Provence Destination Guide

PROVENCE, FRANCE
THINGS TO KNOW
CLIMATE
Each season brings its own charm, making Provence a popular
year-round destination. Situated near the Mediterranean coast,
the area has a dry Mediterranean climate and although some
parts are alpine, the Luberon valley has relatively mild weather
no matter the season. Around mid-March, spring brings
sunshine and warmth (highs start to reach the 60s), and
summertime heats up further (peaking in the mid-80s), making
Provence perfect for swimming and spending time outside.
WATER
Tap water is fine to drink, though you may prefer bottled or
filtered water.
GETTING THERE
Your airport is Marseille Provence Airport (MRS), which is about
a 50-minute drive to the Luberon Valley. There are daily flights
from Paris and London. In the summer, Delta Airlines flies direct
from New York to Nice. Please note, however, that Nice is about
a 2.5-hour drive. You can also take a train from Paris to Avignon,
then drive about 45 minutes to your residence (you can get a
rental car at the train station). Ask your Personal Vacation
Advisor or Destination Concierge for detailed instructions.
GETTING AROUND
Your Destination Concierge can help arrange a rental car in
advance. You'll want to drive through the countryside, to
discover the hill towns and to explore local markets. If you want
a car service for a winery tour, your concierge can make
arrangements.
SPECIAL NOTE: Rental cars cannot be delivered to your
residence, as all drivers must be present at the rental point to
sign and show ID.
QUICK FACTS
LOCATION
Your residence is located in the
Luberon Valley of Provence, near the
villages of Bonnieux and Lacoste.
CHECK IN
5 p.m.
CHECK OUT
10 a.m.
SPECIAL NOTE: These check-in and
checkout times differ from most
Inspirato Signature Residences.
CURRENCY
Euro (EUR)
LANGUAGE
French
PASSPORT
Yes
CONVERTER
You may want to bring an adaptor, as
outlets are 220V, with standard
European round-prong plugs.
AIRPORT
MRS
THINGS TO KNOW
PARKING
Complimentary parking is available at your chateau.
CHECK IN/ARRIVAL PROCESS
Your Destination Concierge will meet you at your residence for check-in and a tour.
GROCERIES
For just the cost of groceries, your Destination Concierge will be happy to fulfill your grocery order. Simply
complete the order form on your Inspirato.com account at least 72 hours prior to your arrival. Additional
shopping trips are $25 plus the cost of groceries.
IN-RESIDENCE DINING OPTIONS
Provence and the Luberon boast some of the finest private chefs in the world. Acquiring these professionals
requires a bit of pre-planning; count on your Destination Concierge to look after the logistics. You can work
on custom menus and options during the planning process.
STAY FIT
Though there are no fitness centers in the area, the beautiful hills and trails that wind throughout Provence
are ideal for running, hiking and other active pursuits.
HOUSEKEEPING
Daily.
TIPPING GUIDELINES
While our Destination Concierge teams and housekeeping staff welcome and appreciate recognition for
exceptional service, tipping is entirely up to you based on your level of satisfaction. If you would like to leave
a gratuity, we suggest the following general guidelines:
+ Destination Concierge: $20-$50 per day depending on the level of service you experienced.
+ Housekeeping: $5-$7 per occupied room per evening is typical for luxury hospitality.
+ Restaurants: Tipping in Europe isn’t as abundant as it is in the U.S. and 5-10% of your total bill is
considered appropriate, with 5% being more the norm. As with any destination, always check your bill to see
if a service charge is included.
+ Vendors: Gratuity is dependent on the complexity of the experience or service, so we suggest using
your discretion.
TRAVEL TIPS
+ Other than in main commercial centers, stores normally close between noon and 2 p.m., when they
reopen and close again at 7 p.m. Some stores may stay closed as late as 3:30 p.m.
+ Restaurants serve lunch from noon to 1:30 or 2 p.m. only and dinner is rarely served before 7:30 p.m. Keep
this in mind when planning activities and excursions.
+ Many stores and businesses do not accept credit cards, and when they do, they might not accept some
major brands. It’s best to carry cash at all times.
+ Self-serve gas stations require a credit card with an embedded chip.
+ Weekly markets are one of the best attractions in Provence, but note that they generally run from 7 a.m. to
noon.
