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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.

Lavender lifestyle tour featuring lavender fields in full bloom

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.

Day 1 (Monday, July 1)
Gordes, France cobblestone walkway with valley view

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

Day 2 (Tuesday, July 2)
top ten places to visit in provence

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

Day 3 (Wednesday, July 3)
springtime in French village of Saignon

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

Day 4 (Thursday, July 4)
foodie tour

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

Day 5 (Friday, July 5)
Provence Lavender Tour

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

Day 6 (Saturday, July 6)
tiny car in French village of Oppede-le-Vieux

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

Day 7 (Sunday, July 7)
  • 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.

Vincent Van Gogh

(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)
five star review
  • July 2022 Provence Lavender Tour

    ""Experiencing the lavender fields of Provence was just part of a fabulous week with Emily. From truffle hunting, olive oil tasting, wine tasting, visiting hilltop villages, to lovely breakfasts at an idyllic B&B, casual picnic lunches, and first class dining, Emily provided us with an off the beaten path adventure of a lifetime. Her knowledge of the history of the area made for an educational as well as rewarding and fun trip. She was well organized and such a delight to travel with in he..."
  • September 2016 Day Tour in the Luberon

    ""For my first time in Provence I decided to hire a guide. It’s not something I normally do but I didn’t want to be bothered with driving and trying to find my way on my own. I didn’t want to waste precious time because I had so little there.We had several conversations via email in advance of my visit about what my interests are and what I wanted to get out of my time with her. Emily showed me some wonderful places for photos and a little off the beaten path Abbey that was a lovely way to..."
  • May private tour 2016

    ""When I look back I do not necessarily think of the specific towns we visited as much as the special experiences and moments we had during truffle hunting, making chocolates, taking pictures in the middle of that beautiful flower field, and our hikes, walks and conversations. Thank you for arranging all this for us because they are certainly the experiences that made our trip so special.Most importantly, what I cherish is that you never made us feel like we are with a private tour guide. ..."
  • 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..."
  • 4-Day Private Tour, May 2021

    ""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..."
  • Family Reunion Lavender Tour, June 2017

    ""I spent time on Google and found Emily’s Lavender Tours. Not wanting to drive this time around, Emily seemed to be the perfect solution. I wanted to spend some time in Sault, the lavender capital of Provence, as well as showing my family all Provence has to offer since most had never been there: Roman ruins, beautiful hill towns and incredible scenery, markets and lovely villages, castles and flowing rivers. Once our dates worked out with Emily and she got to know my preferences, we spent lo..."
  • 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..."
  • 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"
  • June 2013 Private Custom Tour

    ""This summer my wife and I had the pleasure of being introduced to Provence by Emily Durand. It was truly amazing. Emily’s attentiveness and insights to the history and culture made Provence our favorite portion of a four-week eight-country trip. We had the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation taking in the ruggedly beautiful terrain and sampling the best food I have ever had.Thank you Emily we look forward to our next trip to Southern France with Your Private Provence."Peter &..."
  • 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..."