Valley between Les Baux de Provence and the Alpilles Mountains
Valley between Les Baux de Provence and the Alpilles Mountains

Olive Oil & Wine Estates of Provence, Arles

Overview

Take a day trip out to Fontvieille, a village famous for its olive groves in the Alpilles Mountains. Fittingly, the first stop is a 13th-century Provençal farmhouse, where the owners will take you on a tour of their estate. Next, sit down to taste olive oils, learning how to differentiate between types, and use each in cooking. Next, follow along with a professional chef as they lead you in a cooking class based on these local olive oils, then sample the fruits of your labor!

Next, follow the Route de Vins through the Alpilles Nature Reserve and visit the area's famed wine estates. First, start at the Estoublon Chateau in the Baux-de-Provence Valley, a luxury estate known for its rich history and unusual architecture. Then, continue to the pine forests and oak groves that surround the Domaine du Grand Fontanille. This estate sits in a microclimate that creates wines with distinctive aromas, particularly organic reds and roses made from syrah, grenache, and cabernet sauvignon grapes.

Then, turn toward Arles and stop at the Grand Castelet wine estate, covering nearly 500 acres (200 hectares) along the Rhône River with vines, woods, and other crops. The owner's family has passed down their winemaking knowledge through generations and harvest fresh grapes on paths surrounded by 100-year-old sycamores.
 
Finally, stop at the Mas Carlin, a family estate serving red and rosé wines exclusively crafted using the saignée method, with citrus, mango, and dried fruit notes. You'll sip these varietals alongside the Roman road, which once linked Rome to Spain. 

Discover more culinary excursions in France and other unique experiences in Provence.

Itineraries with Olive Oil & Wine Estates of Provence

Self-Drive Culture, Wine, and Food Tour of Southern France - 8 Days

On this self-drive tour, you'll get behind the wheel and take off into the south of France, discovering the highlights of the famed Provence region in just over a week. The tour will take you from the nation's oldest city, Marseille, to the markets and cafés of charming Aix-en-Provence. It continues to the historic city of Avignon, on the Rhône River, as well as into the Alpilles Mountains and over the valleys of the Luberon region. At the end of each day, you'll hang your hat in some of the most charming hotels and B&Bs in all of France.

Gourmet Tour of Provence - 5 Days

This quick five-day getaway reveals the culture and flavors of Aix-en-Provence, the historic capital of the Provence region of southeastern France. You'll discover the secrets of "Aix" with a guided stroll through its ancient thoroughfares, sample regional gastronomic specialties, plus take a local cooking class. You'll even enjoy a bonus cooking class in a nearby village in the Alpilles Mountains.

France Road Trip: Ultimate Self-Drive Tour of Provence - 9 Days

Twirl around to the catchy tune of Sur le Pont d'Avignon as you cross said bridge and more on this nine-day self-drive trip. In addition to crossing the celebrated bridge of Avignon, you'll stroll down the Mediterranean coast and through markets, vineyards, olive groves, and more to see all that Provence has to offer.