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Autumn colors in the four corners of Provence

October 10 – 18, 2024
8 nights / 9 days

Limited to 7 guests
4,100€ EUROS
1,100€ EUROS single room supplement
*Prices converted to USD three months prior to tour date

Plunge into the beauty of the countryside during the autumn glimmer. Stroll the markets abundant with fall produce and artisan craftsmanship. Taste the exquisite flavors of Provençal cuisine. Discover the Luberon region where hilltop villages & vineyards create an array of textures. The Alpilles & Camargue region, also Saint-Remy & Les Baux-de-Provence are a part of the journey. The last part of the week will be in the vibrant city of Aix-en Provence and along the blue of the Mediterranean. The contrasts in nature from these areas in Provence offer a unique Provençal experience.

fall tree colors in in Provence

Tour Notes

This Tour is a nice mix of culture, alluring atmospheres, history, relaxing time (spa options) and time to shop in the cities and at markets. 

Should you enjoy relaxing at the spa, the hotel the last four nights is one of the best intimate spas in the region. The hotel is located next to Cezanne’s mountain, Sainte Victoire…a truly inspirational backdrop to our breakfast, dinners and relaxing time.

Itinerary

NOTE: This is a working itinerary; the final itinerary will be posted and provided to guests closer to the tour date.

Day 1 (Thursday, October 10)
Pont du Gard Roman bridge on Provencal tour of Roman roads

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). After lunch in Avignon we make our way to the Pont du Gard – (30 minute drive from Avignon). Marvel at this Roman masterpiece and the story behind it. A 30-minute drive from Avignon will take us to Saint Remy. Arrival around 4:30 pm with time to settle in and relax (or walk into the town for some boutique shopping on your own). Dinner arrangements for the group in Saint Remy.

Lunch & dinner included

Day 2 (Friday, October 11)
Lourmarin village guided tour

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

Day 3 (Saturday, October 12)
Camargue landscape on custom tour of Provence

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 lunch plunge into the Roman world in Arles and the footsteps of Van Gogh who lived here from 1888 to 1889. Dinner arrangements for the group in Saint Remy.

Lunch & dinner included

Day 4 (Sunday, October 13)
facade of old house in Provencal village

Explore the Luberon and two exceptional villages for their geographical layout and historical anecdotes: Gordes & Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. Lunch will be memorable at a farmhouse restaurant. Our last stop is in Isle sur la Sorgue, known for its canal-lined streets and antique shops. The Sunday flea market will be set up and possibly you’ll find a unique treasure to take back home. Arrival back at B&B around 5:30 pm with relaxing time and dinner at your leisure.

Lunch included

Day 5 (Monday, October 14)
Marseille soap

We start the day with the inspiring sound & light show in a former rock quarry near Les Baux-de-Provence: Carrières de Lumières. Before leaving the Alpilles region we’ll stroll through the village Les Baux and also taste the best olive oil in the world at nearby mill. Light lunch before leaving Les Baux. Changing regions after lunch making our way to the vibrant city Aix-en Provence, we’ll stop at one of the original soap making factories to learn the story of Marseille soap and traditional fabrication process. Around 5 pm, check in to 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

Day 6 (Tuesday, October 15)
top ten places to visit in provence

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 12:30 we meet up for lunch at an 18th century tea salon. Then we meet our expert city guide for a 2 hour walking tour taking us to the secret story spots of the city. Later afternoon we return to our hotel to relax (spa time can be scheduled) before our evening meal outing.

Lunch & dinner included

Day 7 (Wednesday, October 16)
top ten places to visit in provence

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. On our way back to Aix, we stop at a Santon shop to see the detailed work of these hand sculpted figurines so popular in Provence at Christmas. Evening group dinner outing in Aix.

Lunch & dinner included

Day 8 (Thursday, October 17)
French cooking lessons on custom tour of Aix

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 lunch). There is the hotel bar restaurant for snacks and drinks should you like (not included in package price).

Cooking lesson lunch

Day 9 (Friday, October 18)

After breakfast, transfer to Marseille airport or Aix TGV for you return trip home.

Activities & Sites Included

  • Country walks, sometimes a little off-the-beaten-path to get up close to the fauna and flora 
  • Olive oil mill tour/tasting 
  • Cooking lesson 
  • Provencal markets (Lourmarin, Cassis, Aix) 
  • Flea market Isle sur la Sorgue 
  • Boat tour in Cassis 
  • Santon artisan shop 
  • Marseille soap factory tour 
  • Carrières de Lumière sound & light show 
  • Guided tours – learn the historical & cultural anecdotes that shaped the sites, towns, villages, and region as a whole

Places Visited

  • Avignon 
  • Pont-du-Gard 
  • Arles 
  • Camargue region 
  • Lourmarin 
  • Saint Remy 
  • Les Baux de Provence 
  • Isle sur la Sorgue 
  • Gordes 
  • Fontaine-de-Vaucluse 
  • Aix 
  • Cassis

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.

Vincent Van Gogh

(Photo: Fall view from mountain top by Emily Durand.)

Includes

  • All breakfasts (8) 
  • All lunches (8) 
  • 6 Dinners (two dinners not included; one in St Remy and last night at Saint Victoire/Aix hotel) 

Does Not Include

  • Transportation to/from Provence, Avignon 
  • Before and/or after dinner drinks (wine is included during the meals)
five star review
  • 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 "
  • 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..."
  • 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 2017 Day Wine Tour

    ""From the moment we met, Emily made us feel at home in Provence! Her careful selection of wine tastings and restaurants were exactly what we were looking for.  Thank you, Emily, for making our 10-year anniversary trip exactly what we wanted it to be."Michael & Lauren, San Diego, CA"
  • Lavender Tour July 2018

    ""We recently returned from France and wish to leave a few comments on our experience.At the top of my bucket list is a visit to Provence France. My husband and I are not world travelers and were somewhat hesitant about this trip, we were anxious about almost everything, the language, the travel and the fact that we were in a foreign country. Despite all these concerns we bite the bullet and decided to go for it. We booked a package with My Private Provence.Much to our surprise and del..."
  • 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..."
  • 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 2018 7-day custom tour

    ""What wonderful memories were made with four high school friends in Provence, thanks to our guide extraordinaire, Emily!She planned and executed every detail, taking into consideration our personal requests, with flexibility that is impossible with a large tour group.  Our last night, while we were touring the Calanques in Cassis, Emily even prepared an alfresco poolside dinner for us.   Many thanks and high recommendations to Emily, OUR Private Provence!Emily, you allowed us to have..."
  • Wedding in Provence, 2018

    ""I used Emily through Your Private Provence to help me plan my small wedding/elopement and tours for my family while we were in the area.The experience went so smoothly in the amazing hands of Emily. She offered several options from vendors for the ceremony, restaurant choices, lodging, and tours throughout the Provence region. She thought of details for the wedding and the tours that would not have even crossed my mind! She was always in touch and responded promptly.She took into con..."
  • 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..."