itineraries - picnics in provence
Our itineraries are flexible, nothing is set in stone and you are welcome to join in as many or as few of the planned acitivities as you like.
They are designed to maximise your holiday enjoyment and provide great fun, relaxation, diversity and wonderful memories.
Sample Itinerary for our luxurious tour to the South Western region of France, the undiscovered Tarn et Garonne Region
This itinerary is based in one of the most beautiful homes you can imagine. The house has been lovingly restored by international interior designer and author Kathryn Ireland and has been the subject of myriad press articles. She is publishing a book in 2011 based on her 20 "Summers in France" all set in and around this utterly charming house.
DAY1
Transfers from Toulouse or Montauban from 2pm onwards and arrive at La Castellane early afternoon. Join us on the terrace for drinks and canapés followed by a welcome dinner in the Dutch barn of locally sourced seasonal produce prepared by chef Daniel de la Falaise (Harry’s bar, London, trained)
DAY 2
After a leisurely breakfast served on the terrace, our co-host for the day is delightful Frenchman Laurent Cazotte. We start at a renowned 200 year old Gaillac vineyard and will have private tastings of some superb wines with a 6th generation winemaker.
Lunch will be at Laurent’s restaurant in Gaillac where we’ll sample his excellent Poire William liqueur, one of the best in France. Later in the afternoon we’ll visit Cordes Sur Ciel, widely considered the finest medieval fortified town in all of France and Laurent’s speciality gourmet store in the village. If the fancy takes you we can arrange for a walking tour of this beautiful spot perched on a cliff.
Dinner will be served on the terrace at La Castellane.
DAY 3
We will head out early to meet our chef Daniel de la Falaise for a guided tour of the market in Caussade.
We will select some excellent produce to take back to his country home and have a private hands-on cooking class. A tour of his extensive herb garden before lunch will give you some excellent tips on starting your own.
On returning to La Castellane, there will be time to relax before evening cocktails and a barbecue served by the pool.
DAY 4
We head off to flourishing Montauban on the banks of the Tarn river for the day. The history of this fortified town dates back 900 years.
There is a wonderful market to be enjoyed at your leisure and some excellent shops for a touch of retail therapy.
After lunch we will wander around the beautiful arcades of the Place National and visit the famed Ingres museum.
Later in the afternoon we head back to La Castellane to relax, ride bikes or lounge by the pool. Alternatively step in to the kitchen for a casual hands on cooking class preparing dinner.
Dinner will be at the house in the beautiful Dutch barn, with some invited local guests.
DAY 5
Get your creative juices flowing with an art and sculpture class by the lovely Madame Claude Palmier. We will head to her beautiful home after breakfast and spend the morning in her private garden studio learning the art of drawing and painting. After lunch in the garden courtyard we will have a few hours mastering the art of sculpting.
In the early evening we will head out to a beautiful setting for dinner, served open air on a sunset terrace and prepared by Daniel de la Falaise
DAY 6
A visit to Albi and its cathedral, formerly the Bishop's Palace and one of the oldest and best-preserved castles in France. This truly imposing building in the centre of town houses the excellent Toulouse Lautrec museum.
We will have lunch in town at a charming local restaurant and head back to La Castellane in the early afternoon to relax in the garden or simply chill by the pool.
DAY 7
Explore the countryside with a morning bike ride after a leisurely breakfast. Or if you prefer come and visit a few of the local medieval hilltop towns: Bruniquel, with its commanding hilltop castle and Puycelci, a fortified hilltop village with glorious views of the surrounding countryside
Lunch will be a tree lined lake side picnic in a wonderfully relaxing spot.
Our farewell dinner will be in the Dutch barn, this outdoor dining room has been voted by Vogue magazine as ‘’one of the 100 most beautiful outdoor rooms in the world.
DAY 8
A hearty breakfast will be served in the garden, guests are free to relax until transfers back to Toulouse or Montauban beckon.
All hosted meals in this itinerary will be included in the tour price.
Those wishing to stay and relax at the house are welcome to help themselves to light meal provisions from the pantry.
