French Provence Tour for Food Lovers

Ojai, France Sight-Seeing Tours

Ojai, France Sight-Seeing Tours

Activity/Tour

The tour will cover the old town of Nice on the Cote d'Azure then move inland to the rugged mountians, plateaus and river fed valleys of Haute Provence. It is a land of wild thyme, lavender and rosemary. Stone villages perch on impossible hilltops. It is away from the overcrowded and commercialized coast. The breezes sweep off the snows of the Alps and the waters come from the same pure source.

Typical Day

This is an intimate French Food Tour that explores the food of the Haute Provence with visits to restaurants, village markets, olive oil factories, goat cheese producers, wineries and more. It also includes hands on cooking demonstrations with top chefs of the area and family style true Provencal instruction in the kitchens of the Chateau where you will be staying. This remarkable Chateau the home of the Marquis de Castellane. Overlooking the lake of Esparron, it is an upscale family B&B in the ancient village of Esparron de Verdon. Both village and chateau date back to the 12th century. The village is on a lake. With a maximum of 16 voyagers in two mini buses the tour will be personal with a lot of one on one attention from the four tour guides. La Von and Robbie (her British husband) Roberts will be leading the tour aided by food and travel photographers and writers Peter and Linda D'Aprix who live part time in the area. The group will land in Nice where they will spend several days sampling Nicoise cooking and visiting the perfume town of Grasse and the gastronomic village of Mougins. Then on to the Haute Provence. This is a region not far from the Luberon made famous by Peter Mayle's book "A Year in Provence". We will be making a foray into his country. The tour is flexible so that members can either participate in the organized activities or not as whim dictates.

Age range, type of group

One day we will be spending the morning at the hotel/restaurant "La Hostellerie de la Fuste" with owner and chef Daniel Jourdan famous for his regionally inspired dishes taken to a new level. He uses only local produce. We will watch and help him prepare our meal during the morning. He will answer any questions and has provided recipes in advance. After digestion, we will then offer a visit to the house of Jean Giano the poet and writer who made Provence famous and sample some of the local wines at Domaine Lablac or those members who would rather sleep off lunch can return to the Chateau or simple wander around the old medieval town of Manosque. Another day we will spend time at the village market of the old Roman town of Riez. Then off for lunch at "Les Santons" in the hilltop village of Moustiers Ste. Marie famous for its charm and for its pottery. After free time to wander its twisting streets or a climb up the penitants stair, we will tour the road carved into the walls of the French Grand Canyon, Les Gorges de Verdon with its spectacular views. Then back to the Chateau.

Sleeping and meals

While there is no age range or restrictions of any type, the tour propably will appeal most to those with an interest in food and cooking and the region that inspires the tastes. This is a hilly region, so those with difficulties walking may not be able to get the full benefit of the hillside villages but can certainly enjoy the food and cafés and the village markets. The Chateau d'Esparron does not have an elevator, there is only the stone spiral staircase and the rooms are one or two flights up as is the entrance to the chateau itself.

Policies & Restrictions

The Chateau d'Esparron has been completely restored to the highest standards in the last few years and the bathrooms are totally new using traditional style bathroom fixtures and fittings. The beds may be antiques, but the matresses and springs are new. The Tour includes all breakfasts, many lunches and some dinners. The website of the Chateau is

Rates

There will be no smoking while the group is together in the minibusses, restaurants or otherwise grouped together nor where ever smokeing is banned. However, when on one's own that is your own perogative. No pets.

The prices are based per person on double occupancy at $3,350.00 U.S. including air fare for those who can leave from LAX in Los Angeles; or $2,650.00 for those who cannot depart from Los Angeles. For you, round trip travel to Nice will be arranged by Topa Topa Travel at the best rates possible under the prevailing conditions at time of reservation.
Both price include 11 nights, 12 days leaving the U.S. on 21 October. The price includes first-class hotel in Nice, all taxes and tips are covered, a reception in Nice, the stay at the Chateau d'Esparron, 12 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners, sight-seeing trips and local guides, complementary TopaTopaTravel tote bag and cancellation insurance. For those departing from Los Angeles, the air fare is included in the price.

Other Information

For reservation or further information contact: Topa Topa Travel, 530 West Ojai Avenue, Ojai, CA 93023. Telephone: (805) 646-0155 Fax (805) 646-9884
E-mail: phdp

Ojai, France Sight-Seeing Tours