
Written by the Only Provence Team • Last Updated April 14, 2026
Only Provence is an award-winning villa rental company with a collection of more than 200 luxury villas and châteaux throughout the Luberon and Alpilles. Combining deep local expertise with personalized service, we craft exceptional journeys tailored for discerning travelers.
Before the first lavender bloomed or the first vineyard took root, Provence was already defined by its olive trees. They dot the landscape like old souls—resilient, silvery, and deeply rooted in the rhythm of this land.
To taste olive oil here is to understand Provence’s heart. The oils carry the memory of wind and soil, sun and stone. Each grove tells a story—of families, patience, and craft passed quietly through generations.
For travelers staying in an Only Provence villa, exploring these stories is easy. Whether you’re near Saint-Rémy, Eygalières, Gordes, or Bonnieux, you’ll find yourself surrounded by olive groves and the artisans who tend them.
The most celebrated olive oil producers in Provence are found within the same regions that define our villa collection—the Alpilles and the Luberon. Here, tasting olive oil isn’t a stop on a tour; it’s an immersion into local life.
Moulin Castelas (Les Baux-de-Provence): Set in the rugged limestone hills near Les Baux, Moulin Castelas transforms centuries of tradition into art. Owners Catherine and Jean-Benoît Hugues produce some of Provence’s most decorated oils—intense, complex, and full of the region’s minerality.
Moulin de Calanquet (Saint-Rémy-de-Provence): A cornerstone of the Alpilles, this fifth-generation family mill offers immersive tours that reveal the craftsmanship behind every bottle. Their oils—delicate, aromatic, and distinctly Provençal—embody the taste of Saint-Rémy itself.
Moulin Jean-Marie Cornille (Maussane-les-Alpilles): Maussane is known as Provence’s olive oil capital, and this historic mill—operating since 1626—is the village’s beating heart. Their signature “fruité noir” oil, made through gentle fermentation, is velvety and deeply aromatic.
Moulin du Clos des Jeannons (Gordes): Nestled just outside Gordes in the Luberon, this family-run mill offers a personal, hands-on introduction to olive oil production. Small-scale, organic, and soulful—it’s a reminder that quality comes from care.
Among the artisans of Provence, Charlotte stands apart. With formal training from Olive Oil Times and LOVE, and certification as an Olive Oil Sommelier in London, she is also a certified AOP Provence judge through the Centre Technique de l’Olivier in Aix-en-Provence.
Charlotte’s love for olive oil stems from its accessibility and its soul. “It’s a remarkable product,” she says, “with endless flavor possibilities.” Her passion is evident in every sensory experience she offers.
Olive oil experiences with Charlotte can be arranged with Only Provence partner, Provence Chefs Expérience.
Olive Oil Tasting Workshop (in Gordes)
Step into an olive grove in the Luberon and begin an olfactory journey through the Mediterranean. Charlotte guides you through the nuances between virgin and extra virgin oils, helping you identify aromas like artichoke, almond, and apple. The experience concludes with bruschettas, fresh cheeses, and Luberon wine, turning learning into leisure.
Olive Oil & Ice Cream Workshop (at your villa)
This one-hour sensory workshop brings olive oil directly to your table. You’ll taste organic oils paired with homemade ice creams and sorbets, discovering how fruity, peppery, and grassy oils interact with sweetness and texture. It’s a joyful, unexpected experience that transforms tasting into play—ideal for groups or families staying in one of our villas.
Olive Oil Tasting & Gourmet Dinner (in-villa experience)
Charlotte’s signature offering. Begin with a guided tasting of Provence’s finest oils, then sit down to a multi-course gourmet meal inspired by those same flavors. Each dish is crafted from seasonal, local ingredients—often sourced that morning from village markets. As the sun sets over your villa terrace, you’ll realize this is more than dinner—it’s an immersion into Provence’s sensory landscape.
Provence’s olive oil isn’t just pressed—it’s composed. Each bottle captures a moment of sunlight, a harvest, a story. Bringing one home feels like bottling a piece of the landscape itself.
At Only Provence, many of our villas are surrounded by these same trees—silvery leaves shimmering in the afternoon light, their branches framing your morning coffee or evening apéritif.
When you choose Only Provence, you’re not just booking a villa; you’re partnering with experts who understand that perfection is quiet, thoughtful, and deeply local.
Whether you’re dreaming of lavender fields, market mornings, or golden evenings by the pool, your Provence begins with a single call—and a team ready to make it extraordinary.
Contact a Villa Specialist today and let us help you find the villa that feels like it was waiting for you all along.
The harvest runs from late October through December, but tastings, workshops, and guided tours are offered year-round. Spring and autumn are ideal for visitors who want warm weather, open markets, and fewer crowds.
Yes. Through Provence Chefs Experience, Charlotte offers both in-villa tastings and full gourmet dinners—perfect for guests who prefer privacy or wish to gather friends and family for an unforgettable evening at home.
Partner with Pinch Me Provence for curated itineraries that combine olive oil with wine, markets, and culture. Our Villa Specialists or concierge can coordinate these seamlessly with your stay.
Provence’s microclimates, ancient groves, and traditional cold-press methods produce oils that are delicate, aromatic, and layered with the flavor of local herbs and fruit. They’re considered among the finest in France.
Absolutely. Charlotte’s olive oil and ice cream workshop is especially popular with families. Tastings and picnics can be adapted for groups of all ages.

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Only Provence co-founder Lydia Dean writes about their experiences raising a family, building a business in Provence, and later combining the love of travel with giving back in "Jumping the Picket Fence”. In 2021, she published “Light Through the Cracks,” a continuation of her journey, much of which has been based in Provence. Both books are available Amazon, Amazon.uk, and Amazon.Fr.
