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UNESCO World Heritage Sites & Lavender

June 16 – 23, 2023
7 nights / 8 days

Limited to 7 guests
4,300€ EUROS per person based on double occupancy
900€ EUROS supplement for single occupancy
*Prices converted to USD two 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.

Saint Paul UNESCO World Heritage site in Provence on lavender tour

Tour Notes

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. This tour takes place at the earlier end of blooming. Some of the high Provence lavender fields could be a little « timid » in showing their hues. The lower elevation fields around our Luberon B&B will be fuller with color.

Itinerary

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

Day 1 (Sunday, June 16)
Avignon historic square

Today is arrival day…pick-up at the Avignon TGV around 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 gourmet lunch in a lovely courtyard) 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.  Dinner this evening together in the center.

Lunch in Avignon & Dinner in Saint Remy included

Day 2 (Monday, June 17)
Camargue salt lagoons

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.

Camargue lunch & dinner included

Day 3 (Tuesday, June 18)
Pont du Gard

We start the day at the unbelievable construction of the Roman aqueduct known as the Pont du Gard.  Then on to the legendary wine appellation,  Chateauneuf-du-Pape.  At the top of the hill, where the Pope’s castle ruins still stand, we can admire the views of the Rhône Valley before making our way to our lunch venue with a view.  Next is a special tasting of the wines  representing the different Chateauneuf-du-Pape styles.  Back at the B&B, you have time to relax before our dinner outing. 

Lunch & dinner included

Day 4 (Wednesday, June 19)
Where Van Gogh stayed in Saint Remy

Today is market day in Saint Remy.  You have the morning to roam the market and the boutiques at your leisure.  We meet up for sharing a picnic lunch with your market goodies in the countryside Van Gogh painted.  Then we’ll tour the asylum (Saint Paul de Mausole) where Van Gogh stayed for a year after his time in Arles.  Relaxing time back at the B&B (or choose to boutique shop in the center of St Remy).  Later afternoon we’ll take off for our evening events.  First the multi-media show at a former rock quarry near Les Baux de Provence, then a stop at the village for a stroll…with fewer tourists in the evening.  Dinner outing near the village Les Baux. 

Picnic lunch (sharing our market food) & dinner included

Day 5 (Thursday, June 20)
Canaled-line streets in L'Isle sur la Sorgue

We’ll be changing regions and lodging today (bags packed).  Our first stop will be in Isle sur la Sorgue known for its canal-lined streets and antique shops.  There’s a farmer’s market today that will add some color to our tour, weaving through antique shops and heritage sites. We’ll have lunch at a casual bistro next the the Sorgue River.  On to the charming village Fontaine-de-Vaucluse and then the stunning hilltop village Gordes before making our way to our B&B right next to Gordes.  Relaxing time until our dinner outing at one of Emily’s favorite countryside restaurants.

Bistro lunch & dinner included

Day 6 (Friday, June 21)
Lavender in Sault mid-June

We embark on a mountain drive to the high lavender region near the village Sault. After a couple of stops for pictures we make a stop at a small lavender farm to learn about the cultivation, harvesting and different products sold around the world.  We’ll enjoy a 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.  On our way back to the B&B we’ll stop to explore Roussillon, the ochre village. A full day out requires a little pampering at the B&B…relax by the pool while our personal chef prepares us a gourmet dinner. 

Lavender picnic & dinner included

Day 7 (Saturday, June 22)
Oppede le Vieux

This morning we meet a local chef at a nearby farmer’s market where we’ll do our shopping for making lunch.  Learn the tips and tricks of French cuisine during a cooking lesson at the chef’s house followed by lunch.  Digestive walk in the charming village Oppede-le-Vieux with return to B&B later afternoon for some R&R before gathering in the garden to share a  simple Provencal meal and a champagne toast to our magical week in Provence. 

