Day 1 Friday
Rendezvous at Marseille airport. Scenic drive to the beautiful
Cistercian Abbey of Senanque and lavender gardens. Guided visit
to a fascinating lavender museum to experience all aspects of
lavender oil production from field to bottle. The museum
boutique has very fine lavender oil and beautiful lavender
products for sale. Leisurely journey through the picturesque
countryside of rolling hills and vineyards. Continue on to our
charming hotel, situated in a tiny village with sweeping views
of lavender fields. Time to settle in, relax and then
orientation and a welcome dinner at a restaurant in the village.
Day 2 Saturday
A wonderful day amongst the fields of vibrant lavender,
clary sage and other aromatic plants. Visit to an essential oil
distillery and organic herb farm to experience and learn about
essential oil distillation. Walk among fields of organic herbs
and aromatic plants. Essential oils, herbal macerations, floral
waters and delicious herbal syrups for sale.
Lunch at your leisure with time to explore the village with
its fascinating brocante shop (antiques, curios and tiny perfume
bottles), world famous nougat confectioner and lavender
specialty stores.
Late afternoon visit to a medieval spa village with its
hot springs specialising in health cures. The thermal waters are
renowned for the treatment of respiratory and skin
conditions. This is the loveliest medieval village in the region
– the outdoor jacuzzi affords fabulous views of Mont Ventoux.
Scenic drive to a picturesque perched village in the
mountains where you will enjoy a typical Provencal dinner
prepared with organic foods. This tiny village of artists has
spectacular views across the valley to Mont Ventoux.
Day 3 Sunday
Visit to the famous herb gardens and ethno-botanical centre at Prieure de
Salagon with our knowledgeable friend and guide Dominique. The living memory of Haute-Provence, Salagon is both a
remarkable historical monument, tracing two thousand years of
history and a museum where rich ethnological collections are
kept, as well as housing a research and documentation centre.
The medicinal, the fragrant, the medieval and the contemporary
gardens of Salagon represent a collection of around 2000 species
and varieties of indigenous and exotic plants.
There is also a permanent exhibition of the story of lavender in
Haute-Provence, showing landscapes and farming activities
connected to lavender growing and also has a specialist
bookshop.
After lunch at leisure we enjoy a scenic drive back to our
village through countryside cloaked in fragrant lavender fields
with photo opportunities along the way.
Dinner at delightful Provencale restaurant famous for its truffle omelettes
under the shady plantane trees in a lovely nearby village.
Day 4 Monday
Today we change hotels. Visit a medieval chateau and stunning perched village where
you can wander through its timeless paved laneways and gardens, where monuments,
elegant facades and finely carved doors open onto workshops, galleries and
artist's studios. At the chateau, we will enjoy exhibitions and films inviting
a symphony of scents as you discover further delights of lavender and also a
fascinating guided visit of the aromatherapy laboratory belonging to the largest
scented plant co-operative in France. Many plant-based natural products and
essential oils available in the boutique.
Scenic drive to Banon, famous for its goats cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves, for a
delicious light lunch.
Late afternoon arrival at our charming hotel, situated in beautiful
tree-lined village with time to settle in and relax, followed by a delightful
al fresco dinner in a lovely gastronomic restaurant renowned for its fine cuisine.
Day 5 Tuesday
Fascinating visit to the oldest established soap factory in
Provence where soap is still made in the time honoured traditional style and
we also visit the soap museum and exquisitely decorated shop.
Journey through the beautiful
countryside of the Luberon made famous in Peter Mayle's books to
a delightfully secluded restaurant owned by one of France's most
famous female chefs for a fabulous gourmet luncheon.
After lunch we will continue exploring this beautiful region
with its perched villages and sweeping views with many
delightful moments along the way.
Return to our hotel then dinner at your leisure in our village.
Day 6 Wednesday
Stroll into the village and explore one of the most vibrant
and colourful markets of Provence, renowned for its diversity
and fine produce and crafts. Take the time to visit the
beautiful fragrance museum, which houses a fine collection of
perfume bottles from ancient to modern and also stocks an
abundance of essential oils, organic soaps and perfumes. Buy
your lunch at the market with all its Provencale flavours and
enjoy a picnic on the terrace at the hotel.
Then a scenic drive through the Alpilles to view the medieval
fortress of Les Baux. Guided visit to a family owned olive mill,
where advanced techniques are allied with tradition. We will
experience a wonderful tasting of the various varieties of olive
oil from the first cold pressing and discover all aspects of the
extraction process.
Return to the hotel and later a short drive through the
countryside for dinner at a delightful Provencale garden
restaurant.
Day 7 Thursday
Fabulous lavender cooking class. In a beautiful stone manor
-house, we will learn to make mouth-watering local dishes
entirely dedicated to lavender and the fresh produce and herbs
of Provence. Our leisurely luncheon on the garden terrace will
be accompanied with specially selected wines of the region.
Following in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh we will enjoy
a guided visit to the beautiful cloister, St Paul de Mausole
where Vincent lived for a short time and painted some of his
most memorable works. Return to our hotel with leisure time to
explore, shop or simply relax by the pool.
Delicious alfresco dinner by the Rhone river with sweeping views
of the medieval city of Avignon and its famous bridge.
Day 8 Friday
10 am departure for Marseille airport where our tour ends.
Perhaps take the train to Paris or continue to explore this most
exquisite of regions.
