Provence is famous for inspiring painters with its gorgeous light and stunning landscapes from dazzling oceans and luxury marinas to picturesque hilltop villages. If you have the right connections, you can escape the crowds to find secluded hideaways, gain access to exclusive vineyards, and even find quiet delights within the main cities.
A new company called idreamProvence will get you all those connections and help you to discover the hidden treasures of this incredible region.
Bordering both Italy and the Mediterranean, Provence boasts fabulous weather and enough cultural and heritage sites for a lifetime of visits. Pierre grew up here and was delighted to share the secrets of his homeland with London-born Abi, who quickly grew to love the area as much as he does.
“Provence is like nowhere else in France,” explains Abi. “I’ve been lucky enough to learn all about the region alongside someone who grew up here, and it brings me immense joy to share that magic with fellow travellers from all over the world. Together, Pierre and I can guide you to the parts of Provence that it usually takes years to discover.”
Keen explorers and travellers, Abi and Pierre are both bilingual, so when they decided to set up a company running tours around their beloved region, they knew they could offer everything in both English and French.
“As there’s so much to love here, one of the hardest parts of starting idreamProvence was shortlisting the places we would visit,” says Pierre. “We’ve focused on the key themes and sites that we know best, so we can offer personal insights and the best possible service.”
Wine tasting day tours of Provence
As their website explains, they specialise in driving tours tailored for small groups, meeting guests at an agreed location before whisking them off on their chosen excursion. That could be discovering the unmissable towns and cities, picturesque Luberon villages, iconic lavender fields, or the quintessentially French experience of wine-tasting right where the grapes are grown.
“We offer exclusive wine tasting day tours of Provence including vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Puy Sainte Réparade,” explains Abi. “We guide you through each step in your preferred language, introducing you to the expert wine-producers, unravelling the secrets of winemaking and, of course, tasting different wines so you can improve your appreciation of each vintage. Each tour is tailored to your particular group, so you always have time to ask questions and to get what you want from your day out.”
It’s no surprise that the wine-tasting experience is one of the most popular options, offering visitors the chance to enter the cool, vaulted cellars that are such a contrast to the glorious sunshine, venturing through the sacred collections of barrels where wines age gracefully. Abi and Pierre can talk you through the complex process that brings out the full potential of each wine, as well as the techniques and traditions behind the art of making the wines that are prized by connoisseurs across the world.
“Meeting the people who cultivate the grapes and make the wine is the best way to truly understand the world of wine, as they’re so passionate about their craft,” adds Abi. “Our local sommeliers take the time to explain the unique characteristics of each wine and provide insights into the flavours, aromas, and techniques behind their creation. It’s a really inclusive, sociable experience that stays with you long after the tour.”
Guests can also learn more about how certain wines are selected to match certain dishes, known as wine pairing. This level of appreciation can be taken home with you, meaning that your next dinner party will be on a whole new level!
Day tours of Provence
Alternatively, you might want to see a whole new side of one of Provence’s major towns of cities. Let Pierre guide you around his hometown of Marseille, showing you the finest places to dine, shop and explore, tailored to your own interests and preferences. From the wonderful Vieux Port with its fishermen, yachts and elegant promenade to the city’s secret alleyways and majestic basilica, or even a boat trip along the crystal-clear waters to the hidden coves of Calanques National Park, you’ll see a side of Marseille that few visitors get to experience.
This is also true of the tours for Arles, Aix-en-Provence and Avignon, towns that Pierre and Abi know well and are always enthusiastic about sharing with new visitors.
“Having travelled to many countries, I understand how important it is to feel truly embraced when exploring a new destination,” says Pierre. “Our aim is to ensure that our guests’ experience of Provence is nothing short of extraordinary, and we are thrilled to be their companions along the way.”
But how can you choose between wine-tasting, city tours and the other tempting options such as the lavender fields and the Luberon villages? Well, lavender is at its best between mid-June and mid-August, so if you visit in the summer you’ll be mesmerised by the endless fields of vibrant purple as well as the soothing scent of lavender carried by the warm air. Take a tour with idreamProvence and you’ll learn about lavender’s historical and cultural significance, see where it’s cultivated and even visit a traditional lavender distillery, where the flowers are transformed into essential oils ready to be used in cosmetics, perfumes and aromatherapy. You can even join themed workshops, making perfumed sachets or culinary delights infused with lavender.
If history and heritage are your passions, let the couple guide you around the Luberon villages of Gordes, Roussillon and Bonnieux, the hushed cloisters of Abbey de Senanque and the curious stone huts known as the Bories, which date back to the 1700s. This excursion offers countless opportunities to photograph medieval buildings, picturesque cobblestone streets, panoramic valley views and ochre-tinted cliffs. Thanks to Pierre and Abi, you’re also guaranteed to find the best place in each village to people-watch, browse the market stalls or linger for a drink on a shady terrace.
Being on a tour with these two guides has a genuine personal touch, like meeting up with friends who live locally and are simply delighted to show you around. Provence is positively bursting with fabulous sights and experiences, so don’t leave anything to chance: ask Abi and Pierre to show you around their neighbourhood!
Find out more about all the day tours of Provence at idreamprovence.com
