Truffles, Wine & Provencal Cuisine Tour

Today is arrival day…pick-up at the Marseille airport or Aix TGV train station (Avignon TGV arrivals possible with cost of Uber transfer). 

Upon arrival we make our way to the Luberon Region where we’ll be staying for the first 3 nights.  A lovely B&B that feels like a home just minutes from the village Gordes offering us the luxury of the gorgeous countryside & the atmosphere of the Medieval village…both without the masses of summer tourists!  The best time to be near Gordes.  After checking into our lodging, country walks and village exploration.  Dinner this evening catered to us at the B&B by chef Antoine.

Dinner included

Let the celebration begin…with a day exploring the Cotes-du-Rhone wines Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas & Vacqueyras AOC wineries.  Meet the growers, private tastings, walk in the vineyards, gourmet lunch, possibility to ship wine home.  Return to the B&B later afternoon for some R&R then dinner outing nearby at a farmhouse restaurant with a cozy fireplace. 

Lunch & dinner included

Today is our day to discover the black winter truffle in the high hills of the Luberon Region.  We’ll meet Nicolas at the top of the hill and he’ll drive us down his bumpy dirt road in his 4×4 car to reach the secluded farm house and truffle tree plantations.  After going out to find our truffles with his dog, we come back to the his farmhouse kitchen for the most unforgettable truffle meal you will ever have.  Later afternoon we’ll digest our truffles with a countryside walk amongst the ochre hills (and the village Roussillon).   This evening Charlotte will come to our B&B for an olive oil tasting workshop…followed by a simple alfresco dinner her husband (local chef) will have prepared for us.  We’ll open up a few of our Cotes-du-Rhone wines form the day before to enjoy with our dinner. 

Truffle lunch & alfresco dinner included

Bags packed, we are changing regions today.  From Gordes we drive to Avignon.  Leaving the B&B at 8:30 for arrival at Avignon Les Halles indoor food market to meet our chef and pick up our produce/products for the cooking lesson.  Lunch will finish around 2 pm.  Then we drive to Aix.  Check-in to our boutique hotel (around 3:30 pm) then we meet our guide, Frédéric will lead us on an art tour with a special focus on Cezanne (Granet Museum included with works from not only Cezanne but also Picaso, Rembrandt, Giometti). Tour will end at 6 pm – dinner on your own. 

Cooking lesson lunch included

This morning we roll up our sleeves to see just how talented we are in making French patisseries. Our chef Clément will teach us the tricks of the trade and of course we finish with indulging in our creations.  Patisserie workshop from 9 – 12 pm, at a professional chef’s workshop just outside of Aix.  Lunch will be casual with a bakery stop for sandwiches, quiche – not included).  A short drive will take us to Cézanne’s atelier where we can intimately step into the last part of his life followed by a drive to the mountain he immortalized, Sainte Victoire.  Some fresh countryside air will invigorate us as we walk among the pines and admire views of « Cezanne’s »mountain just beyond.  Time to relax back in Aix before dinner together at one of Emily’s favorite restaurants in Aix – truffles on the menu!

Dinner included

Oh to see the Mediterranean blue during winter when the air is so pure!  Let us venture on the Calanques near Cassis , stroll the fishing port, take a boat out to the everlasting blues of the sea.  After our efforts of taking in the remarkable beauty, we’ll sit down at a café with a glass of Cassis white wine (AOC) to absorb it all.  The later afternoon is your free time to explore what you’d like back in Aix.  Perhaps the Hotel Caumont will be your inspiration with the winter exhibition on Alphonse Mucha.  Dinner on your own in Aix.

lunch included

This morning we meet our chef for a market tour in Aix where we’ll pick up the essential ingredients for making our Provencal home cooked lunch.  Before arriving at his house, we’ll swing by the local winery to get our wine.  Later afternoon is yours to explore the center of Aix at your leisure.  Dinner on your own in Aix (lunch will be filling and ends late – you may not even want dinner).

Cooking lesson lunch included