Provence Luxury Private Wine Tour

Your private English-speaking chauffeur and luxury Mercedes will collect you in Nice this morning, and then it’s just a 20-minute drive to your first private wine tour and tasting at the captivating Château de Bellet. Built around the stunning family Chapel, it draws well-deserved attention with its elegant white stone from La Turbie. Its beauty and location alone continue to attract royalty and celebrities, as they have for many years. This is before even mentioning their truly spectacular wines. After a private tour of the beautiful grounds, vines, and installations, you will sample and savor the sumptuous wines.

Next, head to the beautiful hills for lunch at Le Saint-Martin. And what a picture awaits you here: panoramic views over the countryside and the sparkling sea of the Côte d’Azur. Sit back, relax, and enjoy Chef Romain Antoine’s refined Mediterranean cooking, shaped around local and seasonal produce.

After lunch, enjoy some free time for shopping and strolling in the darling artist hamlet of St. Paul de Vence. This magnificently preserved medieval hamlet is brimming with art galleries and quirky boutiques.

Then, on to your sumptuous accommodations, Château de Berne; this blissful retreat is the perfect base to discover the surrounding area. The delightful Château is lost among vines and trees, providing an idyllic haven. Enjoy!

After a relaxing breakfast, looking out to the immaculate olive tree-lined vineyards, you will visit the on-site winery. Taste their finest, including reds and whites, as well as the renowned rosé, shortly followed by another few sips at nearby Domaine Rabiega. Here you will experience some of the best examples of Provençal reds, real finesse in a bottle.

Your private visit will include a stroll around the stunning grounds, a more homely experience in contrast to the opulent châteaux — the true Provençal experience.

Next is lunch at Le Relais des Moines, boasting fabulous views, pretty gardens, terraces, and a delightful dining area within a 16th-century stone house, setting the scene for an out-of-this-world lunch. Husband and wife Sébastien and Géraldine Sanjou lead the team, preparing impeccable, sophisticated works of art on the plate and delivering a divine yet subtle experience on the palate—an outstanding presentation of local cuisine.

Then, after lunch, you will have time to make the most of the fantastic facilities at your luxury Chateau Hotel. Be sure to check out the on-site spa and wellness treatments, including Oenotherapy, Cinq Mondes, and Vinésim. If you’re feeling energetic, why not explore the estate’s 1,272-acre grounds by electric bike?

A change of air today, as you will drive a little over an hour west to charmingly beautiful Aix-en-Provence. You will be immersed in the Provençal way of life with your dynamic host and Chef Gilles. Your Provence Gourmet Day experience will begin at the market, where you’ll enjoy selecting the best seasonal ingredients for today’s menu. En route to Gilles’ fabulous 12-acre property, he will introduce you to his favorite local château and cheese farm, where you’ll pick up essentials for your feast. Back at the estate, after touring the beautiful home, gardens, and “Garigue,” you will prepare a typical family-cooked lunch under Gilles’ guidance. Then, sit back and enjoy your efforts in style with your gregarious host.

Some free time follows to make the most of the great shops in Aix. When open for the season, you might also like to visit Cézanne’s art studio before a private tour and tasting at Château La Coste in the late afternoon.

This bewildering wine estate, come art gallery, come architectural phenomenon, is owned by Irish businessman and art collector Patrick “Paddy” McKillen, who acquired La Coste in 2004 and, with the help of leading architects and artists, transformed the property into a unique art and wine destination.

After the tour and tasting, your chauffeur will drive you about an hour north to your next abode, the delightful Hotel Mas des Herbes Blanches. Opened in 1974 and recently renovated, this stunning property is located on the hillside below the striking town of Gordes. After check-in, settle in and freshen up before dinner tonight at its gastronomic, elegant on-site restaurant.

Today is dedicated to sightseeing and photography, so don’t forget your camera! In addition to the spectacular countryside and vineyards across Provence, the dreamy Luberon region is home to dramatic ‘perched’ hilltop villages, with the breathtakingly beautiful Gordes at the top of the ‘must-see’ list. Gordes is striking to admire from a distance and equally fascinating to explore from within, with its meandering cobblestoned alleyways brimming with cafés and art galleries, and a dramatic castle and church dominating the views.

Then, it’s on to Notre-Dame de Sénanque Abbey, a Cistercian monastery dating from 1148. You can visit the grounds and, when the lavender is in bloom, it is here that the quintessential photograph can be taken.

