Le Salon du Palais Gourmand

Le Salon du Palais Gourmand is the gastronomic event of the Côte d’Azur! A Food Lover’s Heaven on Earth! An Event To Make Your Mouth Water! A ‘Gastronomic Tour de France’ offered by more than 300 exhibitors who are ready to help you discover the food specialties and wines in the region.

Did I attend this event, you ask? Um, have we met? OUAIS, I was there!

The event was created in 1992, and has become one of the top five salons in France for the Côte d’Azur area. Almost all regions of France are represented and it is a yearly event that spans over a five day period. What can you expect to find there? Oh la la, what do you like, my friend?

Once inside this massive event held at the Hippodrome in Cagnes-sur-Mer, you’ll discover gorgeous amounts of food, wine, people and information.

Literally, whatever your heart desires, you’ll find it. Regional artisans and producers are there to give you samples and information on their specialties. And, of course, you can buy everything on the spot. A small list of things you can find include: truffles, jams, chocolates, chestnuts, olive oils, breads, nuts, cheeses, olives, spices, honey, tapenades, chutney, wine, brandy, champagne and more. I would say if you can eat it, drink it, or use it in cooking or baking, you will be able to find the crème de la crème of all of it here in one place. Are you vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, omnivore, or lactose intolerant? No problem! Come one, come all – there is something for everyone here.

My only advice to you is to leave the kiddies at home. No pets allowed, either. And have your sisters, ‘balance’ and ‘moderation’, stay home too. It’s time to indulge… allez!

It was my first time at this event, so I was on a mission to see and taste everything that I could within my plant-based diet and healthy lifestyle. My game plan was simple: get up early, don’t eat anything, grab lots of reusable tote bags, a portable shopping cart and some friends.

The fun begins as you walk into the tent entrance and they give you a glass for your wine samples. And it’s 10 am! Wine before noon with no judgment? Sign me up!

Pamphlets are given with a list of all of the vendors and the booth numbers where they are located, along with a map of the two huge buildings of the Hippodrome. It’s a well-organized event despite its intimidating size.

You can visit the booths that you want to or you can stroll through the whole place and find new, fun things. I strolled through and found some new favorite wines, olive oils, jams, truffles, tapenades, spices, and chestnut products. There is plenty to sample and lots to learn about chocolate, honey, pastries, breads, cheese, champagne and brandy, to name a few.

The event hosts the best of the best of France so it is a treat to be in such incredible company and learn about all of these yummy treasures from the people who make them. Beyond a dream come true!

You’ll want to spend the whole day here and you can easily do that. Plan to have a lot of fun, meet some amazing artisans, sample the most incredible gastronomic treats, indulge in the finest of alcohols and spend lots of money!

If you’re on a budget, do yourself a favor and go anyway. It is an experience for all of your senses and you will remember it forever, I promise!

For more information, please visit the official website.