Week 2 - A Slow Week in Provence
September 3 – September 10, 2011

Our classic itinerary: Five wonderful days designed to give you a taste of Provence, from the postcard-worthy hilltop villages of Peter Mayle’s Lubéron to the imposing Palace of the Popes in Avignon. Wonderful Provençal markets, leisurely lunches in charming cafés and lots of time to browse in the towns and explore narrow village streets. We have slowed the pace, allowing for a later start to the day, and ensuring you have plenty of time to relax back at the house before enjoying a gourmet dinner with specially selected wines.

We will be staying at the Bastide Saint-Albergaty, a spacious and elegant home located in the heart of Provence near Avignon. The house is filled with paintings, antiques and books, but has the relaxed convivial feel of a family home.

The itinerary has been designed to give you overview five distinct areas of Provence, all within an hour’s drive from our lovely home:

Our week will include:

Ø        As with all O! France weeks, the Sunday Market in beautiful Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.

Ø       Nîmes, with its 2000 years of history, amazing Roman legacy and great shopping, and Avignon, home of the imposing and magnificent Pope's Palace.

Ø       The hilltop village of Gordes, designated one of the most beautiful villages in France and Orange with its Roman Theatre, decribed as the most impressive in Europe.

Ø      Les Baux de Provence, a village nestled atop a rocky plateau, preceded by a visit to the Cathédrale d’Images, a unique experience in the old bauxite quarries of les Baux.

Ø      A tour through the Châteauneuf du Pape vineyards where you might see pickers hard at work as it is harvest-time, and a visit and tasting at a Robert Parker-noted Côtes du Rhone winery.

This tour is limited to 12 guests and the cost will be $3100 - $3300 CAD per person, double occupancy, depending on the room. All rooms are beautifully furnished and have large floor to ceiling French windows overlooking the grounds.

Cost includes transfers from and to Avignon TGV train station, all transportation during the week, all breakfasts and dinners, LOTS of wine, entrance to attractions and many many extras.

Two of the five rooms have beds that can be divided into twin beds for singles willing to share, and there are two smaller rooms suitable for one person. These smaller rooms however are not available singly. They must be booked together with a larger room and the occupants of both rooms share a bathroom. This is great for three friends travelling together.

For more information, contact Helene or Jim:
Telephone: 905-842-2684
hbuisson@ofrance.ca