Lavender & Travel Photography Tour

The pick-up place for High Provence Lavender & Photography Experience is at the train station in L’Isle sur la Sorgue (or your lodging in the town should you arrive the day before – recommended!). Pick-up time at 11 am. Our first stop, en route to our retreat location, is lunch at a rustic farm restaurant in the high hills of lavender country. After lunch, and some lavender photo shoots, we’ll settle into our accommodations. Free time to enjoy the amazing pool and quietness of the domain. Before our dinner outing at the nearby village Montbrun-les-Bains, we’ll choose one of the quaint sitting spots at the B&B to go over the photography & tour highlights of the week.

Lunch & dinner included

After breakfast at the farm house, the journey to wide open lavender fields and authentic Provencal villages begins. We will be capturing the lavender fields, Medieval villages (Banon & Simiane-le-Rotonde), ancient doors, colorful shutters, and so much more. Lunch today will be at small village café. At 2 pm we will step into a unique workshop and be guided by Theo to make our Provencal Gin infusing it with herbs from Provence (make your own creation!). Later afternoon, back at the B&B, refresh by the pool before a workshop with Raina to go over the editing of your pictures. We will not venture out again so you have plenty of time to unwind (rest, swim, nature walks). Optional trail hike leaving from the B&B to a chapel looking out over the valley. This evening you will enjoy a catered dinner at the B&B by local chef Alexandra.

Lunch & dinner included

Our day will begin in a stunning mountain village, Brantes. We will meet Laurie & Odile who will guide us on a foraging walk. We will need some flowers and herbs in order to make our farm-to-table lunch. The whole setting is one photographic moment after another. From the quaint village house where we make lunch to the table set out on the patio, not to mention all the food prepared with beautiful herbs and flowers. Later afternoon back at the B&B to relax. 7 pm – Dinner right at 7…at a small village retro bistro (leaving in time to catch the sunset…) 8:45 pm – an evening photo shoot at an amazing location (near the bistro) where the lavender rolls up to the sky.

Lunch & dinner included

An optional morning photography outing for those who wish to capture the magic of the rising sun over lavender fields. After breakfast, we’ll meet Nicolas who will come along with his dog so we can find truffles in the back property of the B&B. We’ll then have a truffle tasting to learn the different ways of savoring the aromas (truffle tasting and other snacks casually at the farm house for lunch). Afternoon excursion to the lavender distillation plant: learn more about this aroma plant, how the oils are extracted, how it is harvested, and the uses. We will meet with a lavender grower to get all the answers and see first hand. Stroll through the charming village Sault (Provence’s lavender capital) with a stop for ice-cream and some artful village photography. Free time back at the B&B. During this time, one-on-one appointments with Raina will be set up so you have an opportunity to dig into questions pertaining to your personal pictures. This evening we will enjoy another evening meal catered to us at the B&B. Manu is from Argentina and the best BBQ chef in the world!

Truffle and snack lunch & dinner included

Today is market day in Montbrun-les-Bains. You have time this morning to roam the market at your leisure and also with Raina for capturing compelling market images. Lunch will be in the village after the market at Alexandra’s Salon de Thé (vegetarian home cooked meals and the best ice-cream in France). The afternoon is set aside for relaxing by the pool, photography at the domain, and time for storytelling through our pictures. There’s an optional chateau visit for those wishing to explore the heritage of the powerful lords once in this area. This evening is the village festival (pre-Bastille Day party). Choose to stay around after dinner and partake in this Provencal small village festive atmosphere (you may want to wear your disco dancing dress 😉 …last few years we’ve had a few kick off the party on the dance floor!).

Lunch included & Dinner included

This morning we’ll venture into the larger town in the area; Vaison-la Romaine. Here, our photography contemplation will take us back to the Roman era. The town is known for one of the largest open air Roman archeological sites in France. Lunch in the town together. Later afternoon will be free time at the B&B to make the most of your contemplative time before the end of the tour. Dinner outing at nearby village Time to celebrate France’s Bastille Day: some French music & a game of Pétanque required!

Lunch & Dinner included