Provence is a lot like your first kiss. Just visiting creates that
giddy excitement and longing for more. And just as it only takes
one intoxicating scent to transport you instantly to that exact moment, so too will the sweet smell of lavender forever bond you forever.
Fall in love again this spring.
MaY
17-24, 2008 - Cost: $4,200.00 per person
Double Occupancy, Exclusive of
Airfare and Car Rental*
*Optional
ground transportation available for price of $300.00
per person. Includes pickup and departure from Marseille
on designated days.
•
Nights Private Luxury Ensuite Lodging
•
All Meals & Unlimited Wine at Estate
•
Edouard Loubet 6 Course Tasting Menu
•
Chef Table Dinner La Mirande
•
Chez Bru 6 Course Tasting Menu
•
Illuminated Champagne Night Tour Avignon
•
Palais du Popes Tour
•
Private Wine Tastings
•
On Hands Cooking Lessons
•
Market Days, Aix, and St. Remy
TRAVEL ICONS
Eating Out
If Provence is the kiss, then the lunch with Edouard Loubet is true love.
Loubet is known for wonderfully inventive food that draws heavily on obscure ingredients such as rumex (also known as sorrel) and tétragone (New Zealand spinach). In his 12-acre garden, Loubet grows much of his own produce, such as the sunflowers he uses for his signature sunflower hearts with sweet vinaigrette, grated-potato fritters, and chanterelles. "I definitely take risks in the kitchen," he says. "At first I like to shock people by mixing flavors, but then I like to harmonize and balance. But the taste must be strong, pure, and clear.
Speaking of love, we know you will adore our Chef Table and dinner at the Le Mirande Hotel. Once a cardinal's palace, during Avignon's 14th-century tenure as the seat of Papal this beautifully restored 18th century kitchen, is the setting for a lively, fun and delicious highlight of this Provencal gourmet love affair.
Another magical gourmet experience extraordinaire awaits us at the legendary Chez Bru. The super tres
chic restaurant has been dazzling guests with the cuisine of this other Provence super star chef. Can it get any better?
Elegant and understated the interior serves as background for Wout Bru's inventive cuisine. Wout often uses vinaigrette and jus bases to keep his cooking light and full of flavor. A lavish multi-course tasting menu will leave your mouth watering for a long time.
We'll introduce you to our favorite local restaurants and artisans like ethereal chocolate maker Joel Durand and our friend Rox at Mas des Bories an olive mill where we can not only taste, but also buy our favorite selections. And we'll visit the vineyards and taste the area's finest wines.
Eating In
Known as the "cuisine of the sun," classic Provencal cooking is rich with olives, tomatoes, artichokes, eggplant, legumes, peppers, herbs and greens - all freshly plucked from the groves and gardens. Fresh goat cheese, fish and seafood reign in the markets along with succulent Alpilles lamb beautifully presented here with the scent of rosemary smoke.
For those passionate about the flavors of South France this Vagabond
Gourmet adventure celebrates the best of this colorful region. You will help choose the finest ingredients, and join in the kitchen for informal cooking lessons. Watch and learn as our chefs (and you) skillfully and magically create a Provencal feast before your eyes. Be it a traditional bouillabaisse, eggplant tian, or chocolate pot de crèmes you'll retrace the footsteps of a region rich in family heritage... and get a delicious taste of Provence every step of the way.
Exploring Provence
Provence is full of the nooks and crannies filled with art, antiques, and boutique shops in the many tiny villages and bustling towns that dot the landscape. The villages of Les Baux, St Remy and Aix are all an easy drive. If we need to satisfy a chocolate craving Joel Durand is only a few minutes away. Further down the roads are Aix en Provence, Marseille, or stay local and check out Gordes and the hill top villages of the Luberon.
Our guided champagne tour of Avignon will be a memorable as we tour the city lit up at night.
The local produce is colorful and fresh, and every day is Market Day in Provence. We'll visit nearby Aix en Provence which has one of the regions biggest and has been taking place for centuries. With over 350 stalls, you can easily pass the morning meandering the labyrinth of homegrown specialties, chatting with local artisans and soaking in this ultimate 'grocery shopping' experience.
