Enjoy the excitement, beauty and exhilaration Paris delivers, and then indulge in the Peaceful Tranquility and sun-soaked bounty of Provence. This is the perfect women's trip and is back by popular demand!
2 nights in Paris | 7 nights in Provence
Join us on a tour that combines all the excitement, beauty and exhilaration that Paris delivers, and the lovely, peaceful, and rich bounty offered in Provence.
Paris is known for its’ romanticism, fashion, food, art and culture and is one of the largest cities in Europe. Ernest Hemingway may have said it best, “Paris is so very beautiful that is satisfies something in you that is always hungry in America.”
Spend a few days in Paris exploring the sights, history and culture of this romantic city. Often referred to as the culinary capital of the world, it is also home to some of the world’s most beautiful monuments and art. We will visit some of the well-known places in Paris, but also explore places off the beaten path before heading to our southern villa in the more relaxed region of Provence for most of the trip.
Indulge in the casual and relaxed pace of Southern France from blue skies that give meaning to “French Blue”, olive trees, lavender, sunflowers, local wine and food that none surpass. Provence is filled with the views and vistas painted by dozens of renowned artists. Explore their stomping ground as well as the history and culture of the many villages of Provence. Immerse in the most famous French markets, filled with local produce and goods as well as the works of French artisans. Discover the magical arid landscapes and also its' culinary traditions, celebrated wines and rich history. Acres of peaceful countryside await your exploration.
Our home for the next eight nights is an enchanting property in the heart of Provence. Located just on the outskirts of Gordes, one of the most beautiful villages of France, the home sits on seven acres of privacy with sweeping views of the Luberon Mountains, and includes a swimming pool, pool house and tennis court. The property is located fifteen miles east of Avignon, and forty miles from the Mediterranean Sea.
Day 1 | Arrival in Paris with a free afternoon
Day 2 | Walking tour of St. Germain & dinner cruise
Day 3 | Paris to Avignon & Gordes
Day 4 | L’Isle Sur La Sorgue & The French Market
Day 5 | Avignon & Palace of the Popes
Day 6 | Cezanne & Aix En Provence
Day 7 | Arles & Les Baux De Provence
Day 8 | Lourmarin & winery
Day 9 | Cassis
Day 10 | Departure to Paris
Arrive independently to Paris Charles De Gaulle airport and private transfer to the elegant Hotel Mansart (or similar), located on the right bank, on the corner of the Place Vendome, in the heart of the high-end shopping district, and within a 10 minute walk to many must-sees.
After delivery of our bags and check in, we will visit Les Deux Magots (or similar) for lunch. This is an iconic brasserie in the St. Germain des Prés area of Paris, where the intellectual and literary elite of the city met in the 1800’s. We will have the afternoon at our leisure, and the options are endless. Visit the Catacombs, the Louvre, the Luxembourg Gardens, or shop til you drop! We may do a group tour - we’ll see.
Dinner is on your own tonight, and retire early to fend off jet lag and acclimate to the time change, but we’ll make reservations for the group if that is desired!
Lodging Tonight: Hotel Mansart (or similar).
Lunch is included.
*Pricing to be confirmed.
Credit Card payments are accepted with an additional 4% fee.
The arrival date is June 18 and departure date is June 28. A minimum of 6 and maximum of 7 clients.
There are many pre- or post-trip options to extend your stay. Extra days in Paris, visits to Versailles, or areas such as Eze or Nice are easy to arrange.
Register early for this trip, as only a limited number of spots are available, and there will likely be a waiting list.
All breakfasts provided beginning on Day 2; 5 lunches and 8 dinners are provided. Dinners in Provence provided by a local private chef. Beverages (featuring excellent local wines) are included.
Walking through villages with uneven footing, with hills and cobblestones. Clients must be able to walk at least two miles without assistance.
We design our excursions with a degree of flexibility to provide our clients with the best possible opportunity for exploring a particular destination. Therefore, our itineraries may change due to any factor, at our discretion. We will do our best to keep any changes to a minimum, and they would only be made to enhance your trip.
This morning we meet our guide in St. Germain des Prés and we’ll explore the area on a walking tour. This is actually a tasting tour as well, so we’ll visit a bakery, candle shop, patisserie, chocolatery and more. After our tour, lunch is on your own and you have a free afternoon to see whatever you like. You may want to travel up to Montmartre, see the Tour Eiffel, or stay and wander some more on the Left Bank.
This evening we have a treat in store - a Parisian welcome dinner cruise down the Seine on a bateau. Fabulous!
Lodging Tonight: Hotel Mansart (or similar).
Dinner is included.
We are up early today to meet our private transfer to the Paris train station.
We will arrive in Avignon in time for lunch! We’ll take a short ride up the hill to the village of Gordes, stopping at the most breathtaking viewpoint for the perfect photo before arriving in this hilltop village. Discover this picturesque town, with its unique local market and many restored homes. You’ll have lunch here on your own, and then on to the Lavender Museum. After that, we depart for our lovely Provencal villa, which will serve as home base for the rest of the trip so no packing and re-packing required!
Once introduced to your room, we will meet, outside on the terrace, overlooking the Luberon Valley and the mountains in the distance. Time to get acquainted while sipping local wine from one of the many surrounding vineyards. Our private Chef will provide dinner each night this week and always features local produce and authentic French cuisine! This is such a special time of day when long shadows cover the lavender fields and the Luberon Mountains fade to purple in the sunset. It is truly one of the most beautiful and peaceful vistas to behold.
