Ménerbes

Culinary & Nightlife

This full-day tour takes you on a discovery of the hilltop villages in the Luberon region as well as the wine-making region of Sainte-Victoire. You will journey from Aix-en-Provence to Mount Sainte-Victoire, which was the source of inspiration for the famous painter Cézanne from 1880 to 1883. You will visit 2 wine properties, where you can sample the locally produced red and rosé wine from the appellation of Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire. You will have some free time for lunch in Aix-en-Provence before you head off to discover the typical hilltop villages in the Luberon region. Along the way you will take a photo stop in Lourmarin, famous for its Renaissance castle. You will visit Bonnieux, where you can stroll through this picture-perfect Provencal village topped by a 12th century church. You will then explore the colorful village of Roussillon, where all the houses are painted ocher. You will also visit Gordes, an amazing hilltop village built entirely with local dry stones called “lauze“.

Enjoy a scenic drive through the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape followed by wine tastings at two different wineries. From the ruins of the Pope's summer residence, enjoy a panoramic view over the Rhône River valley and the hill ranges surrounding the village. In the afternoon, discover the village of Roussillon and its colorful houses. Continue to the village of Ménerbes; famous thanks to the novel 'A Year in Provence' written by Peter Mayle. Take advantage of a photo stop at Pont Julien, from Roman times.Drive through the village of Lacoste, where you will see the remains of the castle of the Marquis de Sade. Conclude the tour with free time in the dry-stone-built hilltop village of Gordes.

With your wine guide, discover the south Luberon wine area basking in a perfect Mediterranean climate. Learn about the winemakers’ savoir-faire and the authentic Luberon wines between Provence and Rhône Valley. Learn all about the wine making process while visiting the cellars, and enjoy some free time to visit and dine in the picturesque village of Lourmarin, ranked one of the most beautiful villages of France. After lunch, your guide will give you a private tour of a third winery to round out the day.

Nestled between Luberon Regional park and the famous Sainte-Victoire mountain, discover the delicious flavors of the Luberon and Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence wines. Visit a prestigious Provence Château, a family-owned winery that was one of the first to work organically. Enjoy a tour of the vat and aging rooms to learn about the wine making process and organic wines. Wander around the vineyards and take in the glorious sunshine of the Mediterranean climate. Taste a selection of organic wines, including aromatic wines, dry and fruity rosés, and full-bodied structured reds.

Discover the south Luberon wine region, an area basking in a perfect Mediterranean climate. Visit different wineries, all family-owned and award-winning, and enjoy a private tour of each site. With your expert wine guide, learn about the incredible knowledge of the local winemakers, and how to taste the differences between the authentic Luberon wines of Provence and Rhône Valley. Discover all there is to know about the wine making process, and wander around the cellars that house the many casks of wine being made. Taste the various robust flavors of the region’s wine, from reds full of character, to gastronomic rosés. At the end of the tour, enjoy some free time to visit and lunch in the picturesque Provencal village of Lourmarin which is ranked as one of the most beautiful villages of France.

Go on a black truffle hunt on the gorgeous property of a Provençal truffle plantation in the Luberon, just 40 minutes from Aix en Provence TGV train station and 1 hour from Marseille Airport. Meet a real truffle hunter and learn how this elusive, edible “black gold” is cultivated and how the truffle dogs are trained. With the help of your guide, you will soon find some truffles to try. Learn about the art of growing truffle trees, training truffle dogs, and finding truffles. Then celebrate your find with a glass of champagne while your hosts teach you how to clean, store, and cook with truffles. Sample some truffle hors d'oeuvres and be sure to ask your hosts to taste the olive and truffle oil produced on the farm. Many delicious products are also available for you to take back home as a unique souvenir. Take a tour of the vineyards, olive tree plantation and bees hives, and fully immerse yourself in the gourmet paradise of the Luberon.

Take full advantage of the slower pace of life in Provence and take your time on your Luberon tour from Avignon. Laze about and experience the quiet life in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue with its quaint antique shops. Have a stroll in Gordes, widely celebrated as one of the most beautiful villages in France, and take in a panoramic view of the Luberon. Snap photos at Senanque Abbey in its lavender surroundings in bloom. Marvel at the perched village of Menerbes. Have a leisurely lunch in a Provencal restaurant, pairing the wines expertly with your food. Explore the famous Luberon village of Roussillon - its passionate red houses and ochre textures will inspire you.

Immerse yourself in one of the world's oldest traditions. Take a tour of a Provençal farm, learn how grapes are cultivated and how wine is made, plus stomp grapes in enormous antique oak barrels that are waist-high, roomy enough for 4+ people, and have a view of Mount Sainte Victoire.  You'll be regaled with harvest stories passed down from generations of local farmers and hear about the dark side of wine making. You'll also learn to tell the difference between the different types of local grapes and wines. Grape stomps are followed up with a buffet of cheese, paté, charcuterie, red wine and a tasting of our farm's olive oil and truffle oil. It's an authentic French experience that's full of laughter, fun for all ages and makes memorable vacation photos that you'll cherish long after your toes are no longer sticky. 

See the Renaissance castle at Lourmarin, take a stroll through spectacular Bonnieux and take in its views, finish off your day tasting Luberon Valley wines paired with a French cheeses and charcuterie. Start your tour taking in the most beautiful perched villages in the valley. Visit the castle and wander the fantastic Provencal market in Lourmarin. Enjoy stunning views of the valley from the village of Bonnieux. Relax at the end of your tour with a tasting of local wines and a sampling of assorted French cheeses and charcuterie.

On this day trip from Aix-en-Provence your guide will drive you across Montagne Sainte Victoire, where you will stop for a swim in an idyllic mountain lake. Next, you'll see the limestone cliffs of Gorge du Verdon, before tasting exquisite regional produce from a lakeside brewery and a wine estate in Luberon. After setting off in the sidecar of a classic motorcycle, your adventure will take you into the winding mountain roads of Montagne Sainte Victoire. This breathtaking ridge inspired a well-known painting series by local artist Paul Cézanne. Next stop is one of two idyllic lakes - Lac d'Esparron or Lac de Sainte Croix - where you can dive into the glorious turquoise waters. Then, after drying off, you will hop back in the sidecar to see the magnificent limestone canyon of Gorges du Verdon - one of the largest of its kind in Europe. Then, the hill-top drive will continue to a brewery nestled on the edge of a lake at an altitude of over 500m. A range of 6 beers awaits your palette: including the Hibiscus rosé, Blanche calisson, the original blonde, or the famous Triple. The last stop on your unique adventure will be a visit to a wine estate in the heights of the Luberon. Here, you will sample fine wines from the regional produce while taking in the panoramic views from the heart of the Prealps in southern Provence.