The Charming Villages of Provence

This morning, we'll make our way from Paris to Provence by train - a lovely, 3-hour journey through the French countryside. Please read the FAQ on this page about your arrival options. 

If you've opted to arrive early, as most people do, you'll already be in Paris. A Girls' Guide representative will escort you to the Gare de Lyon station and onto first-class seats aboard our train to Avignon around 9:40 am.

If you're arriving by plane today, there's a train station at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Direct trains from CDG to Avignon depart almost every hour. We'll ensure you get on the right one!

In Avignon, our driver will pick us up at the train station. It's a 30-minute drive to the 4-star La Régalido Villa and Spa hotel in Fontvieille, our home for the week. Check in, unpack, and relax. We'd also be happy to help you make a spa appointment to help alleviate jet lag.

We'll have a welcome drink at 6:30 pm, followed by dinner at the hotel's restaurant, where our trip leader will review the week's plans and we'll toast to the adventure ahead.

Today, after breakfast, we’ll stroll through the lively Lourmarin Market, where you’ll have time to explore charming shops and perhaps find a unique keepsake or local delicacy. 

We'll then make our way to Aix-en-Provence, where you’ll have free time to enjoy lunch on your own at one of the many delightful eateries. Back as a group around 2:30 pm, our guide will show us around the quaint old town and the iconic Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur.

In the late afternoon, we’ll head to Cadenet to meet our truffle-hunting companions. On a picturesque Provençal farm, we’ll dive into the world of truffles, guided by experts and their well-trained dogs. The experience will end with a delicious truffle tasting by the family pool, complete with champagne, Charcuterie, fruit, cheese, & vegetables.

After this uniquely local experience, we’ll return to the hotel ready to unwind for the evening. If you're still hungry, there are two lovely eateries just a short walk from our hotel: a Chinese place and a casual French place.

We'll start our morning with a relaxed breakfast before heading over to Eygalieres, a lesser-known but beautifully charming village nearby. Here, we'll meet Jane Satow, to shop for ingredients in a local market for our hands-on cooking workshop. 

With our market goodies in tow, we'll make our way to the charming St. Remy, where we’ll discover the secrets of Provençal flavors at Cuisine Provençale. Once we’ve cooked to our heart's content, we’ll savor our creations over a shared lunch.

Take a bit of time to shop in lovely St. Remy in the afternoon, and we’ll take a thoughtful stroll through St. Paul de Mausole, the former asylum where Van Gogh found solace and inspiration. 

A short drive brings us back to the hotel, where you can freshen up for dinner at Chez Paulette and toast to another fabulous day in Provence! 

Today, we’ll journey into the Luberon, beginning with a visit to the vibrant Uzès market, where you can explore the local stalls and lively atmosphere. 

Then we'll meet up with our luxe tour guide, Sian Bell, for a guided stroll as she shares local insights into this ancient market town.

Lunch will be at Villa Curti, known for its fresh organic food and wines. It's time for us to relax and enjoy the region's flavors before exploring the town on our own.

Our next destination is Pont du Gard, a remarkable example of Roman engineering in France. This grand aqueduct, constructed in the 1st century AD, is the tallest Roman aqueduct bridge in the world, standing 160 feet tall.

After some time to relax back at the hotel, let's round out this wonderful day with dinner at Le Bistrot du Paradou, a Michelin-recommended bistro that's well-loved by locals.

After breakfast, we’ll start our morning with a captivating light show at the Quarries, immersing ourselves in an unforgettable display of colors and sounds. 

We’ll then make our way to the heart of Fontvieille for a leisurely, indulgent lunch at Le Bistrot des Canisses.

Afterward, we’ll visit the olive oil mill, Le Moulin de la Coquille, in the heart of the Vallée des Baux. Known for its award-winning, extra-virgin olive oil crafted from five distinct olive varieties, this mill produces oil within 24 hours of harvest to capture its rich, green-fruit flavor. 

We've scheduled a few hours of downtime this evening, so you can indulge in a spa treatment at the hotel if you'd like.

Around 6:30 pm, we’ll unwind with a meal at the airy Bistrot Saint Roch, a former farmhouse in the heart of a nearby village serving a carefully curated menu of local classics. What a perfect way to end our day. 

Today, we’re off to explore the historic cities of Tarascon and Arles. Tarascon is a charming medieval town set on the banks of the Rhône River in Provence. We'll stroll through old town and tour the Souleiado House, a haven for textile lovers, before continuing to Arles.

Once in town, we’ll gather at Mas de Valeriole for a charming picnic paired with a wine tasting, allowing us to savor the region’s best organic wine production in a breezy garden. Afterward, a local guide from Arles will take us on a tour of the town, focusing on the Roman arenas and Van Gogh's life. 

This evening, we’ll cap off our fun-filled day with a memorable farewell dinner at the elegant Château Estoublon, a perfect setting to toast to our Provençal journey together.

Our final morning begins with breakfast and a chance to share photos, stories, and the friendships we've made over these wonderful days. 

We’ll then transfer as a group to the train station, ready for a smooth train ride into Paris around noon. For easy connections, please schedule any flights home or onward plans after 4:00 pm.

If you’d prefer to fly back from Marseille, we’re happy to arrange this option for you at an additional cost.

Bid France a fond au revoir—until your next adventure!