Accommodations
We'll stay at Blanche Fleur, a breathtaking Provençal estate owned by my friend Marie-Claude and her husband located just minutes from the famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine-growing region and the medieval town of Isle Sur La Sorgue. The extraordinary estate has been lovingly restored from its original industrial function as a wool and paper mill that had been run by monks. Marie-Claude has re-invisioned the property using many of the original building materials with her exquisite style of simple grace and elegance, now outfitted with modern-day comforts while staying true to its five centuries of history. Lavender, apricot and cherry trees, an extensive orange grove and a gorgeous swimming pool fill the grounds. There is even a small chapel on the property that they use for weddings.

Each of the bedrooms at Blanche Fleur are beautifully appointed in soothing colors and each bed covered with soft Provençal quilts (you'll want to buy some to take home!) and comfortable seating areas and lots of natural light.


Day Trips
Our excursions during the week will include trips to some of the most famous outdoor market, among them: Saint-Rémy de Provence, Isle Sur La Sorgue, Gordes, and Uzès, where we'll shop for ingredients for our cooking classes and of course you'll have time on your own to browse and shop for wonderful things to bring home with you! Since we are in one of the world's most incredible wine regions we will visit and taste at several well-known estates, which may include a trip to my friends Magaly and Raymond Fabre's glorious vineyard, Chateau Mont-Redon, a private tour and tasting at Domaine de la Solitude and Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe estates. We will also visit some of the famous hilltop villages of Provence, have a picnic lunch in one of the medieval towns, visit a world-reknown boulanger (bread maker), meet and taste the creations of one of France's top chocolatiers; and immerse ourselves in Provençal cuisine through hands-on cooking classes at Blanche Fleur.