Itinerary

Day One (Saturday)

Our travelers typically arrive at the Avignon TGV station or the Marseille Airport. (A "jet lag day" in Paris, Marseille or Avignon can be a real plus, though some travelers do arrive from the USA on this day.) We will meet you in Avignon or Marseille at designated times in the afternoon and drive you to Bonnieux.

You'll have a few hours at the B&B to unpack, clean up, rest, and explore. Our group will have an informal dinner at our favorite place in Bonnieux-a simple village café with views across the valley. You'll be warmly welcomed by the staff. A good night's sleep is especially important tonight!
Day Two (Sunday)

Today we'll really begin to experience the culture, history and beauty of the Luberon. This area is known for its lively and colorful outdoor markets, and today we'll be at one of the most famous: the Sunday morning market at L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. The town is beautiful-set on several branches of the River Sorgue. kind of a "Venice" in Provence. The Sunday market has hundreds of vendors selling fruit and vegetables, cheeses, sausages, olive oil, wine, flowers, fabrics, soaps, pottery, olive wood cutting boards-and so much more! This market is recognized throughout the world for its large emphasis on brocante (antiques and bric-a-brac). There are also over 30 permanent antique and second-hand shops in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. We will have an early breakfast at the B&B so you have a full morning to enjoy the market.

While you're shopping, we'll be busy too. buying a variety of delicious foods for a bountiful picnic lunch back at the B&B.

In the afternoon we'll travel to the Fôret de Cèdres on the crest of the Petit Luberon mountain above Bonnieux. From this vantage point you'll see much of the Luberon and fully appreciate its physical setting. From the forest road there are spectacular views to Bonnieux and the other Luberon villages below. On a clear day you can even see to the Mediterranean and the Alps, if the sky is particularly clear. There is the possibility of a short and easy optional hike to a southern viewpoint.

We'll enjoy dinner at a special restaurant in Bonnieux, widely recommended by food critics and visitors to the area.

Day Three (Monday)

Today we'll focus on getting to know the neighboring villages of Bonnieux and Lacoste, each perched on a hilltop and facing each other across a valley filled with vineyards and orchards. This is the area where our family lived for six months and where we return several times each year.

We begin the day near Bonnieux at the Pont Julien, a Roman bridge over 2000 years old. Charley will lead a walking tour around Bonnieux, the summer home of the Popes when they left Rome for Avignon in the 14th century. The church at the top of the village dates back to the 12th century. You'll see the old ramparts (village walls) and many impressive buildings several hundred years old. We'll take a break at the patisserie of Henri Tomas, a very friendly host. There will also be time to browse in the shops and galleries.

We'll enjoy lunch in the village or perhaps at the home of one of our local friends. In May and September, it should be warm enough to eat outside.

Some of the group will choose to leave early to walk across the valley to Lacoste-the walk takes about an hour. We'll meet up in Lacoste where Kathy will lead a walking tour of this small and beautiful village, including the ruins of the Marquis de Sade's castle (now owned by Pierre Cardin).

Tonight's dinner is at a unique and noted restaurant in the Luberon that's one of our family's favorites. The restaurant is located in the back of a butcher shop, and patrons select their own wine from a dusty wine cellar.

Day Four (Tuesday)

We'll spend most of today around the village of Gordes. Gordes enjoys a spectacular setting on the opposite side of the Calavon Valley and is designated one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Tuesday is market day in Gordes; although smaller than L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, this is still a substantial market and a good place to buy gifts. You may want to visit the chateau or the many shops. or just enjoy a coffee and people-watching at one of the cafes.

Lunch today is on your own; there are a variety of eating possibilities in Gordes and we'll provide information on a few of our favorites.

In the afternoon our group will travel a short distance to the Abbaye de Sènanque, a 12th century monastery that is still active today. Some members may choose to hike to the abbey, an hour's walk (mostly downhill) with unique views of the surrounding area and the abbey from above.

We'll travel back to the B&B a back way over the rocky and remote Vaucluse Plateau, sharing some areas and spectacular scenery that most tourists never discover.

Dinner tonight is a remote farm inn located a few miles from Sivergues, the highest village in the Luberon. We promise this will be an experience to remember!

Day Five (Wednesday)

Today is a free day to pursue an activity or destination of interest to you. Prior to each week, we'll suggest a couple of day trips-perhaps St. Remy and Arles or the fishing village of Cassis on the Mediterranean Sea-which provide an opportunity to explore another area of Provence outside the Luberon. We can also help develop itineraries for other day trips. (There is an additional charge for any day trips.)

Some travelers choose to spend this day more leisurely at the B&B or in the village of Bonnieux. This can be a day to sleep in, read a book, go for a walk, enjoy the swimming pool, shop, and have lunch in the village.

The hiking in the Luberon is fantastic and is one of our favorite activities. We can recommend a nearby hike or would also love to hike with some group members. We can develop or plan a hike based on the interests and abilities of those who are interested. There is no additional charge to join us on a hike.

Lunch and dinner today are on your own.


Day Six (Thursday)

Today is our "wine and food" day. We'll spend part of the day visiting a few of the 60+ wineries in the area. One stop will be the Château la Canorgue outside Bonnieux, built on the site of a former Roman villa and recognized as one of the premiere wines in the Luberon. (This was a major filming location for the upcoming film "A Good Year" with Russell Crowe.)

We'll visit three or four vineyards, sample various wines, and learn about the wine culture of this region. You can buy wine for consumption during the rest of the week or to carry back home. One of the wineries we'll visit has a large gift shop of wine accessories.

Lunch today is at another of our favorite local places-a busy and friendly café on the main square of Apt. Apt is the largest town in the Luberon, a town we really enjoy. The cathedral in the center of Apt houses treasured relics of St. Anne (the mother of the Virgin Mary), brought back from the Crusades.

Later in the afternoon-after some free time at our B&B-our group will travel to the beautiful home of our friend Janice on the plateau above Bonnieux for a cooking class and dinner. Janice will teach us how to prepare several local dishes, and we'll all have a chance to help with cooking. And later we'll enjoy the results of our work over a leisurely dinner, accompanied by a variety of local wine.


Day Seven (Friday)

Our last full day in the Luberon focuses on two more truly unique villages: Saignon and Roussillon.

We'll begin the morning with a short visit to the Friday morning market in Bonnieux, a small but very lively market on the Place Gambetta. After the market, we'll travel across the Claparèdes Plateau (a major location for lavender growing) to the village of Saignon, perched high on a rock overlooking Apt. Saignon is one of the oldest villages in France and a very special place for us. We'll have lunch at the café on the main square at the foot of a beautiful old fountain.

Our day concludes with a visit to the village of Roussillon, known for its multi-colored ochre cliffs and distinctive and colorful buildings. This is another base for artists in the area and there are several galleries and artisan pottery shops. You may also enjoy a short walk on the "ochre trail."

Our farewell dinner tonight is at a special and very intimate restaurant in the heart of Bonnieux.


Day Eight (Saturday)

We'll have a final breakfast together at the B&B and then say our "au revoirs." We provide transportation back to the Avignon TGV station and the Marseille Airport, where some will head home and others will make their way to more European adventures.

It's been a great week!

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