Hidden Provence

Written By Rachel Lipko

Three underground activities to dive in and discover a secret side of Provence

When Andy and I decided to take the leap and become part-time home owners abroad, we didn’t realize how important that limited time in Provence was. With our lives in the U.S. keeping us from becoming full-time residents abroad, we always make sure the limited time we have in Provence is well spent. We began to find that no matter what your interests may be, you can always find tour companies that offer excursions or experiences aligning with many traveler’s preferences or tastes. In some cases, though, it's hard not to feel like a bunch of herded cattle, being shuttled from one overly saturated, popular destination to the next. Not wanting to feel like the average tourist, Andy and I try to find things to do that are a bit off of the beaten path or have a homegrown feel to them. We’ve found, the less known the activity is, the more enjoyable and authentic it has been over all. I have created a list of three incredibly different, under-the-radar activities in Provence with vastly different price points to suit any traveler’s interests.

Number one is the least expensive of the three and is perfect for a romantic date night or a group of family or friends ready to explore the region in a unique way. Most travelers who visit Provence sign up for a wine tasting or vineyard tour and it is an incredible way to explore the region and learn not only about the wines, but history. Domaine de la Bouvaude takes exploring a wine estate one step further by offering “Between the Vines and Lights,” a two kilometer stroll through their beautiful vineyard, olive groves, forests and the rocks, known as The Saffres. The immersive experience is accompanied by an audio tour that comes in French, English or German and is mixed with a combination of light projections,  synchronized audio, video mapping and scenography as you walk along the paths, through the estate. During the tour, you will be introduced to the legends surrounding the vineyard and learn more about Alain, the winemaker who has owned the property since 1969. Each ticket purchased comes with a glass of wine or juice for children. Tickets are 15 euros for adults and 5 euros for children under 18. Children 7 and under get in for free. 
The domaine also offers the option to add a “pique nocte,” or nightime picnic, on to your ticket if you’d like to add to your experience and have a small snack while enjoying the lights and the beautiful estate. The cost for the “pique nocte” during the 2023 season was 24 euros, with the basket included items such as: organic antipasti vegetables, Provençal cake, fresh bread, Picodon goat cheese and caillette.

The 2024 schedule has not been listed on the website yet, but the 2023 tours started in July and ended mid-Septemer, holding the event Mondays through Saturdays starting at dusk. For the perfect, inexpensive night out, whether with family, friends or a partner, check out the immersive walk through the vineyards at Domaine de la Bouvaude.

Quick Info:

Price: 15 euros for adults 5 euros for children ages 7-18. Children 7 and under get in for free.

Add ons: Picnic basket for 24 euros.

When: July - September - Monday-Saturday - Dusk

Website: https://www.bouvaude.com/vignes-et-lumieres

My number two spot is for the adventurer who is looking to discover Provence in a very different and unique way. Horse Adventure is a stable around Montpellier that offers an array of what they call “unusual horse rides.”  What I really like about this experience is that there are many different rides at many different price points that could appeal to a mass audience, providing a unique experience for everyone. Because this is Provence, the first unusual ride offered is of course “horses and wine,” which allows the rider to have a wine tasting during or after their ride. They also offer horse rides themed to sunsets or sunrises for the rider wanting to experience Provence through a gradual change in its famous lighting.

The most interesting unusual rides offered, however, were definitely the horse yoga and horse and botanic pick, which allows the rider to pick some locally grown herbs and flowers before coming back as a group and discussing recipes and remedies to be made with what they have foraged. 

Each of the unusual horse rides differ in price, but they range from 75 euros to 120 euros. You may also opt to add on a dining option to your ride, choosing between an aperitif and appetizers for an extra 15 euros a person or an aperitif dinner at 45 euros a person. 

If you are looking for something a little more low key, the stable also offers traditional trail rides that last between an hour and two hours with the option of extending it to a half day. The cost for the shorter ride is 70 euros while extending it to half of a day is 85 euros. 

However, if you are someone who is very comfortable with horses and wants to experience Provence through a more indepth horse-driven experience, they do offer overnight excursions that include accommodations and meals for between 120 euros and 210 euros depending on the length of time, one or two days. 

