Provence Lavender Tour
Provence Lavender Tour
Sign up for 2018: July 2 – 8
Pick up / Drop off – Avignon TGV train station
Price per person – $2,400 based on double occupancy
($400 supplement for single occupancy)
Provence Lavender Tour includes:
- All transportation
- Private escort guide
- 6 nights lodging in a charming and luxurious Provencal Mas in the Luberon
- 6 gourmet breakfasts, 5 dinners (1 dinner & lunches on your own)
- One picnic lunch supplied by your guide
- Truffle hunt with champagne and truffle hors d’oeuvres
- Private tours with lavender growers
- 1 dinner and all lunches
- Airline / Train tickets
- Entrance fees to monuments or places visited with an extra cost
Tour Highlights
- Meet local lavender growers and explore the lavender off-the-beaten-path
- Tour the distilleries to understand the method of extracting essential oils
- Leisure walks in the Provencal countryside with your local guide
- Truffle hunting tour
- Morning market in Apt
- Roussillon, Menerbes, Gordes and Lourmarin – villages rated as most beautiful in France
- Wine tasting
- Tour designed to give you the perfect mix between being on your own and being guided by a local
Payment for Provence Lavender Tour
$250 deposit (non-refundable) to reserve spot, full payment due 30 days prior to day one of tour. You may reserve your spot by emailing Emily –
Credit card payment via PayPal (link will be sent) or US check made out to:
Your Private Provence, LLC, 2450 Taylor Rd, Central Point, Or 97502
Provence Lavender Tour Itinerary
Monday, July 2nd – 2pm pick-up at Avignon TGV train station
Your Provence Lavender Tour will start with a short drive to our Provencal Luxury Mas in the Luberon. Located between Bonnieux and Lacoste, surrounded by the magic of hilltop villages lit up at night and the cicadas singing during the day, your senses begin the journey with complete enchantment.
You will have the rest of the afternoon to relax by the pool or on your private terrace with a rosé wine waiting for you in your room. Around 5:30 pm, we gather together by the poolside for an orientation of the week and a chance to get to know each other (rosé wine and nibbles provided). A special (private) Mediterranean dinner by Giuseppina awaits you at her beautiful village home in Goult (not far from the B&B).
Tuesday, July 3rd
We will start our journey before most tourist today to reach one of the most photographed monuments of Provence, the Abbey of Senanque. Surrounded by lavender fields that the monks cultivate, this haven of peace is ours before the crowds arrive. We will then make our way to the village of Gordes for a historic walking tour and then time for you to roam, boutique shop and have lunch at your leisure.
After lunch in Gordes, enjoy time at the B&B to relax until the early evening when we will take off to explore the area around Roussillon (wine tasting at Luberon winery and scenic lavender route to the village). You will have leisure time in Roussillon to capture the ochre colors with your camera (Roussillon is very photogenic) and boutique shop until our dinner meeting time in the village.
Wednesday, July 4th
We will venture out after breakfast to three neighboring villages (Oppede, Menerbes & Lacoste). In the valley below we will be able to spot the hues of lavender coloring the countryside; in the villages we will learn the unique history that made each village different. Lunch at one of the quaint restaurants at your leisure.
After a refreshing break back at the B&B, we will venture across the Luberon mountain range to Lourmarin – village rated as most beautiful in France. Enjoy strolling through this picturesque village until we meet to make our way to our Truffle Hunt. Embrace the land of Provence and all its richness with this guided walk to discover truffles, olive trees, herbs and cultivating secrets. The evening will be topped off with champagne and truffle hors d’oeuvre.
Provencal munchies back at the B&B if you are still hungry after the truffle appetizers (very likely you won’t be hungry after the truffle/Champagne hors d’oeuvres)
Thursday, July 5th
Today will be spent exploring the higher region of Provence.
Our first lavender farm visit will be in the valley of Sault. Here you will learn the different steps of harvesting lavender and see first hand the process of assembling bouquets of lavender that are shipped throughout the world.
After our picnic lunch at the lavender farm (this picnic is supplied by your guide), we will visit a distillery to see the process of extracting the essential oils.
A tour to the Sault lavender valley wouldn’t be complete without a stop in the medieval village of Sault.
Before our dinner outing in Bonnieux (village next to the B&B), we will have a private garden tour at Le Louve where you will enjoy contemplating the serene beauty of Mediterranean plants flowing into the hillside of the lush Luberon mountain range (garden first created by Nicole de Vesian, who bought La Louve in 1986).
Friday, July 6th
Today’s focus is on capturing the iconic lavender picture with the village in the background. Simiane-la-Rotonde is the perfect place for this and is also one of the best villages for door and cobblestone photography. A few minutes down the road from Simiane is Banon. Lunch in Banon at your leisure as well as a climb to the top of the village for a gorgeous view that, on a clear day, gives you a view of the Alpes in the distance.
Return to the B&B around 3 pm for an afternoon of unwinding, relaxing, swimming & napping 🙂
Dinner at local restaurant near B&B.
Saturday, July 7th
One of the best markets in Provence is in Apt – not far from the B&B. You will be dropped off at the market this morning to roam and shop at your leisure. From Apt, we will continue our drive east to the Plateau de Valensole. Here is where you can capture your wide open sea of lavender (last year we also had sunflowers in our pictures).
On our drive back towards the B&B, we will stop near Cereste to have a picnic (with your market goodies) and then ice-cream at Scaramouch (founded by Elizabeth Bard and her husband, author of A Picnic in Provence).
Sunday, July 8th
Your guided Provence Lavender Tour has come to end – or not. After breakfast, you will be transferred back to the Avignon TGV train station. However, you may decide to continue exploring on your own. Other drop-off destinations (other than the Avignon TGV) can be arranged (supplement may be applied).While you wait for the adventure to start – imagine the dream-like setting that will be yours for the stay…
Tags: escorted travel, Guided Tours in Provence, lavender, Luberon, off-the-beaten-path
Luciane
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HI! I want To GO this year. Send all information for my email.
Thank you!
Reply
Emily Durand
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Bonjour – I’ll be sending you more information via email. Thank you!
Reply
Sylvia Goodman
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My husband and I are very interested in your tour. Please keep in touch.
Reply
Sharon Chandler
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We may be interested in joining you next year…can you please let me know further details. Thank you…
Reply
Shirley Rzasa
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Is the July 4- July 9 2017 tour available or are you only booking for July 2-8 , 2018 ?
Reply
Emily Durand
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Yes, the 2017 lavender tour is full. Currently I am making a reservation list for 2018 (deposit not due until around August). Emily
Reply
Haylee
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Hello, I’m interested in booking for 2018 could you email me please all the information, thank you
Reply
Terri Meeks
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My husband and I are interested in the 2018 Lavender tour. Our 40th Anniversary is June 3rd and we would like to experience something special
Reply
Emily Durand
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Bonjour Terri,
Thanks for your interest in my lavender tour. I’ll be contacting you soon via email with more information.
Reply