October In Provence Tour

Pick-up at Avignon TGV train station around 10:30 am (time to be confirmed once all arrival times are gathered). You may choose to arrive in Provence the day before and be picked up at your Avignon hotel. 

We’ll start our group tour in the center of Avignon for a historic walking tour. UNESCO sites Pont d’Avignon and Popes Palace and some off-the-beaten-path spots in the center (does not include the inside of the Popes Palace). We then make our way to the Pont du Gard for lunch with a view of this incredible Roman masterpiece and of course get the story behind it.  Arrival at our B&B in Saint Remy around 4:30 pm with time to settle in and relax (or walk into the town for some exploring on your own). Dinner arrangements for the group in Saint Remy.

Lunch & dinner included

Today is market day in Lourmarin. You’ll have free time to roam the market and also be guided on a short historical tour of the village. Picnic lunch together with your market goodies near a Romanesque chapel (should the weather not be good we’ll have a bistro lunch). Return to Saint Remy area for exploring the world of Van Gogh at Saint Paul de Mausole where Van Gogh stayed for a year after his time in Arles. Relaxing time back at the B&B and then dinner arrangements together in Saint Remy.

Lunch (a sharing of our market goodies) & dinner included

In the morning we’ll 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. Autumn is a unique time in the Camargue with the flora turning to its winter colors and the arrival of many birds for spending winter or resting on their route further south. We have a private ranch tour at Manade Laurent. Lunch at La Telline to taste the specialties of Camargue and then we plunge into the Roman world in Arles as well as the footsteps of Van Gogh who lived here from 1888 to 1889. Dinner arrangements for the group in Saint Remy.

Lunch & dinner included

Today we venture into the Luberon region.  First stop is at L’Isle sur la Sorgue where you will have free time to browse the antiques at the flea market.  Next stop is in Gordes, rated recently as one of the most beautiful villages in the world.  After a lunch to remember near Gordes, we’ll make our way to a particular village perched on the side of the Luberon Mountain chain: Oppede-le-Vieux.  Here we’ll have a digestive walk up through the abandoned part of the village to the castle ruins at the top.  Arrival back at B&B around 5 pm with relaxing time and dinner at your leisure.

Lunch included

We’ll be changing regions today.  En route we first make a stop at an olive oil mill in the Baux region.  If you didn’t get enough breakfast, this ample tasting should fill you til lunch.  Close by is the Carrières de Lumières sound & light show in a former rock quarry near.  Every year the production changes and is today one of the top must-do-activities in the region.  Next, a stroll through the village Les Baux-de-Provence and a casual bistro lunch. Mid-way to Aix (our lodging) we stop at one of the original soap making factories to learn the story of Marseille soap and traditional fabrication process. Around 4:30 pm, arrival at our luxury hotel Les Lodges Saints Victoire. Time to settle in and perhaps you’ll even enjoy some spa time. Dinner at the fabulous hotel restaurant (Michelin).

Lunch & dinner included

Time to explore Aix markets (flower market, Provencal market, fruit & Vegetable market, flea market). Emily will explain where the markets are, give you maps, you can explore at your leisure. At 12 pm we meet for lunch at an 18th century mansion tea salon. Following lunch is a guided tour to learn about the life of Cezanne (includes a visit at the Granet museum to see a few of his paintings).  Return to our hotel to relax (spa time can be scheduled). Group dinner at countryside bastide.

Lunch & dinner included

We escape to the sea today. Peaceful strolls with the sounds of seagulls and and boat flags swooshing in the breeze. The fishing village Cassis along with the limestone inlets, known as Calanques, always capture the heart. The Cassis tour includes the Wednesday market, a boat tour and lunch on the port. Dinner outing in the heart of Aix.

Lunch & dinner included

Cooking lesson & winery tour near Aix-en-Provence; Chef Gilles will guide us through the produce market and then to a winery to pick up our wine. At his house we will learn the art and simplicity of Provencal cuisine. The feast usually doesn’t end til mid-afternoon and the rest of the day will be enjoyed at the foot of Saint Victoire (spa time or countryside walk at the base of the mountain). Free evening for dinner at the hotel You may not feel like dinner this evening (we finish full and late). There is the hotel bar restaurant for snacks and drinks should you like (not included in package price).

Cooking lesson lunch