Provence Wine & Gastronomy Tour: Fine Wine, Food & Culture

Day 1

Arrival in Provence – Settle Into Artistic Luxury

Where You’ll Stay

Villa La Coste at Château La Coste

Set amid a private 600-acre vineyard estate in the Luberon Valley, Villa La Coste is the anchor of your entire Provençal journey. This 5-star palace hotel is the epitome of refined, artful luxury in the South of France, offering discreet opulence and curated experiences that begin the moment you arrive. Tucked between Aix-en-Provence and the charming villages of Lourmarin, Bonnieux, and Gordes, Villa La Coste is at the very heart of Provence. Within easy driving distance to both the Rhône Valley and the Alpilles wine regions, this central location ensures that each day of your culinary adventure begins and ends with ease.

Every inch of Villa La Coste celebrates minimalism with meaning. Designed in harmony with its vineyard surroundings, the hotel fuses contemporary Provençal architecture with an impressive collection of contemporary art and sculpture. Glass and soft stone palettes are punctuated by curated pieces from the likes of Louise Bourgeois, Tadao Ando, and Tracey Emin. Each of the 28 Villa Suites is a sanctuary of space and natural light. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows open onto private terraces, some with plunge pools, all with unspoiled views of the surrounding vines and olive groves.

Expect king-size beds with hand-stitched linen, spa-style marble bathrooms with heated floors and soaking tubs, personal libraries, original artwork, and walk-in wardrobes, and seamless indoor-outdoor living, framed by lavender-filled gardens and stone courtyards. Your home in Provence is where you’ll settle into a rhythm of life that moves to the sound of corks pulling and Provençal light pouring through every window.

Midday

Your Provençal escape begins the moment your private transfer departs from Marseille Provence Airport or Avignon TGV Station. As the landscape of golden sunflowers turning their heads toward the light and the olive groves fanning out over clay-red hills unfurl, you sense the rhythm of this sun-drenched region pulling you in. Just a short drive from the historic city of Aix-en-Provence lies your destination: Villa La Coste, a five-star retreat nestled within the iconic Château La Coste estate.

Your arrival feels more like a homecoming than a check-in. A warm welcome awaits at the reception, where glass walls frame a sea of vineyards and sculptures glinting in the distance. You’re escorted to your private villa suite; a masterpiece of modern Provençal design. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with sunlight. Stone walls and pale oak are softened by linens in earthy tones, while curated artworks lend the room an air of gallery-like calm. From your terrace, the view stretches toward the Luberon hills, where vineyards ripple in rows and the scent of pine drifts on the mistral.

A light welcome lunch is served al fresco on your patio. Imagine a rustic board of warm fougasse, creamy Banon goat cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves, ripe figs, and sun-drenched tomatoes drizzled with estate-pressed olive oil. 

Afternoon

Take the afternoon to gently ease into the pleasures of Provence. A private guide leads you through the Château La Coste Art & Architecture Walk, a curated journey through vineyards dotted with contemporary works by the likes of Louise Bourgeois, Tadao Ando, and Ai Weiwei. Each sculpture seems to rise organically from the earth as it is unexpected, contemplative, yet in perfect harmony with the landscape.

Pause at the hilltop pavilion where panoramic views stretch across the vines. There, you’ll sample a flight of wines, including their bold Grenache-Syrah blend and a delicate white Vermentino that captures the minerality of the limestone-rich terroir. The sommelier offers insight into the varietals and the story of this estate and its commitment to biodynamic practices, its artistic vision, and its reputation as one of the most luxurious wine destinations in Provence.

Evening

As twilight folds over the vines, return to the villa for a moment of stillness. A warm bath drawn with lavender salts awaits, as cicadas hum their evening song outside your suite. When ready, step into the jewel of the estate: Hélène Darroze at Villa La Coste.

