South of France:
Lavender in Full Bloom

Check-in at Los Angeles Airport (LAX). Depart for Nice, France.

After a long transatlantic flight, you arrive in Nice, the capital of the Côte d’Azur, also known as the French Riviera. Nice is a paradise for lovers of beaches, museums, and shopping. Check in at the hotel. (D)

Explore the highlights of Nice:
Cours Saleya Market: A vibrant open-air market located in the heart of the Old Town of Nice. The market is filled with colorful stalls selling fresh flowers, fruits, spices, and regional specialties from Provence, creating a lively and authentic Mediterranean atmosphere.
Castle Hill (Colline du Château): A scenic hill overlooking the city of Nice, once the site of an ancient fortress. Today it is a beautiful park offering spectacular panoramic views of the city, the coastline, and the sparkling waters of the Baie des Anges.
Old Town Nice (Vieux Nice): A charming historic quarter with narrow winding streets, pastel-colored buildings, and flower-filled balconies. It is the perfect place to experience the Mediterranean lifestyle, with cozy cafés, artisan shops, and traditional restaurants.
Promenade des Anglais: The famous seaside boulevard stretching along the Mediterranean coast. Built in the 19th century, it has become an iconic symbol of Nice and is a wonderful place for strolling, cycling, and enjoying views of the turquoise sea.
Cimiez: A historic hillside district north of the city center, known for its Roman ruins, elegant villas, and art museums. The area offers a peaceful and refined atmosphere, contrasting with the lively coastal areas of Nice.
Visit Monaco (officially the Principality of Monaco). Squeezed into just 2.02 km2 (0.78 sq mi), it might follow the Vatican to be the world’s second-smallest country. Monaco is associated with the American actress Grace Kelly who became Princess of Monaco after marrying Prince Rainier III. Monte-Carlo, the major district of Monaco, is home to a neo-classical casino complex and the ornate Salle Garnier opera house. It also has many luxe hotels, boutiques, nightclubs and restaurants. The casino building, open to visitors every morning, is Europe’s most lavish example of belle-epoque architecture. Enjoying a cup of coffee while watching passers-by is another option that can be done at the Le Cafe de Paris restaurant right next to the casino.
Visit Èze, perched high on a hill above the Mediterranean between Nice and Monaco, Èze is a picturesque medieval village known for its narrow stone streets, charming houses, and breathtaking sea views. The village is also famous for its long tradition of perfume making, home to renowned perfume houses such as Fragonard, where visitors can learn about the art of fragrance creation inspired by Mediterranean flowers and herbs. Surrounded by Mediterranean aromatic plants—including lavender, thyme, and rosemary—Èze offers a natural connection to the fragrant landscapes of Provence, making it a charming gateway to the region’s celebrated lavender culture.
Overnight in Nice. (B)

Set off towards Le Martre via the Pré-Alpes de Digne on the Route de la Lavande. This area is famous for wild lavender growing naturally on high-altitude hillsides and scrublands in the Pre-Alps.
Arrive in Entrevaux, a historic town along the Var. Explore the town’s fortified walls, stone bridges, and the hilltop fortress. From the fortress, enjoy panoramic views of the medieval town, the winding Var River, and the surrounding hills of the Pre-Alps Provence.
On the route to Annot, travel through open valleys where patches of lavender begin to appear across fields and hillsides, creating the romantic scenery of the Pre-Alps lavender zone.
Stop at Annot, a charming village nestled among towering sandstone cliffs and shaded pine forests. Optionally, take the scenic Train des Pignes from Puget-Théniers to Annot for a unique perspective of the landscape.
Continue to Le Martre, located deep in Provence’s peaceful highlands, surrounded by lavender fields, meadows, and forested hills. The road to the village winds through purple hillsides and expansive valleys, offering one of the most picturesque sections of the Route de la Lavande. (B/D)

