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- Cooking Vacation in Provence: A Gastronomic Holiday in Aix-en-Provence
Cooking Vacations in Provence: A Gastronomic Holiday in Aix
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Cooking Vacations in Aix-en-Provence
Aix is one of the most quintessential Provencal towns, nestled in the heart of the Bouches-du-Rhône region. It is one of the larger of Provence’s cities, and owes much of its vibrancy to its history, climate, and large university population. It’s one of our favorite destinations for our cooking vacations in Provence!
From the famed tree-lined Cours Mirabeau, to the many (some say 1000!) fountains and public squares, Aix is a city for wandering, exploring, and sitting in one of the many outside restaurants for a meal, a glass of wonderful Provencal wine, or simply a coffee.
The old city meanders with narrow, winding streets, many shops, restaurants, and cafes. The medieval quarter is home to the Cathedral of Aix, which embodies over a thousand years of religious, architectural, and artistic history in its many styles.
In addition to the many sites Aix has to offer, its location in the heart of Provence make it an ideal base for exploring such other famed Provencal areas as Avignon and the coast. Experience the glory of southern France on our cooking vacations in Provence!
Highlights of Our Cooking Vacations in Provence
Our Provence cooking vacations combine a perfect mix of culinary and cultural activities. You will have a chance to explore Provence cuisine during a hands-on cooking class as well as a foodie walking tour and Provence wine tastings. And you will explore the many cultural and historical sites during your shared and private tours.
Itinerary
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Day One
- Private transfer from Aix TGV station to Aix city center.
- Check in to your hotel.
- Time to relax, stroll around the city, and enjoy dinner on your own and overnight.
Day Two
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- This morning meet your chef in the center of Aix for a shared trip to the weekly open air market and sample regional products such as olives, calissons, cheese, and fruit. Then it is off to her cooking atelier, where you will enjoy a cooking class followed by lunch (drinks included).
- In the afternoon, time to explore Aix on your own.
- Dinner on your own and overnight.
Day Three
- Breakfast.
- Today enjoy a shared (max 8 people) morning wine tour in the Cezanne countryside. You will enjoy stunning views before going on to learn lots about the provencal wines, grape varieties, and terroir… and of course tasting them! The Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire vineyards are located East from the city of Aix-en-Provence, at the foot of the Sainte-Victoire Mountain which was a source of inspiration for the famous painter Cézanne from 1880 to 1883. Sample the tasty, full-bodied red wines and subtle and elegant rosés. Wine–tastings included in 2 wine properties of the appellation.
- Enjoy a gastronomic dinner tonight.
- Overnight.
Day Four
- Breakfast.
- Meet your driver and transfer for your Cooking lesson in Avignon – Meet your English-speaking Chef at the covered market LES HALLES, and discover the local market of Avignon… You’ll choose with the Chef the products that you’ll need for your provencal lunch! Walk with him to his cooking atelier, where you will create lunch with the Chef.
- Then – start your guided walking tour of Avignon and get ready to see the best sites in the city! Climb to the top of the fortified medieval city walls to reach the “Rocher des Doms” garden and gaze upon the city as it stretches out along the Rhône River. Discover the historical past of Avignon where the papacy was established in the early 14th century.
- Next it’s time to visit the Papal Palace for a guided tour (entrance ticket included). Explore the largest gothic-style palace in Europe and begin to imagine the luxurious way of life enjoyed there in the medieval period. Enjoy interesting stories and anecdotes from your local guide as you go.
- After the Popes’ Palace you’ll walk through the cobbled streets of Avignon to the Place de l’Horloge where you will uncover the secrets of its painted windows. See the town hall topped with its clock tower, and the theatre.
- The end of your walking tour in Avignon will be toasted with a glass of Côtes du Rhône wine served in a local place close to the Pope’s Palace.
- Back to the hotel in Aix. Dinner on your own.
- Back to Aix, dinner on your own and overnight.
Day Five
- Breakfast.
