France
Escape to Provence
Château kitchens, morning markets and the Michelin-starred chefs who actually live here.
Duration
8 Days, 7 Nights
Tour Type
Small Group · Max 8 guests
Best Time to Go
May–June · Sept–Oct
Best For
Solo travellers, couples, small friend groups
Why This Tour
The Provence most visitors never taste.
Hidden amidst rolling vineyards is our château and cooking school, elegantly restored in keeping with the traditions of an authentic Provençal mas. Visit colourful country markets with our chef and learn to cook the cuisine of the South. Surrounded by cypress and olive trees and infused with the aromas of lavender and rosemary, this country retreat will satiate the soul as well as the palate.
- Hide away in acres of wild Provence scenery
- Learn Provençal dishes from our Michelin-starred chefs
- Enjoy guided wine tastings and oenology workshops
- Luxuriate in our five-star château hotel and spa
Recommended For
Those who'd like to join a small group of like-minded companions for cooking classes in France while still cherishing their privacy — the best of both worlds, with convivial classes in the mornings and time to explore at your own pace in the afternoons and evenings. Ideal for wine lovers, and anyone seeking a quiet, relaxing countryside escape.
What You'll Experience
What makes this trip different.
- Pick fresh herbs from the magnificent kitchen garden
- Taste fresh rosé wines from our cellars, where we have been ageing wines for three hundred years
- Cook the Cuisine of the Sun, for which heirloom varieties, flowers and garden herbs all grow together under the olive trees
- Sleep in five-star Provençal country chic, with stunning views over the vineyards from your four-poster bed
- Explore the surrounding countryside, hilltop villages or the nearby glitzy coastline
- Walk, hike, bike or simply relax at this peaceful hideaway in rural Provence
Escape to Provence
PROVENCE, FRANCE
Next Departure
May 12, 2026
Duration
8 Days, 7 Nights
From
$6,495 per person
Group Size
Max 8 guests
About the Experience
About the cooking course & chef.
The newly refurbished cookery school is a vast, old-fashioned kitchen worthy of the finest mansion houses — varnished tiles, sparkling copper pans, polished wood and cool stone. In a friendly atmosphere, you'll learn the alchemy and techniques of gastronomic cuisine, turning local produce into dishes overflowing with flavour and poetry.
Learn and indulge in a feast of the finest local flavours, as fresh produce from the château's organic gardens — along with delicacies from the local markets — is transformed into gourmet dishes. Enjoy meals on the terrace beneath the shade of a pergola, or in the dining room, where the rustic charm of the vineyards is depicted in a hand-painted frieze arching across the wall beneath timbered beams.
Our Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Jardin de Berne, retained its Michelin star in the 2025 guide and also received a Green Star for its commitment to sustainable gastronomy — recognising its eco-responsible approach to cuisine and its efforts to reduce food waste.
Location
In the heart of Southern France.
The Var
The stunning Var region in Southern France is a diverse area, stretching from the Gorge du Verdon in the north to St Tropez in the south. Blessed with a Mediterranean climate, a wealth of beauty, ease of access and famous hilltop villages, this part of Provence has drawn discerning travellers for centuries.
In the north, the Gorge du Verdon — often called France's Grand Canyon — is a paradise for outdoor lovers. The rural heartland holds historic cathedrals, abbeys and vineyards, and pretty medieval villages such as Tourtour, Cotignac and Villecroze. To the south lie St Tropez and Toulon, the red rocks of the Esterel range and plenty of golden sandy beaches.
The Cooking School
We are in the heart of Provence, between Nice and Marseille near Lorgues, where our château nestles in a valley amongst olive trees, thyme and rosemary. The tradition of winemaking has been rooted here since 1750; the winemakers live for their passion and share their knowledge with generosity, talent and care. Stay in luxury on a private estate of 500 hectares of gardens and vineyards, and enjoy quintessential Provençal countryside.
Your Itinerary
Eight days in Provence.
Day 1
Arrival in Marseille
Your journey begins with a transfer to your château hotel outside Aix-en-Provence. This evening is yours — dinner at a restaurant we’ve been going to for fifteen years, where the chef still comes out to say hello.
