Melon en Fête

Melon en Fête: The Melon Fair of Cavaillon, World Melon Capital

Cavaillon is famous worldwide for its IGP melon, this sweet and fragrant fruit with orange flesh that has been grown in the Luberon plain since the 16th century. Every summer, the town celebrates its flagship product during the Féria du Melon, which has become over the years one of the most anticipated gastronomic and festive events in the Vaucluse. In 2025, the event will take place on July 4th and 5th.

Cavaillon Melon, a Luberon Treasure

The history of melon in Cavaillon dates back to Pope Clement VII who, in the 16th century, had the first melons brought from Italy planted in the town's gardens. Since then, the light and sunny lands of the Luberon plain have proven ideal for cultivating this delicate fruit. The Cavaillon melon has benefited since 2008 from an Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), guaranteeing its origin and the quality of its production in a specific geographical area around Cavaillon, in the Vaucluse.

Alexandre Dumas himself had a voracious passion for the Cavaillon melon: in exchange for a hundred melons per year, he gave the town's library his entire works, 194 volumes! This tasty anecdote has become one of Cavaillon's legends.

The Great Melon and Local Producers Market

The heart of the Féria is the great gourmet market that sets up on the Place du Clos and in the pedestrian streets of Cavaillon. Market gardeners from the Luberon plain offer their freshly harvested melons, in all their varieties: classic charentais, smooth charentais, netted… Visitors can taste, compare, and leave with the finest specimens.

Alongside melon producers, food artisans and farmers from the Vaucluse offer their specialties: heirloom tomatoes, zucchini, eggplants, and peppers from Provence, goat cheeses from the Luberon, lavender honey, artisanal jams, tapenades, and melon-based products — preserves, sorbets, coulis, juices, and brandies.

Activities, Contests, and Shows

The festival is not just about the market. A program of festive and fun activities is offered throughout the two days. The contests are particularly popular: the most beautiful melon contest, the best melon-based recipe contest, and the famous fastest melon eater contest, which stirs up public enthusiasm.

Culinary demonstrations are given by regional chefs who showcase the melon in both sweet and savory dishes: melon gazpacho, melon carpaccio with Bayonne ham, cold melon-mint soup, melon roasted with lavender honey… The diversity of culinary uses for this fruit often surprises visitors who don't imagine the melon beyond simply eating it plain.

Musicians and street performers liven up the squares and alleys of the town center, creating a warm and relaxed festive atmosphere. Street theater, juggling, and Provençal music performances are integrated into the program, making this event a true popular festival open to all.

A Family-Friendly and Free Event

The Féria du Melon is designed as a free and accessible event for everyone. Families are particularly welcome: activity areas for children, workshops to discover seasonal fruits and vegetables, and games are offered throughout the weekend. It's an opportunity for the younger ones to understand the link between the soil, the sun, and the flavors of a unique terroir.

Cavaillon, Between Luberon and Alpilles

Beyond the festival, Cavaillon is worth discovering. Ideally located between the Luberon and the Alpilles, halfway between Avignon and Aix-en-Provence, the town retains a charming old center with the Saint-Véran Cathedral, an 18th-century synagogue — one of the most beautiful in France — and a Roman triumphal arch. The Sunday market, one of the most renowned in Provence, is a must for lovers of good regional products.