At the heart of Château La Coste, within the sleek glass-walled pavilion designed by Jean Nouvel, lies Hélène Darroze’s signature restaurant, a Michelin-starred culinary refuge set in the rhythm of Provence. Chef Hélène Darroze brings more than six Michelin stars across her global establishments; her latest ambition is rooted in her passion for Provençal produce. In this setting, she casts vegetables as protagonists, supported by thoughtful meat and fish accents, embracing what she calls “the cuisine of women”: seasonal and deeply honest.

The signature “Walk in the Gardens of Provence” tasting menu unfolds in eight acts, each course named after its local producer; the tomato, the courgette flower, the eggplant. A dish might feature shaved melon with oyster meat and caviar in ponzu dashi, while another spotlights aubergine glazed in lavender honey alongside lamb saddle roasted over vine leaves. Every element speaks of landscape and lineage. 

The night is silent except for the whisper of the wind through vines and the distant sound of cicadas. Here in the heart of Provence, your senses have only just begun to awaken.

Overnight:  Luberon Valley

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 2

Flavors of Aix – Market Strolls & Estate Wines

Midday

The day begins with golden Provençal light spilling onto the cobblestones of Aix-en-Provence. After a scenic 30-minute private transfer from Villa La Coste, you’ll arrive at Cours Mirabeau, the city's tree-lined boulevard where centuries-old fountains bubble between flower-draped cafés. A private local guide greets you and leads you into the vibrant rhythm of the open-air markets.

Place Richelme hums with epicurean energy: pyramids of black and green olives glisten in the sun, aged goat cheeses are wrapped in fig leaves, and mounds of lavender honey glisten beside nougat and candied fruit. Every stall is an invitation to taste and indulge. Your guide introduces you to local purveyors who share the stories behind their produce with varieties including truffle salt and wild herb tapenade, while providing insights into the Provençal way of life. With curated tastings, and stylish jute market bags in hand, you’ll shop like a true Aixois.

A short 15-minute drive brings you to the refined elegance of Château de la Gaude. Set on the outskirts of Aix, this 18th-century estate is a masterclass in balance with its regal architecture framed by lavender-lined paths and sprawling vineyards. Lunch here is a leisurely three-course affair, held in the château’s gastronomic restaurant .

The chef's seasonal menu takes you through Provençal cuisine reimagined. Start with heirloom tomato tartare kissed with basil oil, followed by slow-roasted lamb with rosemary jus or a delicate turbot fillet on a bed of saffron-scented vegetables. Each course is expertly paired with the estate’s own Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence wines, with a sommelier guiding you through their vibrant whites and structured reds. After dessert, stroll through the château’s boutique or pause in the sculpture garden before continuing on.

Afternoon

Traveling northeast into the Luberon hills, you’ll arrive at Château Val Joanis, a breathtaking estate nestled in Pertuis. This is one of Provence’s most enchanting wine domaines.. Your private visit begins with a curated tour of the estate’s 400 hectares: rows of vines shimmer under the afternoon sun, while olive groves and aromatic herb gardens scent the air.

Inside the cellar, your host guides you through a tutored tasting of their celebrated wines. You’ll sample white Viogniers bursting with stone fruit and floral notes, and Syrah-led reds that speak of wild thyme and warm terroir. Guests can also try the estate’s artisanal olive oils that are peppery and always pressed on-site. 

Evening

As dusk wraps Aix-en-Provence in a lavender glow, your final stop is the enchanting Hotel Le Pigonnet. Nestled in the city yet cloaked in manicured gardens, this 18th-century manor is home to La Table du Pigonnet, one of Aix’s most refined dining experiences. Tables are set beneath chestnut trees and rose bushes, with flickering lanterns that create an atmosphere that’s both intimate and cinematic.

Leading the kitchen is Chef Thierry Balligand, who fell in love with Southern France in the early 1990s and has since become the heart of the château’s culinary vision. Once a pastry chef by training, his delicate textures and immaculate presentation elevate classic Mediterranean dishes into art. Signature offerings might include saffron-infused cockles, chestnut flour gnocchi, pan‑fried veal sweetbreads, or organic egg parfait with stuffed artichoke cream. 

