The Oddest Place You Will Find That Makes Olive Oil

Olives Everywhere

The Barefoot Blogger is on a quest to find out about olive oil.

The Languedoc/Occitanie region of France is the largest producer of wines in the country. Mixed in with the acres of vineyards are a multitude of olive trees. So, while France lags behind Spain and Italy in producing olive oil, many “moulins olive à huile” (olive oil mills) are right around where I live in Uzès. I went to search for olive oil.

Outside Uzès, I found a moulin in the oddest place.

The roadside moulin is in the tiny village of Saint-Hippolyte-de-Montaigu. The town runs along the street between Uzès and Bagnols. You’ll miss the moulin if you don’t know where to look.  

But not this day. Signs and Halloween decorations marked the spot.

A drive around the back of the “compound” revealed a holding tank for oil … and the remains of an 11th-century chapel.

… and a neighborhood store with fresh fruits and vegetables, chèvre cheese, saucissons … and screaming spooks and spiderwebs. What a treat!

In a pickling jar stashed under a table, olives saved from the press were ready to be scooped up and sold. 

The oil pressing had been finished for the day; nevertheless, I was given a demonstration of the equipment and the process.

More garages were out in the yard. All are stocked with regional goodies.

 

After loading my car with vegetables, olive oil, and wine, the owner handed me two cadeaux (gifts) — chestnuts and a sack of marinaded olives. Before I could get in the car, I was led to the front of the store to see the most prized decoration — a model of the aqueduct at Pont-du-Gard.

When Lucy and I pulled out of the driveway, I was grinning from ear to ear about my day’s find and the fun I’d had visiting these delightful people and their shops.

 The grin turned into a big laugh when I looked back at the store window. 

The end of another day in my fabulous new world.

Is it any wonder why I love France?!