In Alpes de Haute-Provence
Ecomusée in Volx
Created in 2006, this modern museum entirely dedicated to the olive tree regroups the collections of objects presenting the olive oil production, the terroirs, the olive tree history … Temporary exhibitions also complete
this space throughout the year. A tasting of the 3 family tastes is proposed at the end of the visit. Information : http://www.ecomusee-olivier.com/ecomusees/ Route de Forcalquier, 04130 Volx (lat.43°89’04.85 N long. 5°84’32.0 E) 04 92 72 66 91 Opening hours in the week : 10 am – 6 pm. On Saturdays (and on Sunday in July and August) : 1.30 pm – 6 pm. 2,50 to 4 € (free entrance for children under 16)
In Alpes-Maritimes
Museum of the olive mill in Lucéram
Located in a private property, the farm “Val del Prat”, this old olive oil mill from the XVIIe century perfectly works. During the visit, the owner will tell you about the history of the olive oil production, from traditional methods to the more modern. Information: 04 93 79 54 66, tihyemile@orange.fr, Ferme du Val del Prat, 3841 Chemin des Monts, Quartier Val del Prat, 06440 – LUCERAM Open all year long by appointment
In Ardèche
The house of the olive tree in Les Vans
Discover two museums: 30 information boards with photos will guide you to discover the olive tree cultivation throughout the seasons, the second part of the visit is dedicated to the theme of the olive harvest, we find there ancient objects and an oil press dating from the 17th. Information: www.olivardeche.fr , 06 08 93 11 27 et Office de tourisme : 04 75 37 24 48, Route de Paiolive, 07140 Les Vans (Latitude : 44.404058° 0` 0« , Longitude : 4.132887° 0` 0« ). Opening hours in July and August: 10 am – 12.30 am and 4 pm – 7 pm (the other months of the year on Wednesdays). 2,60 € per person (free entrance under 12). Special price for group and family : 2,10€ .
Good to know: this museum is part of the route of the Parc régional des Monts d’Ardèche route, and is part of Pass Patrimoine (special price : 2,10€ per person) giving access to 3 other museums on the route.
In Aude
The olive tree Odyssey in Bize-Minervois
The olive tree Odyssey, a guided visit to discover step by step the world of the olive tree on 5 points of interest: the pedagogical olive orchard: you will discover the delicate gestures of the harvest, the different varieties of olives and the particularities of the magic tree. The olive mill with sound and lights: in a working olive mill, a sound and light show about the god’s tree will give you the chance to go back from the Mythology to our era. A museum space: a museum to know more about the symbolic of the olive tree, but also about the qualities of the Mediterranean diet and other beauty secrets. A tasting space: at the end of the visit, a tasting will let you appreciate the gustative qualities and the aromas of a good olive oil. You will discover the “Rolls” of the olive: the Lucques. The producer’s shop: discover the showcase of the best regional products: olive oils, Lucques olives, soaps and cosmetics, craftwork. Information: www.loulibo.com, 04 68 41 48 48, hameau de Cabezac 11120 BIZE MINERVOIS ( Latitude: 43.2996 Longitude: 2.87). Open every day (except on Christmas day and the 1rst of January). Guided tour : Low season : 10.30 am, 2.30 pm and 4 pm ; June and September : 11 am, 3 pm, 4 pm and 5 pm ; July and August: 11 am, 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm. Children : 3 €, Adults : 6 €, Family : 15 € (2 adults and 3 children), Group : 5 €
In Drôme
The olive tree museum in Nyons
The olive tree museum of Nyons offers you through the objects which are exhibited, the ancient and recent history of the olive cultivation in Nyons and around, and also the different uses of Nyons olive oil. From the harvest to the mill, discover the tools used to contain and store the oil, its different uses as for example the lightening with the oil lamp. You can also have a look to an authentic oil mill from the 19th presses, tools, many jars… And many implements dedicated to the olive tree. You will discover the modern material respectful of the hygiene norms allowing the extraction of a pure fruit juice of our olives perfectly ripe (movie). Information: www.guideweb.com/musee/olivier/, 04 75 27 41 08, Place Olivier de Serres, 26110 Nyons. Open all year from 9am to 12am, and from 3 pm to 6.30pm. Free entrance. Get group information by calling Laurence Michel (04 75 26 90 91).
