Author: Emily Durand

Private tour September 2026

“Emily Durand is an absolute treasure! We arranged a one-week private tour prior to a double Viking River Cruise – Lyon, Provence and the Rhineland – to celebrate our 50th anniversary. Starting from Aix-en-Provence, Emily designed a tour that embraced the best of the region. I traveled extensively in France while living two years in Tours during college years. We had also roamed throughout Provence some 25 years ago before attending an “en plein air” painting workshop based in the Drôme provençal. Emily designed an itinerary reminiscent of cherished memories including many unique and beautiful places we had not visited. The weather was divine, echoing her delightfully sunny personality. From Cassis and the Calanques to Luberon and Mont Ventoux villages and on to Avignon, it was an exquisite trip. While my husband and I both have mobility issues, she smoothly adapted to every potential obstacle. Each day, she took us to lovely restaurants for lunch where we dined on delicious local specialties and enjoyed delightful wine (or pastis!). She sensed what might be too challenging and revised itineraries accordingly. Her recommendations for accommodation were spot on – in Aix, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, and Avignon. At the end, a marathon in Avignon interrupted our plans to venture to Pont du Gard before embarking on our Viking ship, which had also changed its departure to Arles from Avignon without our knowledge. She weathered that storm too, trekking across the bridge to our hotel, speaking to Viking agents along the way, so we could amend our plans. We never made it to Pont du Gard, but she happily transported us to our waiting ship. Her sense of humor, knowledge, expertise, and easy-going manner made for a perfect beginning to a wonderful trip. Merci mille fois, Emily … tu es une étoile brillante!”

Cheryl & JT Aldridge

October Tour in Provence

Our “Your Private Provence” 8 day tour (October 2026) with Emily Durand could not have been more personal, diverse and in depth. With Emily’s guidance, we experienced Provence in its cultural, geographical and historical richness.  Emily curated each day to keep us moving, learning and tasting the riches of Provence – from stunning views, to gastronomic pleasures, to super accommodations- my group of 8 were enchanted by Emily’s carefully planned experiences. Emily has a deep appreciation for the traditions and history of Provence, its villages and cities, its artistic legacy and current community resources. The tour left us wanting to return for more!

David, Kathy, Catherine, Patricia, Margaret, Maryellen

My second trip with Emily and this time I happily shared Provence with my husband.   My  previous Lavender  tour was so perfect in tone, detail and experience , I was content that nothing could surpass it. I was wrong. Our October tour was delightful in every way. Emily just knows, even feels,  how to share Provence in a way that is so meaningful.  You don’t just run around seeing places and things…… you truly experience Provence.   And I assure you , there is nothing better.

Peggy & Sean Devoy

Emily was absolutely incredible and one of the highlights of our trip to France! We spent a week with her as our private chauffeur, and from day one she felt more like a friend than a driver. She was always punctual, professional, and full of energy, but what truly set her apart was her ability to show us hidden gems and local experiences we never would have discovered on our own.

Every day was seamless, fun, and completely stress-free. Her knowledge of the area, great personality, and genuine enthusiasm made our trip so much more memorable. We laughed, explored amazing off-the-beaten-path locations, and enjoyed experiences that went far beyond the typical tourist itinerary.

If you’re visiting France and have the opportunity to work with Emily, don’t hesitate. She is simply the best, and we cannot recommend her highly enough!

Gary & Joanne Logie

Poppy Madness Tour 2026

This was my second trip with Emily ! Cannot wait for the third! Every detail was thoughtful, personal, and beautifully curated. Emily has a rare gift for creating experiences that make you feel less like a visitor and more like you’re truly living in Provence. From the charming villages to the unforgettable meals and peaceful countryside, everything felt authentic, effortless, and incredibly special.

Lysa King, California

From a cooking class to painting en plein air, walking through impossibly beautiful villages and gardens, eating divine tasting meals at charming restaurants and B&Bs and rambling through fields of poppies to get the perfect photo that would capture the joy of the moment (and that will forever remind me of it). This tour had it all and was such fun. Thank you Emily for designing and quietly guiding us through such a magical experience.

Sally Burston, Australia

EMILY! A familiar shout out each morning as she arrived to lead us out on excursions throughout the Provence region. Emily Durand set up an itinerary that took us to many culture rich and diverse sites. She chose great lodging facilities in Avignon, Uzes, and a lovely and stunning B&B in Gordes. Every facility was top notched, centrally located, and extremely comfortable. Emily took care of all the details with these facilities and we didn’t have to worry about anything but enjoying our experience.

She also selected our dining experiences..  brunches, lunches, dinner, wine and olive oil tastings, and picnics. All were excellent, and each and every dining event was a new experience in French cuisine and culture, tantalizing our senses along the way.

As a guide, Emily is engaging and entertaining as she relates the history and meaning of the sites we visited. Her passionate story telling kept us involved as we learned about French culture and history. As our guide and chauffeur, we always felt totally pampered and safe in her care. We would consider another adventure with Emily and highly recommend her to others considering a Provence experience. She is knowledgeable and you can tell how much she loves sharing Provence with you.

Steve and Eileen, California