Christmas Ideas from Provence

By late November, the Christmas markets in Provence are in full swing.

Individual cabanas decorated with festive trimmings line the Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence. In a short walk, you can buy some gingerbread (pain d’épices) to go with your foie gras, stock up on a few santons for your crèche and have a glass of vin chaud.

At the food markets, tables groan under the weight of seasonal citrus and the ingredients for the traditional Provencal thirteen desserts (les Treize Desserts de Noël) served at Christmas.

There is no better time than December to visit some of the regional vineyard boutiques. With the hard work of harvest and winemaking behind them, the staff let this year’s cépage rest in order to celebrate the season. At this time of year, the stores at vineyards such as Château d’Estoublon, Chateau la Coste, Domaine de Valdition and Val Joanis are so beautifully decorated with tempting gifts that you might just start believing in Santa Claus again.

If you are looking for a present that typifies the region here are a few gift ideas from Provence.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM PERFECTLY PROVENCE