Day One – Arrival

Arrive today and drive to your accommodation. If you have time, you can enjoy a walk in the area or visit one of the nearby villages – St Martin de Castillon is a good example of a working village, and an unspoilt village perché. In the early evening we meet for an aperitif and to discuss the programme, followed by a welcome dinner at Hautes Courennes.

Day Two – Coustellet, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue & Senanque Abbey

We visit Coustellet, one of the biggest farmers markets in the region, with over one hundred stalls. We will purchase food for the evening meal to be prepared at La Ferme. Lunch will be at a café at Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. In the afternoon we will visit the famous Cistercian Abbey of Sénanque, founded in the 12th century. There will be a period of French conversation at Hautes Courennes. We assemble at La Ferme at 5.30 for a cooking class led by Nathalie Coquillon, followed by an aperitif and dinner.

Day Three – Forcalquier & Salagon Abbey

We visit the historic town of Forcalquier, where there is a bustling Monday market, buy food for our picnic, taken in the grounds of the Salagon Abbey, a restored Cistercian Abbey. In the afternoon we visit the Abbey and tour its gardens, which features medieval-to-present day plants. We return to St Martin, with French conversation. In the evening we assemble at the Café de la Fontaine in the centre of St Martin for an aperitif, followed by a meal (and a wonderful view) at the local pizzeria – La Détente Fut.

Day Four – Apt, Pont Julien & Carluc

Today we look at Roman Provence, with a visit to Via Domitia, the road built in 120 AD to lead from Rome to Spain. We will have a tour of Roman Apt, visiting Pont Julien, one of the best preserved Roman bridges in Roman Gaul, and also a nearby ecological wine producer. This will be followed by a picnic lunch after which we will see Carluc, the ruined monastery near Cereste. Next is a French lesson, an aperitif round the pool and a hands-on meal at Hautes Courennes.

Day Five – Mines de Broux & Bonnieux

Today we learn more about nineteenth-century industrial Provence. This begins with a visit to the ochre mine at les Mines de Bruoux, followed by lunch at La Gare de Bonnieux. In the afternoon we have a guided tour of the industrial museum in Apt to learn about mining, Apt faience and crystallised fruit-making in the nineteenth-century. After this, French conversation will be followed by a meal at a small restaurant in Lagarde d'Apt.

Day Six – Viens

This is the day we find out more about agriculture in Provence. We begin with a visit to the atelier of a local craftsman who distills essential oils from plants that he gathers in the surrounding countryside: lavender, thyme, sage, and others. Lunch is taken in Le Petit Jardin in Viens. In the afternoon we will explore the countryside around Viens – or you may take the opportunity to visit the area on your own. Later there will be a French conversation lesson, followed by an aperitif round the pool and a meal at La Ferme.

Day Seven – Hautes Courennes

We continue to find out about local flora and fauna, and spend the morning on a ramble to collect local plants and herbs. This will be followed by a picnic lunch and then in the afternoon we will visit a Le Jardin d'un curieux, a garden established to preserve and cultivate rare local plants. This is followed by a French lesson, and a meal at Hautes Courennes.

Day Eight – Departure

We prepare to leave, and those who wish can visit the Apt market on their way home.