Begin with an aperitif in the garden; perhaps a glass of Champagne or a Provençal spritz, before being seated for dinner. Tonight’s menu is seasonally inspired and rooted in Mediterranean tradition. Dishes may include sea bass with fennel and citrus beurre blanc, confit duck leg with lavender honey glaze, or a truffled vegetable mille-feuille. A curated wine pairing, focused on boutique Provençal labels, complements every course. La Table du Pigonnet pairs each course with one of the richest wine lists in the region, featuring labels from boutique Provençal estates and a selection of rare vintages. 

After a slow, starlit meal, return to Villa La Coste by private car.

Overnight:  Luberon Valley

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3

Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Iconic Rhône Valley Wine Tour

Midday 

After a scenic drive of just over an hour from your estate boutique hotel, the limestone towers of Châteauneuf‑du‑Pape rise before you. At Domaine de Nalys, one of the oldest estates in the appellation (with records dating to 1633), you’re welcomed by a sommelier whose passion is equaled only by the legacy of the Guigal family, who acquired this revered domaine in 2017 and restored it to prominence.

You walk among the 50 hectares spread across three prized lieux-dits; Nalys, Bois Sénéchal, and the famed La Crau, where vines thrive in galet-strewn soils under Provençal sun. The tasting that follows is a storytelling in a glass: a Grenache-led Grand Vin rich with stone fruit and a whisper of black pepper; a nuanced white wine that highlights rare Rhône varietals; and aged vintages handpicked by Marcel and Philippe Guigal, whose family legacy spans over six generations of winemaking excellence.

Venture 20 minutes toward Avignon to arrive at Auberge de Cassagne & Spa, a Provençal inn and celebrated gastronomic restaurant hidden amid olive trees and formal gardens. Here, Executive Chef Philippe Boucher’s three-course lunch is a seasonal meditation: perhaps scallop carpaccio with citrus foam, heirloom lamb with thyme jus, finished with a Valrhona chocolate dessert enriched by estate olive oil. Each course flows into the next with the grace of a Provençal waltz, accompanied by regional wines selected to resonate with lunch’s flavors. Relax afterward in the spa’s scented garden or take in the gentle stillness that follows such attentively paced indulgence.

Afternoon 

Should you wish to continue exploring the region, there's a 30-minute drive leads to Domaine du Mourchon, a boutique Côtes du Rhône Villages estate nestled beneath the Dentelles de Montmirail. Their Syrah and Grenache wines brim with hillside character. A private guided tasting introduces you to their Grande Réserve and Family Reserve cuvées. Your host may offer walking through vine rows or barrel sampling to show their terroir approach.

Alternatively, return to Villa La Coste for relaxed downtime, perfect for a spa treatment or a late afternoon nap amid vineyard views.

Evening 

As dusk drapes Les Baux‑de‑Provence in rose gold, you arrive at L’Oustau de Baumanière, a gastronomic institution dating to 1945 and one of France’s seminal luxury restaurants. The estate, owned by the Charial family since its founding, is overseen by Chef Glenn Viel, who became the youngest French chef to earn three Michelin stars in 2020 at age 39, and champions sustainable gastronomy through his organic gardens and zero-waste ethos. 

Dinner begins under a canopy of olive trees with tables spaced among sun-warmed stone walls. Glenn Viel’s cuisine is vivid and rooted in the land of sea bass perfumed with local herbes de Provence, Alpilles lamb served with seasonal vegetables and spiced jus, followed by a dessert that may feature caramelized figs and rosemary-infused honey from the estate’s own apiaries. As the meal progresses, you’ll taste through wines from the Les Baux appellation as well as rare vintages from their cellar, each pairing a testament to precaution and celebration. 

The evening lingers on the terrace or in vaulted dining rooms lit by soft candlelight, olive groves rustling nearby, as you complete a day rich in Rhône’s heritage and haute gastronomy.

