The Dinner Party Guide: Occitanie Edit
Inspirations from Occitanie for a simple dinner with friends.
because you should invite
some friends over for dinner
ON THE MENU
Reap the rewards of summer’s bounty inspired by the Occitanie region. Cool off from the blistering heat with a tomato and watermelon salad, charred Toulouse sausages, and crisp haricot verts. While duck confit can be rich, we’re keeping it light with caramelized peaches and a sweet corn salad. Psst! Don’t miss out on Fourme d’Ambert, one of the pillars of French blue cheese that has been around since Roman times — even non-blue cheese lovers will enjoy it.
THE CHEESE: Fourme d’Ambert
A cow’s milk blue cheese from Auvergne, France, it has a mild flavor that even non-blue cheese lovers can enjoy. It’s creamy, rich, and fudgy with a touch of spice and an earthy aroma.
Learn all about this special cheese.
THE BREAD: Pain Paillasse de Lodève
From the City of Lodève, in southern France, irregular and twisted breads have been common for centuries despite round heavier loaves being the norm. Our version is made using a stiff whole wheat sourdough levain and an overnight bulk fermentation that results in a light airy crumb with a complex wheaty acidity.
THE INSPIRATION
THIS MONTH WE ARE INSPIRED BY OCCITANIE (formerly Languedoc and Midi-Pyrenees)
Occitanie, the southernmost region in mainland France, was created in 2016 from the Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées regions. Occitanie is part of a larger historical region in southern Europe called Occitania, where the Occitan language is spoken, and encompasses France, Spain, Monaco, and parts of Italy. Bordered by the Mediterranean to the southeast, Côte d’Azur to the east, and the borders of Andorra and Spain in the south, its major cities include Montpelier, Nîmes, Perpignan, and Toulouse, the capital. The area has a rich and vibrant history shaped by the Romans, Moors, and Celtics.
The region seemingly has it all with the Massif Central and Pyrenees mountain ranges, the Mediterranean coast, protected natural landscapes, and rugged countryside with forested valleys, large lakes, clear rivers, and medieval villages. Occitanie is the world’s largest wine-making region, producing over a third of France’s wine, and leads in organic farming. Renowned for its traditional methods, it produces more quality-labeled products than any other European region, including oysters, foie gras, black truffles, Roquefort, Lucques, Camargue rice, Gascon chickens, and Bigorre black pigs.
It’s no wonder the locals have a reputation for being bons vivants who embody the joie de vivre. This region has something for everyone. For the lounger? Lay out on the beach, soak in thermal spas, or tour vineyards, museums, castles, and traditional villages. For the thrill seeker? Climb, hike, or ski the mountains, white water raft, or explore the region’s many caves.
“Eat bread and you will live well.”
SET THE MOOD
THE MOOD BOARD
The August Mood Board: the perfect balance of medieval, nature, and charming.
And! Get inspired by embracing the joie de vivre. Whether it’s the beach or mountain views, a village or city — you can have it all!
THE PLAYLIST
Get adventurous with Occitanie and hike that trail with our summer playlist.
THE BIGGEST MOOD OF THE SUMMER IS EXPLORING before the summer fades.
We’re all noticing the sun going down too early.
READ
In a reading slump? This site picks your next read! Choose between emotion, mood, world mad, character & plot, or bestsellers.
The Yellow House: Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Nine Turbulent Weeks in Arles — this book explores the time Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Guaguin spent together in Arles, a town in the Occitanie region. It provides a detailed look at their relationship and the impact it had on their art.
WATCH
A PDC favorite, classic dinner party vibes, set in Miami, Robin Williams, Nathan Lane! It’s a perfect movie!
View pre-dinner party to get in the mood or, my favorite, play on mute in the background during a dinner party to set the vibe.
Oh, and don’t forget your Pirin tablets :)
ON THE TABLE
L’ART DE LA TABLE
We’re in love with the member gift this season: a darling Crystal Candy Jar. Use it in your apéro spread to hold lucques, nuts, or even to discard shrimp tails.
But these dishes are begging to be filled with Granny candy! Werther's, Strawberry Bon Bons, licorice, and caramels, etc. Set a little dish of Granny candy on the table as you sip digestifs.
EVERY TABLE NEEDS WATER
We love when you get the option of sparkling or still water at a restaurant, so why not offer your guests the same luxury at your next dinner party? Perrier, coming from the beautiful Occitanie region, adds that perfect touch of elegance.
THE BEVERAGES
THE COCKTAIL
What better way to celebrate tomato season than drinking them in a cocktail? It’s like drinking liquid summer. For this martini, be a vodka girlie.
THE RECIPES
Sugar Roasted Tomato Butter
Turn your abundance of garden tomatoes into a summer compound butter.
Duck Confit with Caramelized Peaches
We know what you’re thinking, “I refuse to turn on the oven in the summer.” We get it. Save the duck confit recipe for the cooler months and allow us to do it.
But these vinegary caramelized peaches are beautiful for a cheese board, at room temperature with an arugula salad, or warm out of the pan with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
(DINNER) PARTY WITH US
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“Instructions for Living : Pay attention, be astonished, tell about it.”