AVIGNON ESSENTIALS: A Food and Wine First Taste

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Liquid Gold, Rare Honey & Warm Welcomes We begin our gastronomic morning with a delightful burst of energy and a wonderful, smiling welcome. This is a private, curated tasting of the region’s most prestigious liquid treasures, held in an elegant venue dedicated entirely to culinary excellence. You will savor exceptional, first-press extra virgin olive oils that taste like pure sunshine, alongside rare, raw honeys sourced directly from protected local hives far from the tourist crowds. Depending on the morning's best market arrivals, we will pair these with perfectly aged, artisanal cheeses that melt in your mouth. This is a rich, exquisite, and deeply joyful wake-up call for your palate, served with the flawless care of high-end conciergerie service.

   Passes by

2. The Vibrant Heart of the Covered Market Next, we step into the lively, colorful energy of Avignon’s famous covered market, a bustling morning haven where the city's top food professionals and most passionate chefs gather. The atmosphere here is wonderfully effervescent, filled with laughter, local accents, and beautiful aromas. Right in front of the market's iconic, breathtaking green wall, we will share a moment of pure conviviality. You will bite into a warm, deeply savory, and beautifully caramelized slice of artisanal pissaladière—a traditional onion, anchovy, and olive tart crafted to absolute perfection. It is the ultimate, mouth-watering symbol of Provençal comfort food, experienced like a true local insider.

   30 minAdmission included

3. A Secret Courtyard of Pure, Organic Refinement We then push open the doors of a hidden, boutique workshop where the senses are instantly treated to the highest level of craftsmanship. This elegant space is dedicated to hand-made, ultra-natural beauty botanicals crafted on-site with total passion and zero chemicals. Surrounded by these delicate, soothing scents, a clean, private, and highly exclusive tasting table awaits our small group. You will indulge in a vibrant spread of beautiful, plump, and perfectly cured green and black olives, served alongside crispy, golden toasts and three distinct, freshly prepared tapenades of unparalleled quality. It is a sophisticated, sensory experience that celebrates purity, clean living, and the bright, sunny flavors of the South.

   30 min

4. The Prestige Art of Wine & Cheese Pairing A magnificent highlight for wine lovers and connoisseurs alike. We enjoy privileged access to a prestigious wine institution founded in 1900, world-renowned for its legendary cellar and elite standards. In this refined and historic setting, a top-tier wine expert welcomes us with open arms and a fantastic, celebratory spirit. You will be guided through a flawless, educational masterclass pairing bold, smooth, and perfectly balanced Rhône Valley wines with premium local cheeses. Each cheese is selected for its intense, deep character and impeccable aging process. This is a sophisticated yet incredibly fun and relaxed session where world-class bottles meet the authentic, uncompromised soul of Provençal viticulture.

   45 min

5. Near Place des Carmes A Chef's "Light Lunch" of Culinary Emotion Take your seat at a warm, beautifully set, and authentic local table that proudly refuses any industrial shortcuts or mass-market compromises. Here, the chef cooks with love, joy, and a deep respect for the land, creating a fresh, Mediterranean morning lunch made entirely from pristine, seasonal ingredients. You will feast on a savory, masterfully caramelized sun-vegetable tatin tart, accompanied by a delicate, flaky artisanal tartlet and a crisp, vibrant green salad dressed to perfection. Everything is washed down with an exceptional, hand-selected glass of local wine that perfectly elevates the meal. It is a generous, healthy, and deeply memorable dining experience filled with laughter and pure culinary emotion.

   1 h

6. A Sweet, Crispy Secret from a 16th-Century Oven To conclude our marvelous morning journey on a high note, we will share a delightful sweet treat as we stroll through secret alleys or relax in a quiet, sun-drenched neighborhood garden. You will taste a genuine Oreillette—a crispy, golden, and delicately sugar-dusted Provençal pastry that practically floats in your mouth. This sweet masterpiece is crafted by a legendary local family whose baking secrets have been passed down since 1931, using a historic, vaulted oven that has been firing since the 16th century. It is a perfect, crispy piece of history and a beautifully sweet, good-humored finale to our luxury tour before we return to the vibrant main square.

   15 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 52 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5A historic overview and fantastic food

  Zarah was an extraordinary guide and taught me so much about Avignon despite living here already. Her taste is impeccable and all the places she chose for us was perfect. I took my mother for a day away and it was the perfect excursion. I recommend Zarah wholeheartedly!

  nicoletter509October 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5A wonderful experience with Zahra!

  My 3 friends and I were visiting Avignon from the US for a Rhone/Provence wine trip and our first event upon arrival was this food tour with Zahra. It was the best way to be introduced to the sites & tastes of the region. Zahra is a wonderful tour guide who was so friendly, knowledgeable and was easy to understand. During the tour, she gave us insight into the local history, architecture and culture as delicious bites and wine of course! In addition, Zahra gave us advice on great towns to visit, restaurants to go to and wine regions to try during our 9 day trip. I am so glad that we booked this tour and plan to contact her the next time I am in the area.

  skj888October 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Good food, nice people, great guide.

  Zahra gave us a great tour of Avignon. Top tip: do this on your first day because she gives you good ideas on where to go and where to eat (and not to eat!). Definitely recommend.

  AmandE756September 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Highly recommend! Zahra rocks.

  Zahra is a wonderful ambassador for Avignon and France. Today’s tour was fantastic! She began with some local history, then led us to several shops to introduce us to the region’s delicacies. We sampled a variety of treats—a smart move, since we’ll all be going back to buy our favorites! Time flew by, and after lunch we walked a little farther to discover some of Avignon’s secrets. I highly recommend this tour!

  heathermC4082UFSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Excellent Food Tour of Avignon

  Highly recommend this food tour with Zahra. She is an excellent guide. We visited streets and local businesses of Avignon that you would probably never find as a tourist.

  michelledP6137VUSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Incredible Food and History Experience!

  Zhara was extraordinary. We enjoyed a wonderful variety of food samples and the specialties of local artisans before having a sumptuous lunch. Also, we travelled by foot much of the historic center and felt quite oriented to our surroundings by the end. Zhara’s comprehensive knowledge of the history of Avignon and its role in the history of France were informative and well presented. The entire experience was incredible indeed, and a wonderful introduction to our days in Provence. Splendid!

  davidhE6867EVSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

Know before you go

How it compares in Avignon

• Its from-price is 19% below the median of the 172 experiences we list in Avignon.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 34 of 172.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Avignon

Avignon is a walled Rhône city where the popes lived in the fourteenth century, known for its vast palace, a broken bridge and a summer theatre festival.

From 1309 to 1377 the popes governed the Catholic Church from Avignon, and the Palais des Papes, a huge Gothic fortress of pale stone, still rises above the old town. Medieval ramparts more than four kilometres long surround the centre. The Pont Saint-Bénézet, the Pont d'Avignon of the nursery song, stops halfway across the Rhône, with only four of its arches left.

Top-ranked sights in Avignon: Roussillon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Pont du Gard.

See all 172 experiences in Avignon