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Lavender & Provence’s best heritage sites

June 19 – 26, 2025
7 nights / 8 days

Limited to 7 guests
4,400€ EUROS per person based on double occupancy
950€ EUROS supplement for single occupancy
*Prices converted to USD three months prior to tour date

This tour is designed to immerse you into the historical past of Provence, taking you to the most captivating sites for both their cultural heritage and stunning architecture. Along the routes, you’ll plunge into the beauty of 3 different regions, marvel at the blooming lavender, stroll the markets abundant with local produce and artisan craftsmanship, and taste the exquisite flavors of Provençal cuisine and wine.  

Saint Paul UNESCO World Heritage site in Provence on lavender tour

Tour Notes

Tour before the summer crowds arrive – this tour is the perfect timing to get in your lavender viewing (and cultural sites) before the official French school holidays start.  

Lavender blooms from mid-June to mid-July. Depending on the spring (warmer or colder) there can be a slight variation to the blooming season. With the climate change, lavender tends to be earlier than the traditional past dates of July.  

Itinerary

NOTE: This is a working itinerary; the final itinerary will be posted and provided to guests closer to the tour date.

Day 1 (Thursday, June 19)
Avignon historic square

Today is arrival day…pick-up at the Avignon TGV at 10:30 am (or at your Avignon hotel should you arrive the day before).  We’ll embark on a journey to the 14th century to get the full story of why the Popes made the biggest Gothic palace in Europe here in Avignon.  After our historical tour and lunch in the gardens of the Abbaye de Saint André (opposite Avignon) we make our way to our B&B in Saint Remy. You have time to relax in your private courtyard or at the pool.  The center of Saint Remy is just a short walk should you feel like boutique browsing or just soaking up the atmosphere of the charming town.  Dinner this evening together in the center.

Lunch & dinner included

Day 2 (Friday, June 20)
Camargue Ranch

We drive south to the Camargue region (classified as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO) to connect with nature and wildlife. The fresh water from the Rhone and the saline waters from the Mediterranean Sea create a mosaic of ecosystems unique to the area.  Flamingoes, herons, white Camargue horses & bulls along our off-the-beaten-path routes.  We discover all this on a private manade (ranch) tour.  An unforgettable lunch awaits us at a tiny restaurant in the middle of the Camargue.  Then on to Arles for a 2-hour walking tour to explore both the Roman era and trace the footsteps of Van Gogh.  Dinner together in Saint Remy.

lunch & dinner included

Day 3 (Saturday, June 21)
cooking in provence

Today we start in the kitchen…no it won’t be too much work, promise.  French cuisine, Provencal cuisine, the flavors of the south need to be explored.  Morning cooking lesson near Saint Remy followed by lunch.  Some R&R is merited after our master chef experience…relax by the pool.  Evening outing to visit the Carrières de Lumière multi-media show and then dinner near the village Les Baux de Provence. 

Lunch & dinner included

Day 4 (Sunday, June 22)
hilltop village of Gordes in Provence, France

Bags packed – changing regions today.  Today is market day in L’Isle sur la Sorgue (also known as the little Venice of Provence with its charming canal-lined streets).  You have free time to explore the market and the town before we meet up for a casual lunch (a sharing of local cheeses, spreads, charcuterie and salad).  Next up is stunning Gordes, with a stop at the view point for some pictures.  After settling into our accommodations near Gordes, you have free time to walk to the village for more exploring.  Catered dinner at the B&B this evening.

lunch  & dinner included

Day 5 (Monday, June 23)
Provence Lavender Tour

Before the crowds come, we make a peaceful stop at the Abbaye de Senanque – taking in the lavender aroma and the sound of silence (time for a tour inside the abbaye as well).  Next stop is at a dreamy Mediterranean garden and olive grove.  Alexandra & Charlotte will lead us on an épicurien journey through herbs, plants, and olive oil.  You’ll even get to make your own blend of olive oil!  Lunch will be served on site.  Our afternoon village tour is at the refeshing water source of the Sorgue River in the village Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.  

This evening we head off for some evening lavender photos and dinner in a small village nearby

lunch & dinner included

Day 6 (Tuesday, June 24)
Roussillon

We start the day with a spectacular drive by lavender fields along the sides of the Luberon mountain.  After a few lavender photo stops, we explore the charming village Saignon with its impressive Romanesque church for such a small village.  Then on to a Luberon winery…both the wine and the history behind this estate will impress you.  The visit ends with a casual catered lunch at the winery.  A little bit of rest time back at the B&B to get ready for our evening outing to see Roussillon, the ochre village, and enjoy a lovely dinner together among the ochre hues.  

lunch & dinner included

Day 7 (Wednesday, June 25)
Oppede le Vieux

Last but not least – more lavender bliss! We embark on a mountain drive to the high lavender region near the village Sault. After a couple of stops for pictures we visit a small lavender farm to learn about the cultivation, harvesting and different lavender products sold around the world.  Caterd picnic lunch at the lavender farm. Next door is the local distillery where we’ll have a guided tour to see how the oils are extracted from the plants. Farewell dinner with a magical view in the village Gordes.  

