Lavender Lifestyle Tour
Time to soak up the lavender aromas…slow travel at its best
July 1 – 7, 2024
6 nights / 7 days
Limited to 7 guests
4,650€ EUROS per person based on double occupancy
950€ EUROS supplement for single occupancy
*Prices converted to USD two months prior to tour date
Sometimes you really need a vacation, time to relax but also be inspired. The Lavender Lifestyle Tour is designed for you to settle into your luxury B&B, savor the tastes of the markets, the regional wines, & local olive oil. A time to connect with the slow Provençal lifestyle and the people who will share their craft, art and story with you. Of course we don’t stop there because the lavender is in full bloom. Explore lavender fields where earth meets sky, the lavender rolling up hills with Medieval villages in the background, and off-the-beaten-path spots for getting pictures showing secret Provence. Time to get away to let your senses be renewed.

Tour Notes
The B&B is situated within walking distance to the village Gordes. During free time (relaxing time at the B&B) you have the possibility to walk to the village for more exploring or for those magical evening strolls.
The tour takes place during the peak of lavender blooming. We will have lavender fields on every route and many opportunities for pictures in both the popular spots and also the more secret spots.
Itinerary
NOTE: This is a working itinerary; the final itinerary will be posted and provided to guests closer to the tour date.

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 in Saint Remy. We’ll arrive at our « heaven on earth » B&B near the village Gordes around 4 pm. Relaxing time in the gardens & by the pool with incredible views of the Luberon Mountains. Dinner this evening will be enjoyed at local chef’s house.
Picnic Lunch & Dinner included

It’s market day in Gordes, just a short walk from the B&B. The morning is yours to enjoy at your leisure with market shopping, strolling, or perhaps a little photography to capture this idyllic Provencal setting. Just before lunch hour we’ll head off to the High Provence region for lunch at a rustic farm house and then on to a distillery to learn all about the types of lavender grown in the region and the distilling process. We’ll also explore the village Sault (lavender capital of Provence) and most likely be tempted to buy ice-cream at the Maison Boyer. After a day exploring the countryside, relax this evening at the B&B. Dinner will be casual with market produce and local specialties shared together by the pool and with the sunset.
Farm lunch & Alfresco Dinner included

Our first village today in Saignon located on an impressive rocky outcrop and with lavender fields below. From here we’ll go to a small family run Luberon winery for a visit in the cellars and a wine tasting with a view. The tasting will be followed with a casual picnic lunch on site. Time back at the B&B this afternoon to cool down before our evening outing to the ochre lands. Roussillon is best visited when the sun starts to descend and the tour buses have returned the tourists to the city. After a colorful village stroll we’ll make a short drive to a special dinner in the vineyards.
Casual winery lunch & Magical vineyard dinner

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 villages Lourmarin & Bonnieux will enchant us with their anecdotes and beauty. Dinner this evening at one of Emily’s favorite restaurants.
Truffle hunt tasting & Dinner included

Magical morning walk along the Sorgue River at Fontaine-de-Vaucluse and then on to the lively town, L’Isle Sur la Sorgue. Legends and a rich industrial heritage make this area of Provence unique. After a casual lunch in town, we have an appointment with a local artist at his workshop to travel Provence through his eye. Some relaxing time back at the B&B later afternoon before an evening stroll next to one of Provence’s treasured icons…Abbaye de Senanque. Dinner to follow in the village in the village Gordes.
Lunch & Dinner included

Today we meet up with a local chef at the small farmer’s market in a very small village (don’t blink or you might miss it). After gathering our produce and local products for making lunch, we’ll head to the chef’s house to put our culinary expertise to work. Our digestive walk will be in Oppede-le-Vieux before going back to nap by the pool. After our « hard » work in the kitchen, we’ll treat ourselves to a casual alfresco dinner at the B&B with, of course, a champagne toast to our week in Provence together.
Lunch & Dinner included
- Depart from B&B around 10 am for Avignon train departures
- Other drop-off points can be arranged
- Choose to stay one more night at the B&B for a relaxing last day in paradise. (Payment for extra night directly with B&B…to be reserved very early on).
Activities & Sites Included
- Truffle hunt with tastings and all you want champagne
- Luberon Winery tour
- Olive oil tasting workshop
- Market shopping with chef followed by cooking class and lunch at chef’s home
- Aroma plant distillery tour
- Van Gogh asylum in Saint Remy
- Carrières de Lumières sound & light show
- Abbaye de Senanque
- Meet the artist – home studio
Places Visited
- Gordes
- Isle sur la Sorgue
- Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
- Oppede-le-Vieux
- Bonnieux
- Saignon
- Sault
- Roussillon
- Lourmarin
- Les Baux de Provence
- Saint Remy
Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.
(Photo: Provence lavender field by Emily Durand.)
Includes
- All transportation in Emily’s comfortable Mercedes van – pick-up & drop-off at Avignon TGV train station
- 6 nights lodging at luxury B&B near Gordes ➢ All breakfasts
- All lunches
- 1 lunch is truffle tastings (snacks in village for more after lunch at your expense)
- All dinners (a variety from fine dining, local cuisine, private chefs, and unique atmospheres)
Does Not Include
- Transportation to/from Avignon
- Before and/or after dinner drinks (wine is included during the meals)