Cooking lesson lunch & alfresco meal at the B&B

Day 8 (Sunday, June 23)

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

Activities & Sites Included

  • Country walks, sometimes a little off-the-beaten-path to get up close to the fauna and flora 
  • Wine tasting 
  • Cooking lesson 
  • Provencal markets (Saint-Remy, farmer’s market in 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 
  • Chateauneuf-du-Pape 
  • Pont-du-Gard 
  • Arles 
  • Camargue region 
  • Saint Remy 
  • Les Baux de Provence 
  • Isle sur la Sorgue 
  • Gordes 
  • Roussillon 
  • Oppede-le-Vieux 
  • 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 
  • 4 nights lodging at charming B&B in Saint Remy (cottage style rooms) & 3 nights lodging at Luberon countryside B&B. 
  • All breakfasts 
  • All lunches 
    • 1 lunch is a sharing of our market food 
  • 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
  • May 2017 Week-long Tour in Provence

    ""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..."
  • May 2018 3-day private tour

    ""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..."
  • September 2017 Day Wine Tour

    ""From the moment we met, Emily made us feel at home in Provence! Her careful selection of wine tastings and restaurants were exactly what we were looking for.  Thank you, Emily, for making our 10-year anniversary trip exactly what we wanted it to be."Michael & Lauren, San Diego, CA"
  • Group Lavender Tour, July 2017

    "Thank you for everything, it was an amazing week.  The B&B was perfect as well as the whole itinerary.  It will definitely be among my most favorite trips of all time.Leslie GrizzardEmily is a kind spirit with a gift for bringing people into an authentic Provencal experience. Her planning, organization, and itinerary were perfect and she was flexible when we needed some personal time to wind down or even take a nap and recharge. Her attention to detail is impeccable and her de..."
  • 2019 Lavender Tour

    ""2019 Lavender Tour This tour exceeded all of my expectations! The small group size made it easy for us to get to know each other and each day was such a treat! Emily shared not only her love and knowledge of her adopted country but afforded us a glimpse into life in Provence. She introduced us to local chefs, farmers, and artisans and each was colorful and engaging and passionate about their chosen profession and excited to share with us. We visited beautiful villages and ate marvelous local..."
  • Wine Tour, September 2021

    ""What a beautiful day with Emily and Your Private Provence wine tour. Having been to the region before, two friends and I were interested in a deeper dive into what made this region so well suited for wine. She really listened to our interests and designed a really fun, insightful and rich day. We honestly expected a driver to just drop us off at several wineries and got so much more. Loved the cultural and geological history, the insights of a local to life in Provence, and a diverse samplin..."
  • A Week in Provence – October 2017

    ""As we contemplated our first visit to Provence to identify a village that we might return to for an extended stay, we wanted to slow travel through several small villages with nearby vineyards.Prior to our trip, Emily created a customized itinerary to best meet our interests and needs.  To start our week together, Emily met us at the train station and then proceeded to comfortably drive us through the 2-lane backroads of Provence helping us to discover the magical villages of Provence, t..."
  • 8-Day September Group Tour, 2019

    ""We thoroughly loved your tour! Every day was packed with fun things to see and do and we were also given free time to explore on our own or just relax a little. You did a fantastic job of driving  us everywhere, especially through tiny villages and narrow streets. Some of the highlights for us were getting to meet locales, a wonderful boat tour in Cassis, wonderful restaurants, and unique hotels. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience! Choose Emily as your guide and you won’t be sorr..."
  • June 2022 Heritage Sites & Lavender Tour

    ""Provence is just magical! Emily weaves history, culture, nature, and gastronomy throughout the week. All the little things add up to an amazing experience that is not possible with a large tour company. It is like traveling with a friend. Provence is a feast for the senses!"Anne Benik, Colorado"This was our third tour with Emily and it won’t be our last.The itinerary takes you off the beaten path as well as to the must see places. You will be amazed at all you learn! We didn’t kn..."
  • June 2014 Day Tour in Provence

    ""Thank you Emily! I have to say this was one of the highlights of our stay in Provence. I will always remember that day and it was made possible because of your connections. Otherwise we would not have experienced that glorious day. It was such a “provencal” thing to do!!"Doris and Vanessa Cotric, Montreal "