HYÈRES: Gastronomy and Culture – The famous media library "The art of written cooking"

The Hyères media library is offering, from June 6 to August 22, an exhibition and a series of events to explore the history of the cookbook.

The Hyères media library pulls out all the stops and invites the public to a tasty exploration of culinary heritage through its summer event “The art of written cuisine”. From June 6 to August 22, 2026, a unique exhibition will retrace the evolution of the cookbook, from a simple collection of recipes to a true object of art.

An immersion between art and gastronomy

At the heart of this event, the exhibition offers a journey through time, from the 19th century to the present day, to observe the transformation of culinary works. The journey highlights how these books became more graphic and fanciful over the decades. To complete this retrospective, watercolor illustrations of dishes Provençal, hand-painted, will adorn the walls of the gallery, offering a visual and aesthetic experience. The objective is to promote historical and artistic work that enhances everyday ingredients, inviting visitors to rediscover cuisine as a source of sensory and imaginative inspiration.

Highlights to awaken the taste buds and the mind

The festivities will kick off on Saturday June 6 with a day full of events. At 2:30 p.m., a big quiz on cooking will test the knowledge of participants, alone or in teams, with gifts and visits to the Escoffier Museum of Culinary Art in Villeneuve-Loubet.

At 4 p.m., the media library will welcome chef Gui Gedda for an exceptional meeting. An emblematic figure of Provençal cuisine, he will share his memories, his recipes and his advice, highlighting a simple approach where the product, the taste and the transmission are essential. A special moment of exchange with a passionate cook who is attached to the traditions of conviviality.

On Saturday June 13 at 4 p.m., the conference “Having the book in your mouth: A short history of cookbooks”, moderated by Anne-Sophie Lambert, will explore how the cookbook acts as a mirror of its time, bearing witness to the evolution of the tastes and habits of a society.

Workshops for all tastes

The program continues with a series of practical workshops. On Saturday June 20 (10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.), an introduction to watercolor will allow you to practice illustrating dishes and delicacies. On Saturday July 4 (9 a.m. and 11 a.m.), the culinary workshop at La Marmite gourmande will guide participants aged 10 and over in the preparation of pissaladières and Marseille shuttles. Finally, introductory crochet workshops will be offered on Saturdays July 4 and 18 at 10 a.m. For most of these workshops, materials are provided and registration is required.

A rich and varied cultural program

In parallel with this gastronomic axis, the media library continues to offer a diversified program. A drawing competition on the theme “The art of written cuisine” is open until June 20. On June 27 at 3 p.m., the team from the Radio Active show “La Bande des Comics” will publicly record two shows dedicated to the links between comics and cooking.

The other usual meetings are maintained, such as “Les matins des p’tits loups” for toddlers, “total screen” film screenings, video game sessions (PS5, Xbox, Switch) every Wednesday, or even the “Operation Revisions” which offers extended hours to students until June 30.

Complete information on the program and registration procedures for the various events are available on the Hyères media library portal (https://mediatheque.ville-hyeres.fr/).

via Presse Agence.