Overnight:  Luberon Valley

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4

Luberon Villages – Market-to-Table Provençal Cooking

Midday

Depart your hotel after breakfast for a sun-dappled drive into the heart of the Luberon where honey-colored villages cling to rocky ridges. Your first stop is Gordes, a hilltop village long favored by artists and architects, with a skyline crowned by a Renaissance château and a history shaped by Roman and Resistance-era residents. Stroll its cobbled alleys as shutters open for the day, perhaps stopping at a café terrace for a morning noisette.

The road winds next to Bonnieux, one of the most authentic villages of the Luberon. Perched along the edge of the Claparèdes Plateau, its layered architecture tells of centuries past like Romanesque churches and 18th-century townhouses. Pause at a fromagerie to sample goat’s cheese or sip a second coffee with views stretching across the valley to Mont Ventoux. From here, continue to Roussillon; a place where ochre-tinted cliffs create an out-of-this-world backdrop. These rich mineral pigments once drove the region’s economy, and today they lend the village an ethereal, rust-red glow. You may walk a portion of the Sentier des Ocres, an open-air trail that winds through the former ochre quarries, before returning to the village for a breath of lavender-scented air and an artisan ice cream.

Just beyond Roussillon, a winding lane leads to La Bastide de Capelongue, an esteemed Relais & Châteaux address nestled above the village of Bonnieux. The property is a blend of tempered architecture and Provençal soul, set in the backdrop of wild thyme and olive groves. Here, Executive Chef Noël Bérard crafts menus that celebrate the land; not merely inspired by nature, but deeply entwined with it. His dishes are composed from an on-site organic garden and nearby forests: perhaps a chilled velouté of spring peas, tender rabbit infused with mountain herbs, or sea bass finished with elderflower emulsion. Lunch is served on a shaded stone terrace with sweeping views of the Luberon. Courses are thoughtfully paired with wines from the Ventoux and Luberon appellations, each sip chosen to elevate the herbal, floral, and savory notes of the cuisine.

Afternoon

Following lunch, the experience turns from tasting to creating. In the nearby village of Lourmarin, often called one of the most beautiful in France, you’re welcomed into a private Provençal kitchen for an immersive market-to-table cooking class. Begin with a stroll through the bustling Friday market, where stalls overflow with heirloom tomatoes, wheels of Banon cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves, cured olives, and fragrant herbs.

Back in the host’s culinary studio or historic home kitchen, you’ll learn to prepare a traditional multi-course meal under the guidance of a local chef. From delicate tapenades to a classic daube provençale or a summer ratatouille, each dish is shaped by seasonality and storytelling. The hands-on lesson blends technique with terroir, offering a rare glimpse into how food and identity are intertwined in Provence.

The meal you’ve prepared becomes your early dinner; served al fresco or in a charming dining room, accompanied by local wines from Luberon estates. As the table fills with conversation and clinking glasses, you’ll understand why this region is tasted and deeply felt.

Evening

Return to Villa La Coste in the early evening, the sun beginning to dip behind the vineyard-lined hills. You may choose to end the day with a glass of rosé by the pool, a quiet moment in your suite’s private terrace, or if you’re up for it; a digestif at the hotel’s intimate bar. 

Overnight:  Luberon Valley

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5

Whispering Angel Rosé & Organic Provence

Midday

After a scenic drive weaving through pine forests and lavender-dotted hills, you arrive at Château d'Esclans, a historic estate nestled in the heart of La Motte in the Côtes de Provence. Originally built in the 19th century atop the ruins of a Gallo-Roman site, the château is now the crown jewel of fine rosé, made world-famous by its signature Whispering Angel.

