Arboretum. Canet-en-Roussillon, France.
At the crossroads of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, exploring plants, gastronomy and wine as drivers of territorial development
On 2–3 June 2026, the Rencontres 2026 – Carrefour des Itineraires Culturels will take place between Canet-en-Roussillon and Thuir (France), bringing together Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, institutions and experts to explore the relationship between heritage and territorial development.
Organised by Iter Vitis – Les Chemins de la Vigne et du patrimoine viticole, Aromas Itinerarium Salutis – The European Route of Historic Pharmacies and Medicinal Gardens, and Sur les Pas des Huguenots et des Vaudois – Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, in collaboration with the French Ministry of Culture, the Municipality of Canet-en-Roussillon, the Aspres-Thuir Tourism Office and the Fédération Française des Vins d’Apéritif.
At the centre of the symposium is the theme “From Apicius to Vermouth”, which highlights the continuity between ancient knowledge and contemporary practices. Plants, gastronomy and wine emerge as interconnected elements shaping cultural identities and local economies, with particular attention to vermouth and aromatised wines as expressions of living heritage.
Medicinal and aromatic plants act as a transversal thread throughout the programme, linking biodiversity, local resources and cultural practices. In this context, Aromas Itinerarium Salutis – The European Route of Historic Pharmacies and Medicinal Gardens contributes a specific perspective on the historical knowledge systems related to materia medica, connecting botanical knowledge with gastronomic traditions.
Among the speakers, François Ledermann, member of the AIS Scientific Committee, will present “Le ‘Rouge et le Noir’ et le rouge et le blanc! Le vin dans les récits de voyage en Italie de quelques écrivains français”, exploring the presence of wine in French travel literature and its links with cultural practices and the history of health.
The programme also includes visits to the arboretum of Canet-en-Roussillon and to the Caves BYRRH in Thuir, offering participants a direct experience of the connections between landscape, production and heritage.
Participation is free upon registration (limited places available): https://my.weezevent.com/Rencontres2026-Carrefour-itineraires-culturels
