Occitanie: Culinary Tour of Southern France
June 8-13, 2025
Join the Terroir team with special guest Michelin-starred chef Amanda Cohen, and local culinary expert Margaux Friocourt for this exclusive tour.
It will be an immersive exploration of one of France’s most diverse and flavorful culinary landscapes.
Discover the Flavours of Occitanie
Culinary Tour of Southern France
5 Nights / 6 Days
(c) Domaine Tarbouriech
Terroir has crafted an exceptional culinary journey through the enchanting Occitanie region of France, where history, culture, and gastronomy come together in perfect harmony. This southern region, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, boasts a unique terroir shaped by its coastal influences.
You will experience endless rolling vineyards, vibrant pink salt marshes, bustling markets, the abundance of the Mediterranean, and the rich heritage of ancient Roman cities. This culinary journey invites you to savour the tastes, sights, and stories that make Occitanie a gastronomic destination.
(c) Domaine Tarbouriech
Starting Point: Montpellier, France
Hosts: Arlene Stein and Renee Lalonde, Terroir Hospitality
Special Culinary Guests: Chef Amanda Cohen, Dirt Candy NYC and Margaux Friocourt, Terroir Program Director, France
THE REGION
(c)Lauriane Donzelli
OCCITANIE
Occitanie is a region in the South of France that includes Languedoc-Roussillon and the Rhone delta, encompassing Camargue Regional Natural Park, home to the famous pink salt flats, flamingos and wild white horses. Bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and Spain to the south, it is steep in medieval Roman history, including the historic amphitheatres of Arles and Nimes.
It is one of the largest wine-producing regions in France. It is home to iconic culinary staples like Cassoulet, Roquefort cheese and a bounty of fresh seafood and shellfish from the Mediterranean, including oysters from the Thau Lagoon
Sete & the Thau Lagoon
(c) Office de Tourisme Grande
Sète, often called the "Venice of the Languedoc," is a lively port city in Occitanie, celebrated for its picturesque canals, rich maritime heritage, and dynamic arts scene. Nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the Thau Lagoon, Sète is a gateway to fresh seafood and a central hub for oyster farming.
The Thau Lagoon is a vital center of France’s oyster farming, with traditions that trace back to Roman times. Renowned for its pristine ecosystem, the lagoon produces some of the world’s finest oysters, prized for their distinctive flavor shaped by the Mediterranean's influence. Among its innovators is the Tarbouriech company, which revolutionized oyster farming with its solar-powered "tidal" method, simulating natural tides to enhance the oysters' taste and texture.
This harmonious blend of ancient traditions and modern sustainability makes the Thau Lagoon a cornerstone of Occitanie’s culinary and ecological heritage.
Sete was recently featured in The Guardian.
Arles & Nimes
Arles and Nîmes share a rich legacy as centers of Roman culture, politics, and entertainment. Their strategic locations along Roman trade routes and the Rhône delta made them pivotal in the ancient world, leaving behind an enduring cultural significance. Both cities boast exceptionally well-preserved Roman monuments, including the Amphitheatre of Arles and Nîmes and the Roman Theatre of Arles. Arles later became a celebrated muse for artists like Vincent van Gogh, while Nîmes carved out its own place in history as a center for fabric production, famously giving the world denim ("de Nîmes").
The region's culinary traditions are equally remarkable, offering flavours deeply rooted in local heritage. Signature dishes include Cassoulet, Bull Gardiane, and the beloved Brandade du Morue. Other culinary specialties include Camargue salt & long-grained rice, Anchoïade, Salaisons de taureau, Octopus rouille, Bourride, Fougasse, and Aïoli. And of course, the sweet seasonal orange blossom cake. Arles and Nîmes offer an unforgettable journey through history, culture and vibrant gastronomy traditions.
Camargue - Flamingos, Wild Horse and pink salt plains.
(c) Jean-Marc Favre
The Camargue, in southern France between the Rhône delta and the Mediterranean Sea, is a breathtaking region of marshes, shimmering lagoons, salt flats, and open meadows. A protected nature reserve, it is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including elegant flamingos, iconic white Camargue horses, and black bulls. The guardians (Camargue cowboys) preserve bull and horse breeding traditions, adding cultural depth to this unique destination.
For food enthusiasts, you can discover the renowned fleur de sel, harvested from its salt flats, and the nutty, flavorful Camargue rice, prized by chefs worldwide.
Itinerary
June 8 / DAY 1 - Montpellier
We meet in Montpellier for a classic bistro lunch, where we will feast on the regional dishes and wines of the Languedoc.
We transfer to our luxury accommodations at Domaine Tarbouriech on the banks of the Thau Lagoon.
