Private and small group tours French Riviera and Provence

Europe

Private and Small Group Tours in South of France

Provence

Provence is famous for its lavender fields, its good wines of the Rhône region, its small villages and markets, and the warmth of its people. You will discover there a totally different part of France, very casual and friendly.

A good city to start your French Adventure in Provence is Avignon, being very central and only 3h from Paris by high speed train. From there, we can offer you different options for your discovery of this region:

See our popular 4 days in Provence package (min 2 people)

Private tours available from any part of Provence/guide and transport upon request. Customized itineraries and packages.

In Avignon we do offer also minivan tours from your hotel, central Avignon. These tours include your transfers,tickets entrance , an English speaking guide for the day, group limited to 8 persons:

Wine tour (4h): Villeneuve + Tavel + Chateauneuf du pape + Lirac (tasting included)

- Villages of Provence(4h): Oppéde + Roussillon + Gordes+Lavender museum .

Pont du Gard/the Romans ruins(4h): Between Uzés/ Nîmes and Pont du Gard .

Van gogh(4h): Between Arles and Saint Rémy.

Les Baux de Provence and Arles (4h).

Orange + Vaisons la romaine + vineyards(4h). .

Roman Art and Abbayes of Provence (4h)

Special night tour: Provencal dinner and Illuminations.

FULL DAY TOURS FROM AVIGNON:

Full day Lavender tour & villages of Luberon: from monday to friday, departure from your hotel in Avignon at 8am and return by 7PM. English speaking driver guide, minivan tour, will take you to the SAULT ( Ventoux area) lavender fields, visit of a lavender farm, create your own bouquets! visit of a lavender distillerie, to understand how they create the essence of lavender, Lunch on your own, (not included), afternoon visit the famous villages of LUBERON, Gordes & Roussillon, before returning to Avignon. Lavender is native to the Southern Alps, and different varieties grow wild throughout the Provence region. In the 16th century, the Provençal peasants produced lavender oil to heal wounds and expel intestinal worms. The true lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) that thrives in the chalky soils and hot, dry climate of higher altitudes of the Provence was picked systematically at the end of the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, fields of lavender were first planted, at altitudes above 700 m. Since the true lavender grows best at over 700 m, a hybrid, Lavandin, was developed for cultivation at lower altitudes.

Flowers and leaf-stalks can be dried for perfuming bed-linen and to keep moths away from your clothes. Lavender essence is used commercially in the perfume, soap and pharmaceutical industries. Dried lavender is is packaged in small cloth sacks and sold worldwide. Dried lavender is also used for cooking and for herbal cures. There is a strong cottage industry in the Beyond region of lavender products. The distillation is done in a steam alembic, with the dry lavender steamed in a double boiler. The essential oils are extracted from the lavender by the water vapor and are passed through the cooling coils of a retort. The condensation provides the final mixture of essence and water. A ton of dry lavender passes through the alembic in about 30 minutes. Lavandin produces from 25-40 kg of essence, and true lavender produces from 5-10 kg, but of a better quality.

LAVENDER FESTIVALS TOURS: departing from Avignon by coach every sundays in JULY and August. Full day festival of the lavender, visit of lavender fields, lavender-covered floats parade through town at sundown, with accompanying festivities and folklorique groups. You will be able also to buy products made by local artisans. It is a full day of festivities based on lavender. Included is your transport by coach from Avignon, and an english speaking guide, your lunch is not included, visits on your own.

Camargue: Full day to the saintes marie de la mer and Aigues mortes.

Marseille + Aix en Provence + Cezanne workshop + Sainte victoire:

Canyon of Verdon + Moustiers Sainte Marie (Provencal stoneware):

Saint Tropez and the Riviera coast: (From saint tropez to Cannes).

Full riviera tour: Saint Tropez + Nice + Monaco + Eze. ** Minimum of 2 persons required for tour departure.

OUR BEST SELECTIONS OF HOTELS IN AVIGNON CENTRAL:

Hotel d'Europe 4-star:

Hotel La Mirande 4 star:

Near AVIGNON, We offer a Balloon flight package in Gordes in the accommodations and others.

La Bastide in Gordes:

Castle UNANG: near Gordes and les Baux de Provence:

MINIVANS TOURS AND GUIDED PRIVATE TOURS AVAILABLE ALSO FROM AIX EN PROVENCE. CONTACT US FOR DETAILS PLEASE.

IN PROVENCE MANY ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE, NEAR DARGUIGAN:

Canoe/Kayak on the river Argens.

4x4 discovery of the Provence/Vars country.

Example of a full day Adventure in Provence: Half day safari 4X4 , picnic (bring your own) near the river Argens, then afternoon Canoe/Kayak . Full day with a guide. Minimum of 3 persons for tour departure.

Ask us about our great listing of Prestige chambres d'hôtes , luxurious Bed & breakfasts , private castles in Provence. Here are some examples:

Near Carprentras & Chateauneuf du Pape, private castle, property of the Marquis Grille l'Estoublen

Domaine Moulin near Tavel, private property

Near Aix en Provence, private Castle of Vermousse

Near Avignon, Private castle Vernéde

Near Aix en Provence, this wonderful private bastide

Private castle in UZES

Private castle near Saint remy de Provence:

We added many tours in Provence: antique buying services, cooking & painting lessons, new private tours, lavender fields tours, great new packages for just a week end or a week in Provence, convenient minivan tours from Aix en Provence or from Avignon are available now...

All these properties are not hotels, but prestigious bed & breakfasts, please e-mail us for information.

Please specify number of people and your first and alternate dates.

Private tours

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