Gardens of Provence with Adam Frost
Private garden by Chelsea Gold-medal winner, James Basson
Enjoy tours of exquisite private gardens, and take in the sights and sounds of Provence, on this exclusive BBC Gardeners' World Magazine holiday from Travel Editions. You'll be joined by Adam Frost and accompanied throughout by Associate Editor, David Hurrion.
For further details or to book, please visit: traveleditions.co.uk
11-17 July, 2020*
Prices start from £1,799 per person**
Garden Highlights
We are unlocking the gates to some of France's most charming gardens, including several not normally open...
- Exclusive visit to a private garden in the Alpilles region, designed by RHS multi-medal winning garden designer, James Basson, who's famous for his drought tolerant planting schemes
- La Louve, Bonnieux, is the unique creation of Hermès designer Nicole de Vésian – a lesson in clipped forms and intimate spaces – all with a deep sense of calm. Adam will join us to explore the garden. Please note there are steep steps here
- Le Jardin Botanique de la Citadelle, Ménerbes - in the village made famous by Peter Mayle in his Year in Provence novel
- Pavillon de Galon, Cucuron, is a new, award-winning garden, full of local flora, created by photographer Guy Hervais around an 18th-century mansion
- We’ll meet artist and sculptor Marc Nucera, who previously worked with designer Nicole de Vésian, and who’ll share his striking garden with us
- La Jeg, is a breath-taking sculpture garden by international designer Anthony Paul. Here we will enjoy evening refreshments as the sun sets behind nearby Mont Ventoux
- Val Joanis is a world-renowned winery that also has a remarkable, formal kitchen garden. We’ll enjoy a guided tour and wine-tasting here
BBC Gardeners’ World presenter, Adam Frost
Associate Editor, David Hurrion
Beyond Gardens
We'll start by visiting the capital of the region, Aix-en-Provence, capital of the region and birthplace of impressionist painter, Paul Cézanne. Step into the artist's shoes at his former studio, Atelier de Cézanne, where you can see an original letter to his friend, artist Claude Monet. Later in the trip we'll explore the charming hilltop village of Gordes and travel to the abbey of Notre-Dame de Sénanque, famous for its lavender fields.
What’s included:
- Return Eurostar standard class* to Avignon
- Six nights B&B at the four-star Mercure Cavaillon
- Welcome dinner on first night
- Restaurant dinner with Adam Frost (exclusive to our group) including welcome drink and wine, and talk from Adam Frost
- Lunch in Bonnieux with Adam Frost
- Lunch and guided tour at Pavillon de Galon
- Garden visits accompanied by Adam Frost on afternoon of 13 July and morning of 14 July
- Transfers and garden entrance fees
- Tour led throughout by BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Associate Editor, David Hurrion
Enjoy this spectacular sculpture garden, La Jeg, before having drinks and canapés on the terrace, with views of Mont Ventoux
Your itinerary
The group will be accompanied by Associate Editor, David Hurrion for the duration of the trip.
Saturday 11 July Eurostar from St Pancras to Avignon direct, with transfer to Cavaillon. Welcome dinner at the hotel in the evening, hosted by David Hurrion.
Sunday 12 July Visit today to Aix- en-Provence, capital of the region and birthplace of impressionist painter, Paul Cézanne. With time to visit the renowned flower market in Aix-en-Provence and have lunch (not included). In the afternoon, we visit the Atelier de Cézanne, to see where the great artist worked.
Monday 13 July Guided tour at Le Jardin Botanique de la Citadelle, in Ménerbes – made famous by Peter Mayle in his Year in Provence book. The garden is set among vineyards and includes a wide variety of aromatic, medicinal, and edible plants. We travel to Bonnieux, where Adam joins the group for lunch at Brasserie Les Terrasses, before walking to La Louve with guided tour from owner, Sylvie Verger. The gardens are the unique creation of Hermès designer Nicole de Vésian. In the evening enjoy a private dinner with wine and a talk from Adam at local restaurant Le Coté Jardin, Cavaillon.
Tuesday 14 July Adam accompanies the group to a private garden designed by Chelsea gold-medal winner James Basson, in the Alpilles region, amidst olive plantations and glorious views.
Visit St Remy, with plenty of time to explore this quintessential Provençal town and enjoy a spot of lunch (at own expense)***. The group will then visit the garden of sculptor and designer Marc Nucera.
Tuesday 14 July PM Free time in the evening.
Please note, Bastille Day is celebrated in France on the 14 July, often with firework celebrations and busy restaurants, so please consider pre-booking your evening meal arrangements in advance.
Wednesday 15 July We visit Pavillon de Galon, an award- winning garden full of local plants created by photographer Guy Hervais for a tour and lunch. In the afternoon the group will visit Val Joanis for guided tour and wine-tasting.
Thursday 16 July We start the day visiting Jardins de Plantes Tinctoriales, with lunch in the hilltop village of Gordes (not included). We explore the lavender fields and abbey of Notre-Dame de Sénanque, famous for its lavender fields. And we end the whole tour with a memorable visit to La Jeg, a breath-taking sculpture garden by international designer Anthony Paul, enjoying evening refreshments and canapés as the sun sets behind nearby Mt Ventoux.
Friday 17 July Depart by train from Avignon, with a stop in Lille.
Swimming pool at La Louve
Topiary in the kitchen gardens of Val Joanis
Wooden sculpture in artist Marc Nucera’s garden
Iconic hilltop village of Gordes
BBC Gardeners' World presenter Adam Frost says:
"I love the light in Provence and the way it makes gardens feel. I’ve been lucky enough to design a garden in the region too, so it’s fantastic to be returning."
Terms & Conditions:
Holiday organised by and subject to booking conditions of Travel Editions Tours Ltd. Please note all timings are approximate and may be changed. Confirmation will be sent with joining instructions 14 days prior to departure. In the case of unforeseen circumstances experts may be substituted.
*Guests will return to the UK on 17 July not 18 July as printed in January 2020 issue.
**Standard Premier on Eurostar supplement £160. Single travellers are very welcome – the single room supplement is £378 per person.
***A change to the printed advertisement in January 2020 issue.
Exclusive travel and events
Find out more about exclusive holidays and cruises, masterclasses and reader events from BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, in our travel and events video.
Hidden away at Rick Stein's pub near Padstow, The Cornish Arms, are six wooden shepherd's huts, perfect for a peaceful couple of nights by the coast. Each hut boasts a cosy living and dining area, an en-suite shower room, a kitchenette and a private patio. Your stay is also a gastronomic delight with two sumptuous breakfasts and a three-course dinner at The Cornish Arms included. You’ll also enjoy a delicious beach picnic with a selection of delights from Stein’s Deli.
Goldsborough Hall, with five AA Gold Stars, is a private and exclusive stately home in North Yorkshire, overlooking 12 acres of historic gardens and tranquil parkland. It offers fine dining in the superb Dining Room, which was recently awarded three AA rosettes and mentioned in the Michelin Guide.
Use code: GARDENERSWORLD
Join Gardeners' World for an exclusive tour of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla's private gardens, followed by a Prosecco and canapés reception, a delicious three-course lunch and an entertaining talk and Q&A with Alan Titchmarsh.