Tour Type: La vie en rose!
La vie en rose! This is what life in Provence is all about. This tour is an immersion in Provençal life - we will explore the famous Bandol and Cote de Provence wine regions, go behind the scenes at famous chateaux and taste their delicious wines, dine at Michelin-star restaurants and enjoy traditional Provençal meals at family-owned restaurants, travel off-the-beaten-path to visit some of the most beautiful towns and villages in the south of France, spend a leisurely day (or two) on the Cote d’Azur and the French Riviera exploring Monaco, Monte Carlo, Nice, Cannes and St Tropez, and hike in the picturesque Gorge du Verdon (the grand canyon of France). This tour will give you the time to really unwind and appreciate the wine, food and history of this beautiful part of the world! To get the most out of this tour, we recommend the 7-day Immersion Package or you can design your own Bespoke Tour.
Tour Type: l’amour du vin!
Its all about the wine! Wine making started in Provence more than 2600 years ago and, today, Provence boasts some of the finest wines in the world. From world-renowned Rosé wines to award-winning delicious reds and whites, wine is an essential part of Provençal life. We will visit some of the finest chateaux and wineries in the region, go behind the scenes to learn how wine is made and, of course, do wine tasting! Back at the Villa, we will relax by the pool and pair our wines with local cheeses and charcuterie. For this wine lover’s holiday, you can choose between the Weekend Getaway Package, the Four-Day Excursion Package or the 7-Day Immersion Package or you can simply design your own Bespoke Tour.
Tour Type: l’art et l’histoire!
Life imitates art in Provence! From the artist village of St Paul de Vence to the exquisite artisanal pottery of Salernes, this region is an art lover’s paradise. And then there is , of course, the history of this region that dates back to Roman times - from the grottes of Villecroze to the Roman town of Frejus, from the Basilica of MaryMagdalene at St Maximin (where she is said to be buried) to the ancient abbey of Le Thoronet, and from the medieval hill-top Templar towns and villages of the Var to the chateaux of the Counts of Provence - history and art comes alive in la belle Provence. For the art lover and history buff, this tour will rekindle the past and transport you to a world where dreams come true! There is so much to see, so we recommend the Four-Day Excursion Package or the 7-Day Immersion Package. Or, if you prefer, you can simply design your own Bespoke Tour.
Tour Type: Marchés de Provence!
The markets of Provence - this is where life’s simple pleasures abound! This tour is all about experiencing the food and culinary delights of Provence - a gastronomy festival of the senses, as each day we visit local farmers markets in quaint medieval hill-top villages and towns and return home laden with baskets of fresh produce and seasonal fruits and vegetables to create delightful meals as the sun sets on another joy-filled provençal day.
There is nothing quite like the aura of a Provençal farmers market - from the perfectly ripe tomatoes to the colorful bell peppers, from the freshly baked bread and mouthwatering selection of cheeses carefully perfected over many years to the fresh catch of fish and seafood at the local fishmonger, the focus is always on preserving tradition, quality and the art de vivre. For this moveable feast, choose either the Four Day Excursion Package or the 7-Day Immersion Package or, if you would like to combine it with other activities, design your own Bespoke Tour.
Design Your Own Bespoke Tour
There is so much to do in Provence and so much to see, you may just want to design your own bespoke tour. Besides the tour types described above, below are some of my other favorite things to do. Really, life is one big adventure in Provence! So don’t hold back! Combine activities that suit you and let us know how you want to spend your holiday in Provence and we’ll help you put it all together, in a specially-tailored tour package just for you.
My passion and my interest is all things provençal - the simple pleasures of life shared with family and friends in a place blessed with extraordinary beauty, culture, art and history - La Belle Provence! Come and experience it - you will not be disappointed!
Wine Making Lessons at a local Chateau
Come and learn French winemaking techniques at a working vineyard near Villa Soleil Rose! Enjoy tastings of local rosé, red and white wines and food and wine pairings. We will explore the vines, the terroir and winemaking process and go behind the scenes to get a hands-on learning experience about the best and latest techniques in wine growing and winemaking, including the art of blending.
Horseback riding through Vineyards and Wooded Trails
Wander through the vineyards and wooded trails of Provence on horseback and experience the region as it must have existed for over a thousand years! Lorgues and its neighboring towns and villages boast numerous stables that offer riding lessons and easy trail rides for beginners. For the experienced rider, there are jumping, dressage and eventing activities to improve your skill. Come discover the pleasure of horse riding in nature whilst enjoying the beautiful Provençal countryside!
Paragliding & Ballooning over the Gorge du Verdon
A picturesque 40 minutes drive north from Villa Soleil Rose lies the majestic and awe-inspiring Gorge du Verdon - the largest canyon in Europe. Come and experience the splendor of the Gorge du Verdon from the sky! Blessed with 300 days of sunshine per year, there is no better way to experience the beautiful landscape of Provence than from the air. See medieval hill-top villages, fields of lavender, graceful vineyards and olive groves and, on a clear day, the Mediterranean Sea to the south and the peaks of the Alpes to the north and east.