Spring Poppy Madness Tour

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 with a garden tour at the Abbey Saint André across the Rhone River from Avignon. After our picnic lunch we make our way to the Ventoux region (near the legendary Mont Ventoux mountain) and settle into our charming countryside B&B. Dinner this evening at a favorite restaurant for its Provencal cuisine and stunning view of the Mont Ventoux.

Picnic Lunch & Dinner included

A beautiful 1-hour drive will take us to Brantes, a small village nestled into the slopes facing the Mont Ventoux.  Here, we’ll be guided on a foraging walk to gather our herbs and flowers for our farm-to-table lunch.  Odile’s house will welcome us for the cooking adventure and sharing of food in a setting you’ll never forget.  Lunch finishes leisurely (and usually late) so the rest of the day is just to meander a little more in the village Brantes and then make our way back to the B&B for some R&R.  This evening we’ll have pizza, fruit tarts and wine at the B&B for a casual dinner.

Cooking lesson lunch & Alfresco Dinner included

It’s market day in Vaison-la-Romaine.  This market has been rated in France as one of the most authentic markets.  You have the morning to browse, shop, and explore the town at your leisure.  We’ll meet back up for a bistro tapas lunch in town before going to Nyons to visit the Scourtinerie: a local company who braved a crisis (1956 frost killing the olive trees).  Their creativity saved the family business and still to this day, they produce coconut fiber mats (that were once used for pressing olives)   Return to the B&B later afternoon and then our dinner outing at one of Emily’s favorite restaurants. 

Lunch & dinner included

We change regions today.  Before arriving at our Luberon region B&B, we’ll make a stop in what is sometimes referred to as the Provencal Venice due to the water canals meandering their way through the town.  Emily will guide you on a historical tour of this charming town before we share a casual lunch with local cheese, charcuterie and homemade spreads at little « Epicerie ».  Gordes is not far away…a stop at the spectacular view point and then on to our B&B to settle in.  A special dinner by chef Antoine catered to us at the B&B awaits us this evening. 

Lunch & Dinner included

This morning we have a beautiful drive to a hilltop village called Simiane-la-Rotonde… sitting up high overlooking the lavender valley.  While the lavender won’t be in bloom, you will be marveling over the flowers and roses laying a colorful backdrop to the18th century doors and cobblestone lanes.  The garden visit (next to the village) is on a site considered sacred since prehistoric times.  Our guide will reveal its mysteries and the 500 varieties of roses.  Lunch will be enjoyed on their terraced restaurant, but not before an acoustic surprise for you in the 17th abbey church.   Dinner at another one of Emily’s favorite restaurants in an old farm house. 

Lunch & Dinner included

This morning you have free time in the charming village Lourmarin to pick up those Provencal treasures you might not have found at Tuesday’s market in Vaison.   With the food we pick up at the market, we’ll make our way to a secret picnic spot next to a Romanesque chapel.  On our way back over the Luberon mountain chain, we’ll make a couple of scenic spots to capture the Luberon valley.  Relaxing time back at the B&B before our dinner outing in Roussillon – the best time to see this ochre village (after the daytime crowds have left). 

Dinner included

After yesterday’s poppy madness inspiration, today we take our artistic eye to to paper with a painting workshop.  We’ll tour the area near Saint Remy where Van Gogh stayed for one year and then be guided by a local artist to paint what we see (no painting experience necessary).  Catered picnic nearby before going into the town center of Saint Remy for a stroll/boutique browsing.  This evening we walk into the village Gordes for dinner.

Lunch & Dinner included

Last day! A day to relax and enjoy the flavors and savors of Provence… Charlotte, professional in the olive oil growing and tasting business will lead us in a workshop to make our own olive oil…to our style!    Then we’ll proceed to a wine tasting, vinaigrette making workshop and then to a beautiful vineyard terrace to enjoy the flavors of Provence. Our afternoon village discovery is nearby, at Oppede-le-Vieux…one of the quieter villages with many fascinating anecdotes.  Dinner this evening will be casual  at the B&B with fresh vegetables and savory tartes.

Lunch & dinner included