Your private visit begins with a warm welcome from one of the estate’s senior ambassadors, who walks you through vine-lined paths and into the estate’s aging cellars. You learn about the pioneering vision of Sacha Lichine, who transformed Esclans into a global rosé icon by combining old-vine Grenache with Burgundian precision and elegant oak aging. The tasting unfolds in a secluded salon or on a terrace overlooking vine-covered slopes. You'll experience their tiered collection of fresh, fruit-driven Whispering Angel to the complex, age-worthy Garrus, often dubbed the “world’s greatest rosé.” With each glass comes stories of terroir, temperature control, and the estate’s transition to organic farming. It’s an education in nuance and refinement, told through soft hues of pink and gold.

Descending from the vineyards toward the Mediterranean, you reach the coast in just over half an hour. Set along a rocky cove in Les Issambres, La Réserve Gayrard greets you with salt-tinged breezes and sea views stretching across the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Lunch here is unhurried and deeply seasonal. You may begin with plump langoustines dressed in citrus vinaigrette or heirloom tomato tartlets layered with basil and cured anchovy. The main course could bring in wild sea bass grilled whole, served with shaved fennel and lemon confit, or bouillabaisse reimagined with local catch and saffron-scented broth. Wines are drawn from nearby organic vineyards: crisp Vermentino or a coral-tinged Tibouren rosé that echoes the sea’s minerality.

The restaurant’s terrace, with its linen-draped tables and rhythmic hush of waves, invites you to stay a little longer. 

Afternoon

The drive back inland is meditative. As you leave the coastline behind, rolling hills and oak groves accompany you toward the sanctuary of Villa La Coste. Arriving mid-afternoon, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Perhaps you’ll book a treatment in the spa’s stone-walled hammam or simply retreat to your suite and nap in the soft hush of vineyard air drifting through the windows. It’s a pause designed to honor the sensory richness of the morning.

Evening

After your restful return inland, head out once more to a tranquil slope on the edge of Aix-en-Provence, where the revered Sainte-Victoire mountain rises in soft hues above vineyards and olive groves. Here, at the Michelin-starred Le Saint Estève, a culinary experience awaits that feels rooted and profoundly Provençal.

Chef Julien Le Goff crafts a menu that changes with the terroir so expect dishes like line-caught Mediterranean turbot paired with zucchini blossom purée, or Provençal veal gently perfumed with lavender jus. For dessert, a delicate fig tart with almond cream and wild thyme offers a sweet echo of the region’s sun-soaked abundance. The sommelier team also curates exceptional wine pairings, favoring Sainte-Victoire and Luberon appellations that mirror the landscape on your plate. Opt for a table on the terrace, where the last golden light filters over vines and pine trees; the same scenery that Cézanne once painted from this very region.

As the sun dips behind the mountains, you’ll find the pace of dinner slows into a gentle, luxurious rhythm. It’s a perfect contrast to the contemporary lines of Villa La Coste; a softer, quieter finish to your day of rosé and coastal splendor.

Overnight:  Luberon Valley

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6

Cassis & Calanques – Coastal Wines & Sea Adventures

Midday

As the sun begins to warm the ochre cliffs of Provence, your private transfer winds through vineyard-laced hills en route to the sparkling coastline of Cassis. This postcard village, tucked between towering limestone promontories and the azure Mediterranean, has long been a favorite of poets and painters, and today, it becomes your departure point for an unforgettable maritime escape. Awaiting at the quay is your chartered boat, sleek and elegant, stocked with chilled Whispering Angel rosé, artisanal cheeses, plump olives, and handmade tapenade. With your personal skipper at the helm, you set off into the protected waters of the Calanques National Park; a UNESCO-classified natural wonder of jagged white cliffs plunging into turquoise inlets. These fjord-like calanques, once secret hideouts for sailors, now offer a surreal seascape of stillness and majesty.

As you glide past Calanque d’En-Vau and Calanque de Port-Pin, the captain slows to reveal narrow sea caves and nesting seabirds on the cliffs. When the moment feels right, you drop anchor in a quiet cove where the water is impossibly clear. Swim off the boat’s teak steps or simply recline with a glass in hand, letting the sea lull you. 