Dinner included
Day 2
The Market at Dawn
Up early for the reason we’re all here. The market at Aix opens at six and our chef walks it like he owns it — pointing out who has the best tomatoes this week and why it matters. Back to the kitchen by nine.
Breakfast, lunch included
Day 3
Château Kitchen
A full day with our Michelin-trained resident chef. Morning spent cooking, afternoon spent eating what you made, evening free to explore the village.
Breakfast, lunch included
Day 4
The Perfumer of Grasse
A short drive to Grasse, the world’s perfume capital, for a private workshop with a perfumer who teaches smell the way a sommelier teaches taste. Lunch in the old town, back by dusk.
Breakfast, lunch included
Day 5
Wine & Cellar
Into Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a morning of barrel tastings with a winemaker who has been pouring for us since 2004. Afternoon free. Dinner together at the hotel.
Breakfast, Dinner included
Day 6
Truffle Country
A morning with our truffle hunter — we still don’t know exactly where he goes, and that’s fine. Lunch built entirely around what we find. Afternoon at leisure.
Breakfast, lunch included
Beyond the Table
The Spa
Set inside the ancient cellar, this 200m² spa dedicated to beauty and wellness features a panoramic terrace overlooking the vines and the outdoor pool. A paradise of rest and relaxation, the estate's mineral-rich soil and natural setting — crossed by two rivers — carries all the charm of Provence's genteel way of life.
Cycling
The domain is criss-crossed with sinuous, rocky paths — four well-kept, marked trails suited to every level, so everyone can join in safely. Electric bikes are available too, for discovering the neighbouring villages of the Haut-Var along little country roads.
Hiking
The 500-hectare park is full of unexpected and enchanting corners. Six footpaths lead through farmland, river banks, forest and vineyards — a gentle stroll or a more adventurous hike, each one casting the spell of the landscape, fauna and flora. For longer days, the picturesque villages and the beautiful Verdon are within easy reach.
The Swimming Pool
In the heart of a green oasis, the large infinity-edge pool invites you in for a long, unhurried getaway.
Inclusions
Included
- All accommodation (7 nights)
- All food experiences and cooking classes
- Meals as specified in itinerary
- Ground transport throughout
- Airport transfer on arrival
- English-speaking host throughout
- All entrance fees and tastings
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Optional add-on experiences
- Meals not specified in itinerary
Escape to Provence
PROVENCE, FRANCE
Next Departure
May 12, 2026
Duration
8 Days, 7 Nights
From
$6,495 per person
Group Size
Max 8 guests
Common Questions
Do I need cooking experience?
None at all. Our chefs teach to every level, from nervous beginners to confident home cooks. The focus is always on enjoyment, not technique.
Is this suitable for solo travellers?
Very much so — a high proportion of our Provence guests travel solo. The group size is small enough that everyone gets to know each other quickly.
Can dietary requirements be accommodated?
Always. We brief every chef, restaurant and market guide in advance. Vegetarian, gluten-free and allergy-specific diets are all handled without fuss.
What is the physical demand level?
Very relaxed. Gentle market walks and some time on your feet in the kitchen. No hiking, no physical fitness required.
Can this be made private?
Yes. Every tour we run can be adapted as a fully private experience for couples, families or groups. Contact us to discuss.
Ready to Go
Let's get you to Provence.
Spaces on this tour are limited to eight guests. If you have questions before enquiring, we're happy to talk through it first.
Your Hosts
The people who make it possible.
Judith von Prockl
Founder & Host
Twenty-five years of eating at the world's best tables. Every recommendation comes from personal experience.
Chef Marc Delacroix
Resident Chef
Michelin-trained, Provence-born. Has been cooking with GOT guests for eleven years.
Sophie Bernard
Local Guide
Former food journalist, now our eyes and ears in Aix. Knows every market vendor by name.
Ready When You Are
Let's build your Provence story.
Eight guests. Eight days. Every detail handled. Tell us when you'd like to go.
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