- Meet your English-speaking guide in the center of Aix for a shared full-day tour (max 8 people). Your first stop of the day is to Saint Rémy de Provence. Enjoy some free time in this picturesque town. (If you are there on a Wednesday, you can also visit the weekly market.)
- Next, your guide will take you for a photo stop at the Roman monuments and Van Gogh’s hospital where the painter was interned from 1889 to 1890. You can purchase a ticket to see a recreation of Van Gogh’s bedroom in Saint-Paul de Mausole (ticket not included).
- Leaving Saint Remy de Provence behind, it’s time to continue on to the exceptional village of Les Baux de Provence. This village has remained true to its medieval past. Walk through its narrow streets, explore the shops and see the imposing ruins of its castle. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the exceptional scenery that amazes all the visitors. Possibility to attend the show at Les Carrières de Lumières, an old quarry that has been turned into a unique immersive museum (ticket not included).
- Continue your tour of Provence with a visit to Arles where you will walk in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh! Follow your guide on a tour of the city and discover the places where he created his most famous paintings dating back to 1888-1889.
- Arles is also famous worldwide for its architectural heritage: the Roman amphitheatre and theatre, and the magnificent Romanesque Saint Trophime church (entrance fees not included, paid on the spot if you wish to enter). On Saturdays the market is on in Arles – so you may have free time to explore its colorfull stalls!
- You will return to Aix-en-Provence around 5:30 pm with a true appreciation of the sites of Saint Remy de Provence, Les Baux de Provence and Arles.
- Dinner on your own and overnight.
Day Six
- Breakfast, and checkout.
- Transfer to Aix TGV station.
Provence Cooking Vacation in Aix: Trip Details
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Included in the 5-Night Provence Culinary Vacation
Accommodations5 nights accommodation in 4* hotel in Aix
Food & Beverages- Daily breakfast
- 2 lunches, beverages included
- 1 dinner, beverages not included
Classes & InstructorsYour stay in Aix will include two cooking classes focusing on Provencal cuisine – one in Aix and one during your excursion to Avignon. Your Provençal cooking courses will feature the fresh seasonal produce for which Provence is so justifiably famous.
Excursions- Market visits with the chef
- Shared wine tour of the Cezanne countryside, with wine tasting (max 8 people)
- Avignon tour
- Shared excursion (max 8 people) to St. Remy, Les Baux de Provence, and Arles (please note depending on the season this excursion may be modified slightly)
Transfer Details- Arrival and departure transfers from/to Aix TGV station
Accommodation Information
Your home for your Provence cooking vacation will be a centrally located 4* hotel such as the 4* Hotel Rotonde. This contemporary boutique hotel lies just minutes by foot from the Fontaine de la Rotonde and the Cours Mirabeau. It features bright, modern en suite rooms with modern amenities, as well as a lounge and a terrace. (If unavailable a similar hotel will be used.)
Twin room at the Hotel Rotonde in Aix. Superior room bath at the Hotel Rotonde in Aix. Lobby of the Hotel Rotonde in Aix. Bathroom at the Hotel Rotonde in Aix.
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Cooking Vacations in Aix-en-Provence: Pricing & Dates
Find pricing and dates for our cooking vacations in Provence below, and contact us for availability or to book your trip.
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(excluding July)
2025 Pricing
See moreUS$2890 per person based on double occupancy
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Please inquire for July.
Single supplement: please inquire
Aix-en-Provence Cooking Vacation Tour Dates
See moreOur cooking vacations in Provence are generally available any dates for a minimum of 2 people. Please inquire for July dates.
2025
Now accepting 2025 bookings! Please inquire for availability.
We can help plan the best food and wine tours in Provence!
Whether you need assistance with flights, additional nights, tours, winery visits and tastings, or more, we are here to help you plan the perfect cooking vacation in Provence.We might not be able to pack for you, but there are many things we can help with to make your Provence cooking vacation that much better.
