Fromage & Baguettes: Hosting an Idyllic French Picnic in Provence

Picture the scene; the lavender-scented countryside abuzz with bees and butterflies, a handwoven blanket laden with the best cheeses and most unctuous French charcuterie from local Provençal markets – a perfectly chilled glass of Picpoul de Pinet in hand. When it comes to outdoor dining, Provence picnic spots are exemplary. Read on to discover how to host an authentic French picnic in Provence, and be inspired to create your own elegant fête champêtre. 

Setting the scene in the heavenly Provence countryside

‍

Renowned for breathtaking bucolic landscapes, the Provence countryside has no shortage of captivating spots in which to stage your French picnic. Here are a few of our favourite settings – all, conveniently, within reach of our Provençal villa in Tourrettes-sur-Loup: 

Parc des Rives du Loup

For a charming French picnic by the riverside, this stretch of lush parkland framing the River Loup makes an idyllic setting. Languish in the dappled shade whilst you graze, then slip into the cool, calm waters for an afternoon swim. 

Parc de la Grande Corniche

An hour’s drive away, to the east of Nice, but well worth the journey, this verdant parkland boasts breathtaking views across the Côte d'Azur and glittering Mediterranean Sea. Expansive green spaces, sweeping vistas and an abundance of nearby hiking trails make this the perfect spot for a Provence picnic with an adventurous nuance. 

Gorges du Loup

If cascading waterfalls are your idea of the dreamiest backdrop to a French picnic, the Cascades du Saut du Loup – discovered within a beautiful canyon – are the place to stage your picnic in Provence.

Opio Forest

The restorative calm of the forest is, for many, the epitome of a perfect French outdoor dining experience. Immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the region’s Opio Forest and enjoy a secluded afternoon away from the heat of the southern French sun.   

Parc Naturel Régional des Préalpes d'Azur

Rolling hills, rugged mountains, lush valleys and crystal-clear waterfalls; this vast swathe of parkland boasts countless beauty spots in which to host a charming Provençal picnic with heart-stopping views.

The accoutrements to an idyllic French picnic

‍

The most paradisal Provence scenery chosen, now you must ‘lay the table’ for your chic French picnic. From charming blankets and rustic baskets to the most elegant decorative details, these are our essential accoutrements to help you finesse your setting.

The perfect French picnic blanket   

Create a generous floor space that invites guests to lounge, with a large, soft picnic blanket. Choose a traditional gingham check or French stripe, or opt for elegant, neutral shades, such as oatmeal and ecru. For a spill-friendly palette, shades of green or slate will complement. 

The classic picnic basket

Celebrate tradition with a nostalgic wicker or woven basket – compartmentalised for ease. Try playfully contrasting a patterned lining with your chosen blanket, choosing a finer or bolder check in a different hue, for example. 

Tasteful tableware and utensils

‍If ceramic plates are too heavy for your French picnic, choose bamboo or channel a quaint mood with navy-rimmed enamel dishware. Forego plastic utensils in favour of stainless steel or wood, and opt for real glasses – perhaps with playful detailing – when serving wine. Scour the copious artisanal studios of Tourrettes-sur-Loup for inspiration.

Don’t forget the napkins

Cloth, not paper, and chosen to perfectly complement. If your Provençal picnic is underlined with green and white gingham, opt for solid white or green in either the exact same hue or a sympathetic shade.    

Celebrating the traditional baguette 

At the foundation of any French picnic is one of the country’s most celebrated exports – the humble baguette. But, when designing an enviable Provençal picnic, not any old loaf will do. There is an art to choosing the most moreish baguette:

Procure your loaf from an artisanal bakery

Reputation is everything when it comes to the French boulangerie. Ask neighbours or locals for their favourite bakers, and buy from an artisan known for their bread. 

Look for a good crust and a classic silhouette 

A traditional French baguette should have an evenly golden, perfectly crisp crust which crackles when gently squeezed and a slender shape that tapers at each end.

Tap for the telltale sound 

Tap gently, and a good French baguette should have a hollow sound and a noticeable lightness when lifted. Heavy, dense-sounding bread is the sign of an inferior bake. 