Back on land, the cliffside path leads you to Le Grand Large, a refined yet unpretentious restaurant perched dramatically above the bay, where sea and sky blur at the horizon. Inside, pale wood interiors and soft linen textures frame sweeping views of Cap Canaille; the tallest maritime cliff in Europe. The cuisine here speaks of the sea with clarity and restraint. A starter of lightly charred octopus is dressed with lemon zest and wild fennel, followed by saffron-scented bouillabaisse made with rockfish and local shellfish hauled in that morning. For your main, sea bream is roasted whole and served with Provençal ratatouille and a drizzle of citrusy olive oil pressed just inland. Cassis’s own AOC white wine that is rare and floral, with whispers of peach and anise, makes the perfect companion. 

Afternoon

Just a short walk away, the Fondation Camargo offers a meditative close to your coastal journey. Founded in 1967 by American filmmaker and philanthropist Jerome Hill, the estate was originally his private residence, and it still hums with the quiet spirit of creativity. The foundation now serves as a prestigious artists' retreat, welcoming writers, composers, and visual artists from around the world to create within its sea-facing studios and terraced gardens.

Wander through its citrus groves and tiled walkways, pausing at the belvedere for panoramic views across Cassis harbor. If open to the public during your visit, you may glimpse an exhibition or installation from one of the current fellows; works that often draw directly from the landscape’s stark contrasts and coastal rhythms. Even if the studios remain private, the gardens alone offer a moment of quiet elegance.

Evening

Your final evening begins within the refined heart of Château de la Gaude, where Le Art offers a sanctuary of modern design and sensory sophistication. Set against a backdrop of rolling vineyards and contemporary sculpture gardens, the restaurant’s sleek interiors and expansive glass walls invite the landscape in. Dinner here is a carefully choreographed experience, led by a Michelin-starred culinary team that brings artistic flair to seasonal ingredients grown just steps away on the estate. Depending on the time of year, your meal may begin with a delicate tart of heirloom tomato and goat cheese espuma, followed by Bresse chicken with truffle jus and wild herbs gathered from the surrounding grounds. Each course is thoughtfully paired with rare vintages from Château de la Gaude’s cellar, offering complex, expressive wines that mirror the richness of the terroir itself.

As the courses unfold and candlelight reflects off your glass, it becomes clear that this meal is a celebration of Provence and a closing chapter written in flavor and quiet grandeur.

Overnight:  Luberon Valley

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7

Departure – One Last Taste of Provence

Midday

Your final morning at Villa La Coste will start gently. From here, a beautifully laid breakfast table is waiting. You can have fresh-squeezed citrus juice and flaky pastries still warm from the oven. You may also opt for a slow-cooked organic egg, with a selection of local jams and honey that taste of sun and blossom. Drizzle the estate’s own olive oil over crusty bread and sip a creamy café crème as the light deepens over the vines. Savor your last quiet chapter written in flavor and view. 

If time allows before your departure, let your feet wander one last time along the Château La Coste Art & Architecture Trail. This meditative path, etched into the estate’s forested hills and vine-covered slopes, weaves you past monumental sculptures and architectural marvels; each one created to exist in conversation with the earth beneath it. Louise Bourgeois’ Crouching Spider emerges between olive trees, Tracey Emin’s neon script glows quietly under a pine canopy, and Tadao Ando’s ethereal pavilion offers a stillness that borders on sacred. This final walk is about art appreciation as well as a gentle reconnection with the spirit of the land you’ve come to know intimately over the past week.

Afternoon

When the time comes to leave, your driver will meet you at reception, ready to assist with luggage and provide a seamless, comfortable ride to either Marseille Provence Airport or Aix-en-Provence’s TGV station. As the estate recedes in the rearview mirror and lavender fields blur into soft color, you carry with you souvenirs and Provence itself with its warmth, its depth, its quiet elegance; all imprinted on memory, ready to be remembered over and over again.

Meals included: Breakfast