Eygalieres: The secret side of Provence

Where Provence Defies Expectation

If you think you know Provence, Éygalières will surprise you. Mention Provence, and most people picture lavender fields, bustling markets, and sun-drenched terraces—but Éygalières isn’t just a postcard scene. Beneath its quiet beauty lies a fascinating mix of history, resilience, and unexpected intrigue that even many locals overlook.

The Village That Refused to Be Forgotten

Unlike tourist-heavy destinations in Provence, Éygalières has kept a low profile for centuries—not by accident, but by choice. While neighboring towns capitalized on commerce and expansion, Éygalières remained small, almost forgotten. Why? Because it was deliberately abandoned.

In the 17th century, the villagers faced constant plagues and raids, leading them to desert the old town and rebuild below. The medieval ruins at the top of the village—including the Château d’Éygalières—are remnants of a time when this place was left behind. Even today, the ruins remain eerily untouched, giving the village an authentic time-capsule feel.

A Secret Artists’ Escape (Before It Was Cool)

Most people associate Provence’s art scene with Van Gogh in Saint-Rémy or the chic galleries of Aix-en-Provence, but Éygalières has long been a hidden retreat for creatives. In the early 20th century, writers and painters quietly took refuge here, drawn by its isolation and stark landscapes.

One of its most famous residents? Albert Camus, the existentialist writer behind The Stranger and The Plague. Unlike the glitzy Riviera, Éygalières gave Camus the solitude he craved—and even today, it remains a discreet getaway for modern-day creatives looking to escape the spotlight.

A Lost Saracen Treasure in the Cliffs?

The landscapes of Provence on the outskirts of Éygalières are wild and raw. While many villages in Provence boast rolling vineyards and olive groves, Éygalières sits at the edge of the Alpilles, a rugged mountain range full of forgotten myths.

Local folklore tells of the lost treasure of the Saracens, supposedly hidden in the cliffs surrounding the village, and old shepherds whisper about ghostly horsemen riding through the limestone gorges at night.

Marche de Provence: The Market That Still Feels Local

Provence is known for its lively markets, but the Marché de Provence in Éygalières is something different. Every Friday morning, the village transforms as stalls line the streets, filled with seasonal produce, rare cheeses, cured meats, and local wines.

While other Provençal markets cater heavily to tourists, this one still feels like it belongs to the community.

The Marche de Provence in Eygalieres is not just a place to shop—it’s a weekly gathering, where locals chat over fresh-baked fougasse, winemakers share their latest bottles, and butchers carve fresh cuts of lamb raised in the Alpilles.

Here’s what you’ll find that you won’t always find at other markets:

• Ancient Olive Varieties – Some trees around Éygalières are over 600 years old, and the olive oil from these groves is unlike anything mass-produced.
  
• Rare Alpine Cheeses – Brought down from the mountains by tiny family-run dairies.
  
• Wild Truffles – Foraged from the nearby hills and sold discreetly by elderly Provençal men who know exactly where to find them.

A Food Scene That’s Surprisingly Unpretentious

Forget the glitzy, Michelin-starred restaurants of Provence’s tourist hubs—Éygalières has some of the best food in the region, and it’s refreshingly low-key.

Sure, there are high-end spots like Maison Hache, but if you want to eat like a local, skip the fancy tables and head to the unassuming wine bars and farm kitchens where locals gather for:

• Slow-cooked lamb stews made with herbs foraged from the hills.
• Wood-fired fougasse (a rustic Provençal bread) made fresh daily by a third-generation baker.
• Artichokes stuffed with anchovy paste, a regional specialty that dates back centuries.

Even during market day, you’ll find small cafés and bistros offering simple, high-quality meals using whatever is freshest from that morning’s Marché de Provence. And if you know the right people, you might even get invited to an impromptu countryside feast—because in Éygalières, food isn’t just a meal; it’s an extension of life itself.

The Quiet Playground of the Wealthy (Who Don’t Want to Be Seen)

While Saint-Tropez and Cannes attract celebrities who want to be noticed, Éygalières has quietly become a favorite hideaway for celebrities and wealthy figures.

Over the years, the village has drawn famous residents like actor Hugh Grant, legendary Formula 1 driver Alain Prost, and TV personalities like Michel Drucker and Patrick Sabatier.

Even French cinema greats like Jean-Claude Brialy and Charlotte de Turckheim have called Éygalières home, preferring its laid-back, under-the-radar appeal over the glitz of the Riviera.

On any given day, you might see a famous chef quietly buying ingredients at the local market or a filmmaker scouting locations, unnoticed by the crowd.

The Chapel That Grants Wishes (If You Know How to Ask)

A short walk from the village center, Chapelle Saint-Sixte looks like an ordinary 12th-century church—but locals believe it holds something more.

According to legend, if you leave a small stone near the entrance and whisper a wish, the chapel’s guardian spirit will hear it.

Pilgrims and curious visitors have been doing this for centuries, leaving behind tiny stacks of stones as proof. While the Catholic Church doesn’t officially recognize the tradition, locals quietly keep it alive—because in a village like Éygalières, where history lingers in the air, who’s to say the old legends aren’t true?

Is Éygalières Worth Visiting?

Absolutely—but not for the reasons most travel guides tell you. Éygalières isn’t just another Provençal postcard; it’s a village of forgotten histories, hidden legends, and unspoken traditions. It’s a place where time slows down, where the past isn’t just remembered but felt, and where visitors can still stumble upon stories that haven’t yet been told.

If you’re looking for the real Provence—the one that hasn’t been packaged for tourists—Éygalières is it.