French Glacé Cherry originate from Provence in the South of France, a region that is famous non only for its food, but also its climate, its beautiful landscapes, its thriving culture and art de vivre.
There is a lot to discover in Provence. Let your eyes and ears, your mind and taste buds marvel at all the wonders our region has to offer.
Below, we share with you some fun facts about Provence, just to whet your appetite!
• In Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a very famous wine village in Provence, a municipal law of 1954 prohibits UFOs from landing in the town.
• In 1868, an Englishman named Matthew Wood discovered the local speciality and helped introduce French Glacé Cherries on the English market.
• At the beginning of the golden age of candied fruit, wild oranges, etrogs, walnuts and almonds were candied. The boxes were decorated with candied violets and rose petals.
• The sloping vineyards, the cultivated lands and the colorful scenery charmed Cezanne (Aix en Provence), Van Gogh (Arles), Chagall ou Giono…
• Les Gorges du Verdon (the Grand Canyon of the Verdon) in Provence is one of Europe’s deepest canyons, over 2500 feet deep. The gorge was not really known to the outside world until 1906.
• The Millau Viaduct, completed in 2005 in the south of France, is the tallest bridge in the world.
• The windmill, which once inspired Alphonse Daudet, is typical of the Provence landscape.
• Pont Julien and Via Domitia: Although over two thousand years old, this Roman bridge is in excellent condition and connects the Apt-Cavaillon road with Bonnieux and Lacoste. The bridge was built on the Via Domitia, the oldest road in France, built by the Romans to link Rome with the Empire’s conquered territories. The road was probably built between 27 BC and 14 AD.
• The Luberon is characterised by a series of strikingly picturesque perched, hill-top villages, dating back 1000 years or more.
• Food / Regional products
• The word ‘cherry’ comes from the Turkish town of Cerasus.
• During the Early Middle Ages the cherries were preserved in honey until sugar was introduced in France during the Crusades.
• Lagarde d’Apt alone accounts for 20% of France’s lavender production.
• Lavender oil has been used since Antiquity, but it wasn’t until the Renaissance that trade developed, thanks largely to the Medicis.
• Virgin olive oil is a pure fruit juice.
• The Greeks brought the olive tree to Provence 8,000 years ago and the olive tree now is as present in the landscape as is the vineyard.
• The truffle season runs from November to mid-March in Provence, and 70-80% of France’s black truffles emanate from the markets of the Vaucluse department of Provence.
• The Apt market began to thrive as early as the 12th century and in 1504, letters patent of the Seneschal of Provence made it an institution on Saturdays.
• In 1996, Apt’s Market received the prestigious label “exceptional French market” for its lively atmosphere.
• In Provence, people have a soft singing accent.
• In the summer, musicians from all over the world come to Provence to take part in many local music festivals.
• The name Aix in “Aix en Provence” comes from the source discovered when the city was founded by the Romans in 123 B.C.
• Aix en Provence was Provence’s capital in the 15th century.
• The city of Aix en Provence inspired many of the greatest writers and painters: Guigou, Stendhal, Mistral, Zola, and Cézanne.
• Every summer, the International Festival of Lyric Arts and Music in Aix en Provence unites acclaimed prima donnas and maestros in a fabulous selection of singing and music.
• Avignon’s acclaimed theatre festival attracts around 120,000 visitors every summer in July and August. It a great festival to discover new talents or see famous stars on stage.
• Both elegant and simple, the charming city of Nice boasts a lovely climate almost all year round.
• Nice is a city of art and culture. It is the French city with the most museums behind Paris.
• The Antique Theatre in the city of Orange is a UNESCO world heritage site. It was built in the early days of Christianity.
• The village of Gordes in Provence has suffered so many invasions over the centuries that its population built it “perched” on the mountains to protect themselves. It is its history that makes it today so unique and beautiful.
• Gordes in Provence is listed as one of “The Most Beautiful Villages in France”.
• The Marchioness de Sévigé used to say that Apt was “a cauldron of jam”. No wonder our French Glacé Cherry producers felt at home in Apt!
• Our producers’ heritage goes way back! Crystallized fruits were offered to Pope Urbain V, who lived in Avignon, as early as 1365.
• The Maison Léopold Marliagues, one of our French Glacé Cherry producers, is proud of its 170 years of tradition and exceptional savoir-faire.
• Aptunion, one of our French Glacé Cherry producers, invests regularly in R&D to come up with new ways to turn Provence’s lovely fruit crops into sweet delights.
