Provence Lavender Tour
Provence Lavender Tour
July 1 – 7, 2019 (6 nights / 7 days)
The Provence Lavender tour starts and ends at the Avignon TGV train station
Price per person – $2,500 based on double occupancy
($450 supplement for single occupancy)
Provence Lavender Tour includes:
- All transportation
- Private local guide
- 6 nights lodging in a charming and luxurious Provencal Mas in the Luberon
- 6 gourmet breakfasts, 5 dinners, 2 lunches (1 dinner & 2 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
Provence Lavender tour does not include:
- 1 dinner and 2 lunches
- Airline / Train tickets
- Entrance fees to monuments or places visited at 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 of 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 1st – 1:30 pm pick-up at Avignon TGV train station
Your Provence Lavender Tour will start with a short drive Saint Remy de Provence to visit the clinic where Van Gogh stayed in 1889 as well as some of France’s best preserved Roman monuments. Then off to our Provencal 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 in the garden. Around 6 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 2nd
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. Today is market day in Gordes so you’ll have the experience of roaming a traditional Provencal market.
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 3rd
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 together at a small village wine bistro. You’ll also have a chance to walk to the top of the village and/or visit one of France’s largest independent bookshops.
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 4th
Experience the agricultural aspect of Lavender; how it is cut, how it is sold and how it is distilled.
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 for some ice-cream.
Dinner outing in Bonnieux (village next to the B&B)
Friday, July 5th
You have always dreamt of photographing yourself in a sea of lavender. This lavender tour is all about making those dreams come true. The plateau of Valensole is where the blue sky and purple fields meet.
Before arriving on the plateau, we’ll make a stop at the Occitane Factory for a private tour to see how this company grew worldwide and how the products are made. Lunch will be a gourmet summer salad at a garden restaurant near the town Valensole.
On our drive back towards the B&B, we will stop near Cereste for ice-cream at Scaramouch (founded by Elizabeth Bard and her husband, author of A Picnic in Provence).
Dinner tonight in the quaint village of Menerbes with outdoor seating looking over the Luberon valley
Saturday, July 6th
The cool river waters of the Sorgue will greet us this morning for our first discovery in the village Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. A walk up the river to see the water source that has been sacred since prehistoric times will leave you wondering how the water remains so crystal clear.
Then we’ll make our way down the river to the popular town, often known for its many antique dealers, L’Isle sur la Sorgue. Here you will have free time for boutique shopping, antique shopping, and lunch at one of the many restaurants by the river.
Just before returning to the B&B around 4 pm, we’ll visit the medieval village Lacoste where the Marquis de Sade castle ruins have been catching your eye ever since your arrival at the B&B.
Tonight’s dinner will be at the B&B, poolside, with a Provencal buffet catered to us by the chef who greeted us the first night at her home.
Sunday, July 8th
Your guided Provence Lavender Tour has come to end. After breakfast, you will be transferred back to the Avignon TGV train station (departure around 10 am from the B&B with a 1-hour drive back to the train station – train departures at 11 am are perfect timing).
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, lavender tour, Luberon, off-the-beaten-path, private lavender tour, provence lavender tour
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.
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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…
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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 ?
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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
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Haylee
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Hello, I’m interested in booking for 2018 could you email me please all the information, thank you
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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
Ellen Friedmann
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How do I get more information on your 2018 summer lavender programs?
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Lynton Wakeham
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I would like to book for 2019 lavender tour. Please email me information so I may book.
Reply
Jeannine
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Please send info
College roomate and I celebrating 50th & are interested in tour
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