Provence France Vacation 2024

Lavender I Truffles I Wine I Cuisine I Art I History
Imagine yourself staying in a 19^th century stone farmhouse in the south of France surrounded by fields of sunflowers, lavender and poppies. Join Le Chat Gourmet and Chef Denene Vincent on this unforgettable tour in Provence – from fields of lavender, private Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine tasting to truffle hunting in the Luberon, our vacation is designed to immerse you in the local history, culture, wine and cuisine through daily excursions to nearby historical sites, vineyards, markets and hands-on cooking classes creating regional cuisine – savouring
all things Provence. Small group size, maximum 8 persons guaranteed!

DATES
SOLD OUT! Saturday, June 1st – Friday, June 7th, 2024
2 Openings Saturday, June 8th – Friday, June 14th, 2024

COST
$3,995.00 per person, based on double occupancy
(we often have solo persons looking for a travel partner – please inquire)

Day 1

WELCOME TO PROVENCE FRANCE!
Late afternoon group transfer from the Avignon TGV train station to our private 1812 stone mill farmhouse in the heart of Provence with 5 spacious ensuite bedrooms with air conditioning, professional chef’s kitchen complete with French Lacanche stove and outside barbecue area. The property is located on 1½ acres of picturesque gardens that include a championship pétanque pitch, 43’x 16’ private swimming pool with pool house and surrounded by Provencal fields and villages. Welcome aperitif and hors d’oeuvre buffet, tour of farmhouse, time to enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool. Dinner at the farmhouse prepared by Chef Denene Vincent.

Day 2

PROVENCAL COOKING CLASS
French breakfast at the farmhouse of coffee, fruit juice, creamy French butter, farm fresh jam, yogurt, assorted fruit, toasted crusty baguettes & flaky croissants. Morning cooking class creating classic Provençal entrées and desserts, lemon lavender tart, daube de boeuf, palmier pastries, in the farmhouse’s professional kitchen, directly followed by lunch. Afternoon break to stroll in the gardens, enjoy a game of pentanque, swim or relax poolside under the Provencal sun. Late afternoon 3-course Provençal cooking class featuring roasted duck au poivre followed directly by dinner.

Day 3

PRIVATE WINE TOUR & PONT DU GARD
French breakfast at the farmhouse. Morning departure to visit France’s most famous ancient landmark the Pont du Gard, a 19 B.C. Roman built aqueduct bridge with three spectacular tiers of arches created to transport water to area villages. Gourmet old fashioned picnic lunch in a vineyard. After lunch we’ll visit Domaine la Barroche in Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a private cellar tour and wine tasting from vines over 100 years old! Followed by a visit to The Pope’s Castle, now a ruin built by Pope John XXII when in exile from Rome, which offers spectacular views across the Rhone river to Avignon and surrounding vineyards. Next we’ll meet with a Master Sommelier for our second Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine tasting located in a 13^th century vaulted cellar. Dinner at the farmhouse.

Day 4

MARKET DAY, OLIVE OIL TASTING & SANTONS
French breakfast at the farmhouse. Morning departure for market day in the village of Gordes with one of the most incredible hilltop views in all the Luberon. Wander ancient cobblestone streets as you explore the market filled with local artisans selling foie gras, jams, lavender products, honey, salamis, olives, cheese, herbs, spices, truffles, pottery, handmade soaps, Provencal table linens to original artwork. We’ll visit a Santon shop featuring the works of top local artists. Santon figures originate from Provence representing the colorful people & traditional trades of the region. After the market enjoy a private tour & tasting at an olive mill. Dinner at the farmhouse by Chef Vincent.

Day 5

TRUFFLE & LAVENDER ADVENTURE
French breakfast at the farmhouse. Morning departure for Truffle hunting in the Luberon. If you have read Peter Mayle’s book ‘A Year in Provence’ you know the location of truffles are a well guarded secret, for you to accompany a truffle hunter & his dog into the Luberon is a truly amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience! Along the way we’ll forage for wild mint, thyme, rosemary, fennel & arugula that we’ll use for cooking. After our truffle hunt we will return to a private farm for a truffle tasting & Provencal wine toast. No visit to Provence would be complete without taking in the beauty of rolling purple fields of lavender. We’ll end the day in Roussillon ranked one of ‘The Most Beautiful Villages of France’ a lovely village filled with art, quaint shops and famous magnificent ochre cliffs streaked with colors from bright yellows to the deep reds. Dinner at the farmhouse by Chef Denene Vincent.

Day 6

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF VAN GOGH
French breakfast at the farmhouse. Morning departure to the 14th century village of St. Remy de Provence where we will visit the birthplace of Nostradamus and even delight your taste buds with a chocolate tasting! Free time to wander the cobblestone streets exploring the picturesque squares, fountains and St. Martin church with its majestic pipe organ. Then it’s on to Saint Paul de Mausole Monastery where Van Gogh took refuge in 1889, inspired by the quality of light and beauty of the landscapes he produced 143 paintings and over 100 drawings within 53 weeks, creating many of his most famous works, ‘The Irises’, ‘Starry Night’ and ‘Vincent’s Room in Arles’. Our final stop, Carrières de Lumières, tucked inside a former quarry a magical art-based multimedia show will envelope you with images of famous paintings from ground to ceiling at heights of 45 feet all set to music. Evening 4-course dinner at the farmhouse prepared by Chef Vincent.

Day 7

TRUFFLE BREAKFAST
French ‘summer truffle’ breakfast at the mill farmhouse. Morning group transfer to Avignon TGV train station. Alas, your vacation & culinary experience with Le Chat Gourmet in Provence must draw to a close but never an end. You depart with new found friendships, wonderful memories and your cooking class recipes to recreate and reflect back on for a lifetime – Bon Cuisine!