Provence 2024

Explore Provence and for one week live the French way…Everyday! 

 

September 7-14, 2024

 Susan and I will be taking an exclusive group on our luxury Everyday Extraordinary Provence tour in September for a remarkable week of exploring the senses in Provence. We’re fortunate enough to have booked one of the best places we’ve ever stayed in Provence. It’s an ideal location for both heading out to explore and staying “home” to enjoy the relaxed Provençal lifestyle.

This is a once- in- a- lifetime; inclusive (almost* all meals and wines), escorted, small group luxury tour staying in an authentic Provencal Mas for:

  • Fabr-i-holics
  • Design Aficionados
  • Creative travelers
  • Lovers of the French countryside
  • Devotees of chic French décor and style

Take this opportunity to connect with Provence and all its wonders. From our wonderful mas in the heart of Provence  near Saint Remy, we’ve put together a week of unparalleled design expeditions, craft&techniques, treasure hunting and much more ; all set against the backdrop of stunning scenery and centuries of history. Grab this chance to immerse yourself in a region that has inspired thousands of artisans and designers and experience the true meaning of l’art de vivre.

We’re staying in the heart of Provence in the Allpilles – home to restaurants, shops, open air markets, artist gites. Our home is a beautifully decorated retreat near one of France’s most beautiful villages in the heart of Provence. It features stunning views, wonderful indoor and outdoor living spaces, a heated pool, wi-fi, and so much more! Single occupancy.

Provence tour-2

Our itinerary doesn’t have your ordinary tourist stops (feel free to explore those on your own) we have curated excursions and destinations on our Provence tour custom made for all your senses. After all, Provence is where artists, writers and design creatives get their inspiration. We have crafted what we think is the perfect blend of Group Time and Alone Time. Some of the activities you’ll enjoy :

  • Explore the markets of Provence—the antiques at Isle sur la Sorgue plus Provençal delights at other local daily markets.
  • A lavender fuseaux workshop
  • A guided tour to one of the only remaining producers of historic Indiennes—the colorful fabrics that are so closely identified with Provence.
  • Indulge your senses—scent, taste, sight and touch— with visits to renowned regional producers.
  • Guided wine and olive oil tastings.
  • Petanque lesson and game.
  • Treasure hunting at world class brocantes.
  • A visit to Chateauneuf de Papes including a wine tasting followed by gourmet lunch with wine pairing.
  • Private Woad fiber dyeing workshop at our bastide with master artisan Denise Lambert.
  • Visit to Carrières de Lumières immersive  art exhibition.
  • Farm-to-Table ive-course private luncheon in the chef’s gardens.
  • A unique French specialty, the rare chance to work with a plumassier, or feather couturier, in her studio.
  • Afternoon apertifs at Pont du Gard.
  • Creating your own custom balm or lotion under the guidance of the experts.
  • Relax in our beautiful gardens, take a dip, get a hand or foot massage, even a mani or pedi.
  • Our private chef will be cooking marvelous meals most nights. Breakfast and most lunches also included.

We’ll fill in the blanks on the agenda as we get closer with select au courant adventures.

SATURDAY, SEPT  7

We’re thrilled to welcome you to our beautiful bastideWe’ll enjoy a lovely afternoon including lessons in both the sport (and art!) of pétanque, the Provençal version of bocce; and a tutorial on how to prepare a charcuterie plate. Pair these activities with some refreshing drinks and what better way to start to time in Provence!
A chef-prepared dinner on the terrasse will be the perfect ending to your first day in Provence.

 

SUNDAY, SEPT 8

After breakfast, we’re off to the world-famous market at L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. This enormous weekly event takes over almost the entire town, a unique combination of marché (farmers market) and brocante (flea market). Plus, there are dozens of permanent antique dealers in various buildings throughout the town.

We’ve picked up wonderful finds on our Sundays here, especially from an amazing resource for vintage and antique textiles. When you’re shopped out, take a break for lunch at one of the many great bistros, including those that line the city’s many canals. The trip home may include a detour or two to fit in some additional Provence sights. A chef-prepared dinner will be waiting for us at bastide.

MONDAY, SEPT 9

 

Today we’ll visit the fabled vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, for a wine tastings and a gourmet lunch. On our way home we’ll stop at for a tour at private museum that is truly a “cabinet of curiosities”, showcasing generations of the family’s collections.

Light dinner at the bastide.

TUESDAY, SEPT 10

We’ll cross Les Alpilles (the little Alps) to the Carrières des Lumières, an ancient quarry reinvented as a multi-media immersive art gallery. As a bonus, our route will include a couple of spots that offer fantastic photo opportunities over the Provençal landscape. Nearby is another magical experience, a chef-owned farm where we be treated to an olive oil tasting, and a five-course private luncheon in the gardens.

 

We end our art-filled day with another unique French specialty, the rare chance to work with a plumassier, or feather couturier, in her studio. Everyone will have the opportunity to create their own feather design/accessory.  Light dinner at the bastide.

 

 

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 11

 

A day spent in our “home town”, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. We absolutely encourage strolling through the pedestrian-only center of this, the epitome of a Provence village. The morning features not only a busy marché, but often a small artisan/clothing/ accessory market as well.
When you’re finished at the market, grab lunch in one of the many local bistros, because after lunch, when the market clears out, the charming streets are filled with even more great shopping! Dinner will be back the bastide.

THURSDAY, SEPT 12

 

One of our tour’s highlights is always the time we spend with woad dying specialist Denise Lambert, who almost single-handedly brought this ancient color back to life.

