Apt in Provence is a charming town of a good size and it’s also the city of crystallised fruit, awash with gorgeous little shops and home to a fabulous Saturday street market. It’s a great town to wander, browse and wonder at…
What to do in Apt Provence
You can’t go to Apt and not notice that there is a lot of candied fruit in the shops.
Laid out like precious gems in a jeweller’s cabinet, all colours and sizes the sweet, sticky fruit that has been bathed in liquid sugar until it shines like diamonds is one of Apt’s most famous productions.
They’ve been making it here since the middle of the 19th century but the technique and the history of it in this area go back much further to the days of the popes of Avignon who brought glacé fruit with them from Italy.
The locals love this sugar coated fruit and they’re not the only ones – its exported all over the world including Britain where it’s used in the very best Christmas puddings, and in France the best Galette des Rois (a traditional cake eaten in January) boast this famous fruit.
It’s not just fruit either, you’ll find crystallised hazelnuts and almonds and jams made with the left over pieces of fruit – simple sublime. You can keep the fruit in a cool dark place for several months if you can resist the temptation to eat it and if you really want to add a few more calories, do as the locals do and dip it in melted chocolate!
If you’re in Apt, check out Patisserie Rousset at 196 rue des Marchands for drool-worthy crystallised fruit, nougat, confectionary and ice cream.
If sweet things float your boat then nip to Passion Chocolat just down the road at No. 34. Here Chef Alain Bouchard makes gateaux to make your eyes pop. People come from miles around for his awesome macarons and gorgeous cakes.
The Saturday morning market is one of biggest in the area – if you don’t want to stick out like a tourist, get there by 08h and definitely not after 9.30!
Apt is a great town to wander, sample, browse, taste, sniff and enjoy a seat at a charming café in the sun and watch the world go by…
More on Provence
Colourful Roussillon in photos
Isle-sur-la-Sorgue – the town with more antique shops than any other in France
Gourmet Escapades – food and wine lovers tours of Provence
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