Provence’s Gourmet travel for wine and luxury food lovers
Provence is a paradise for wine and food lovers, where vineyards, truffle markets, and Michelin-starred restaurants turn every stay into a gourmet journey.
Why Provence Is for Gourmet Travelers
Provence is more than lavender fields and hilltop villages — it’s a paradise for those who travel through taste. Here, vineyard estates sit beside olive groves, truffle markets spill into cobbled squares, and Michelin-starred chefs forage for herbs in the garden before service. Whether you're sipping chilled rosé beneath a plane tree or indulging in a seven-course tasting menu at sunset, the region blends gastronomy and atmosphere in a way only Provence can.
Friday Afternoon: Arrival at Mas des Infirmières
Begin your Provençal escape in the Luberon, where golden light bathes vineyards and cypress trees in cinematic warmth. Mas des Infirmières, the estate owned by filmmaker Ridley Scott, is a boutique winery set on ancient land and reborn with modern elegance. Book a private tasting of their organic Grenache-Syrah blends, followed by a walk through the art-filled cellar and sculpture-dotted grounds.
Stay nearby in the heart of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue or continue south to Villa Gallici, a romantic Relais & Châteaux property just outside Aix-en-Provence. With baroque interiors, perfumed gardens, and one of the most refined kitchens in the region, it’s a feast for all senses.
Friday Evening: Garden Aperitifs and Candlelit Dinner
Check into Villa Gallici and take an aperitif under the magnolias. Their wine list is rich with Provence whites and Rhône reds, perfect with a plate of aged goat cheese and local olives.
Dine at the hotel or book a table at Le Art, its Michelin-starred restaurant. Expect delicate plates like lobster ravioli with citrus emulsion or saddle of lamb with thyme jus, all served on porcelain beneath frescoed ceilings.
Saturday Morning: Market Tour & Rustic Lunch
Start the day at the Aix-en-Provence market, a Provençal ritual of color and perfume. Stalls overflow with strawberries, lavender honey, truffle cheeses, and seasonal mushrooms.
Join a guided food walk or let your concierge arrange a picnic basket from the market. Drive into the Luberon National Park, stopping in Bonnieux or Lourmarin for a countryside lunch with fresh baguette, charcuterie, and a view over the vines.
Saturday Afternoon: Cooking Class & Rosé in the Garden
Return to Villa Gallici for a private cooking class. Many include Provençal classics like tapenade, pistou soup, or daube de boeuf cooked in red wine.
Later, relax by the pool with a glass of chilled rosé, or explore the villa’s manicured grounds before dressing for dinner.
Saturday Evening: Michelin Magic in Aix
For your second evening, venture into Aix-en-Provence for dinner at Mickaël Féval or L’Esprit de la Violette. Both restaurants take Provençal ingredients and elevate them to poetic form.
Post-dinner, take a moonlit stroll along the Cours Mirabeau, stopping for an artisanal digestif or a handmade lavender chocolate.
Sunday Morning: Olive Oil & Farewell Tastes
Before departing, stop at a local olive oil mill for a tasting. The subtlety of Provençal oils—notes of artichoke, almond, wild herbs—makes them the perfect edible souvenir.
If time allows, return to Mas des Infirmières for a final walk through the vines or a simple café lunch in nearby Gordes.
Community FAQ
Q: Is Provence better for food or wine?
A: Both. It’s one of the few regions where the wine elevates the cuisine and vice versa. But if you had to choose… choose both.
Q: Are these experiences available in English?
A: Yes. Most guides, chefs, and sommeliers are fluent or provide translation. Private tours can also be arranged in your language.
Q: What’s the best time for food travel in Provence?
A: May to early July for strawberries, rosé and outdoor dining. September–October for grape harvest and mushroom season.
Q: Can I buy wine and have it shipped?
A: Absolutely. Most wineries ship internationally or partner with boutique wine merchants that deliver door to door.