Saint Remy is a lively village that captures the essence of the Provence experience, particularly when it comes to shopping. Most people fall in love with this little gem, and no visit to Provence would be complete without this side trip. St. Rémy is pretty and picturesque and also home to some very special artisan producers and gifted craftsmen. Wednesday is the best day to visit - especially when the fish market is plentiful.
Labeled as "one of the most beautiful villages in France" Les Baux has an exceptionally rich heritage of architectural treasures, like the remains of a medieval citadel which rises above the vale of Fontaine. Which is rather amazing considering that the village rests precariously upon a rocky perch.
Aix en Provence is the baroque treasure of Provence and was the capitol of Provence in the 15th century, Wealthy merchants and local dignitaries helped turn this city into the Florence of Provence as we know it today.
Home Sweet Home
What better way to savor the lively Mediterranean flavors than residing in our own private estate while enjoying a magical culinary adventure. Nestled in the heart of Provence this serene home away from home has the perfect location with a view of Eygalieres from the terrace, close to the villages of Les Baux, St Remy and Aix.
We'll treat you to relaxed tours of some of the area’s most remarkable and scenic destinations. But most importantly, you'll come home each night to a luxurious manor house with a relaxed feel. A place you can slip off your shoes and unwind, enjoy the endless views, a gourmet meal and laughter amongst friends.
The beautiful private garden estate has been restored in classic style with superb attention to detail. Everything is first class, from the luxurious bathrooms to the plush bedrooms. The main house has four ensuite bedrooms, a large country kitchen, dining room, and terraces that overlook the fruit groves and flowers. Two connected wings, one with two bedrooms and the other with a large one-bedroom apartment, look over the gardens and pool.
For wine lovers, our house is centrally located among the vineyards of the Cote de Rhone and the world famous Châteauneuf de Pape wines. We have several prestigious visits and tastings planned to various wineries in the region.
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Loubet is known for wonderfully inventive food that draws heavily on obscure ingredients such as rumex (also known as sorrel) and tétragone (New Zealand spinach). In his 12-acre garden, Loubet grows much of his own produce, such as the sunflowers he uses for his signature sunflower hearts with sweet vinaigrette, grated-potato fritters, and chanterelles. "I definitely take risks in the kitchen," he says. "At first I like to shock people by mixing flavors, but then I like to harmonize and balance. But the taste must be strong, pure, and clear. 
Elegant and understated the interior serves as background for Wout Bru's inventive cuisine. Wout often uses vinaigrette and jus bases to keep his cooking light and full of flavor. A lavish multi-course tasting menu will leave your mouth watering for a long time. 
Known as the "cuisine of the sun," classic Provencal cooking is rich with olives, tomatoes, artichokes, eggplant, legumes, peppers, herbs and greens - all freshly plucked from the groves and gardens. Fresh goat cheese, fish and seafood reign in the markets along with succulent Alpilles lamb beautifully presented here with the scent of rosemary smoke. 
The local produce is colorful and fresh, and every day is Market Day in Provence. We'll visit nearby Aix en Provence which has one of the regions biggest and has been taking place for centuries. With over 350 stalls, you can easily pass the morning meandering the labyrinth of homegrown specialties, chatting with local artisans and soaking in this ultimate 'grocery shopping' experience. 
What better way to savor the lively Mediterranean flavors than residing in our own private estate while enjoying a magical culinary adventure. Nestled in the heart of Provence this serene home away from home has the perfect location with a view of Eygalieres from the terrace, close to the villages of Les Baux, St Remy and Aix.
The beautiful private garden estate has been restored in classic style with superb attention to detail. Everything is first class, from the luxurious bathrooms to the plush bedrooms. The main house has four ensuite bedrooms, a large country kitchen, dining room, and terraces that overlook the fruit groves and flowers. Two connected wings, one with two bedrooms and the other with a large one-bedroom apartment, look over the gardens and pool. 
