cooking and walking adventures in culinary Provence
Culinary adventures and Provencal countryside walks are a perfect match, a virtuous circle that lets you indulge and keeps you fit. Culinary experiences include cooking classes, fine dining, market visits, private tastings with wine merchants and at wine estates, and more.
Choose from a wide selection of cooking classes that cover the entire range of styles from the finest bistro cooking through starred gourmet cuisine, to le fooding, the latest trend where "no rules" rules. Cook with the best Provencal chefs, such as Jerome Nutile and Eric Sapet. Eat in restaurants carefully chosen to match your culinary interests and preferences. Go to the best markets, such as Avignon's Les Halles, and discover top butchers, cheesemakers, poultry sellers, fishmongers, and produce vendors.
The walks are tailored to complement your culinary days and may have a related theme, such as walking in some of the region's best vineyards, or going on a truffle hunt in season. We take great care to get the mix of fooding and walking just right for you.
Use this itinerary, custom designed for a client, to inspire yours. Start on any day. Walk for as many days as you like. On your own time, at your own pace.
| Day 1 Arrival and Transfer to the Uzege | |
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Arrive in the tiny village of Collias near Uzes, one of Provence's best preserved medieval market towns. Unwind in your low key Provencal country hostellerie that just happens to have one of the best restaurants in Provence and enjoy multi-starred Chef and Meilleur Ouvrier de France, Jerome Nutile's dinner tonight. |
| Day 2 Cooking School and Gardon River Gorge Walk Distance: 7 miles Difficulty: Easy |
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Start this morning cooking with Chef Jerome Nutile and his crew for the lunch service. You will personally prepare some of the items to be served and participate in a lot more. Join the lunch guests to savor your morning's efforts and walk it off along the banks of the Gardon river through a hidden valley to an enchanting 11th century hermitage in the afternoon. |
| Day 3 Uzes Market, Uzege Walk Distance: 6 miles Difficulty: Easy to Moderate |
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Market day in Uzes is little changed since the town's wealthy Renaissance silk and cloth merchants critically prodded the goods and haggled with cheesemongers, fishmongers, olive merchants, produce sellers, horse butchers, poultry farmers, honey makers, and spice merchants. Taste wine in a 16th century merchant's cellar. Dine at a superb village restaurant, so secret it doesn't even have a sign outside. Oh, and do take a walk, too. |
| Day 4 Chateauneuf du Pape Walk, Tavel Distance: 6 miles Difficulty: Easy |
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Today you walk in Chateauneuf du Pape through some of the best vineyards of the Southern Rhone, among thirteen grape varieties and sweeping views of distant, towering Mt. Ventoux. Drop in for tastings along the trail and after at several of Chateauneuf du Pape's top domaines. Dinner tonight is in Tavel's world of roses with chef Serge Chenet, between the vineyards and the garrigue. |
| Day 5 La Mirande Cooking Course, Avignon Town Walk |
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Wrap up the week with another cooking class, this time in the 19th century kitchen of La Mirande, regarded by many connoisseurs as Avignon's best restaurant and hotel. This class by area master chefs has you work through an entire menu to professional standards, and then comes lunch. In the afternoon take our leisurely urban walk through Avignon, city of the Popes. |
| Day 6 Departure from Provence | |
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Following the sensory delights of La Mirande's cafe au lait, fresh croissants, and whatever else strikes your breakfast fancy it is time to head for home. |
Please note that specific Savor and Stroll itineraries are contingent on the availability and schedules of cooking classes, the opening hours of restaurants at the time of your trip, and market day schedules.
6 days, 5 nights
Uzege, Northern Vaucluse
(other areas also an option)
best time April to October
Walks
four walks, easy to
moderate,
up to 7 miles per day,
shorter and longer options;
comprehensive self-guidance
package; in-person briefing
Where You'll Stay
Classic: charming B&Bs
and small family run hotels
Superior: high end B&Bs
and superior hotels
Deluxe: top country house hotels
Mix choices if you prefer
Field Support
In-person briefing on arrival; English speaking background support throughout the trip; optional GPS support
Pricing
(per person double occupancy)
Classic: from $1,470
Superior: from $1,882
Deluxe: inquire
indicative prices - actual quotes
may vary; mixing accom. choices also varies price
single supplement - inquire
Included
• two cooking classes, including lunch
• all accommodation
• all baggage transfers
• all breakfasts
• briefing on arrival
• comprehensive Trip Kit including all official IGN maps, Trail Guides, and other guidance material
• any transportation except
for transfers if indicated
• meals/picnics other than breakfasts
• any form of insurance