Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Tapenade is the Provençal paste of black olives and capers pounded with olive oil, often with anchovy, spread on bread as an hors d'oeuvre in Avignon and across the south.
The name comes from tapeno, the Provençal word for capers. According to the Provençal chefs Jean-Baptiste Reboul and Charles Julliard, it was created in 1880 by a chef named Meynier at La Maison Dorée in Marseille, who pounded equal weights of capers and black olives to garnish hard-boiled eggs and added anchovy, tuna, olive oil and cognac. Olive relishes go back to Roman writers such as Columella.
2 editor picks for Tapenade in Avignon, ranked by editorial score. All Avignon signature dishes · Tapenade across every city.
Also in: Marseille.
Les Halles d'Avignon is the covered market on Place Pie, with about 40 traders beneath Patrick Blanc's vertical garden, open Tuesday to Sunday mornings.
TipThe Vaucluse tourist board lists 06:00 to 15:00 on Fridays and weekends for 27 July to 31 December 2026, with special hours at year end.
Beer Garden is a craft beer bar on Rue Portail Matheron in Avignon, with 13 rotating beers, house cocktails, local boards and a semi-pedestrian terrace.
TipBlind tests, karaoke and live concerts fill the calendar, and the boards use charcuterie, tapenade, cheese and bread from named local producers.
Tapenade makes more sense with someone from Avignon explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Day trip · 9 hours
Explore the beautiful city of Avignon. See the Papal Palace, enjoy some lunch, visit Chateau Sainte-Roseline, and taste the wine of the Provence.
Day trip · 9 hours
Explore the Châteauneuf du Pape region, visiting 3 or 4 of the main appellations of Provence depending on the rythm of the tour with a specialist guide and enjoy a 2 c...
Day trip · 9 hours
Private wine tour of the Rhône Valley, a day out in France tasting great wines in a unique atmosphere.
