Olive Harvesting in Provence: An Ode to Autumn at the Servanes Golf Club

October slowly settles in the Alpilles, bathing Provence in its most precious light. The days grow milder, bathed in a golden glow that magnifies every contour of the scrubland and every hundred-year-old olive tree. The air carries the subtle scent of thyme, rosemary and earth warmed by the summer, and a unique vibration runs through the hills: it is olive harvest time, an unchanging event that has punctuated Provençal life for centuries.

From October onwards, the first signs of the olive harvest bring the orchards to life. Gentle and respectful, the olive harvest continues until December, offering a spectacle that is both humble and majestic. Each fruit picked is a promise: that of olive oil with green or golden hues, the emblem of a unique terroir.
The gestures have remained the same for generations: hands combing the branches, nets spread beneath the trees, mills awakening to transform these treasures into precious nectar. Beyond tradition, it is an ecological and cultural act, an intimate link between man, the earth and nature that endures, season after season.

In the heart of the Alpilles, Mouriès embodies this art of living. As France’s leading olive-growing commune, it treats olives as much more than a resource: they are a true heritage. Its mills perpetuate excellence, its festivals celebrate the harvest, and its Provençal markets resonate with the colours and flavours of a generous terroir.

Every year, the Fête des Olives Vertes (Green Olive Festival) takes place in the village on the third weekend of September. It celebrates the beginning of the harvest with olive-breaking competitions, parades in Provençal costumes, processions, local markets and Camargue races. A true local tradition, it highlights the culture, terroir and conviviality of the region, a prelude to the great olive harvests that punctuate the autumn.

Olive harvesting is not just about working in the fields: it is also a time for traditions and sharing. In Mouriès and the Alpilles, the art of making cracked olives flavoured with fennel and garrigue herbs is kept alive, the new olive oil is celebrated around large convivial tables, and the Provençal spirit is brought to life at markets, parades and festivals where gardians, Arlésiennes and locals come together.
These customs remind us that the olive is much more than a fruit: it is a culture, an identity, a soul that unites generations.

It is in this vibrant landscape that the Servanes Golf Course is located — a haven of greenery and tranquillity in the heart of the Alpilles mountains, where every swing is inspired by the surrounding nature. Crossed by centuries-old olive groves, the course seems to blend into the terroir: on either side of the fairways, the familiar silhouette of olive trees reminds us that here, trees are not just decoration, but an integral part of the landscape.

Playing at the Servanes Golf Club at this time of year is like holding Provence in the palm of your hand: the scents of the garrigue, the rustling of the leaves, the light that makes every contour vibrate. It is a rare experience where the authenticity of olive growing meets the demands of sport — a place where the Provençal art of living is expressed to the full.

As the olives ripen and Provence dresses itself in its most beautiful colours, the Servanes Golf Club invites you to come and experience this unique season. On the course or over a glass of new olive oil, discover the thrill of a holiday that combines sport, culture, local produce and nature.

Experience autumn to the rhythm of the olive harvest, immerse yourself in the soul of Mouriès, and share in the elegance of a golf course that reflects the spirit of this land — timeless, vibrant and alive.