September 14-21
New Week Added!
Decor Tours in Provence: September 2024.
SATURDAY, SEPT 14
We’re thrilled to welcome you to our beautiful bastide!
We’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 your time in Provence!
A chef-prepared dinner on the terrasse will be the perfect ending to your first day in Provence.
SUNDAY, SEPT 15
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 16
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 17
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 18
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 19
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 20
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 manicure, 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.
What’s included
• Seven nights at our private bastide
Relaxed luxury, Provençal-style. Rates are for single occupancy; all with private bathrooms. Please note: we have only SIX bedrooms available, although some of these are shareable, if you want to travel with a friend. There is no discount for sharing a room.
• Local transportation while in Provence
Airfare is not included, nor is your transportation from your arrival airport to Provence, but we’ve taken care of everything else. We recommend flying into Paris and taking the TGV to Avignon, but if you happen to already be in Europe, let us know and we’ll assist with planning.
We will pick you up from the Avignon TGV station, bring you to the bastide, and we’ll handle all daily transportation from then on. At the end of our time together, we’ll bring you back to the Avignon TGV to start your journey home, or to your next destination!
• Meals
With the exception of a few lunches, as noted in the itinerary, all meals are included. Many meals will be prepared by local chefs, plus there will be a fully stocked refrigerator for breakfasts and snacks, beverages including wine, water, coffee, tea, and some regional favorites. Let us know what you’d like to have on hand, and we’ll be sure to include that in the pantry.
• Entry fees and passes
All fees for any events listed in the itinerary are included, with the exception of at cost surcharges for additional services booked on Friday.
• Expertise
We’ve been bringing groups of designers to Provence for 10+ years. We have relationships in place and plenty of favorite spots and recommendations to share. That said, we’re always discovering something new and this tour includes several of these new finds as well!
Cost: $5,995
This price is for single occupancy.
Double occupancy option available, please contact us if interested.