Interview: Meet the Founder of Goût et Voyage

Meet the Founder

Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing Martine Bertin-Peterson, the founder of boutique travel company Goût et Voyage. She started the company in 2014 by creating small group tours based on her travel preferences. Her vision was to develop slow-travel experiences that feel like a journey with friends.

Initially, we planned to meet for our annual lunch at a restaurant in the Alpilles and spend a day exploring the food lover’s secrets of Marseille. However, 2020 arrived, and we all changed our plans.

Born in France, Martine is an American Francophile who speaks five (5) languages, the first of which is French. With an MBA in Finance and an MA in French Literature, Martine worked in marketing and finance with Fortune 100 companies, including IBM, Dow Jones, and Accenture. These days, Martine teaches students at the School of Business of the College of New Jersey. When she is not teaching, she dreams of culinary travel.

Martine has travelled to over 50 countries and began leading group tours over 30 years ago. With that much travel, she has experienced plenty of cancelled trains, lost luggage, and flight changes. Martine tells me she discovered her first grey hair in Provence while leading a group of twenty 16-18-year-olds during their six-week stay in the region. Now, her tours are limited to small groups (a maximum of six), focusing on local food and culture.

Enjoy our discussion:

Experience Provence during the Holidays

Provence is magical during the Christmas season. At this time of year, France is affected by the commercialization that snares the rest of the world. However, holiday traditions remain entrenched, and the decorations are magical. A Taste of Provence for the Holidays promises a delightful combination of seasonal shopping, gastronomic discoveries, and an introduction to the cultural traditions of the region. Read more here.

Stay tuned for future dates for  “Taste of Provence for the Holidays.”

Signature Tour in Provence

When you join a Goût et Voyage – A Taste of Provence tour – you can expect a week in Provence with hand-selected accommodation. You will visit some authentic restaurants, cook with local chefs, and meet guides specializing in certain aspects of the region. No trip to Provence would be complete without a chance to visit the cultural capitals of Avignon and Aix and look at the perched villages in the Luberon and the wine country of Châteauneuf du Pape. Martine has designed her trips to “feel like you are travelling with friends rather than a tour group.” Continue reading here.

Taste of Provence:

May 16 – May 23, 2025

May 26 – June 2, 2025 (Booked)

Taste of Provence for the Holidays: Accepting inquiries

To book your Goût et Voyage tour, contact Martine via email at info@goutetvoyage.com
Tel: +1 973-222-7957

Space is strictly limited to 6 clients per trip.

For additional details on these “Taste of Provence” tours, please click here.

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).