Provence Christmas Wonders

Day 1.

We will depart Nice at noon for St. Rémy-de-Provence. Enjoy a beautiful, leisurely ride in our luxury coach past Mediterranean landscapes, through the hilly, rocky Var region into the heart of Provence. We will stop for a break along the way for some fresh air and a snack.

When we arrive at our hotel in St. Remy you will have time to settle in and unpack, take a walk around the gorgeous gardens, or walk into town.

Dinner with the group at La Table d’Yvan at hotel.

Day 2.

Depart Hotel at 09h00. This morning we will drive through the Alpilles mountains to visit Les Baux de Provence. Les Baux is an extraordinary village that blends with the jagged spur of rock on which it is perched. The dramatic scenery and historic ruins draw visitors from around the world. We will go first to the Carrières de Lumières for the spectacular sound and light show about Vincent Van Gogh.

Afterwards we will drive a short distance to the hilltop village of Les Baux. This site was once the seat of the most powerful (and fearsome!) lords of this region. Some claimed to have descended from the Magi king, Balthazar. We will start with a tour of the chateau and ramparts. Each person will have an individual audio guide so you can go at your own pace.

Afterwards you will have time to browse the artist ateliers and specialty boutiques. Choose a spot for lunch – you November find a place on a terrace overlooking the sheer cliffs and twisted rocks of the Val d’Enfer (Valley of Hell) which was the inspiration for Dante’s description of the Inferno.

Before we leave Les Baux, we will visit the Santons Museum. Santons are small nativity scene figurines traditionally produced in Provence. The museum showcases a collection of 17th century Neapolitan santons and 19th century church santons whose faces of painted card and eyes of glass were the work of the Carmelite convent in Avignon.

Afternoon return to Mas des Carassins.

Dinner with the group at La Table d’Yvan at hotel.

Day 3.

Today we will drive into the Luberon, land of Peter Mayle stories, to the hilltop village of Gordes, which is listed as “one of the most beautiful villages of France”. Today is market day in Gordes! You will find everything at this market from French music CDs, original paintings, clothes, lavender products, wine, honey, candy, Provencal linens and crafts, as well as every conceivable food product of the region. Explore the tiny streets which climb up between the tall houses to the fortified castle. Enjoy the panorama of the valley and mountains of the Luberon.

After our visit to Gordes we will drive to Roussillon, also designated as “Most Beautiful Village in France”. This village owes its unusual aesthetic appeal to 17 different shades of ochre that tint the buildings in intense colors ranging from golden yellow to deep red, the result of the people simply using the materials that were near and available.

Afternoon return to hotel in St. Remy.

Dinner with the group at La Table d’Yvan at hotel.

Provence market with local food and flowers

Day 4.

Market Day in St. Remy! Start the day at the beautiful Provencal market in St. Remy de Provence. If you get up with the birds, you can watch the market setting up. It’s really quite a sight to see…and hear and smell. The artistry with which the vendors display their wares is amazing. Every market is different throughout the region however you may find other lavender products, wine, food products of the region and crafts that you’ve not yet discovered! There is live music to be enjoyed throughout the marketplace. The market ends around noon.

Free time for lunch on your own and time to explore at leisure this afternoon.

Dinner with the group at La Table d’Yvan at hotel.

Day 5.

Today is our cooking lesson located on a Provençal country estate. Our very entertaining chef will welcome us in his home to teach us how to make different regional dishes. Watch or assist with the preparation of these delicious recipes. We will dine on Chef Yvan Cadiou’s creations either in the garden under the shade of 300 year old plane trees, or in his delightful, colorful kitchen! With lunch you will have the opportunity to taste some very special wine from the region.

Take your time to relax and soak up Provence! You will be delighted with the lesson, the setting, the meal, and the hospitality!

Dinner with the group at La Table d’Yvan.

Day 6.

Today we will depart Saint Rémy-de-Provence and travel to Manosque. We will enjoy a private tour of the L’Occitane en Provence factory, with its well-known French beauty and body products shipped across the globe. You might like to visit the on-site boutique to sample more products or stock up before we depart!

Lunch as a group at a delightful, local restaurant in Volx. You might like to visit the small museum next door which houses some of the original distilling equipment used by the entrepreneur and founder of L’Occitane en Provence, Olivier Busson.

After lunch, we will travel to the Valensole plateau to take in the incredible views across the lavender plains to the French Alps. Lavender is typically in full-bloom mid-June to mid-August, and even though we won’t see a haze of purple, you will certainly be able to imagine such a sight! We will make our way down to the small Provençal village of Gréoux-les Bains and check into our hotel. The village is known for its thermal springs and 12th century Templars castle, and is along the famous “Lavender route”.

Free time for you to explore the village this afternoon.

Dinner as a group at the hotel.

Day 7.

Today is market day in Manosque! Depart the hotel at 9h00. Enjoy a morning in Manosque exploring the market and town. You will find everything from fresh produce to local arts and crafts, Provençal delights from food to home wares and more.

Lunch on your own.

This afternoon, you are in for a treat! We are going truffle hunting with a local truffle hunter, or rabassier as they are called in Provencal French! We will follow the dog’s noses and see what black diamonds we can unearth! We will visit the truffle boutique to not only weigh our finds, but to sample some local truffle products!

Following our truffle hunt, we will stop in the village of Pierrevert for a private wine tasting of some local region wines!

Return to Gréoux-les Bains late afternoon.

Dinner as a group at the hotel this evening.

Day 8. We will bid farewell to Haute Provence and depart for the Côte d’Azur.

Our drive to the coast will take us through the regional forests, past vast wine estates and hillside towns.

Group lunch in Antibes.

After lunch, we’ll visit Chateau Grimaldi, which was Picasso’s residence and studio when he moved to the south of France in 1946. The chateau is now the Picasso museum housing many of his ceramics along with many of his paintings. Check into the hotel.

Free time for exploring this delightful coastal town and dinner on your own.

Day 9.

This morning, we will travel to the delightful city of Grasse, “the World Perfume Capital”. The Old Town with its tiny streets, wind their way up and down throughout. The perfume industry began in Grasse in the 16th century. We will visit a historic perfume factory in the heart of the Old Town for a private tour and perfume-making workshop.

Lunch on your own.

We will return to the coast mid-afternoon.

Free time in Antibes this afternoon before our Bon Voyage group dinner tonight.

Day 10. Bid ‘au revoir’ to Provence and the Côte d’Azur.

We will arrange your transportation to Nice Côte d’Azur airport for your departing flight, or to Nice station if traveling by train onto another destination.