And finally, there is also an option for people who love horses, but perhaps aren’t too keen on riding them. The bikes and horses ride allows participants to ride an electric bike through the beautiful Provence countryside while being accompanied by horses, which are ridden alongside participants. 

Quick Info:

Price: Starting at 70 euros per person for a trail ride, people can choose different experiences that extend to 210 euros a person. 

Add ons: An aperitif and appetizer for 15 euros a person or an aperitif and dinner starting at 45 euros a person.

When: Check the website calendar for the most recent updates

Website: https://www.horse-aventure.com


The third and final underground experience is for the traveler who loves indulging in regional cuisine. It is the most expensive experience of the three, but does have options at various price points for people who are interested in a shorter, less costly activity. Chef Suzanne Kay of Plate Full of Dreams, offers vacation cooking classes to the lucky 6 participants who happen to snag a spot in one of her coveted experiences.

The vacation classes are held four times a year and include a five night stay at the beautiful Mas de Mourchon, located on a vineyard in the charming, hillside village of Séguret in Provence.

Guests start their experience on Monday where they get settled into their rooms and freshened up before meeting other attendees at the apèro dînatoire. Tuesday, participants travel as a group to Vaison-la-Romaine’s historic weekly market to collect items for their first cooking class, which brings everyone together to create that evening’s meal.  All dishes are made with local, mainly organic and seasonal ingredients, keeping in the Provençal tradition.

At the start of the experience, students are given a book of the recipes they will prepare in each class, which they can use to take notes in as they continue on their cooking adventure. For each meal, students will prepare four courses, a starter, then main course, followed by a selection of cheeses with salad, finished with dessert. Each class meal is also paired with wine selected by a local sommelier, allowing students to explore the wines of France and understand how they compliment the taste of their dishes. Wednesday begins with a tour of the domaine followed by a wine tasting and intimate picnic lunch before coming together for the second cooking class to prepare dinner. Thursday’s class centers around preparing lunch, giving the students the evening to explore other towns or attractions around the area.  During Friday’s class, the last of the series, Chef Suzanne likes to tailor the lesson to any dishes the group is curious about learning to make. More often than not, students get creative, straying away from the Provençal-style of cooking, and adding another layer to their ever-budding cooking skills.

Saturday, participants have their final breakfast, all of which are included in the price of the experience, and say their goodbyes before heading off. 

Fees for the six day event start at 3,750 euros per student, based on a double occupancy of a room and extend to 5,000 euros per student for a single occupancy of a room. If accommodations are not needed, the price drops to 3,200 euros. If you are traveling with a partner who would not like to partake in the cooking classes, but would enjoy attending the group dinners, market and mas tour and wine tasting, the price becomes 5800 euros for both the student and their non-participating companion, sharing a room.

If you are someone, however, that doesn’t have that length of time to devote to the whole vacation cooking series, Suzanne Kay also offers private classes that can be tailored to your specific tastes. Starting between 200 and 400 euros a day per person, the price tag includes a minimum of three hour class, followed by a three to four course meal and wine pairing. 


Quick Info:

Price: 

Vacation Classes- Ranging from 3,200 euros for a single student not needing accommodations up to 5,000 euros for a single student staying in a single occupancy room. 

Private Classes- Ranging from 200-400 euros a person and tailored to your specific requests

Extra Fees: Fees do not include your travel to Provence or any traveling done on your own around the region between classes. It also does not include any meals you have off of the mas. 

When: Check the website for the 2024 calendar- Some dates are already sold out!

Website: https://platefullofdreams.com


For a South of France adventure that is a bit off of the beaten path, check out one of my hidden in Provence experiences. Whether taking in the beautiful landscape with a glass of wine and an illuminated stroll, riding horses through the stunning Provençal countryside to forage for some herbs or breaking bread with a group of food forward new friends at the Mas de Mourchon, any activity will show you a unique side of one of the most stunning places on earth.


Happy Adventuring! 

-R


Rachel Lipko
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