Culinary Vacations in Avignon
Avignon is a city renowned for its rich history, earning it the title of the “City of Popes,” and stands as one of the premier destinations for our culinary vacations across French Provence. Situated on the Rhone River, this city boasts a well-preserved historical center, complete with ancient ramparts, picturesque bridges, and iconic landmarks such as the majestic Popes’ Palace. Whether meandering through its cobblestone streets on foot or by bus, Avignon exudes charm and hospitality at every turn, from elegant private mansions dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries to its lush parks and gardens.
Moreover, Avignon serves as the epicenter of local cuisine. With Les Halles, the city’s oldest covered market, and an array of cooking classes available, visitors can delve into Provencal specialties and local delicacies on our Avignon food and wine tours. From delectable honey and nougat to exquisite olive oils AOC and renowned Côte du Rhône wines, there’s a plethora of flavors to discover. With its strategic location, Avignon provides an ideal starting point to explore the surrounding countryside on an authentic Avignon cooking tour, including the breathtaking vistas of the Luberon mountains, the unique ochre landscapes of Roussillon, and charming villages like Chateauneuf du Pape, perfect for an Avignon gourmet tour complete with wine tastings.
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Highlights of our Avignon Gourmet Tours
Explore the beautiful south of France on our Avignon foodie tours, centered in the charming town of Avignon. Your week will include two cooking classes delving into local cuisine, along with Avignon wine tastings and cultural excursions.
Itinerary
Day One
- Private transfer from Avignon TGV station to your hotel.
- Check-in to your 4-star hotel in central Avignon.
- Welcome dinner tonight.
Day Two
- Breakfast.
- Meet your driver at your hotel this morning and depart on a private wine tour dedicated to local wines. Start on a scenic drive to the foot of Mont Ventoux through the vineyards of the eponymous appellation. Discover an outstanding wine estate and enjoy a guided tour.
- Your wine tasting tour will engage all five senses as you taste a variety of wines.
- Following the wine-tasting experience, a picnic lunch on the terrace will ensue (weather permitting). Taste seasonal products with wines of the domain.
- Return to Avignon around 3:30 pm, afternoon at leisure.
- Dinner on your own.
Day Three
- After breakfast, enjoy a free morning on your own.
- In the afternoon, around 2 pm, meet in central Avignon and depart for a half-day tour with an English speaking driver/guide on a shared mini-bus (max 8 people). (Please note the specific itinerary for the day may vary if there are special events or activities to take advantage of.)
- First stop: the ruins know as “Les Antiques” near Saint-Remy de Provence. From there head to Les Baux de Provence, a medieval hilltop village in the heart of the Alpilles hill range, and enjoy some free time to wander around and shop.
- Finally, visit the Unesco-rated Pont du Gard, which is the best preserved part of a Roman aqueduct that sent the water from Nimes to Uzes during the Roman civilization.
- Return to Avignon in the evening around 7 pm.
- Dinner on your own. Overnight.
Day Four
- Breakfast.
- Depart around 9 am for a private tour to the Luberon. First you will head to the home of a local chef for a hands-on cooking class featuring local recipes. Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
- After lunch, visit some of the picturesque hilltop villages of the Luberon.
- Return to Avignon around 6 pm.
Day Five
- Breakfast.
- In the morning, meet again in central Avignon and take a half-day tour on a shared minibus (max 8 people) with an English-speaking driver/guide to Chateauneuf du Pape. During your Avignon culinary tour, you will have two wine tastings in Chateauneuf du Pape wineries.
- Return to Avignon around 1:00 pm, lunch on your own.
- Afternoon at leisure.
Day Six
- Breakfast and make your own way to the covered market.
- At 9:30 am meet the chef for a visit to the local market to learn about and select ingredients for your Avignon cooking class. Then head to their professional kitchen for the cooking lesson. Lunch to follow, drinks included, based on your efforts.
- In the afternoon, time to explore Avignon one last time. Entrance tickets to 2 of Avignon’s most famous sites, the Popes’ Palace and the Pont d’Avignon, will be included for you to explore at your own pace.
- End the afternoon with a wine tasting at a wine shop.
- Finally, enjoy a farewell dinner, 3 courses, with a glass of wine.
Day Seven
- Breakfast.
- Check-out of the hotel and return to the Avignon TGV train station.
Avignon Food Tour Details
Included in our 6-Night Avignon Culinary Tours
Accommodations
Your Avignon cooking holidays include 6 nights in 4* hotel in the center of the city.
Food & Beverages
- Daily breakfast
- 3 lunches, local wine included
- 2 dinners
Classes & Instructors
Your 2 hands-on cooking classes will feature the different facets of the local cuisine. One will take place at the hotel of a local chef in Luberon, and the other will take place at a cooking atelier in Avignon. You will also visit Les Halles, a traditional Provencal food market full of farm products including vegetables, fruit, cheeses, honey, wines, flowers, and poultry, and learn how to create traditional cuisine.
Excursions
- Private tour of the Mont Ventoux wine-producing region with tastings
- Shared tour of the Luberon (max 8 people), including the Pont du Gard, and the Alpilles region
- Half-day shared tour (max 8 people) to the Chateauneuf du Pape region, including Avignon wine tour with tasting
Transfer Details
- Round-trip transfers to/from Avignon TGV train station. (Transfers to/from Marseille airport available for an additional price).
Miscellaneous
- Tickets for the Popes’ Palace
Not Included
- Local tourist tax (a couple Euros per person per night, paid locally)
Accommodation Information
Located in central Avignon, just steps from Popes’ Palace and numerous cafes and shops, is the Hotel de L’Horloge. Once a 19th-century house, this hotel now offers 66 modern, cozy rooms with individual a/c and heat, free Wi-Fi, mini-bar, safe, telephone, and satellite TV. (If unavailable a comparable property will be proposed.)
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Avignon Food and Wine Tours: Pricing & Dates 2024
Find pricing and dates for our Avignon culinary tours below, and contact us for availability or to book your trip.
Avignon Culinary Vacation 2024 Pricing:
(excluding July)
6-Night Provence Culinary Vacation Pricing
US$3540 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!
July pricing and availability: please inquire.
Single occupancy pricing: please inquire.
Transfer also possible from Marseille airport: please inquire for cost.
Avignon Foodie Tour Dates 2024
Our Avignon culinary vacations are available year-round for 1-8 people. Sample dates follow, but other start dates are also possible. (Please inquire for July dates and pricing.)
2024
Sample weeks, other start dates also possible:
April 28-May 4
May 5-11
May 12-18
May 19-25
May 26-June 1
June 2-8
June 9-15
June 16-22
June 23-29
July dates: please inquire
July 28-August 3
August 4-10
August 11-17
August 18-24
August 25-31
September 1-7
September 8-14
September 15-21
September 22-28
September 29-October 5
October 6-12
October 13-19
October 20-26
October 27-November 2
November 3-9
November 10-16
November 17-23
November 24-30
December 1-7
December 8-14
December 15-21
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