FAQs

The Luberon consists of a long, narrow mountain range and the area that lies around it, located in Provence in the south of France, north of France’s Mediterranean coast. The Luberon mountain range is about 35 miles long and runs east to west.

This area was designated as a “regional natural park” in 1977 to protect its heritage and natural beauty. The protected area covers about 230 square miles on either side of the mountain and includes 77 villages and towns. In 1997 the Luberon was designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, one of 10 such areas in France.

Why don’t you call this The Provence Experience?

The traditional region of Provence is very large, covering over 12,000 square miles, extending from the Mediterranean Sea to the Alps. We couldn’t possibly experience all of Provence! Our week focuses on a smaller area within Provence—the Luberon—which many people consider the “true” Provence, and we wanted the name of our trip to highlight this area.

How big is the village of Bonnieux and what kind of facilities and services does it have?

Bonnieux has a year-round population of about 1400 people and has a variety of services to support its residents and visitors. You’ll find a small grocery store, two bakeries, a butcher, a pharmacy, a post office and ATM machine, and many cafes, restaurants and shops. See here for more information about Bonnieux.

Are there medical facilities nearby in the event of an emergency?

There is an emergency response team in Bonnieux, as well as two doctors and a pharmacy. The closest hospital with an emergency room is about 10 miles away in Apt. The quality of health care in France is very high, and it’s very reasonably priced.

Are there any books or movies you recommend to help us learn more about Provence and the Luberon?

We can recommend a great resource! We’ve identified our favorites on Our Provence Store, our Amazon store where you can order a variety of books, movies, and travel accessories. Our list includes books written by British expat Peter Mayle, the movie A Good Year (filmed outside Bonnieux), a variety of maps and guidebooks, and Charley’s fun novel A Chateau in Provence.

Groups

How large are the groups?

Our typical group is 10-12 people, with a maximum of 14 participants.

What types of people go on The Luberon Experience?

We’ve hosted 23 groups since September 2006, involving about 250 people. Our trips attract travelers whose style and interests are similar: people who want quality over quantity, to do more than sightsee, to absorb the natural beauty in this special place, to experience the unique culture, and to have fun with other travelers. Group members have ranged in age from 18 to 80 and have included solo travelers, couples, and friends and family members. Our travelers have come from all over the USA (35 states and counting!), Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

I’m a little nervous about a group tour. Have you had any problem groups or people who don’t fit in?

Our groups have been amazingly compatible. A wonderful camaraderie always seems to develop, and many friendships continue long after the trip. We hope we describe our trips in a way that attracts people who would enjoy our week and get along well with each other. In addition, we’ve both spent our careers working with many different types of people, and we think our people skills help create a very positive group dynamic.

Will we have any down-time or time on our own?

Absolutely! We often break into smaller groups or explore a village or market more independently. You’ll have free time in the mornings and for a couple of hours in the late afternoon or evening before dinner. And two lunches and one dinner are on-your-own.

The Luberon Experience week

What kind of transportation do you use for the groups?

Our groups travel in two nine-passenger air-conditioned vans. Kathy and Charley each drive a van.

Many tours seem to require getting up very early in the morning. What is the usual start time of The Luberon Experience?

Breakfast is normally available at 8:00 am. Most days we leave at 9:00 am, but sometimes a bit later. We spend Friday mornings in the village enjoying the weekly market, so there’s a lot of flexibility that morning.

We want to go to the Mediterranean. Will we be going there during the week?

We used to offer a day trip to the Mediterranean, but it’s a long way… about two hours, sometimes more with traffic. Many people told us that although they enjoyed the trip, it was too far. We decided we would rather focus on activities closer to Bonnieux and spend less time in the vans.

If you want to visit the Mediterranean as part of your trip to France, we suggest that you spend a few days there before or after your week with us. There are many places on the Cote d’Azur you could visit without a car, and you can connect by train from Nice to Avignon or Aix-en-Provence. Bandol is a town on the coast that we like, closer to Marseille, that’s very easy to enjoy by train.

Will we get to see other parts of Provence during the week besides the Luberon?

There is so much to experience right in the Luberon, and we wanted our week to focus on experiencing the area—not on driving several hours a day to see more distant spots in Provence.

We take one longer day trip one day during our week to visit another beautiful area in Provence called the Alpilles, centered around another small mountain chain. The Alpilles is about an hour west of Bonnieux. We visit several Roman sites and also the peaceful sanitarium where Van Gogh spent a year before his death and painted some of his most famous works.

Many of our travelers visit other parts of Provence before or after their week with us. You could easily visit Avignon, Arles, Aix-en-Provence or Marseille without needing a car.

What if I don’t want to participate in an activity?

You never have to participate in an activity… you can always choose to enjoy a day on your own in the village. Many days we stop back in the village at lunchtime or during the mid-afternoon, which also offers some flexibility if you want to skip part of a day.

I don’t drink. What will I do during the winery visits?

