

During your stay, we prepare a variety of French and Provençal dishes using fresh ingredients from local producers and, wherever possible, organic produce. The food is generous, seasonal and full of flavour, with a focus on traditional recipes alongside a few thoughtful touches of our own, inspired by the culinary heritage of Provence and wider France.

Although we are not a restaurant, food is something we take great pride in. Meals at the villa are carefully prepared and beautifully presented, with the same attention to detail that runs through the rest of the retreat. Our style is relaxed and home-cooked, but elevated - rooted in local ingredients, traditional French and Provençal cooking, and dishes that are prepared with patience, care and a few personal touches of our own.

Meals at the villa are an important part of the retreat experience. They bring everyone together around the table, creating moments to relax, reflect on the day and enjoy the warmth and conviviality that good food so naturally brings.

Dining Out

To complement the meals at the villa, the retreat also includes one lunch and one dinner out during the week. These meals take place in two wonderful family-run local restaurants, offering guests the chance to experience more of the region’s flavours and hospitality in settings full of character.

Food in Provence

The food of this region is rooted in local tradition, with many classic dishes featuring meat and fish. While vegan options can be more limited, chefs here are generally thoughtful and accommodating when it comes to dietary needs. Across the retreat, we aim to offer a balanced and varied experience while staying true to the style of cooking and produce that make this part of Provence so special.

Dietary Requirements

Before the retreat begins, we ask guests to let us know about any dietary requirements or preferences. We always do our best to accommodate individual needs and make sure that every meal feels enjoyable, thoughtful and suited to each guest.

For an idea of what to expect, please see the sample menus further down the page.

At the Table

The food at Provençal Adventures is about more than simply eating well. It is part of the rhythm of the retreat - bringing people together through local ingredients, shared meals and the simple pleasure of dining in beautiful surroundings.

  • Table set with wine, beer, cherry tomatoes, crostini, an open-faced tart with olives, a leaf, and a colorful bouquet of flowers against a rustic stone wall.

    Aperitif on Terrace

  • A bowl of chicken tagine with couscous, topped with sliced almonds and herbs, placed on a textured surface with a red napkin nearby.

    Homemade Tagine

  • A plated gourmet dish featuring smoked salmon, black caviar, mashed potatoes, fresh greens, and a sprig of herbs on a ceramic plate, placed on a wooden table.

    Meal at Local Restaurant

  • A white plate of peeled boiled potatoes, slices of bread, and a dollop of rouille; next to it a bowl of seafood soup, bouillabaisse with prawns, mussels, and squid, placed on a tiled surface with a mix of white, and blue tiles.

    Homemade Bouillabaisse

  • Bowl of fresh Caprese salad with tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, parmesan, pesto, and a crispy bread chip.

    Meal at Local Restaurant

  • Three assorted small tarts with chocolate and fruit toppings on a white plate.

    Desserts from a Local Bakery

  • Local dish from Nice, pissadiliere, dish topped with sliced onions, black olives, and strips of anchovies on a green tiled surface.

    Homemade Pissadialère

  • Table set with assorted foods including sliced melon, cured meats, lettuce, cheese, sliced beetroot, bread, and a block of cheese on a cutting board, with empty plates, glasses, and utensils on a tiled table.

    Lunch at the Villa

  • A gourmet dish featuring cooked salmon topped with diced vegetables, garnished with fresh herbs, a single pink petal, and a green sauce on a white plate with a gold rim.

    Dish at Local Restaurant

  • A slice of lemon tart on a dark plate with a dollop of whipped cream, on a tiled floor with white and blue tiles.

    Homemade Lemon Tart

  • Steak tartare with a raw egg yolk on top, served with grated cheese, chopped pickles, and capers on a white plate, with a side of salad and French fries on a table with cutlery and condiments.

    Steak tartare at Local Restaurant

  • A plate of sliced heirloom tomatoes with basil leaves on top, served on a woven placemat on a wooden table, with wine glasses nearby.

    Homemade Local Tomato Salad

  • A plated gourmet dish with a vegetable terrine topped with herbs and edible flowers, served in a red sauce on a dark textured plate.

    Meal at Local Restaurant

  • Close-up of stuffed escargot shells with green herb butter on a silver platter, on a table with red napkin and cutlery.

    Snails at Local Restaurant

  • A plum tart with sliced peaches arranged in a circular pattern inside a pie crust in a black baking dish.

    Homemade Tart with Plums from our Tree

  • Salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, radish, slices of meat, and a baked cheese wheel on top garnished with fig and herbs on a decorative plate.

    Meal in Local Restaurant

  • A large wooden bowl filled with green figs on a round mosaic-tiled outdoor table, with several empty wine glasses nearby. The background features a patio with chairs, a potted plant, and trees, suggesting a peaceful outdoor setting.

    Fresh Figs from our Fig Tree

  • A plate of ratatouille cooked bell peppers, eggplant (aubergine), and onions garnished with basil leaves, served on a white dish with a spoon on the side, placed on a decorative tray with a napkin.

    Homemade Ratatouille

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Menu Examples

We take great pride in our culinary offerings, using organic produce and sourcing the freshest ingredients. Our recipes are tailored to the season, focusing mainly on local Provençal French cuisine, with occasional inspirations from other countries.

Below, you will find some examples of what we will be enjoying during our journey.

Before each trip, we carefully craft a menu based on everyone's dietary requirements to ensure that every meal is delightful and satisfying for all. Join us for a gastronomic adventure that enhances your hiking and cultural experience.

Please note that the below recipes are just examples of what may be served, depending on the season and the specific dietary requirements of the group.

  • Example menu - Expect a table full of treats to start your day with a heap of healthy energy and satisfied taste buds. 

    Juices 

    Bean to cup coffee

    Selection of teas

    Croissant and pain au chocolate 

    Yoghurts 

    Granola

    Cereal

    Fresh fruit

    Eggs

    Local breads

    Jams

  • Example menus - a large selection of choices for our packed lunches and a large spread of dishes to share for lunches at home

    Packed lunches:

    Freshly made sandwiches

    Pasta Salad

    Snack bars 

    Biscuits 

    Yogurt 

    Fruit

    Lunches at home:

    Full table spread of green salads, with various fresh vegetables, bread, cheeses, hams, salamis and more!

    Chicken and merguez tagine

    Roasted sweet potato, fresh vegetables & greens, yoghurt & nut sauce, bread, hams, cheeses, salamis 

  • Example menus - At dinner time we have more of an emphasis on local & traditional French cuisine. Depending on the time of year we will serve a meal according to the season. 

    Aperitif on the terrace:

    Paté on crostinis with cornichons  

    Black olive tapenade with crostini

    Pissaladière (a Niceoise classic)

    Mackerel rillettes with cucumber pickle 

    Terrine with fig jam 

    Dinners at home:

    Boeuf bourguignon (classic French beef stew cooked with red wine)

    Green lentils with grilled pork, aioli and green sauce (fantastic local dish)

    Bouillabaisse (classic Provençal fish soup originating from Marseille)

    Blanquette de veau (fantastic classic French dish with veal meat)

    Chicken tagine (Morrocan inspired recipe with fantastic flavours)

    Ratatouille (classic dish from this region of France with the best local produce)

    Pork sausage 'bolognaise' (our Provençal styled version of bolognaise)

    Desserts:

    Chocolate mousse

    Olive oil, honey and citrus cake

    Lemon tart

    Strawberry créme pâtissière tart

    Panna cota

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