Discovering provençal flavors: a gourmet tasting with our Gastronomy & Wine and Seniors programs
Cuisine is much more than just a taste experience; it's a doorway into a culture, a history, and a way of life. Learning French also means discovering culture through flavor. At the Centre International d'Antibes, students in our "Gastronomy & Wine" and "Seniors" programs have the chance to enjoy a tailor-made Provençal tasting session, hosted by our passionate instructor, Kathy.
During this immersive experience, our students discover iconic local specialties such as pissaladière, tapenade, tourte de bléa, socca, and fougassette flavored with orange blossom, all served with carefully selected French wine. Each tasting is a chance to dive into the history and origins of these dishes, while enjoying a warm and authentic moment.
For years, Kathy has shared her love of Provençal cuisine with our students. As a passionate and engaging educator, she goes beyond simply explaining the dishes; she tells their stories, filled with traditions and anecdotes. Her goal: to help students travel through language while expanding their vocabulary and understanding of French culture.
Each bite tells a story, a heritage passed down through generations in southern France.
This traditional Niçois dessert made with Swiss chard, pine nuts, raisins, and sugar blends sweet and savory flavors. It originated in rural areas where families cooked with what they had to avoid waste. Today, it's a must-have in Niçois bakeries.
This fragrant brioche comes from the fougasse, a traditional Provençal bread once baked in wood-fired oven ashes. Over time, fougassette evolved into a sweet treat flavored with orange blossom, now a local favorite.
This olive paste with capers, anchovies, and olive oil dates back to Roman times. It was originally made using mashed capers ("tapeno" in Provençal), hence the name. Today, it's served as an appetizer on toast, often with a glass of wine.
Each product is paired with a carefully selected French wine to highlight its flavors and enhance the tasting experience.
Student feedback shows their interest and enjoyment during this tasting. Aya, delighted with Kathy's teaching, said: "I really love the way you teach us!"
Christina was impressed by the richness of the explanations and culinary discoveries: "You taught us so much about Provençal cuisine that I’ll never forget it—thank you!"
These comments show that the experience goes well beyond a simple tasting: it is a true moment of sharing and learning.
Our "Gastronomy & Wine" and "Seniors" programs offer a unique approach combining French language learning with culinary discovery. In addition to tailored French courses, our students take part in immersive experiences:
• Cooking workshops where they prepare traditional French recipes and explore Provençal flavors with local chefs.
• Market and local producer visits to understand the value of terroir and artisanal skills.
• Wine and regional specialty tastings guided by experts, blending taste and culture.
In a friendly, interactive environment, these programs allow students to practice French in a new way by combining language, culture, and gastronomy.
Learn French by exploring its flavors—a unique sensory and cultural adventure. Our programs offer full immersion, where every dish tells a story and every conversation enriches your learning. Whether you're passionate about food or simply curious, join us for an experience where taste meets language.