It’s no exaggeration to say that this is a transformative experience—most people end up running back to their room to find even more pieces to add to the dye vats!

After a chef-prepared luncheon, everyone will have a chance to create fuseaux de lavande, long-lasting lavender wands, made with dried lavender stalks and ribbon. These are perfect souvenirs and our instructor will bring plenty of extras which make perfect gifts, as they retain their lovely scent for years.

Chef-prepared dinner at the bastide.

FRIDAY, SEPT 13

 

A day of indulgence…One last day to enjoy the warmth and beauty of Provence, while being thoroughly pampered!

• Enjoy a facial, hand, or foot massage—or book yourself for all three
• Have a pedicure or maicure, or both

Get your hair done–wash and style

• Schedule a time slot to have your portrait taken in your favorite spot in the house or on the grounds.

• Create your own aromatherapy blend based on the scents of Provence

In keeping with the relaxed mood, it will be drinks and nibbles all day at the house, a chef-prepared lunch, and one final, farewell-to-Provence dinner!

Note: One massage, one nail treatment, and one aromatherapy blend are included. Additional services are available at cost.

Everyday Extraordinary Tour Package $5995.00

* Price for Provence Package only.  Single occupancy. Email us for double occupancy rates

How to Register for the Tour

1. Click on Register button below and fill out Registration form.

2. Download Provence Terms and Conditions from Registration form or Here

3. Read, sign and send signed Terms and Conditions to Deb at deb@debbarrett.com

4. Once, Deb receives your registration and T+C, she will send you a confirmation email with link to purchase the Provence deposit.

Provence Terms and Conditions  

As we get closer to our departure date, we’ll be sending you weekly email updates, tips and news as well as details to our pre-departure webinar.

Provence tour -3

8 days/7 nights in the heart of Provence. Our home base is an authentic Provencal Mas with all the amenities. (Super-convenient location and we’ve thoroughly vetted the property and love it!)

EVERYDAY EXTRAORDINARY TOUR INCLUDES:

  • A beautifully decorated retreat near one of France’s most beautiful villages in the heart of Provence. Our home away from home for this week features stunning views, wonderful indoor and outdoor living spaces, a heated pool, wi-fi, and so much more! Single occupancy. En-suite baths.
  • Pick-up and delivery from Avignon TGV.
  • Champagne welcome.
  • Daily Continental breakfast.
  • Breakfast, Lunches and dinners as noted on itinerary. Most dinners are cooked by our private chef at the Bastide.
  • Farewell Dinner.
  • Evening aperitifs each evening at our bastide while we review the day, compare notes, share stories, etc.
  • Explore the markets of Provence—the antiques at Isle sur la Sorgue plus Provençal delights at other local daily markets.
  • A guided tour to one of the only remaining producers of historic Indiennes—the colorful fabrics that are so closely identified with Provence.
  • All ground transportation to destinations and excursions.
  • Visit historic locations in Provence, perched hill villages, see stunning scenery –  as well as some secret spots and some special surprises.
  • Indulge your senses—scent, taste, sight and touch— with visits to renowned regional producers.
  • Assistance with shipping your treasures home to the U.S.
  • Entrance and guided tour fees to museums, workshops, attractions and festivals.
  • Carrieres Lumineres immersive art show
  • Guided wine and olive oil tastings.
  • Aromtheraphy Body Care making class
  • Fuseaux workshop
  • Private visits to textile dealers and collectors.
  • Exclusive Woad dyeing workshop at our bastide with a master dyer
  • Transfers to/from Avignon TGV
  • All transportation to venues, events included on itinerary
  • Pre-travel web session with Deb and Susan to preview locations, planning, travel details, our Provence faves and more.

Still have questions, we’ll put you in touch with one of our past tour members to chat? Contact us

What’s Not Included.

NOT INCLUDED ‐ Unless otherwise indicated the following costs are not included in your tour price: airfares, visas, passport costs, travel insurance, vaccinations & medical expenses, discretionary tipping or gratuities to leaders/guides, excess baggage, airport taxes, laundry, drinks, optional activities and trips, and any items of a personal nature.

* Travel costs from your departure city to Avignon, France are not included

*Any meals except breakfast at the house as noted; there are only 1-2 not included.

*Any admissions or fees as noted

*Any additional transportation fees outside of those listed

*Optional activities and related entry fees & transportation are not included

*Travel and cancellation insurance

*Personal expenses

*Tips for guides, staff, taxis, etc.

*All items of a personal nature, such as telephone calls, laundry, pay TV, hotel mini-bars, etc ?

*All private excursions not specified in the itinerary

*Any public transport, taxi, local bus, rail or flights not specified in the itinerary

*Wine, liquor, soft drinks, and any other items not specifically mentioned as included above and listed here.

Seats are limited. The group maxes out at 8 people to keep the low-key, non-tour approach.

Everyday Extraordinary Provence Package $5995.

*Price for Provence Package only.

Single Occupancy^

^ Traveling with someone- call us about double occupancy discounts

 

“This has been such an amazing combination of experiences and shared adventures in creativity. It gave me some much-needed time to regroup and gain some inspiration to move forward. I LOVED it all!”     Kathryn Dillon

“Oh, my gosh…if you have never been to Europe, start here. Everything is so organized, and Deb and Susan take care of everything for you. The house was perfect. The meals were divine. (and, by the way, most are included)…It was a wonderful trip. There was not one thing that I would have changed…other than maybe stay another week. Just do it. It will change your perspective…!”  Beth Hodges

Don’t take our word for it; several of our past tour members have blogged about their experiences. Here’s what they have to say…

Contact Deb if you have any questions.