French Adventures

These tours are shared tours by minivan with pick up hotel & return hotel in Avignon central. One driver guide per minivan limited to 8 persons. English speaking tours. .

Lavender is native to the Southern Alps, and different varieties grow wild throughout the Provence region. In the 16th century, the Provençal peasants produced lavender oil to heal wounds and expel intestinal worms. The true lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) that thrives in the chalky soils and hot, dry climate of higher altitudes of the Provence was picked systematically at the end of the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, fields of lavender were first planted, at altitudes above 700 m. Since the true lavender grows best at over 700 m, a hybrid, Lavandin, was developed for cultivation at lower altitudes.

Flowers and leaf-stalks can be dried for perfuming bed-linen and to keep moths away from your clothes. Lavender essence is used commercially in the perfume, soap and pharmaceutical industries. Dried lavender is is packaged in small cloth sacks and sold worldwide. Dried lavender is also used for cooking and for herbal cures. There is a strong cottage industry in the Beyond region of lavender products. The distillation is done in a steam alembic, with the dry lavender steamed in a double boiler. The essential oils are extracted from the lavender by the water vapor and are passed through the cooling coils of a retort. The condensation provides the final mixture of essence and water. A ton of dry lavender passes through the alembic in about 30 minutes. Lavandin produces from 25-40 kg of essence, and true lavender produces from 5-10 kg, but of a better quality.

Drive along a picturesque road through lavender fields to Sault, lavender capital or the Claparedes plateau (photo stops).

Free time in Sault or Roussillon to wander and do shopping in lavender shops.

You will appreciate the lavender : essence, flowers, honey..

Available from 12/06/2007 to 15/08/2008

Available : Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Dep. at 9.00 a.m
Ret. at 1.00 p.m

Departure town : Avignon
LT01 : 80 € per person

Drive along picturesque road through lavender fields to Sault, lavender capital.

Free time in Sault or Roussillon to wander and do shopping in lavender shops.

You will appreciate the lavender : essence, flowers, honey...

Drive to Coustellet across lavender fields and small picturesque villages : St Jean, Lioux, GORDES (free visit).

Visit of the LAVENDER Museum in Coustellet, where you’ll learn everything about lavender (video, exhibition and shop).

Available from 12/06/2007 to 15/08/2008

Available : Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Dep. at 2.00 p.m
Ret. at 7.00 p.m

Departure town : Avignon
LT02 : 120 € per person

Discover a traditional open market everyday in a different village of Provence and appreciate its stalls which present a shimmering palette of fruits and vegetables...

Drive along a picturesque road through wild lavender fields to Sault, lavender capital (photo stops) or Roussillon.

Free time in Sault or Roussillon to wander and do shopping in lavender shops.

You will appreciate the lavender : essence, flowers, honey... Lunch on your own.

Drive to Coustellet across wild lavender fields and small picturesque villages : St Jean, Lioux, Gordes.

Visit Gordes, perched village in Luberon, one of «the most beautiful villages in France», completely made with dry stones.

Photo stop at the Senanque Abbey, cistercian monument surrounded by a wonderful lavender field (blooming period : mid June - mid July).

Visit of the LAVENDER Museum in Coustellet, where you’ll know everything about lavender : video, exhibition, and demonstration of distillation.

Available from 12/06/2007 to 15/08/2008

Available : daily
Dep. at 9.00 a.m
Ret. at 6.00 p.m
LT03 : 180 Euros per person

Flight over Lavender Fields:

A 30 mn Flight from Avignon over LAVENDER AREA and Villages

Dep. fromAvignon airport

• Oppède
• Ménerbes
• Lacoste
• Bonnieux
• Plateau des Claparèdes until Saignon
• Roussillon
• Gordes, Sénanque Abbey
• Fontaine de Vaucluse
• L'Isle sur la Sorgue

Ret. Avignon airport

Available from12/06/2007 to 15/08/2008

Available : daily
Reservation : 48 hours before Mini 2 passengers

Rendez-vous directly at Avignon airport (15 mn from the city center)

Departure town : Avignon
LT04 : for 2 persons 800 Euros ( private flight)

Lavender tour Occitane Full Day:

A full day tour to enjoy a UNIQUE experience within the most beautiful lavender area !

From June 15th to June 30th : discover the lavandin in bloom !
Visit Gordes, perched village in Luberon, one of «the most beautiful villages in France», completely made with dry stones.
Free time in Roussillon, famous for its red and yellow ochre cliffs, an unusual natural landscape. Drive along a picturesque road through lavender fields to the Claparedes plateau (photo stops). Free time for lunch on your own.
or
From July 01st : discover the fine lavender in bloom !
Drive along a picturesque road through lavender fields to Sault, lavender capital (photo stops).
Free time in Sault to wander and do shopping in lavender shops. You will appreciate the lavender : essence, flowers, honey... Free time for lunch on your own.

Continue to Manosque, situated in the heart of Haute Provence. Then, visit of l'OCCITANE factory, which combines natural ingredients and traditional know-how to make perfumes, beauty care products and soaps. Reviving traditions is only part of the l'Occitane philosophy. You will visit the factory, then you will see a film about manufacture and ingredients. Finally, you will discover all the secrets of distillation, and you will have a demonstration about "how to use essential oils for weel-being".

Free time for shopping with a SPECIAL 10% DISCOUNT ON OCCITANE PRODUCTS

Available from 12/06/2007 to 15/08/2008

Available : Monday Thursday
Dep. at 9.00 am
Ret. at 6.00 pm

Reservation 48 hours before Minimum 4 persons

Departure town : Avignon
LT05 : 200 € per person