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Olives & Olive Oil
The olive tree is the sacred tree of the Mediterranean Sea
Symbolising temperance, wisdom and harmony, the olive tree can surprise you by surviving the most challenging of conditions. With its gnarled dark bark it can often appear dead but life will flow through to produce the prized fruit.
The Var department is home to the largest number of olive oil producers and mills in France. One of the most beautiful olive groves can be found just 3 km from Sainte Maxime, the Domaine la Pierre Plantée. You can visit this olive grove for free every Tuesday and Friday at 10:00 am, where you can enjoy some of the very best Provençal products and an award-winning olive oil.
The final autumnal festival before the arrival of the Christmas markets is the Fête de l’Huile d’Olive at Sainte Maxime which normally takes place around mid to late November. The perfect introduction to the region’s passion for making fine Mediterranean olive oil and a chance to chat with the creators and sample the delicious products before taking some gourmet olive oil back home.
