Provence Olive Oil:
As Civilized as it is Slick

Kathy Stewart

France | Provence

The Greeks believed that the cultivation of the olive tree was the hallmark of a civilized society, and they may have been on to something. Twenty-five centuries after they brought olive trees to Provence, to call the region “civilized” barely scratches its surface.

How They Make Provence Olive Oil

In Provence, the olive harvest usually begins in November and lasts until the end of January. The olives selected to make the oil are washed in cold water and then crushed by a millstone and worked into a paste. The paste is then pressed between large discs (known as scourtins) traditionally made of hemp, though today nylon is frequently used. Eleven or 13 pounds of paste are spread on each disc, and the discs are then stacked together (25 to 50 at a time) on the hydraulic presses. As the discs are pressed together, the liquid parties—oil and water—drain into the centre of the press and are then separated.

Olive oil produced by this method is known as the first cold-pressed olive oil, and is a pure product. In Provence, it takes five kilograms (10 pounds) of olives to produce one litre (34 ounces) of oil.

“The olive trees are silver, with sometimes a hint of blue or greenish bronze whitening against earth that is yellow, violet, orange or a dull red. But always so hard, hard, hard … it suits me well to work with gold and silver.”

– Vincent Van Gogh

Experience Provence With B&R

Scheduled Group Walking Trip

Wander (slowly) through the narrow vineyard paths, secluded olive groves and limestone ridges of our Provence Walking trip. The wines are not to be rushed, either (once you’ve sampled a Côtes du Rhône or Côtes du Lubéron in its natural habitat, you’ll understand why).

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Self-Guided Walking Trip

On B&R’s Provence Self-Guided Walking trip, the sunflowers, spectacular hilltop towns, and magical arid landscapes await your exploration as you traverse just off the beaten track.

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Types and Tastes

Olives can be picked at any time, and their degree of ripeness determines their taste. Green olives have very little oil, their flesh is firm and unripe, and they have a sharp tang. Black olives are full of oil, the flesh is soft and ripe, and they have a mellower flavour.

Green olives are inedible unless treated to remove their bitter glucosides, which can be done simply by washing them for about 10 days in fresh water. They are then immersed in brine, which often contains herbs or lemon. Black olives, being fully ripe, only need washing and preserving in brine or salt.

Picholine: The main variety of green olive found in France, the fruit is small and long.

Lucques: A superb table olive, the fruit is long and curved and the flesh is green and fruity.

Tanche: This is the olive of Nyons, a large, delicious olive picked for the table and pressing into olive oil.

Cailletier: Also known as the Niçois, a tiny, smooth black olive with a wonderful aroma.

Aglandau: Famous for its finely flavoured oil, often found in the Alpilles.

Kathy Stewart

As B&R’s Regional Director for France and Western Europe, Kathy channels her abundant energy and decades of travel expertise into crafting a trip portfolio that immerses travellers into some of the world’s most incredible regions.