+ It’s perfectly acceptable (and legal) to drink wine or beer openly in a park when you’re having a picnic,
eating out for lunch or when you’re just plain thirsty. Just be sure to enjoy in moderation.
+ Provence is very dry and all visitors should be extremely cautious with fires.
THINGS TO DO
SPA
Sisley Spa at La Bastide de Gordes, one of the area’s most renowned and well-known hotels (about 30
minutes away), is a serene haven tucked into Provence’s rolling hills. Expert therapists can devise custom
treatments to help diminish stress, worry and aches. Arched windows unveil sweeping views of the
countryside, bolstering the interior’s charming natural décor.
GOLF
+ Golf Provence Country Club (located 30 minutes away) – beautiful greens flanked by native Provencal
trees, lavender and rosemary bushes with natural rock and water features and mountains in the distance
BEACHES
While there are no beaches in landlocked Provence, a 90-minute drive to the coast unveils some spectacular
swaths of sand. Below are some of our favorites:
+ Saintes Maries de la Mer – pleasant beach that’s great for sailing, windsurfing, lounging, horseback riding
and, during the summer, swimming
+ Cassis – charming village that boasts a small rocky beach, incredible views and outcroppings for hikes to
the sea
+ Calanques National Park – stunning park on the sea, surrounded by mountains and cliffs with several
villages and cities nearby
WINERIES
There are a number of convenient wineries, both large and intimate, and your Destination Concierge is happy
to give you an overview. Some of our favorites include the world-renowned wines from Chateauneuf-du-Pape,
where the idea of "Appelation d'Origine Contrôlée" was born. We also love the more sophisticated but "big"
wines from the Luberon Valley, which are all just a short drive away. And we recommend a visit to Chateau Val
Joanis in Pertuis, where you can combine a winery tour and tasting with a visit to a nationally classed Flower
Garden on the property that once, reputedly, belonged to Julius Caesar.
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHT
Travel back in time – about 2,000 years back, to be precise – by visiting the iconic Pont du Gard. The ancient
Roman aqueduct bridge, believed to have been constructed sometime in the first century (with earlier
civilizations claiming the area as home long before that), still stands today as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The landmark is about an hour away from your chateau, however it’s well worth the drive for its immense
historical significance, as well as the spectacular natural scenery that surrounds it.
FAMILY
Get the kids up into the trees at Passerelles des Cimes, a treetop ropes course located in Lagnes (about 25
minutes away). The walkways – many of which are wooden bridges with handholds — are easy to traverse
and provide fantastic panoramas of the forest. The facility boasts three courses at varying heights, allowing
children as young as 3 to participate.
MUST-DO
Les Carrières de Lumières (in Les Baux de Provence, about one hour away) is a unique art institution unlike
any other. Tucked away in an ancient quarry, the facility hosts eclectic multimedia shows that are projected
onto the natural rock walls, as well as smoother carved surfaces and the floor. The immersive experience
extends across multiple rooms, surrounding visitors in two of the area’s greatest resources: history and art.
THINGS TO DO
ROMANTIC
In the sunrise hours of the Provence countryside, we recommend floating to a premier vantage in a hot air
balloon, where you'll enjoy breathtaking views of idyllic hill towns below. When you’re high above such a
postcard-worthy landscape, you’ll be hard-pressed to think about anything other than your company and
enjoying the moment. Afterward, a sampling of local cuisine and champagne is a perfect end to a perfect day.
ADVENTURE
Under a roof of leafy tree branches, a canoe ride down the Sorgue River is a thrilling way to see some of the
area’s most beautiful attractions. A guide will carefully show you the river’s secluded nooks and crannies as
you paddle your vessel down the gentle river.
NATURE
Your residence is located amid quintessential Provençal countryside, meaning you have endless options for
exploring. Hike through the hills and valleys near your chateau to discover Provençal flora, like iconic
lavender, and take in some beautiful views. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, venture to the small open-air
markets in each nearby village. The region is market heaven and venturing out to the villages allows you to
experience the real Provence.