Dinner will be prepared featuring local specialties, including a sampling of local oysters.
June 9 / DAY 2 - Domaine Tarbouriech & the Thau Lagoon
The morning tour of the Thau Lagoon includes a barge tour of the oyster farm and facilities.
Lunch at St. Pierre with local seafood specialties.
Visit Noilly Prat, France's most iconic vermouth distillery, where we will discover Maison Noilly Prat, mastering vermouth since 1813, enjoy a guided tour, and taste the iconic Noilly Prat collection.
Relax at the Domaine Tarbouierch and an opportunity to use the pool and spa.
Appertivio followed by dinner at the award-winning restaurant at Domaine Tarbouriech.
June 10 / DAY 3 - Sete - The Venice of the South & Arles
We will visit a red tuna cannery and witness the traditional method of fishing and production.
A visit to Sete to encounter the enchanting seaside town, on a strip of 12 km white sand beach. We will visit the local market and experience the famous octopus pie ‘Tielle’ as well as local oysters and shellfish with local Picoul wines.
We will finish our visit with a sweet treat from one of the local artisanal ice cream shops.
Transfer to Hôtel Présent Arles.
Dinner at the luxuriously restored, Le Mas DeGriffeuille. The property, built in 1650 near Arles, inspired Vincent van Gogh during his 1888 stay, featuring in his drawings and paintings. Today, only the original residential building and its 17th-century watchtower remain, surrounded by modern urban development.
June 11 / DAY 4 - Nimes
Morning some free time to explore Arles.
Transfer to Nimes to explore the famous food market where we will buy local ingredients for dinner.
We will have a food walking tour where we will sample local specialities like Le Petit Nîmois & La Maison De La Brandade as well as Vergne Cheese with a stop at Atelier du Nimes, where we will learn the history of denim fabric.
The afternoon will be free to explore the culture sites of Nîmes, including the Amphitheatre.
Dinner will take place in an intimate environment at the private studio of Margaux Fricourt with Chef Amanda Cohen leading guests through a hands-on experience of traditional dishes from Occitanie.
June 12 / DAY 5 - The Carmargue
This morning we will travel to Salin d’Aigues-Mortes in the Carmargue where our travels will take us through the marshlands of the Rhone delta where we will spot flamingos and wild horses.
We will visit the famous pink salt plain and take home some souvenirs.
Lunch will be a special feast at the Table Sauvage, located in a rural pastor. We will be treated to local at a traditional manade and home to the iconic semi-wild Camargue bulls and white horses, led by skilled herders and unique to this enchanting region.
We return to Arles for dinner at the hotel and a final drink to end our journey together.
June 13 / DAY6 - Transfer Home
*Itinerary subject to change
ACCOMODATIONS
ACCOMODATIONS
This former 18th century Folie and its wine storehouse house fifteen rooms and suites, a lush garden, a 25-metre swimming pool, two restaurants and a biodynamic vegetable garden. An intimate setting conducive to letting go.
The renovated former holiday home dates back to the 18th century. The history of Domaine Tarbouriech is closely linked to that of the commune of Marseillan, one of the oldest villages in France whose history dates back to the 6th century BC. A picturesque 17th century port where the Canal du Midi flows into, and which became the second largest port in Hérault in terms of surface area in the 19th century, particularly thanks to the wine and aperitif trade, including the famous Noilly Prat Vermouth.
Domaine Tarbouriech, Thau Lagoon
Hôtel Présent, Arles
Hôtel Présent stands as a testament to mid-century design in the heart of Place Voltaire, in the center of Arles. Built in the 1950s by architect Pierre Vago, this architectural gem pays homage to 20th-century modernism while breaking traditional boundaries to create a dynamic cultural and gastronomic hub. Hôtel Présent is a living space where time is redefined by meaningful experiences. It invites guests to embrace life fully, surrounded by a curated collection of lighting, furnishings, art, and books from the 1950s to today—an ever-evolving homage to design across eras. Its bold aesthetic juxtaposes raw and refined materials, seamlessly blending wood, mirrors, ceramics, and concrete to craft a strikingly modern yet timeless environment.
Pricing
Cost per person 3900€ / $5800 CND
Single Supplement 1000€ / $1400CND
What’s Included
Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, as well as snacks and beverages. Some wine and beer.
Expertise and support of your Terroir Hosts.
Local experts and guides.
Gratuities for accommodations, meals, guiding or transport.
Coach transportation during the tour.
Extras
Airfare to the destination.
Transfers to and from Montpellier.
Personal expenses (shopping, meals and drinks, when not with the group)
Personal travel insurance
