Peaceful Provence.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: From the moment you set foot in Avignon, there's no question you're in Provence. The Rhône churns past the city's walls. Dominating it all is the Palais des Papes, home of the breakaway papacy from 1316 until the 15th century. We'll see it all—including the Pont d'Avignon, the bridge to nowhere—on a get-acquainted walk.
Day2: Eat hearty, because today begins with a beautiful countryside walk that takes you to the Pont-du-Gard, one of the surviving Roman wonders of the world. Remnant of an aqueduct system built over 2,000 years ago, the arched structure soars over the Gardon River. Late in the morning, we’ll journey to the charming village of Uzés for lunch at a café. You'll have the option of staying on a little longer to explore and shop, or you can choose from two walks into the Alzon River valley to see the old watermill houses. We return to our country hotel in the late afternoon where you may want to relax by the pool or enjoy a pastis before dinner.
Day 3: After a morning spent among the vineyards, you'll certainly recognize Châteauneuf-du-Pape as one of France's premiere wine regions. Because our group is small, we're able to enter the cellars for a tasting and visit the ruins of Château des Papes, the summer retreat of the Popes. From the remaining walls, we get a magnificent view across the Rhône valley. Our afternoon is the culinary pinnacle of the week as we join Michelin-starred Chef Alain Nicolet for an amazing cooking instruction. He will share the secrets of cuisine à la Provençale, the complex and savory flavors built on fresh herbs, peppery olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. With the kitchen full of fresh Mediterranean produce, we roll up our sleeves, fire up the stove, and get a memorable hands-on lesson from a true master.
Day 4: Today we cross over to the Rhône’s opposite banks into the scenic heart of Provence, beginning with the Alpilles, named for the enchanting chain of small limestone mountains dotted with villages, cypress trees, and sunflowers. Along the way, we stop at Moulin Barbentane, the traditional olive mill where we’ll learn about the art of raising and selecting olives. Next, we'll visit the weekly market in Saint-Rémy-de- Provence, featuring fresh cheeses, fruits, wines, and other local products, perfect to fill our basket for the midday picnic that awaits. From Saint Rémy we'll walk to Les Baux, a gorgeous medieval village perched on a rocky crest. As we venture into a scenic rock quarry, we’ll take in the town’s monumental sound and light show, Carrières de Lumières. We’ll then make our way to St. Paul de Mausole, a 12th-century cloister where Van Gogh spent the last year of his life. We end the day at our luxurious hotel nestled in a 19th- century townhouse in the heart of St. Rémy.
Day 5: After a relaxing start to the day over croissants and café au lait, we enter the Luberon. It's a startling sight, constructed as it was from 17 different shades of red sandstone. We have a short walk through the ochre quarries, then depart for Sénanque Abbey, set in an isolated valley surrounded by a field of lavender and oaks. After lunch and a visit, we take an easy stroll to Gordes. Our trail winds past one of the trademark structures of Provence, a borie (corbelled vaults of flagstones). Dating back to the 18th century, some experts speculate that they were built to escape the plague. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon to relax before our farewell dinner together.
Day 6: From farm country, we venture to the elegant university town of Aix-en-Provence, home of Cézanne. A guided walk retraces many of the artist's footsteps, and includes the beautiful Cours Mirabeau Boulevard with its outdoor cafes, sculpted plane trees, and fountains, as well as the flower and vegetable market. At the end of our visit, we'll deliver you directly to the city's TGV rail station.
Welcome Back to Relaxation.
6-Days & 5-Nights
Think quiet country trails that wind through cherry orchards beneath rustic perched villages. In season, purple ribbons of lavender drape the hills. In peaceful Provence, you can bask in the legendary landscapes painted by Cezanne and van Gogh. The cultural landmarks – from the Roman’s Pont du Gard aqueduct to the serene Sénanque Abbey — are just part of the French experience. Stroll through cobblestone villages where we'll pause for lunch complete with ripe figs, goat cheese, and a chilly rosé. Experience Provence in its purest, most perfect light.
$5,495* per person
Your Experience Includes:
5-night accommodations at Hotel D'Europe (1 night), Chateau de Varenne (2 nights), and Le Saint-Rémy (2 nights)
Support vehicles
All breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, and 1 cooking instruction
Full-time experienced guides
Admission to tastings, historic sites, and other scheduled events
Gratuities for hotels, meals, and baggage
All ground transportation
Because Relaxation Matters.
jeff@jefflavender.com | +1 310.774.7611
This experience is being brought to you in partnership with Classic Journeys.