Top 10 culinary specialities in Avignon

You have no idea what kind of cuisine is prepared in Avignon? Some of France’s most famous dishes come from this region. In this charming town, Provençal dishes are at the top of the list. In this article, you’ll find just what you’re looking for! Welcome to gourmet pleasure.

What to eat in Avignon

1. Aïoli

We’re kicking off this list with a Mediterranean staple. When you are served your plate, in the middle will be a small pile of finely chopped slices of carrot, potato, cauliflower and white fish. The smell of minced garlic will tickle your nostrils, and the sauce on the edge of the dish will make your mouth water. This meal is one of Avignon’s oldest dishes, and owes its origins to the creation of olive oil.

Beautifully presented, it is one of the tastiest and classiest dishes to be enjoyed in the “City of the Popes”.

2. Ratatouille

Yes, Ratatouille comes from Provence, and therefore from Avignon! This dish is so legendary that it is the pride of France’s greatest chefs, and even owes its name to the famous “Ratatouille” cartoon. Why is it so popular and eaten in Avignon in particular? It’s one of the few dishes to pay homage to Provençal culture by serving products exclusively from the region: courgettes, aubergines, tomatoes, thyme, garlic, parsley, bay leaves… The aromatic bouquet served on top of the vegetables offers an explosion of flavours.

A few slices of bread from a delicious bakery in Avignon, and that’s it!

3. L’Anchoïade

Let’s talk about starters. Up until now, did you know the term “Anchoïade“, which refers to an exquisite anchovy mousse? In general, the locals like to spread it on a few slices of bread, or serve it with a fresh salad. Others like to eat it for breakfast to get the day off to a good start! All the flavour of Mediterranean cuisine in one bite.

It’s a distinguished little Provençal aperitif that’s much appreciated and highly recommended! The only thing missing is the delicious pastis to accompany it all.

4. The Provençal Galette des Rois

We know what you’re thinking. Salty is good, but sweet is better. You’re absolutely right. Let’s indulge our sweet tooth (we only have one life after all). Come and try the Provençal galette des rois, which is very popular in Avignon. The pastry is soft on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside, with a mini treasure hidden inside, none other than the fava bean. With a history dating back to Roman antiquity, it didn’t take long for the recipe to arrive in France (much to everyone’s delight), and it quickly spread to the regions of Provence. With the family, it’s an excellent dessert that children love! So, who will be king or queen?

5. Tapenade

Ready for a good old tapenade? It’s a traditional Provençal dish, easy to cook and as delicious as ever. If you’re heading to Avignon in the summer, there’s a good chance you’ll try this dish more than once, as it’s known for its refreshing taste. Used as a condiment all over the world, it’s an extremely simple sauce to make (even the most inexperienced of you could do it with your eyes shut), and goes well with many dishes. Made from olive oil, olives, anchovies and capers, there’s nothing like heading to the city of Avignon to enjoy one of the best tapenades you’ll ever taste.

6. Châteauneuf-du-pape

A culinary favourite. After all, this is “the city of the Pope”, so it stands to reason that the least you could do would be to create a wine in honour of these religious figures. Even if this beverage can be paired with cheese and all kinds of meat, the fact remains that it remains unique. These white wines rival the very best! They are generally matured in oak barrels for 12 to 18 months before being bottled. Their long finish is, as it were, intoxicating.

7. Daube avignonnaise from Provence

Meat lovers be warned: you will literally devour these pieces of lamb soaked in a white wine-based jus. The origin of this dish is legendary: it is said that the monks used lambskin to write on (paper production at the time was very limited). To avoid any waste, the meat was used for this dish. Ingenious, isn’t it? A dash of olive oil, a few pieces of carrot, herbs to spice up the meat, a zest of orange, the precious white wine, and bon appétit!

8. The navette

Another sweet touch, the navette is sure to please. According to our sources, they were invented to celebrate the arrival of Sainte-Marie, who arrived on the Provençal coast by sea. The navette owes its name to the famous weaving navettes used to style women’s long hair at the time. Today, this small, dry biscuit is the perfect accompaniment to a cup of green tea with a squeeze of lemon juice. Flavoured with aniseed or orange blossom, it’s the kind of low-calorie dessert we like to eat at the end of a good meal.

9. Pistou soup

This is one of the region’s most authentic dishes. Warm and invigorating, it’s best eaten in front of an open fire, with the flames crackling under the wood. This mix of fresh vegetables, straight from Avignon’s agriculture, is bursting with flavour. It’s a light dish (perfect if you’re on a diet), and the different smells that emanate from it have made it particularly famous in the south of France. With potatoes, beans, tomatoes and a few courgettes, you get soupe au pistou!

10. Candied fruit

Very famous in Provence, candied fruit is very popular in Avignon. It’s simple: you walk into a restaurant, and on the dessert menu you’ll see a whole range of fruits, most of them from the region, which you’ll be served: cherries, oranges, pears, etc. They are cooked very slowly in a sugar syrup and dried for a while before landing on your palate, and then in your stomach. In a tart, a cake, or as a simple sweet, they’re a coveted treat for young and old alike!