The old oil mills
Come to share the warm atmosphere of the old oil mills and discover a surprising soap factory of which the age-old vaults contributes to the mystery of the place. The visit of the museum offers you to familiarize with the traditional way of producing olive oil and soap. An important collection of objects and tools completes this tour. Information : http://lesvieuxmoulins.fr 04 75 26 11 00 Promenade de la digue, 26110 Nyons Open from March to November and for groups the rest of the year. Opening hours: 10 am – 12 am and 2.30 pm – 6 pm. Guided tour at 11 am on Thursdays and Saturdays from June to September. Children: free under 12; adults for the guided tour: 4,50€ ; group : 3,50 €.
The scourtin museum
Inaugurated on the 19th of July 2013, this museum is the first of its kind in France because completely dedicated to the scourtin ! The scourtin is a kind of beret made in nylon and coir, which in the past were very used in the traditional mills. Full of olive paste, scourtins were piled up on each other and pressed, allowing to collect the liquid part (oil and water) and to keep the solid part. Nowadays the scourtin has become a decorative object, more than a working tool. Only few olive mills in Var and Corsica still use it. This museum will bring you in the heart of the history of the Scourtinerie: pedagogical film, authentic machines, many objects (needles, models of loom,…). The Scourtinerie is a family factory founded in 1882 by Ferdinand and Marie Fert, their great-grandchildren, Frédérique and Arnaud, still continue to keep tradition by producing these famous scourtins. After the visit of the museum, you can visit the workroom where you can discover the production of scourtin and have all the explanations about it. Informations: www.scourtinerie.com contact@scourtinerie.com, 36, rue de la Maladrerie, 26110 Nyons 04 75 26 33 52 – 04 75 26 06 52. Open all year from Monday to Saturday : 9.30 am – 12.30am and 2.30 pm – 6pm (7 pm in summer). Free entrance.
In Gard
The House of the Garrigue, Terroirs and Olive tree in Marguerittes
In a bioclimatic House, visit the Museum of the Olive Tree to discover its history, the way to make olive oil, the different varieties of olives, their tastes and their uses. Have also a walk in Combe des Bourguignons ! Information: www.marguerittes.fr 04 66 20 54 78, 32 avenue Magellan (Quartier du Tec),30320 Marguerittes. Open all year (except on public holidays) from Tuesday to Friday and the 1rst Sunday of the month (2 pm – 5.30 pm) : 9.30 am – 12am and 2 pm to 5.30 pm. In July and August : 9am – 12am and 3 pm to 6.30 pm. Children (between 6 and 12) : 2€; adults : 3€ ; guided tour for groups (20 pers max.) : 4€
In Hérault
The House of the Olive tree in Clermont l’Hérault
Located in front of the Huilerie coopérative of the town, the House of the Olive tree offers to visitors a discover of the process of olive oil production throughout the centuries and information on the health qualities of this product. Information: www.olidoc.com , 06 67 96 10 36, 13 avenue du Président Wilson 34800 Clermont l’Hérault. Open all year, only by appointment. Adults : 1,50€ (free entrance for children under 10) ; Group : 1€
In Vaucluse
The Moulin des Bouillons – Olive oil mill
Gallo-Roman site inhabited since 2000 years ago. The Moulin des Bouillons is an animal powered mill. This olive oil mill, listed as a historic monument, is the oldest preserved mill, still intact with all its working elements. Since the 1st century BC, several presses have been used successively. The last press, monumental at 7 tons and 10m long, dates from the 16th century. Informations: www.musee-verre-vitrail.com 04 90 72 22 11 Departementale 148 | Route de Saint Pantaléon, 84220 Gordes Open from March to October, every day (except on Tuesday) : 10 am – 12 am and 2 pm – 6 pm. Children : 3,50 € ; Adults : 5 € ; Groups : 3,50 €.
In Var
In 1995 the town of Le Val created in an old oil museum, a permanent exhibition, real museum dedicated to the olive tree. Discover the different steps in the cultivation of the olive tree, the work at the mill thanks to a photo collection. A nice animated model, made at the real size of the old mill, will show you the work of the millers. Many old tools are presented: oil measure, knife, saw, dishes (oil cruet, mortars, oil pots,…) and nice paintings made on olive wood. On the outside wall of the old mill, a large road map of the 38 mills in Var. Information: La Maison de l’Olivier, place des Moulins, 83143 LE VAL. Open every day in summer : 10 am – 12.30 am and 3 pm – 6.30 pm ; in winter : 10 am – 12 am and 2 pm – 6 pm. On appointment by calling the Tourism office of Le Val : 04 94 37 02 21 or 04 94 37 02 22.