LOCAL
Join the hunt for one of Provence’s most elusive — and famous — commodities: truffles. The prized
mushrooms are considered a delicacy and searching for them is as exciting as eating them. Local truffle
experts will detail the history of the rare morsels while showing you their secret hunting grounds in the
woods. If you’re lucky, you’ll stumble upon a stash and be able to enjoy your bounty after the hunt.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
+ Bicycling
+ Archery
+ Cooking lessons
+ Village market tours
+ Rock climbing
+ Picnics
+ Medieval towns
+ Wildlife viewing
+ Shopping
+ Scenic drives to nearby
towns
+ Shopping
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS
FAMILY
Brasserie Les Terrasses (located five minutes away) – At this traditional brasserie, French cuisine abounds,
but so do kid-friendly wood-fired pizzas. As everyone dines on something they’ll enjoy, you can gaze into the
countryside and rustic village scenery from the restaurant’s open-air terraces.
ROMANTIC
Restaurant Le Vivier (located 30 minutes away) – All of the elements of a romantic dinner — an extensive
wine list, classic French cuisine and an impeccable location right on the Sorgue River — will be found at this
eatery that earned praise from the Michelin Guide. Snag a seat on the sunny patio, which juts out over the
water, for an alfresco dinner you won’t soon forget.
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS
FINE DINING
Restaurant Edouard Loubet at La Bastide de Capelongue (located 10 minutes away) – Picture a charming,
rustic French restaurant and this elegant eatery is probably what you’re imagining. Large arched windows
reveal sweeping vistas of rolling hills that loom just beyond the patio. The dining room’s vaulted ceilings and
antique furniture evoke a farmhouse atmosphere. That doesn’t even take into account the acclaimed French
cuisine, which was dreamed up by the restaurant’s namesake chef, a two-Michelin-starred culinary master.
LOCAL
L’Arôme Restaurant (located five minutes away) – Specializing in regional cuisine, this charming eatery takes
local dining to new heights with menus that change seasonally based on what area farmers have harvested.
The location — right in the heart of Bonnieux — and the dining room’s stone walls lend a distinctively French
atmosphere, as well.
SPECIAL NOTE: Restaurant reservations during summer high season (June through August) should be made
as early as possible.
FESTIVALS AND ACTIVITIES
+ Lavender Season – Provence is known for its heavily fragrant blossoms of lavender in early July to early
August. Tour the beautiful lavender route from the Abbaye de Sénanque (near Gordes) to the wide, purple
swatch that spreads across the Drôme and the Vaucluse.
+ Grape Harvesting and Wine Making – Fall in the Cotes du Rhone wine region of Provence means grape
harvest. Trucks filled with grapes wind through the countryside and in Avignon, which hosts an annual wine
festival, you can stroll narrow cobblestone streets tasting wine and enjoying local cuisine.
+ Olive Oil Harvest – Provence is known to produce some of the best olive oil in the world. Harvest time
November and December, and many orchards welcome help during this time. You can go into some vineyards
with an open bottle to fill with olive oil.
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Fête du Citron in Menton (lemon festival with parade and activities) – February to March
Carnaval de Nice – February to March
Fête de la Tarasque in Tarascon (cultural festival and parade) – June
Bastille Day – July 14th
Marché Flottant in L’isle-sur-la Sorgue (market on the water) – August
Fête Médiévale in Sisteron (medieval festival) – August
Festival des Musiques d’Eté in Lourmarin (summer music festival) – July to September
Les Luminessences d’Avignon (Lights of Avignon) – August to October
Wine Harvest Season – Fall
Truffle Markets – November to early March
Information presented in this Inspirato destination guide is current as of February 13, 2015. While it is believed to be accurate, Inspirato LLC (and
its officers, employees and affiliated entities, collectively “Inspirato”) makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or
completeness of the content presented herein. The contents of this destination guide may change at any time and without notice. This
destination guide is presented for informational purposes only for Inspirato members and guests. Inclusion in this destination guide is not to be
considered an endorsement or recommendation by Inspirato for any of the mentioned third-party products, services, activities or vendors.
Participation in any of the mentioned third-party products, services or activities may require a separate agreement with a third party and
members and guests are encouraged to review any such agreements carefully. Inspirato assumes no liability or responsibility for any injury,
damage or loss that members and guests may incur with any third parties, and members and guests utilizing any information in this destination
guide waive any claims against Inspirato. Inspirato is a registered trademark of Inspirato LLC.