Provençal gardens and French charm: The art of outdoor living

5 days | £3495 per person with flights | 20 - 24 April 2026

The art of outdoor living

Mediterranean gardening at its best is a way of living in harmony with the earth, with a strong visual unity between the house, garden and landscape. This can be seen in most of the gardens we will be visiting. In spring, the Provençal landscape is coloured by irises and cascades of Rosa banksiae and scented with bee-foraged tresses of wisteria. On the slopes of medieval hill towns, elegant terraces enable gracious outdoor living among olives and vines, whilst the hilly terrain and sunshine have stimulated the creativity of a succession of influential designers. We include visits to see the work of some of Frances top garden designers including the work of Alain David Idoux at Mas de Benoir and to see Dominique Lafourcade own garden in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. A number of old country estates have been elegantly rejuvenated in recent years by contemporary designers, creating sensuous gardens with great sensitivity to the spirit of place. This tour includes a variety of marvellous dining experiences including a Chef’s table at La Mirande. We have selected to stay at the 5-star Hotel d’Europe, in Avignon enjoying a long-established reputation as a hotel of great style and comfort, just a step away from the Rhône and the Palais des Papes.

Day to day Itinerary

Day 1

Travel from London to Marseille. From here we journey onwards to Aix en Provence to the privately owned garden of the Bastide de Romégas for a guided tour of the award-winning gardens that includes a grand, formal parterre, set against a sheltering backdrop of Aleppo pines and the looming presence of Mont Saint-Victoire. Light refreshments will be included before continuing to Avignon and your hotel for the next 4 nights. Dine together this evening in the hotel restaurant.

Day 2

At Mas de Benoit we find one of Provence’s most thought-provoking gardens. Designed by Alain David Idoux: a sculpted landscape with almond spiral, lavender wedge and tree sculptures by Marc Nucera. In contrast Chateau Brantes was built by the Florentine del Bianco family that settled in the papal city of Avignon in the early 17^th century. In the surrounding Jardin Brante some of the Italian influences remain embellished in 1960 by the Danish Landscape Architect, Mogens Tvede. Among other fine specimens we hope to catch the magnificent Tree Peonies still in flower. In 2005 the garden was awarded the Jardin Remarquable status. Return to the hotel for a free evening.

Day 3

Today we travel to the Cervennes to see three remarkable gardens: Les Jardin des Sambucs is a relaxed richly planted woodland and kitchen garden that encourages wildlife in all forms. The policy is to feed the soil with a range of home-produced composts which then feed the plants that are consumed in the gardens restaurant. At Bambouseraie de Prafrance one can find over 1000 varieties of Bamboo laid out into a wonderful botanical experience. Then to recover at Les Buis de Lussan where a delicious afternoon tea awaits with homemade conserves and a beautiful small topiary garden with stunning views. We return to Avignon and dine again at the Hotel d’Europe.

Day 4

In Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, we visit the town residence of international garden designer Dominique Lafourcade who will guide us through her own playful and contemporary loft and courtyard garden. Followed by another private garden designed by Dominique Lafourcade. Time for some free time to find your own lunch and to shop in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence before returning to Avignon. This evening, we walk through the old town for a ‘Chef’s Supper’ at La Mirande a mélange of tasting and viewing the creation of some wonderful dishes by renowned chefs.

Day 5

We check out of our hotel this morning and head west towards Arles to visit the superb kitchen gardens at Michelin starred La Chassagnette, deep in the Camargue. A wonderful lunch still leaves us with time to transfer to Marseilles airport for our return flight to London.

Hotel d'Europe

Hotel d'Europe is a magnificent 16th century house hotel in the centre of Avignon. Enjoy the tranquillity of the hotel surrounded by elegant furnishings and impeccable service. After spending the day uncovering Provence's horticultural gems, return to your characterful room, individually designed with chic features and luxury amenities. The Restaurant La Vieille Fontaine is a refined establishment offering gourmet meals to guests, curated by chef Pascal Auger, ensuring you can truly indulge in the French charm of the establishment.

With Flights: £3495

Join Direct: £3345

Single Supp: £360

Deposit: £450

Departure Dates:

20 - 24 April 2026

Duration:

4 nights / 5 days

Your Holiday Includes:

Return flights (Economy class) from London to Marseille
Four nights' bed and breakfast at the Hotel d'Europe
Private coach transfers and excursions
Three evening meals and three lunches
Guided visits to sites listed in the programme
Services of the Tour Host and Tour Leader
Detailed programme and garden notes
All entrance fees, taxes, and gratuities for coach drivers and serving staff

Tour Host & Leader

Amy Kupec Larue

Amy Kupec Larue is from upstate New York and has been living, working and traveling in Europe for over 35 years. After creating a floral decorating business in 1994, she began hosting garden tours in 2005. Her passion for plants, people and landscape design has taken her to many public and private gardens across France as well as Portugal and Italy. She also enjoys writing and published a map about the Remarkable Trees of Paris in 2023 along with articles for Bonjour Paris, France Today and the Guardian. When not traveling, she divides her time gardening between the Ile de France region and a small island off the coast of Brittany.

Marion Mako

Based in the Cotswolds, Marion is an accomplished freelance garden designer, historian, researcher, author, and tour leader. Inspired by a trip to Italy, she left the corporate world to study garden design and practical horticulture, later earning a Master’s in Garden History from the University of Bristol, where she focused on the Arts and Crafts era and the artist and garden designer Alfred Parsons. Marion has written five books, contributed to journals, and appeared on British TV and the American PBS series ‘A Short History of the English Garden’. For over twenty years, she has led garden tours across England and Europe. It is her great joy to discover and share new gardens with fellow garden enthusiasts and she is renowned for her engaging storytelling about the creators of these places.