We visit two wineries, both of which are interesting and fun for most non-drinkers. Our visit to Chateau la Canorgue includes a walking tour of the vineyards, winery and chateau grounds, including several of the locations where the movie A Good Year was filmed. You could certainly choose to skip this visit if it doesn’t interest you.

Most travelers say our afternoon at Domaine Faverot is the highlight of the week… it includes a vineyard visit with winemaker François Faverot and a wonderful, leisurely lunch with our hosts. This is an experience no one should miss!

Accommodations

Where are the accommodations? Can we see pictures?

Our group stays in a wonderful eight-room guesthouse right in the village of Bonnieux. We don’t advertise the specifics on our website, but we’re happy to share information and photos if you’re seriously considering our trip.

Can we request a room with twin beds?

All of our rooms offer one big bed, and five rooms can be configured with twin beds. Just let us know your needs when you make your reservation.

Can three people share a room?

We have one room that can be configured with three twin beds or a queen bed and a proper single bed. Be sure to reserve early for this room. (Note: There is a lower cost per person if three people share this room.)

I don’t do well on stairs. Do you have any ground floor rooms?

Two rooms are on the ground floor, involving only two or three steps. The rest of the rooms are on the first floor, accessed by a long staircase. Be sure to let us know if you prefer a ground floor room.

Is there internet access?

Our guesthouse has WIFI if you bring your own laptop or PDA. There’s also a computer for the use of guests.

Do the rooms have bathtubs or showers?

All rooms have both a tub and shower, usually a combination.

Food

What if you’re a vegetarian or have some special dietary need?

Before the trip we’ll ask you for information on any dietary issues or food preferences. We’ll make sure you always have a good meal that meets your needs. But do be sure to let us know in advance!

Will we have to eat strange French food like organ meat?

We definitely want to introduce you to the cuisine of Provence, but you’ll never have to eat anything too extreme, especially not organ meat. At most of our meals you’ll have a choice of what to eat. When there is a set meal for the group, we make sure to accommodate everyone’s needs and preferences.

Travel Logistics

We can’t be at the meeting point at 2:30 pm. (or, we need to take a very early flight on the last Saturday morning.) How do you handle this?

If you’re arriving or departing outside our normal pick-up and drop-off times, we can make arrangements for a local taxi service. This will be at your own expense. Contact us for more information.

Can we arrive at Avignon and leave from Marseille or do we have to arrive and depart from the same place?

We meet our groups at the Avignon TGV station and the Marseille airport on Saturday afternoon and drop off at these same locations the following Saturday morning. We’ll ask you to confirm your arrival and departure plans about two months before the trip. You do not have to arrive and depart from the same place.

We want to spend a few other days in France before and after our Luberon Experience. What do you suggest? Can you recommend accommodations?

Most of our travelers spend some time in Paris before or after joining us, and the TGV high-speed train system makes this very easy. Avignon and Aix-en-Provence would be good bases for people who want to enjoy a larger town in Provence. Some of our travelers also want to spend time on the Mediterranean Sea, and there are numerous options along the coast that can be reached by train.

We have a list of suggested accommodations in Avignon and Aix based on recommendations from other travelers, and we’re happy to share these recommendations with you. You may also want to get help from a travel consultant. Sandy McDowell of France Journeys works with many of our travelers and is an excellent resource to help plan other travel in France.

Is This Tour For Me?

I’m interested in gardens (or photography, history, painting, wine, hiking, cycling etc.). Can this be included on The Luberon Experience?

We’ll ask you to tell us more about your interests a few months before the trip. We’d also love to know about any special interest at the time you book the trip. Because our groups are fairly small and we have two leaders and two vans, we have more flexibility than many other tours. We’ve always do our best to support the personal interests of all our travelers, including all the areas included in this question.

I walk with a cane. Will this trip work for me?

It depends on your mobility and energy level. We can provide a ground floor room and accommodate some physical limitations, but all of our travelers do need to have reasonable mobility. Most of the Luberon villages are built on hills, and parking lots are often on the edge of the village. Some streets are cobblestone.

You should be able to walk about a mile in the course of a day, sometimes on uneven surfaces or hills. You can always choose to skip a more strenuous activity, and we always offer another interesting option when hiking is a possible activity. We have a few activities in our guesthouse garden, which is accessed by stairs.

I’d like to do some cycling. Is this possible?

The Luberon is a great destination for cycling. There’s a cycle shop not far from the village, and you can rent a bike for a day or several days. You would have free time early in the morning or in the late afternoon, or you can always skip a group activity for a more extended cycling experience. We’re happy to help with arrangements and suggestions.

Can children come on this trip?

Sorry—no. The Luberon Experience isn’t designed for children. We would potentially consider an older, mature teenager, but we would want to talk with you to ensure this would be a good fit and a positive experience for everyone.

The Luberon is a fantastic destination for a family vacation. Our daughter has been with us on family trips to this area many, many times since she was nine years old. Although our trip isn’t suitable for families, we can help you plan an independent trip for your family. Contact us for details.

Do I need to speak French?

