This culinary journey during lavender season in Provence takes you into the blooming heart of southern France. Hosted by our Provence-born CEO Mikael Audebert and Executive Chef Kevin Fonzo, you’ll stay in a luxury villa, learn to cook Provençal dishes on an 18th-century farm with Chef Paul, cruise through the dramatic Gorges du Verdon, and meander through a sea of purple on a Provence lavender fields tour. Satisfy your palate with meals at Michelin-starred restaurants and private wine tastings in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Cassis. It’s an adventure of lavender haze, wine, and food in Provence not to miss.
• Arrive at your luxury villa in the Provençal countryside.
• Settle in, stretch out by the pool, and let the travel wear off.
• Join your host for apéritifs on the patio — expect rosé, olives, and maybe a few surprises.
• Dinner is classic Provence: Chef Kevin, your host, will prepare a feast at the villa paired with wines from the region.
• The day starts with a two-hour private walking tour of Avignon, including the UNESCO-listed Pope's Palace — one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe.
• Lunch is served at a top Michelin-starred restaurant in Avignon.
• In the afternoon, treasure hunt in the antique markets of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, where the canals do their best impression of Venice.
• Back at the villa, there’s time for a swim or something cold in a glass before dinner.
• Chef Kevin is in the kitchen again tonight, turning local ingredients into another relaxed Provençal feast.
• Spend the day at an 18th-century farm, joining Chef Paul for a hands-on cooking class using seasonal, local ingredients.
• Enjoy the results over a long lunch beneath the pines, with views of lavender and olive groves.
• Return to the villa for downtime.
• In the evening, dinner is served at the restaurant at Château d’Estoublon — a vineyard established in 1489 — paired with wines from the estate.
• Explore the famed lavender fields of the Plateau de Valensole in full bloom.
• Enjoy a private boat cruise through the Gorges du Verdon — a dramatic limestone canyon which the turquoise Verdon River snakes through.
• Lunch is a perfect picnic on the banks of the Verdon River.
• On the way back to the villa in the afternoon, we meander through Provence’s lavender fields and stop by our favorite butcher for ingredients for tonight’s feast, which is prepared by Chef Kevin.
• Spend the day tasting some of the best wines in Provence, starting in the Gigondas and Vacqueyras wine regions.
• Lunch is at our favorite Michelin-starred restaurant — L’Oustalet in Gigondas.
• In the afternoon, enjoy a private wine tasting at Château La Nerthe in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
• Back at the villa, dinner is paired with bottles from the Gigondas wine region.
• Wander the elegant streets of Aix-en-Provence — Provence’s old capital and our CEO and your host, Mikael’s hometown.
• After lunch at your leisure, choose your own pace: head back to the villa or join an optional detour to Les Baux de Provence
• Tonight’s dinner at the villa is relaxed, with bottles from local vineyards making a second appearance.
• Spend your last day in Provence your way — our travel concierge and hosts are happy to arrange anything from a stroll through Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (where you can follow the Van Gogh Route) to a visit to Arles and its Roman ruins.
• For lunch, we gather at one of our favorite Michelin-starred restaurants in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where Chef Fanny Rey delivers a farewell feast to remember.
• The afternoon is yours; the villa pool may prove irresistible.
• Dinner is relaxed and villa-side, prepared by Chef Kevin.
Why stop now? Your Art In Voyage travel concierge and host can tailor luxury tours beyond Provence — from vineyard-hopping in Burgundy and Champagne to lazy French Riviera days or a stylish Parisian finale. Just say the word, and we’ll design your perfect extension. If it’s time to head home, your luxury airport transfer will be ready when you are.
“Art In Voyage provides the ultimate in travel experiences! Our week in Provence was exceptional: The villa was exquisite; Kevin, our chef, provided hors d’oevres, food and wine that were outstanding, the tour of Avignon educational and fun, wandering the streets of Aix was delightful, and lunches at Michelin-starred restaurants were unbelievable treats for taste buds and eyes. Mikael sees to every tiny detail to make his trips perfect, including providing the perfect blend of relaxation and fun adventure. This was my 2nd trip with AiV and I’m already planning a trip for next year with Mikael and Kevin! Thanks so much for making the week a 5-Star experience, Mikael, Kevin, and staff!”
“My husband & I traveled the world on our own during our young years. As we move forward in the very best years of Roberta & Bill, Art In Voyage will be a permanent joy in our life. We cannot share enough accolades about the incredible experience with Mikael & Kevin in Provence, France recently. Not one detail was overlooked! I do not make my statement lightly: their expertisé and sincere care working with our group of travelers brought out the very best qualities of humans: We learned, we were inquisitive, and more importantly, as a group, we became friends! This is what traveling the world is all about… this is what keeps our Blue Marble spinning… Art In Travel! Thank you, see you in Venice, September 2025!”
After meeting Mikael in 2019 during our AIV trip to Umbria, I knew I wanted to go to his homeland via the Taste of Provence journey. The trip was a perfect mix of wineries, Michelin restaurants, cooking with a chef on his farm, boating in a canyon lake, smelling the lavender, seeing the gorgeous countryside that inspired Van Gogh and Cezanne, and resting in the prettiest villa I’ve ever seen. We were pampered 24/7 – Mikael anticipated every need and took care of us while Kevin cooked the best French dishes every night. What I especially appreciate about AIV journeys is I don’t have to think, plan or worry – all I do is have fun and relax and enjoy the people I’m with (including Mikael and Kevin). Thank you to the entire AIV team for exceeding my expectations again – it was truly a trip of a lifetime. You’re the best!
The trip exceeded our expectations, the attention to detail was exemplary. Mikael and Kevin constantly made sure our wants and needs were taken care of. The dinners at the villa by Kevin were excellent and our and lunches at Michelin star restaurants were outstanding. The wine tastings the villa the views all were first class, we have already signed up for another trip in 2023.
Our day-to-day itinerary may, from time to time and prior to departure, need to be altered or slightly modified to address possible unforeseen logistical and weather challenges. In such rare instances, Art In Voyage guarantees delivery of the content of the itinerary yet, in a different order.
All listed retreats (hotels, villas, and barges) are, at times, subject to changes. In such rare instances, similar or higher standards will be upheld.
Travel insurance, once purchased, goes into effect upon payment of the premium. You have 15 days from that date to cancel it (providing no claims have been filed or initiated during that period). Beyond 15 days, it becomes non-refundable/non-changeable/non-transferrable.
In case of a cancelation at more than 90 days prior to departure, your deposit will be returned minus a $750 per person administrative fee.
In case of a cancelation within the penalty period: Find a replacement at least 30 days prior to departure and your journey will be fully refunded, minus a $750 per person administrative fee.
