Provence Olive Oil Mill, Olive Oil Production The South of
France
In Provence The South
of France, olives make
up a good portion of the
agricultural production
and are ripe for the
September harvest. The
mill in the center of the
village of Mouries has a
museum displaying the
antique equipment used
for oil production
Olive groves
are common
below the
villages of La
Coste, and
Roussillon,
hilltop villages
that also grow
lavender and
will provide
great views of
lavender
country from
the heights.
East of Avignon
the hilltop villages
look out on
lavender fields
that turn purple in
late June
Les Baux-de-Provence is at the center of the
Provence olive oil production where towns like
Mouries. Mausanne. Arles, Eygalieres and others
in the dryer parts of the Alpilles grow huge
groves of olive trees along with their vineyards.
To the north in the higher ground towards
Gordes, cherries,  apricots, and melons  ripen in
June and the lavender is starting to flower for a
July harvest.

Olive oil is at the heart of Southern France's style
of cooking and is the key to the many healthy
recipes.
May or June and September or October are good
times to look for a vacation rental, vacation Gite,
or a villa with a full kitchen in Provence; not
high season of July or August when Europe takes
its vacation.
Olive harvest festivals occur in September and if
you are cooking Provence style on your culinary
vacation you will have many choices for some
healthy French dishes.
Chicken recipes using herbs de Provence with an
olive oil basting and Provence lamb smothered in
thyme and savory and  cooked over a bed of
Rosemary grizzled with olive oil are traditional
meat dishes, Provence vegetable recipes include
tomato and eggplant.  
Provence dessert recipes can be as simple as
fresh fruit and Provence goat cheese served with  
a Cotes du Rhone.
In the days before machine
production, the olives were
ground by rotating stones
driven by mule power. Later
by machines in industrial
times.
The ground
olives would then
be put in presses
to squeeze out
the oil.  In the
early days the
press would be
turned by hand
and later by
mechanical and
hydraulic
systems.
Modern production uses stainless steel tanks and automatic separators to
produce olive oil.
Hiking trails connect the villages near  St Remy, Les
Baux, Mouries, and Eygalieres through the olive groves
and vineyards.
In Provence the
intensive olive oil
production takes
place in the
villages south of
Avignon while in
the villages near
Apt and Saignon,
east of Gordes the
farmers  grow
olives and
lavender.  Les
Baux de Provence,
St Remy  and
Mouries  are areas
of olive oil and wine
production.
A Provence
Olive Oil Mill
in the Village
of Mouries
near Les Baux
de Provence
and St. Remy
opens it's
museum to
visitors to the
South of
France
Do You need an International Driving Permit to
Drive in Europe.
In France and Italy you can rent a car and do not need to
show an International Permit, only your drivers license    
Italian law, however,  requires that.....  see Article
No Passing for
commercial
vehicles
No Passing
zone ends
Rotary
with yield to
traffic in
rotary
Auto Europe offers selection, price, and ease of booking on the web.  Shop online well ahead of your trip and
choose diesel (more economical) or gas, luggage space,(important)  standard or automatic,(important)  two
door, four door and other options. Pick up car in Avignon TGV Station
Renting for more than 17 days; see their options: GPS,  Cell Phone       see  renting a vehicle in Provence
Speed limits will be clearly marked and the Rotary will be a welcome site with its directions to various
towns.  Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are
available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations..
Information for those renting a vehicle in Provence
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