Olives Everywhere
The Barefoot Blogger is on a quest to find out about olive oil.
The Languedoc/Occitanie region of France is the largest producer of wines in the country. Mixed in with the acres of vineyards are a multitude of olive trees. So, while France lags behind Spain and Italy in producing olive oil, many “moulins olive à huile” (olive oil mills) are right around where I live in Uzès. I went to search for olive oil.
Olives next to vineyards outside Uzès
Outside Uzès, I found a moulin in the oddest place.
Moulin olive à huile in Saint-Hippolyte-de-Montaigu
The roadside moulin is in the tiny village of Saint-Hippolyte-de-Montaigu. The town runs along the street between Uzès and Bagnols. You’ll miss the moulin if you don’t know where to look.
But not this day. Signs and Halloween decorations marked the spot.
A drive around the back of the “compound” revealed a holding tank for oil … and the remains of an 11th-century chapel.
Moulin à huile Saint-Hippolyte-de-Montaigu
… and a neighborhood store with fresh fruits and vegetables, chèvre cheese, saucissons … and screaming spooks and spiderwebs. What a treat!
Shop decorated for Fall and Halloween
Fresh chèvre cheese
Saucisson-sec, a specialty of France
In a pickling jar stashed under a table, olives saved from the press were ready to be scooped up and sold.
Freshly marinated olives
The oil pressing had been finished for the day; nevertheless, I was given a demonstration of the equipment and the process.
Bushels of olives ready for the next day’s work
More garages were out in the yard. All are stocked with regional goodies.
Walnuts
Of course, wine!
After loading my car with vegetables, olive oil, and wine, the owner handed me two cadeaux (gifts) — chestnuts and a sack of marinaded olives. Before I could get in the car, I was led to the front of the store to see the most prized decoration — a model of the aqueduct at Pont-du-Gard.
A model of Pont-du-Gard mounted on the roof of the shop.
When Lucy and I pulled out of the driveway, I was grinning from ear to ear about my day’s find and the fun I’d had visiting these delightful people and their shop.
The grin turned into a big laugh when I looked back at the store window.
The end of another day in my fabulous new world.
Is it any wonder why I love France?!
Categories: Around France, Blog, Loving Food, Uzès
Another wonderful post, unwrapping another layer of culture in this beautiful region- thanks again.
Thanks so much John. Readers like you inspire me.
well, that is definitely on my bucket list!
You’d love it. It’s definitely an out of the way place!
No, Debby, it’s no wonder at all why you love it. You have become a splendid photographer ! Reading your blog only makes me more eager for your next visit to my environs …
So happy to connected with you again, Fran. We’ll have lots of time to catch up on everything on my visit back to the States. Glad you like the blog and the photos. It’s what I do now!
This is so wonderful- you are an inspiration
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoy the posts. It’s almost as much fun writing about it all … to relive it!
DEBORAH what a great find and fun time you must have had with the owners and the olive oil presentation. We miss you already and have not heard back from David as yet but certainly looking forward to our return to the wonderful Uzes area. Keep up he wonderful travel information and give us things to put on our “Bucket List” for next year–Remember a meal without wine is called BREAKFAST!! Give our best to Geoffrey and the Provincal gang.
Rich, I haven’t stopped! The party in Uzes goes on, and on! This week will take me to an Abrivado in the Camargue … horses! I stopped at Foncia last week and will again. Keep me posted. You guys just have to be here!
That’s what I call a perfect day!
The days here are almost always perfect!