The 13 desserts adorn the Bandol and Provençal tables of the Var every year. And because to be totally in line with a regional tradition, it is still better to consume locally, here is our guide to good addresses where to buy your precious products. Enough to spend a gourmet Christmas and made in Bandol!
⚡️ Quick summary:
- What are the 13 desserts?
- Pump and pump: heading for the Bandol bakeries
- Confectionery: let’s go to the artisans!
- Dried and fresh fruits: go to the market!
- SOS 13 desserts in distress
What are the 13 desserts?

Before we start our shopping, a little reminder is necessary for those who are not from the area... The thirteen desserts are a an essential tradition of the end-of-year celebrations in Provence, materializing abundance and sharing. Served after the Christmas meal, these desserts represent Jesus and the twelve apostles during the Last Supper. Among these delicacies, we systematically find:
- The oil pump : to be broken by hand, sign of communion.
- The nougats : white and black, symbol of good and evil.
- The Four Beggars : walnuts (or hazelnuts), dried figs, almonds and raisins, for religious orders.
- Seasonal fruits : clementines, apples, pears…
- Exotic fruits : pineapple, green melon and lychees.
- Dried fruits : dates, prunes, apricots… Disguised (filled with almond paste) or not.
- Regional specialties : calissons from Aix-en-Provence, candied fruits, fruit pastes…
So much for the original definition of this local folklore and the basics. That said, if you ask a family to list their thirteen desserts, chances are it won't be the same as the neighboring family. Yes, because while some households continue to carefully and solemnly prepare these sweets, others like to see this gesture as an act of sharing, a way to bring together in one place what the Var artisans do best and what parents and children prefer…
Is everything clearer to you now? Well, now let the shopping begin!
Pump and pump: heading for the Bandol bakeries

First delicacy that divides households: are we more of a Gibassier pump or a brioche pump? If in all cases olive oil and orange blossom can be found in these pastries, everyone has their own little penchant. The first, the gibassier pump has a biscuity and crunchy texture, while the second, the brioche pump is soft and slightly addictive… So it’s up to you to choose, or take both, when you buy.
The latter can be done in the city's bakeries, who, during this festive period, all offer their favorite version of the oil pump. To find them, just click here.
Confectionery: let’s go to the artisans!

Now let's talk about what makes the most gourmets among us salivate: sweets. As a reminder, your mission is to find some nougat (black and white) and at least one local specialty (calisson, fruit paste, candied fruit, etc.). To do this, we advise you to enter the doors of the city's confectioners and chocolatiers. Among them, you will find in particular Ness Pastry, Creacao et frangipane.
???? You have been warned! : we are not responsible for any sweet treats you may have in these stores. You will see, entering these Ali Baba's caves is a pleasure for all the senses, especially for the taste buds!
As a bonus, and because it's Christmas, you can easily enhance your thirteen desserts with delicious chocolates (which remain a local specialty depending on where you buy them after all!) in one of the three stores mentioned.
???? PS : if you do not find what you are looking for with one of these three magicians of taste (which we strongly doubt), know that Some shops also offer their sweets. This is the case of Meeting in Provence, boulangeries and also wine cellars. Do not hesitate to visit it.
Dried and fresh fruits: go to the market!

The emblem of “buying local is vital”, the steps will be your asset to make your thirteen desserts. You have of course the one on Tuesday morning which is held from 8 a.m. to 13 p.m. at the port of Bandol. Here, you will find local producers who will be able to satisfy you in terms of clementines and other seasonal fruits. You will also come across Bandolese resellers who import from slightly sunnier regions than ours, fresh exotic fruits and dried fruits such as dates for example.
Finally, if you can't get away on Tuesday, you should know that our daily market is held every day on the Town Hall square. And if the latter is smaller than the weekly market, it is still very interesting in terms of its offer. Its early produce awaits you every morning so, from 8 h to 13 h also so you can harvest your precious 13 desserts.
SOS 13 desserts in distress

If by mistake you can't find what you need in all this artisanal inventory, or you can't get your hands on those dates that remain uncrossed off your list, Bandol's mini-markets and supermarkets are at your disposal. Their fruit and vegetable sections are well stocked and in general, the gourmet end-of-year products are well highlighted. So you won't be able to miss them! To find all the supermarkets in the city, click here.
🎁 We hope that this anthology of good addresses where to buy your 13 desserts will help you put the finishing touch on your New Year's Eve table! Whatever happens, in December as in every month of the year, Dare to enter the doors of Bandol’s boutiques. In addition to showing your support for the merchants, it is also a way to perpetuate traditions, tastes and scents that are important in our Provençal culture. So remember this: Consume locally, it’s vital, but it’s also much more fun!