Lavender Lifestyle Tour

Pick-up around 10:30 at the Avignon TGV train station (or at your Avignon hotel should you arrive the day before).  We kick off the week of slow travel and inspiration at the vibrant sound & light show at Carrières de Lumière.  Here music and art will surround you in the former rock quarry.  Then on to tracing the footsteps of Van Gogh near Saint Remy with a memorable catered picnic lunch in a vineyard.  Before leaving this Alpilles region, we’ll visit the former asylum where Van Gogh lived for one year.  We’ll arrive at our « heaven on earth » B&B in the Luberon around 4 pm.  Relaxing time to take in the beautiful estate and settle into a magical week in Provence.  Dinner outing at former farm house turned into a charming restaurant – on the way, a magical lavender field for photos.  

Picnic Lunch & Dinner included

It’s market day in a nearby village called Saint Saturnin Les Apts.  The morning is yours to enjoy at your leisure with market shopping, exploring the castle ruins, or perhaps a little photography to capture this idyllic Provencal setting.  Then we move across the valley to a Luberon AOC winery for a tour revealing both the historical anecdotes and the aromas.  Catered lunch at the winery.  The later afternoon is yours to soak up the luxury atmosphere at the B&B.  Our dinner outing is in the charming hilltop village Bonnieux, where we will wind our way down the small lanes to our evening dinner experience…I say “experience” as this Michelin star gem, tucked away in a small village, will leave you with a story to tell and savors to remember.  

Winery lunch & dinner included

Our first village today is Roussillon.  Here we’ll explore the ochre rich lands learning about the industry that shaped the village and landscape.  Then we make our climb to the High Provence Lavender region.  At the crest, we stop for lunch at a rustic farm restaurant for a home cooked meal.  Our drive continues on in the High Provence lavender region taking us to a lavender farm where we will learn more about the production, different products and types of lavender.  Sault is the lavender capital of Provence, and before our descent back down to the Luberon, we’ll make a stop in the village for ice-cream at one of Provence’s oldest confectionary shops (known for its nougat since 1887).  This evening, enjoy the grounds of the B&B with an alfresco dinner poolside (pizza, veggies, local spreads, fruit tart).  

Countryside bistro lunch & alfresco dinner at the B&B

It’s prime time for tasting summer truffles and this morning we have an appointment with a truffle hunter and his dogs.  This is educational, fun, and oh so gourmet (did I mention all you want champagne?!).  The charming village Lourmarin isn’t far and we’ll be sure to talk about the powerful lords who ruled here and built their Renaissance chateau.  R&R later afternoon back at our B&B until our dinner outing.  This evening we go to Gordes (after the mass of tourists have left)…photos at the iconic Abbaye de Senanque and then into the village Gordes, time to wander, wine & dine with a spectacular view of the Luberon valley. 

Truffle hunt tasting & Dinner included

Our gourmet activity today is around olive oil. We leave the Luberon mountains, cross the river valley, and nestle up close the Alpilles mountains.  We will be greeted by a team of passionate olive oil masters, going out in the groves with the 4x4s and embarking on a heavenly tasting of different oils paired with food. We have a light lunch, aperitif style, at an artist’s workshop.  This beautiful workshop, inspiring art, a heartwarming story of an artist who adopted Provence as her home, gets us ready for our own art story – Saturday’s painting adventure!  Before heading back to the B&B for a lovely catered dinner by a top chef, we’ll explore the charming village Oppede-le-Vieux.

Lunch & Dinner included

This morning we put our lavender inspiration to the canvas.  We will be led by a local artist to do a lavender painting…no experience necessary.  Next, we journey on to the quaint town of L’Isle Sur la Sorgue.  Legends and a rich industrial heritage with water canals winding through makes this place unique in Provence.   Lunch next to the river at an épicerie (local spreads, cheeses, charcuterie and salad).  Free time after lunch to boutique shop (antique shops and other quality Provencal products).  Back at the B&B, enjoy time at the pool to cool off or to do your packing (yes, tomorrow is departure day).  Our farewell dinner takes us to one last village, Goult.  

Lunch & dinner included