 

Catered picnic lunch & dinner 

Day 8 (Thursday, June 26)

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred back to the Avignon TGV train station.

Activities & Sites Included

  • Cooking workshop
  • Luberon winery visit/tasting
  • Tracing the steps of Van Gogh 
  • Roman ruins
  • Olive oil workshop 
  • Lavender farm & distillery tour
  • Provencal market (Isle sur la Sorgue) 
  • Guided tours – learn the historical & cultural anecdotes that shaped the sites, towns, villages, and region as a whole

Places Visited

  • Avignon 
  • Camargue region
  • Arles 
  • Saint Remy 
  • Isle sur la Sorgue 
  • Gordes 
  • Roussillon 
  • Saignon
  • Abbaye de Senanque
  • Fontaine-de-Vaucluse 
  • Sault

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.

Vincent Van Gogh

(Photo: Provence lavender field by Emily Durand.)

Includes

  • All transportation in Emily’s comfortable Mercedes van
    • Pick-up either at Avignon TGV train station or Avignon hotel 
  • 3 nights lodging at charming B&B in Saint Remy (cottage style rooms) & 4 nights lodging at Luberon countryside B&B (walking distance to Gordes)
  • All breakfasts 
  • All lunches 
  • All dinners (a variety from fine dining, local cuisine, private chefs, and unique atmospheres)

Does Not Include

  • Transportation to/from Avignon TGV (or hotel) 
  • Before and/or after dinner drinks (wine is included during the meals)
five star review
""It was such a very special holiday for me. I just adored every moment and Emily made it so very special.Emily, thank you for being so accommodating with my challenging itinerary. Thank for being so knowledgeable and adding a layer of history and local insight that no guidebook could deliver. And finally, thank you for being so warm and engaging. It really felt like I was traveling with a dear friend. I could never have imagined it could be so good."Jane from Australia "
""Despite being a frequent traveler, I am not a usual writer of reviews. But this case, deserves one. My wife and myself just spent 5 days in French Provence. This trip was our first to this gorgeous part of France. We were suggested various tour operators. Finally chose the person I will describe for the speed and care she devoted during the pre-engagement phase, very different from the others.If you are looking to visit the region and wanting a guide that really knows the place and its i..."
""Dear Emily,The moment you returned my inquiry, your response was swift, professional and warm, a cut above and refreshingly reliable!You provided us with a jeweled itinerary, nuggets of different rich landscapes, the unknown history which made the 'to do' landmarks interesting and fun. The hiking to discover the history, the flora, was an absolute highlight, cycling along the canal, your organizing of epicurean dinners. Not to mention the accommodation you recommended, an insight int..."
""Emily led me on a week long tour of the Luberon, her home, in Provence. Based upon my interests and ideas and her local knowledge, Emily created the itinerary for our week. Each day was crafted as a logical driving loop to explore a portion of this magical place. Emily’s expertise allowed me to experience what I was seeing as a 'temporary local'.  I would never have gained such an in-depth understanding as a tourist on my own. And I would never have seen as much each day if not for her exper..."
""Finally third time was a charm! I found Emily while looking for trips to Provence to see the beautiful fields of lavender. I sent my deposit for 2020 and Covid happened so transferred it to 2021 and things were still crazy but finally 2022. There were 5 of us in our group, my daughter decided to join me and then my grand daughter joined in, and finally the lovely Carroll’s Jill and Greg. We had so much fun, so much wine and so many laughs. We showed the French how to party before midnight th..."
"This is my third tour with Emily, so that alone says a lot. The itinerary is well organized and offers unique experiences. There is the right balance of activity and free time. Best of all the tours are fun!  You will laugh hard and eat well!! Eleanor Nazha, New York"
""Nick and I had a wonderful two days touring Provence with Emily! She is just EXCEPTIONAL!!! Such a darling personality, a definite understanding of the history and culture of this region and such a nice way about her—she seems more a friend than a tour guide! We plan to stay in touch with Emily because we liked her so much!   Emily asked us about our preferences and interests so she could design an itinerary which was customized just for us. We spent the day together touring different villag..."
""Our guided trip with Emily was different from the typical tour of Provence. We wanted the trip to mostly involve hiking, but still give us an opportunity to spend some time in small villages. Each day we hiked somewhere and in the evening we were on our own to explore the various towns we stayed in.  Provence is a wonderful place to hike. In the north it looks similar to Colorado with exceptional scenery. Emily appeared to know every trail. We avoided the 'tourist' areas, usually hiking with..."
""I used Emily through Your Private Provence to help me plan my small wedding/elopement and tours for my family while we were in the area.The experience went so smoothly in the amazing hands of Emily. She offered several options from vendors for the ceremony, restaurant choices, lodging, and tours throughout the Provence region. She thought of details for the wedding and the tours that would not have even crossed my mind! She was always in touch and responded promptly.She took into con..."
""Dear Emily, What a wonderful trip, a tour of Provence , including markets, a picnic in a lavender field , a wonderful seafood restaurant in Cassis, and so much more. Emily is an efficient ,organized driver and guide and is fun to be with. She approached our tour with great enthusiasm and wonderful suggestions. Merci Beaucoup!"Chris & Linda"