In Provence, life follows the rhythm of the seasons.
Summer brings lavender and sunshine, winter brings truffles and tranquility. And when autumn arrives, one of the region's oldest traditions begins: the olive harvest.
November is always a special month for us. It is the time when the olive trees on the estate bear fruit.
Olive harvesting in Provence
At Domaine des Campeaux , various olive trees grow, receiving sun, wind, and care throughout the year.
When autumn arrives and the olives ripen, the harvest begins. The fruits are carefully picked and then taken to the La Verdière cooperative.
Once you have collected enough olives, you can take your harvest to the cooperative to have it pressed and bottled. This way, you literally create your own olive oil, from tree to bottle.
It's a special feeling to hold a bottle in your hands afterwards and be able to say:
This is olive oil from Domaine des Campeaux.
It is an experience that gives you a new respect for the work and patience required to make good olive oil.
When nature follows its own rhythm
This year, however, things are a little different.
Last year, we pruned our olive trees heavily to give them new strength. This means that the trees will not bear olives this season.
But in agriculture, that's not unusual. Olive trees follow their own rhythm, and sometimes nature simply needs time to recover.
An age-old tradition in Provence
Olive trees have been part of the landscape of southern France for centuries.
They symbolize patience, continuity, and the rhythm of the seasons. Each harvest tells a new story: of sun and rain, of care and time.
Even when a tree takes a year off, the magic of olive oil remains.
The scent of freshly pressed olives, the soft golden sheen of the oil, and the connection to a centuries-old tradition make the olive harvest a special moment in the Provençal year.
Discover Provence from Domaine des Campeaux
Those who go on vacation in Provence will discover a region where traditions such as olive picking, lavender, and local markets are still part of everyday life.
At Domaine des Campeaux, you will stay in the heart of this natural setting, a short distance from villages where Provençal culture is still very much alive.