By now, you will have undoubtedly worked up an appetite, and lunch today is at Michelin-starred La Bastide at Capelongue near Bonnieux. Another blow-away panoramic view awaits you. Chef Noël Bérard’s cooking is rooted in the Luberon and shaped by seasonal local produce.

After lunch, enjoy free time to visit the pretty village of Roussillon, wander around, and explore art galleries and charming shops while taking in the impressive views. In contrast to the white stone of Gordes, Roussillon is full of color, thanks to its location near one of the world’s largest ochre deposits.

Return to your charming hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy a free evening to make the most of the facilities and the fabulous setting.

Incredibly, despite the vast quantities of olive trees in this part of the country, France produces only a tiny fraction of the world’s olive oil. This is not to say the quality is lesser—quite the contrary. Connoisseurs describe Provençal olive oils like they do fine wines; these olive oils are considered luxury products, while Spanish and Italian oils are more commonly used for everyday consumption.

This morning, you will have the opportunity to decide for yourself at Moulin du Calanquet. This family-run estate, now in its fifth generation, produces a fabulous range of oils. Next, a 20-minute drive takes you to the glorious Château Romanin, which applies biodynamic viticultural practices and boasts an optimum microclimate. As you will discover, the finished products are fantastic examples of what can be achieved organically and show great finesse.

Next, you’ll head to St Rémy de Provence, where you will have lunch on your own, guided by our tips, followed by free time to explore. This picturesque town is where Van Gogh painted Starry Night and is a charming place to wander around and soak up the Provençal ambiance.

Then, before heading to your fabulous countryside hotel, finish the day with a tour and tasting at Mas de la Dame. This organically certified estate produces excellent red, white, and rosé wines. Caroline Missoffe and Anne Poniatowski are the proud owners of this female-led gem.

Once checked into your hotel, you will have a free early evening to enjoy the world-class spa before a gourmet dinner at L’Oustau de Baumanière. This three-Michelin-starred restaurant is where Head Chef Glenn Viel concocts spectacular dishes, all inspiring, ever-evolving, yet true to tradition. Bon appétit!

This morning, enjoy a leisurely stroll around the quaint hamlet of Les Baux de Provence before heading on to Avignon. Enjoy a private guided walking tour in Avignon, showcasing the best of this fascinating, heritage-rich city. Highlights include the Pope’s Palace, the city gardens, and medieval city walls, culminating with a glass of wine overlooking the Pont d’Avignon.

Next, enjoy a delightful lunch at La Mirande, where Chef Michele Donvito’s menu is rooted in the flavors of the Vaucluse.

After lunch, take advantage of some free time for shopping, and then, on your way back to the hotel, you will stop at the heavenly Château d’Estoublon, the most idyllic setting for a late afternoon wine tasting, and stroll around its stunning grounds.

Today will be dedicated to sightseeing, starting with a leisurely breakfast. Your chauffeur will drive you for a short 25 minutes to nearby Arles, a city UNESCO listed in 1981 for its remarkable Roman monuments, including the amphitheater, baths, and remains of the Roman circus. However, it wasn’t just the Romans who left their mark; the Renaissance period was also very fruitful in Arles, with many of today’s stunning public buildings erected during that time. Arles also inspired Vincent Van Gogh, and there are many tributes to him around the city.

Lunch will follow at La Chassagnette, whose kitchen garden is just a few meters away from the kitchen door, where most vegetables and fruits are organically grown and picked at optimum ripeness moments before being served. Head Chef Armand Arnal’s six-course menus follow the rhythm of the garden and the day’s harvest, offering a genuinely inspirational culinary experience.

You will then spend the afternoon in Roman Nîmes, visiting its impressive arena, which once seated tens of thousands for gladiator fights and is now used as a bullring and for the annual Roman games. For a modern contrast, Nîmes also houses the Carré d’Art, designed by British architect Norman Foster, home to the Musée d’Art Contemporain, which has a notable collection of French and Western European contemporary art. Other highlights include the Maison Carrée, a splendid limestone temple dating back to around 5 AD, and the striking Eglise St-Baudille, a neo-Gothic-style church.

Then, enjoy a free evening to make the most of your last night at this fabulous resort.

After a last breakfast at your supremely romantic hotel, carry on to your next port of call (Marseille or Nice airport). Bon voyage!