October In Provence Tour

We’ll start our group tour in the center of Avignon for a foodie & historic walking tour.  Julien, your guide for this tour, will entertain you with good stories and delicious treats…tour ends at the indoor gourmet food court – grand finale (lunch treat). Then we make our way to the Pont du Gard – a digestive walk unlike any other, with the Roman built bridge, seen from many different vantage points.  Arrival around 5 pm at our boutique hotel in Saint Remy.  Time to settle in and relax (or walk into the town, just a 2 minute walk to the center, explore 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. 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.  We make our way to Oppede-le-Vieux for a walk back in time through the abandoned village.  Beautiful Gordes is our next village, with a stop at the lookout point and some time to roam around the cobblestone lanes in the center.  Our lunch spot will be nearby at a former farmhouse…turned into a charming restaurant.  Before making our way back to St Remy, we stop in L’Isle sur la Sorgue for a little stroll along the canal-lined streets and some free time to browse the antique shops.  Arrival back at B&B around 5 pm.  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 Alpilles region for a tour and tasting.  Close by is the Carrières de Lumières sound & light show in a former rock quarry – one of the top must-do-activities in the region.  Next, a stroll through the village Les Baux-de-Provence followed by 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 5 pm, arrival at our hotel in Aix. Time to settle in and then a walk into the center (5 minutes) to enjoy a gourmet dinner together. 

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). Free time after the guided tour – the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure. 

Lunch included

We escape to the sea today. Peaceful strolls with the sounds of seagulls 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 a lovely setting for our seafood lunch enjoyed with the white wine from Cassis. Return to Aix later afternoon with the evening to enjoy at your leisure.

Lunch included

Today you put your Provencal talent to work along with Chef Clement.  Clement is a talented and vibrant chef who will teach us the tricks of making macaroons and also the classic Provencal onions tarte known as Pissaladière.  Together we’ll concoct our French/Provencal lunch and enjoy together at the workshop venue.  In the afternoon, a pleasant stroll near the legendary mountain, immortalized by Cezanne, Mount Sainte Victoire.  Free time back in Aix before we venture out to our farewell dinner together. 

Cooking lesson lunch & farewell dinner