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UNESCO World Heritage Sites & Lavender

5 spots left

June 16 – 23, 2024
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 Day Tours & Biking the Luberon

    "We booked Emily for a day trip to Avignon & the Pont du Gard. She was wonderful. She picked us up & dropped us off at our accommodation near Gordes. She accommodated all our requests to the point that the tour was extended at no cost. We had a lovely day visiting the main sites in Avignon and a lovely walk around the Pont du Gard. Her restaurant recommendations were terrific for both the day we spent with her and then her great recommendations for other restaurants in other towns we w..."
  • April 2019 3-Day Custom Tour

    ""I’m so thrilled that I found Emily as she added so much value to our 8 night trip to Provence. We hired Emily to assist with our transfers and added touring to our transfer days… Brilliant Plan! In the end we hired Emily for 3 of our 8 days.She is extremely honest, reliable and her prices are very fair. She accepts credit cards and does everything possible to ensure your comfort. Emily picked us up at Marseille Airport and transferred us to our AirBNB in St. Remy. She organized a unique ..."
  • October 2014 Day Tour of the Luberon

    ""We spent a wonderful day with Emily as our guide touring the “Hill towns of the Luberon”. Our time with Emily was like spending a day with a family friend who gave us a personal tour of her adopted home. If you want an intimate and memorable time in Provence, we recommend Emily and Your Private Provence."Larry and Kathy Huhn, Oregon"
  • Christmas Tour 2022

    ""Christmas has come and gone. New Year’s too. Today is the Epiphany, the 12th day of Christmas. Many of us will start to de-Christmas our homes or already have. But we learned from Emily that the Christmas season in Provence starts Dec 4 and lasts until Feb 2. Emily shared her passion for Provence with us, its customs, traditions and stories. She even had little quizzes for us so we wouldn’t forget or get them all mixed up! LOL She planned every detail to perfection to make sure we had the be..."
  • September 2018 2-day custom tour

    ""Hi, Emily I just wanted to thank you and let you know how pleased we were to meet you and were so impressed by the tour you took us on around Avignon! You were very warm and knowledgeable about the area and answered all of our questions. Your van was top of the line as well as your service!! I will not hesitate to recommend you to friends and family visiting the area!"Connie Schuler – Alberta, Canada"We had the best time with you on our tour of the Provence region! You planned out th..."
  • May 2016 Private Garden Tour

    ""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 "
  • April 2013 custom week long tour

    ""Emily’s Your Private Provence will transport you to captivating villages filled with fascinating history and charm, to a culture that is rich with heritage, and to a land where you will feel warmth and beauty. Emily will ensure all your needs are met and her attention to detail will ensure you have a trip that will create memories to last a lifetime.The customization of our trip was tailored to meet our specific areas of interest and the opportunities for exploring areas off the beaten p..."
  • June 2018 3-day private tour

    ""The beautiful, relaxed culture of Provence makes it an ideal vacation spot for first-time guests and return visitors alike.As a return visitor, I reached out to Emily to see some of the hidden treasures I was on unable to see during my first visit. She asked me what I enjoyed, what I wanted to see most, and how I’d like to spend my time. From there, she tailored an itinerary specific to me.She was able to encompass all I requested and made excellent suggestions! I had an incredible t..."
  • June 2018 2-day custom tour

    ""It was our pleasure having you as our tour guide to discover part of Provence we haven’t been before. I definitely will recommend you to my friends who are interested in traveling to Provence.We wish you have a successful business and happy wonderful life in Provence."Wanvimon, Thailand"
  • Photography Tour plus Elopement, June 2016

    ""Dear Emily, Words cannot express our gratitude for everything that you did for us. Thank you so much for going above and beyond not just for our tour, but also our elopement! We’re touched and grateful for your attention to detail, flexibility and patience. The tour was hands down, one of the best experiences ever and we’re so thrilled we got do do it with you. Last but not least, thank you for being our officiant and “marrying” us. The entire trip is something we’ll cherish forever. "Li..."