We recommend that everyone try to learn and use the key phrases of politeness, and you’ll definitely be respected for trying—but no, you don’t need to speak French. Many of the local people involved with our group do speak English, and we’re there to help in situations when you need to interact with someone who doesn’t speak English.

I’m considering coming alone. Would this be a good trip for a solo traveler?

This is an ideal trip for a person traveling alone. We have solo travelers in most of our groups, and they tell us that they have a wonderful time. Our groups have an easy camaraderie and we make sure that everyone always feels included.

Weather and Time of Year

What’s the weather like in the Luberon in May and early June?

In late May and early June, temperatures in the Luberon typically reach the mid 70’s to low 80’s with overnight lows in the mid 50’s to low 60’s. Most days are sunny and bright and very pleasant. Although rain has never had a major impact on any of our trips at this time of year, we have experienced a few brief showers. We could also experience the famous “Mistral” winds at any time of year. When this happens, it’s always an interesting part of the experience!

Will it be warm enough to swim?

There’s a pool at our guesthouse, but it’s not heated. We’ve had a few people swim in mid and late May and also in September. It depends on the temperature and your disposition!

Will the lavender be blooming?

Probably not. In early June you may see just a hint of purple on the lavender plants. Lavender usually blooms in this area from late June to late July, though it did bloom in early June in 2011. However, you’ll probably see poppies, which we think are even more spectacular! Many other flowers are also blooming at this time of year.

What to Wear

What kinds of clothes will we need?

Dress in Provence and for our trip is quite informal. Women don’t need dressy clothes, heeled shoes, or expensive jewelry; men don’t need a sports jacket or tie. For our daytime activities we suggest that our travelers dress very comfortably and informally in slacks and casual shirts/tops. Jeans are fine for daytime activities. Shorts are fine on warmer days, especially if we have an active day; capris are a good alternative for women. For nice dinners, many women dress up an outfit with a scarf or shawl.

We provide more detailed guidance on dress and packing in the Travelers Guidebook we send before the trip.

Booking and Paying for a Trip

Is airfare included in the trip price?

No. Our travelers come to Provence from all over the world and everyone has a different itinerary before and after their week with us.

Do you take credit cards?

Sorry, no, we don’t. We know this is a convenience for some people, but there’s a meaningful cost to this and we’d need to increase our prices to accept credit cards. We’d much rather offer you a more reasonably-priced trip than you’ll find for comparable tours.

Is there a single supplement if I have a room on my own?

All the rooms are set up as doubles, and we pay the same whether it is occupied by one person or two. For this reason, we do need to charge more for single occupancy of the room.

Cancellations

If you don’t get enough people, it is possible the tour would be cancelled?

We don’t believe in cancelling tours. Your tour is confirmed when you book, and we will be there regardless of the number of people! Our first two groups in 2006 were quite small, but our typical group is 10-14 people.

My parents are elderly. What if something comes up and I need to cancel?

Be sure you’re familiar with our cancellation policies, described here. We strongly recommend that all our travelers carry cancellation insurance. Insure My Trip is a great online resource to compare and purchase travel insurance that meets your needs.

Other Trip Options

We love your tour but the dates don’t work for us. Can you recommend another tour in Provence?

We think we have the best tour in Provence—by far! We don’t have any personal experience with any other tours in Provence, so we’re not able to make referrals.

Perhaps the schedule of one of our other European Experiences tours works better for you; check our schedule here. We’re also a member of Slow Travel Tours, an affiliation of small group tour companies that offer tours in other parts of Europe, including some other tours in France; check all Slow Travel Tours offerings at www.slowtraveltours.com.

We can also help you plan an independent trip. Contact us if you’d like to discuss this.

We love your tour, but we’d rather travel on our own. Can you help us plan our own trip to the Luberon?

We do work with a few people every year to help them plan an independent trip that is similar to The Luberon Experience. We can recommend accommodations (hotels, B&Bs, and rentals) and transportation, but we’re not travel consultants so we don’t make reservations.

Could you do a private tour for a small group?

Yes. We can do private tours for groups of up to seven people in September and early October. Contact us to talk about possibilities. To ensure ideal accommodations, these tours should be booked nine to twelve months in advance.

Will you be offering group tours in the fall?

Kathy now teaches full-time at the University of Tennessee and is no longer able to be involved with fall tours. We now offer smaller private tours in September and early October; Kathy takes the lead in coordinating arrangements for these trips and Charley is the onsite leader.

European Experiences company

I haven’t heard of your company. Can you provide any references?

We’re a small, family-owned and operated company and have been in business since early 2006. Over 300 people have traveled with us, many of them on multiple trips. We were recommended in USA Today in late 2006 after their travel reporter joined one of our groups for a day. We’re happy to provide references… and can probably put you in touch with someone who lives in your part of the world. Just let us know.

Are your trips ever led by other guides?

No. We believe in leading our own tours. If you join our Luberon Experience trip, we’ll be right there with you.

Frequently-Asked Questions

Location