With its wild, beautiful landscapes and charming mountain villages, the Ardèche is a feast for the eyes. But what about your taste buds? With such a rich terroir and deep-rooted culinary traditions, they’re in for a treat too! During your camping holiday in the Ardèche, you won’t be able to resist the Ardèche’s cuisine and its delicious local produce.
Ardèche specialities
It would take hours to whisper in your ear all the good things awaiting you during your luxury camping holiday in the Ardèche! That’s why we’ve kept only the crème de la crème of traditional Ardèche recipes:
- La crique: a potato pancake made with eggs, parsley, onions and garlic. A traditional dish enjoyed all year round, and lighter than it looks.
- Gratton: it’s a bit like the rillettes of Ardèche cuisine. It’s eaten on a slice of bread and is even better with olives (Ardèche olives, of course!)
- Picodon: if Normandy has camembert, the Ardèche has picodon. A round, slightly tangy goat’s cheese – hence its name, from the Occitan for “piquant”!
- Marrons glacés from Privas: a must among Ardèche local produce. Hugely popular at Christmas, these candied chestnuts are enjoyed all year round.
The most beautiful markets in the Ardèche
Regional cuisine and traditional dishes inevitably mean local markets with mouth-watering stalls. To enjoy the best local produce of the Ardèche, some markets are a must. First of all, the market in Joyeuse, perhaps the most beautiful in the Ardèche. It offers everything the region has to offer in local produce: olives, honey, chestnuts… Next, the market in Ruoms is also well worth a visit: what a pleasure it is to lose yourself among the stalls of cherries, blueberries and chestnuts! A true showcase of local Ardèche produce. Further south in the département, we particularly recommend the market in Aubenas. It has all the flavour of the south of France, with its flowers, spices and sun-ripened fruit… What’s more, it’s held at the foot of the château, adding an extra touch of charm. Finally, for a night market, head to Les Vans for a unique culinary and tourist experience. Because, even if all cats are grey in the dark, the fruit and flowers at the Les Vans market keep their beautiful colours and delightful scents.
Food fairs and festivals in the Ardèche
Discover the cuisine of the Ardèche while soaking up the warm, festive atmosphere of the south of France? You can! Head to the Ardèche’s best-known food events:
- The grape harvest festival: in mid-September in Tain-l’Hermitage, come and discover this traditional festival, which showcases tastings of Ardèche wines. To win over the children, there’s a funfair too.
- The cherry festival: in early June in Empurany, it celebrates one of the flagship products of the Ardèche terroir. The beauty of the host village alone makes this festival worth a visit.
- The blueberry festival: at the end of July in Péreyres, it gives visitors the chance every year to savour the very best that local Ardèche producers have to offer.
