Alicoque - Festival of the New Oil

L'Alicoque: Celebrating Nyons' New Oil

Every year at the beginning of February, the town of Nyons celebrates the arrival of new olive oil during L'Alicoque, a popular and gourmet festival deeply rooted in the olive-growing traditions of the Drôme provençale. The name 'Alicoque' refers to the ritual tasting of the new oil on garlic-rubbed bread croutons, a simple and ancestral gesture that celebrates the fruit of the labor of Nyons' olive growers.

A Ritual Presided Over by the Knights of the Olive Tree

The highlight of the festival is the Alicoque ceremony itself, presided over by the Grand Master of the Confrérie des Chevaliers de l'Olivier (Brotherhood of the Knights of the Olive Tree) and the Mayor of Nyons. This brotherhood, founded in 1964, is dedicated to promoting and defending the Nyons olive and its oil, both protected by an Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP), the first in France for table olives and olive oil.

The ceremony begins with a chapter of induction for new knights, followed by the public and free tasting of the Alicoque: country bread croutons rubbed with garlic and generously drizzled with extra virgin olive oil from the latest harvest. This ritual, open to all, continues throughout the afternoon.

A Festive and Gourmet Weekend

L'Alicoque takes place over a full weekend, offering numerous animations and activities centered around olives and olive oil. A local producers' market brings together stakeholders from the Nyons olive sector and artisans from the Drôme region. Culinary demonstrations showcase how to use olive oil in cooking, from appetizers to desserts. Guided walks in 2CV cars or with a tour guide allow visitors to discover the olive heritage of Nyons and its surroundings.

The Maison des Huiles d'Olive et Olives de France (House of Olive Oils and Olives of France), located in Nyons, offers free tastings of new oils and sensory discovery workshops. The mills open their doors to show the oil production process, from olive reception to pressing.

Forty Editions of Olive Tradition

The 2025 edition marked the 40th Alicoque, demonstrating the vitality and longevity of this festival which, since the 1980s, has celebrated the know-how of Nyons' olive growers and the exceptional quality of the Tanche olive, the emblematic variety of the Nyons region, every winter. L'Alicoque has become a must-attend event for lovers of olives and Provençal gastronomy, attracting visitors from all over France and beyond.