Timing is everything 

Buy your bread fresh, at the start of the day – preferably when it’s still warm from the oven. A stale French baguette will spoil the perfect French picnic. 

‍

The best French cheeses for a Provençal picnic

‍

Spotlight Provence’s mouthwatering dairy heritage by sourcing the best French cheeses from the region at local farmer’s markets. A few choice additions for your picnic basket are:

‍Banon

Traditionally wrapped in chestnut leaves and tied with raffia, Banon is a soft, creamy goat’s cheese with a tangy, nutty and often herbal profile. 

Tomme de Provence

Crafted from cow’s milk and infused with aromatic herbs, such as rosemary and thyme, Tomme de Provence is a semi-firm cheese with a mildly tangy flavour.

Roquefort

No French picnic would be complete without this creamy, blue-veined sheep's cheese, with its bold, salty taste. 

Picodon

Made in the Drôme and Ardèche regions, this characterful goat’s cheese has a pungent tanginess that intensifies with age. 

The fundamentals of French charcuterie

‍

The French are fiercely loyal to their charcuterie board, and the most delectable assortment of cured meats is an essential component of any French picnic. Source yours from a reputable butchers, used by locals, and serve at room temperature: 

Saucisson Sec

‍Deeply savoury and spiked with black pepper and garlic, this dry-cured pork sausage partners perfectly with a Dijon-smothered baguette.

‍Andouille

‍Smoky, savoury and delicately spiced, this garlic, pepper and wine-seasoned sausage of pork and tripe complements bread and wholegrain mustard.

Jambon Blanc

‍A soft, thinly sliced ham with a mild and subtly sweet flavour, jambon blanc makes the perfect ‘jambon-beurre’ – AKA Parisien – sandwich. 

Pâté de Campagne

‍An intensely rich and rustic pâté of coarsely ground pork and liver, this herb-infused delicacy is best lavished on hunks of crusty bread and topped with pickles. 

The perfect drop of Provençal wine 

Though French charcuterie begs for a pairing of luscious red wine, we think the ideal complement to summer in Provence is one of the region’s zesty whites or rosés. Notable varietals include:

Picpoul de Pinet

Bright with notes of citrus and green apple, this Languedoc-grown grape is known for its crisp, clean finish and fondness for light summer salads and seafood.  

Bandol Rosé

Produced in a region celebrated for its complex rosés, a bottle of Bandol boasts unexpectedly full-bodied flavours of strawberry, peach and spice, making it a match for meatier flavours. 

Côtes de Provence Blanc 

Aromatic, well-balanced and bursting with juicy apricots and citrusses, this bold white wine pairs excellently with pungent cheeses. 

Côtes de Provence Rouge

For good measure, this medium-bodied, Provence-grown red is punctuated with spice, herbs and notes of red fruit – an effortless complement to savoury meats and intense cheeses.   

Classic French picnic extras

The meat, cheese, bread and, of course, wine are the mainstay of any French picnic, but be free to elaborate with a side-serving of other classic French foods, including: 

The traditional tart or French quiche 

In our opinion, no picnic in Provence is complete without this most quintessentially French pastry – a deliciously savoury quiche filled with ham and cheese in a sumptuously crisp-baked crust.

Ratatouille

Punch through those deeply salty cheeses with a side serving of traditional French ratatouille, permeated with the piquant flavours of bell peppers, tomatoes and garlic.

Salade Niçoise

A Provençal classic of lettuce, ripe tomatoes, egg, Niçoise olives and anchovies dressed in an oil vinaigrette, a Salade Niçoise will bring a much-needed hint of lightness to your basket.  

Pissaladière

The French picnic’s answer to pizza, a pissaladière is a cheese-laced savoury tart, typically studded with onions, anchovies and olives.

If whiling away summer afternoons amid the peace of the Provence countryside – idealised in a picture-perfect coordination of blanket, dinnerware and classic French food – captures your imagination, why not make it a reality.

‍

Co-own an August Signature, Premium or Prime Collection and unlock not only the idyllic lifestyle of the Riviera but the enchantment of Tuscany, Mallorca, the French Alps and the Cotswolds. Request a brochure, or schedule a call with an August Advisor today, and discover just how close you could be to unlocking this, and four other idyllic European lifestyles.