Continue your journey along the Route de la Lavande, passing through some of France’s largest lavender-growing regions. This famous scenic route in Provence offers early-blooming lavender fields and endless purple valleys, a quintessential symbol of the South of France.
Arrive in Castellane, a charming town at the gateway to the Gorges du Verdon in the Pre-Alps. Visit Notre-Dame du Roc, perched atop a hill overlooking the town. Built in the 12th–13th centuries, this historic church is one of Castellane’s most important landmarks. From the hilltop, enjoy panoramic views of the winding Verdon River, the majestic limestone mountains, and the old town below.
Continue along the Route des Crêtes, one of the most famous scenic drives in southern France. The road winds along high cliffs, offering breathtaking views of the emerald-green river below and the rugged mountains of Provence.
Arrive in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, a picturesque village nestled at the foot of a cliff, renowned for its traditional faience pottery and postcard-perfect scenery. From here, the road leads to the Valensole Plateau, one of Provence’s largest lavender-growing regions, where the endless purple fields stretch across the highlands. (B/D)

Journey to Valensole, the heart of Provence’s lavender country. The Valensole Plateau is world-famous for its vast, picture-perfect lavender fields, making it one of the top destinations in France for photography.
The roads through Valensole, such as D8 Puimoisson, D6 Manosque, and Oraison–Valensole, are considered “must-see” lavender routes, ideal for experiencing the beauty of a Provençal summer.
Here, visitors can admire and photograph endless purple fields under the bright blue skies of the Mediterranean. Explore and shop for souvenirs, from essential oils, soaps, and candles to handcrafted lavender products, bringing home a piece of Provence’s fragrance and charm.
Valensole is also famous for its almond groves, stretching across gentle hillsides. In summer, the blooming almond trees create a peaceful and poetic landscape. Stop by the local workshops producing almond and herbal products, including essential oils, liqueurs, and handcrafted specialties with a distinctly Provençal flavor.
Continue to Gréoux-les-Bains, a charming town renowned for its natural thermal springs and Roman-era mineral spas. The name “les Bains” reflects the town’s long-standing tradition of therapeutic bathing, offering visitors a chance to relax, rejuvenate, and enjoy the beauty of Provence. (B/D)

On the way to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, stop at the Lavender Museum in Cabrières-d’Avignon to learn about Provence’s artisanal lavender distillation heritage. The museum showcases the traditional lavender cultivation in the Luberon valleys and demonstrates the historical methods of distilling and refining lavender essential oils.
In L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, visit the Brun de Vian-Tiran wool factory & Filaventure, one of France’s oldest and most renowned wool factories, established in 1808. At Filaventure, you can tour the wool production workshops, learning the process from raw fiber to finished products. Observe traditional artisan weaving techniques combined with modern technology, creating high-quality wool products. Explore the gallery and shop, offering wool items, blankets, scarves, and Provence-themed souvenirs. (B/D)

Continue your journey along the lavender route and explore these highlights:
Pernes-les-Fontaines: Discover the historic town with its ancient fountains, tree-lined streets, and traditional artisan workshops. Visit local craft studios and experience the charm of Provence’s heritage.
Domaine de la Coquillade: Tour the wine cellar and enjoy a wine tasting, immersing yourself in the rich wine culture of Provence.
Mines de Bruoux: Explore the Bruoux limestone mines on a one-hour guided tour, learning about the history of mining and its role in the Provence region.
Lustrerie Mathieu: Visit the glassware workshop, observe the intricate artisan techniques, and admire the exquisite handcrafted products.
Le Barroux: Tour the Château du Barroux and the whiskey distillery, discovering the town’s long history and local specialties. Stop at the lavender fields near the abbey for beautiful photo opportunities.
Sorgues: Conclude your journey in this peaceful town, where you can enjoy the Provençal atmosphere and browse local artisan shops before continuing your travels. (B/D)

On the way to Vaison-la-Romaine, the scenic route through Valréas, Visan, and Grillon stands out with vivid purple lavender fields, offering a breathtaking landscape perfect for photography and relaxing amid the natural beauty of Provence.
Stop and explore the archaeological sites of Puymin & La Villasse: visit important Roman ruins and learn about the daily life, architecture, and history of Vaison-la-Romaine from thousands of years ago.
Your Provence lavender journey concludes today, having crossed five major lavender regions: Préalpes, Verdon, Valensole, Luberon, and Ventoux–Drôme Provençale. Each area has its own unique charm, from vast purple fields stretching across plateaus and winding hills to quaint historic villages and scenic routes. It has been a complete journey of nature, fragrance, and golden Provence sunshine, leaving unforgettable memories for every traveler.
Return to Nice. (B)

Transfer to the airport for the departure flight to LAX.