We are excited about the variety of experiences we are offering in Provence! Our Villa and your home for the week has a fabulous kitchen and is located in the heart of the Luberon National Park. Our daily tours travel between the picturesque hill towns and thru the Lubéron valley to taste a variety of Local Wine, Cheeses, products from the outdoor markets. We’ll tour a 12th century monastery, explore Roman Ruins and enjoy the landscape and villages that inspired Van Goghs memorable paintings.
Day 1: Meet at MRS airport / 10am (or TGV station)- enjoy the day in Fontaine de Vaucluse. Arrive at the Villa late afternoon.
Day 2. Beautiful morning in the famous wine region of Chateaneuf du Pape with a wine tasting at one of the oldest vineyards in the region (dating from 1703). The vineyard is planted with 13 varieties of grapes dating from the 19th century. In the afternoon you will visit Avignon. Lunch on your own and a guided tour of the Papal Palace.
Day 3. Leisurely free morning to enjoy the villa or take a walk in to Lacoste and explore the Chateau. Late afternoon visit to the Bastide de Marie for a wine tasting of their AOC Luberon wines and sampling of the vineyards local cuisine and area cheese. The beautiful vineyard we will be visiting is nestled in 57 acres of vineyards, citrus orchards and century-old olive trees and will provide a nice evening out.
Day 4. Today we’ll learn a little about the artist -Van Gogh, Visit a Roman Site and explore Saint Remy for market day. You can look forward to Music, Artists, Colorful Pottery, Provencial Textiles and brightly colored stalls brimming with olives, wheels of cheese, fresh walnuts, chocolates and delicious short bread cookies at the market. In the afternoon, on to Saint Paul de Maussole – where Van Gogh spent one year of his life and painted Starry Night and a scenic drive thru the Alpilles.
Day 5. You’ll be staying a little closer to the villa and exploring the villages in the Luberon Valley: Gordes, Rouissillon and Goult where we will enjoy a cheese and wine tasting. Lunch will be on your own in one of the villages.
Day 6. Southern Luberon Valley. The day will begin in Lourmarin, known for it’s Mediterrean architecture and 15c Castle. You’ll see why it was named one of the most beautiful villages in France. In the afternoon you’ll enjoy a garden tour in Cucuron with time to explore the village and lunch on your own.
Day 7. Les Baux You can look forward to a historic guided village tour. There will be time for exploring /or an optional hike and lunch on your own. In the afternoon you’ll visit Carriers de Lumieres Quarry which has been transformed into a very unique gallery. This years presentation highlights Gaudi and Dali. You’re in for a treat with this exhibit!
Day 8. Depart Villa 8am – to Marseille MRS – book return flights after 11:30am – (bus will also stop in Aix En Provence TGV station)
Weekly Dinner Menu
Day 1 – Welcome Menu
- Provençal Aioli display with Grilled Vegetables, Oysters, Muscles, Shrimp, Roasted Côte Veal Filet with Tapenade, variety of Local Cheese and honey, Fruit Display, Strawberry Charlotte & Chocolate Ganache Tuille
Day 2 – Dinner Out
Day 3 –
- Baked Figs with Fresh Goat Cheese and Lavender Honey
- Wheat Berry Salad with Grilled Squid
- Sea Bream Tapenade (Papillote Demonstration)
- Cherry Clafoutis with Vanilla Ice Cream
Day 4 –
- Baked White Beans with Herbed Tomatoes and Shrimp
- Asparagus Salad with Soft Poached Egg and Olive Tapenade. Lemon Dressing
- Sous Vide Chicken Breast with a Foie Gras-Fig Cream and Herbed New Potatoes
- Seasonal Fruit with a Lavender Syrup and Lavender Shortbread
Day 5 –
- Pissaladière – Provençal flatbread with caramelized onions, anchovies and olives
- Soupe au Pistou (Vegetable Soup with Tomato Pesto)
- Sole Provençal with Oven Roasted Tomatoes and Herbes de Provence
- Pistachio and Apricot Torte
Day 6 –
- Grilled Tuna Niçoise with Haricot Verts and Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
- Smoked Tomato Soup with Fougasse (Olive Bread)
- Homemade Garlic-Pork Sausage with Herbes de Provence over Ratatouille
- Chocolate Molten Cake with Pistachio Ice Cream and a Cherry Coulis
Day 7 –
- Roasted Veal Loin Remoulade “Provençal”
- Grilled Romaine with Sun-dried Tomatoes and a Caper Vinaigrette
- Mediterranean Seafood Bouillabaisse with a Safforn Broth
- Tarte au Citron with a Hazelnut Crust