Dinner included
L’lsle-sur-la-Sorge is sometimes called “The Venice of the South” for the many canals that run through the town and are actually tributaries of the Sorge River.
Sunday is Fun Day at the Most Famous Market in all of Provence, started in the 16th century: Off to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorge for an experience you likely have never had before. See the real deal in French antique markets! Le marche’ is filled with local vendors from all over the south of France. Taste local cheeses and meats, see French baskets of all shapes and sizes, peruse French antiques; fruits and vegetables (almost too stunning to eat!) as well as local crafts and goods fill row after row of colorful stalls. We will spend hours exploring the market and the side street shops.
Certain to work up an appetite, we’ll have many places to grab a quick bite or enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the many restaurants surrounding the market.
Lunch is on your own today, possibly at one of our favorites, Olive & Raisin.Then we will head back for R&R poolside or a walk along the hillsides near our villa “home” for those who still have energy to burn.
Imbibe in French wine poolside and dinner at the maison, as we will do each night this week.
Breakfast and dinner included.
Explore Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its Palais des Papes. You won’t forget the panoramic views of this walled city and the famous Pont d’Avignon. We’ll tour the palace and the city.
Enjoy a lunch at La Mirande or similar, and maybe a bit of shopping and exploration, before we spend the late afternoon poolside in the country. This day will be a feast for your eyes and tummy!
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
This morning we meet local artist, Jill Steenhuis, at Cezanne’s studio where she will introduce us to the artist and we will tour the atelier. Jill is an American who has lived and painted in Provence for over 20 years. We will have lunch at her charming home atop a hill, and see her amazing studio as well.
We leave her home to discover gorgeous Aix-en-Provence. We will spend the afternoon strolling along the stately Cours Mirabeau, the city’s main boulevard, and visit the city where Cezanne lived and painted. There are many quaint spots to enjoy a leisurely drink or purchase something from the market.
Aix is a wonderful, sophisticated city sometimes referred to as the "Paris of the South". It is famous for its many lovely fountains and cafes, set amidst gorgeous scenery.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Our morning commute will deliver us to the historic wonders of Arles. Follow in the footsteps of Van Gogh and admire the roman ruins on a guided walking tour. Arles is filled with roman and greek ruins and numerous sites of Van Gogh paintings. It is both beautiful and fascinating.
We are having lunch today at Le Bistrot du Paradou, a locally-adored institution with a daily fixed menu of traditional French cuisine and the most divine cheese tray you have ever seen! We plan to spend the late afternoon near Les Baux, at one of the most wonderful art shows you’ve ever seen. You won’t soon forget it! What a gorgeous day filled with historical ruins, delicious food and beautiful art.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Today we will explore one of the smaller towns of Luberon. We will spend the morning in the southern-most village, Lourmarin, home of the great writer, Albert Camus, and one of the most beautiful villages in France. It’s nestled in the middle of olive groves, vineyards and almond trees. With its’ winding streets, cafe terraces and restaurants, Lourmarin is a beautiful and fun spot to spend our morning.
After lunch we will head to the Domaine de la Citadelle (or similar) for a tour of the vineyard and a little tasting!
Breakfast and dinner included.
Today we have a special treat in store for you on your last day in Provence. We will be visiting the village of Cassis, a fishing seaport on the Mediterranean. Overlooked by it’s very own chateau, it’s known for its’ pebbly beaches and “calanques” which are limestone cliffs. You’ll see pastel buildings and sidewalk cafes, where you can indulge in the area’s white Cassis wine. Such a great day!
We will be back home by mid afternoon so that you have time to enjoy the pool or start packing before we share our last amazing dinner on our wonderful patio, looking out at the mountain vista.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
After an early breakfast, our driver will provide transportation to the airport in Paris.
Breakfast included.
We encourage you to arrive a day early, before your trip starts. Please note that this tour assumes arrival in Paris on May 23, and departure on the morning of June 1 for the airport in Paris. Private transportation will be provided to and from any train stations. Those who require alternative options please request and provide specific information. Additional fees may apply. Air travel tickets are not included. Your train tickets are included in the trip price.
We ask that you discuss your departure plans with us at the time of Registration to help with coordination of Day 10. We request that you no book return flights before 10:30 am on June 1, to give us time to arrive at the airport in Paris. If airline departure times necessitate an overnight stay on June 1 for an early morning departure on June 2, hotel reservations will be made for you at the Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Sheraton which is located inside the CDG airport and provides easy access to terminal gates. This may require an additional hotel fee.
We will send out recommended flights for all major airlines. There are additional options for those who may want to spend a few more days in Paris, visit Versailles or head off to Cote d’Azur sites, or Normandy are also easy to visit. Please inquire about “add-on” options if interested.
Read “The Nine” by Gwen Strauss
Read "A Year In Provence" and/or “My Twenty Five Years In Provence” by Peter Mayles
Watch "A Good Year" filmed in Bonnieux
Read “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah
Watch “At Eternity’s Gate” with Willem Dafoe, about Vincent Van Gogh
Watch “A French Village” on Amazon Prime
Read “Vincent & Theo” by Deborah Heiligman
Check out Sezane for some current french fashion!
Review Travel Tips from Galavant in your trip information
