Join TripUSAFrance Tours for Lavender, Medieval Cities, Roman Sites

Make this your year to visit Provence’s celebrated lavender fields! The earthy fragrance fills the air as rows of deep purple flowers dance in the summer breeze towards the horizon. Experience the region’s famous lavender plateaus and visit many remarkable sites in the South of France on a TripUSAFrance nine (9) day tour this summer.

“Visiting a lavender field in Provence is a truly memorable experience. As you step out of the car and walk towards it, a wave comes over you and begins to hit all your senses. You feel the warmth of the southern sun on your skin, the fragrant scent fills your nostrils, the rows of purple hold your gaze. Adding the refreshing landscape of Provence to the background of all this creates a mental picture that will stay with you for life!” ~ Julia Girard-Gervois, Owner & Tour Director, TripUSAFrance.

Limited Unpacking

TripUSAFrance organizes tours in Normandy and southern France from May through mid-October. The South of France tour begins in the beautiful city of Montpellier, where you will meet your TripUSAFrance guide. Enjoy a preview of this cosmopolitan centre on the quick drive to the beach and Les Coquilles, a seaside hotel in Palavas-les-Flots. This hotel is your base for most of the nine (9) days of the trip. So, unpack, relax, maybe even take a nap; there is nothing to do until the welcome drink and dinner.

Who is TripUSAFrance?

Julia Girard-Gervois lives in the United States, but her French heritage and family ties keep her connected to her homeland. TripUSAFrance launched in 2015, offering small group travel experiences in France. The family-run company ensures that each excursion has one of the bilingual tour directors: Julia, her father Stephane, and Isabelle, who joined the group in 2021.

Travel Family Style

TripUSAFrance tours are limited to 4-14 people allowing for travel to each destination in comfortable, air-conditioned passenger vans. Julia and her team are hands-on operators who genuinely want to share the cultural aspects of each region with their clients. From wine tasting to markets, from UNESCO sites to a stop on the Camino Francés on the route of Santiago de Compostela, every day with TripUSAFrance promises a new experience.

The Famous Sites

Since no one wants to spend too much time sitting in a vehicle on holidays, the daily excursions typically involve a drive followed by a walking tour or other activity. These tours are designed for travellers looking for a balance of sightseeing, activities, and downtime – with a side of gourmet food and wine.

The first full day of the South of France trip is like stepping back in time. Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert ranks as one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France (the most beautiful villages of France). The ancient town is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, but for centuries was a stopping point on the Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James). Julia says, “St Guilhem le Desert, a secret gem that no one has heard of, is always everyone’s favourite place.”

Next, you will visit Carcassonne, a medieval city with a double layer of fortified stone walls and 52 defensive towers. It’s a citadel with a turbulent history.

The next few days of the trip are like a box of chocolates where you are hard-pressed to pick a favourite flavour. First, there is a visit to Arles with its well-preserved Roman sites and the former home of painter Vincent Van Gogh. Next, a walking visit to sophisticated Montpellier which includes the Arc De Triomphe and the Promenade de Peyrou park.

Then, for something entirely out of the ordinary, you will observe ranch hands and their white horses rounding up feisty black bulls in the Camargue. Along the way, there is time to enjoy a typical Provencal picnic, a game of pétanque, and harvest lavender for essential oil distillation.

Here is a video of the tour highlights:

Lavender Fields and More

Like all TripUSAFrance tours, the lavender trip begins in Palavas-les-Flots from here; you will visit fabulous sites in the Occitanie region. Then, on day seven, it’s time to pack your suitcase and leave Palavas-les-Flots for adventures in Provence, where some off-the-beaten-path adventures await in the final days.

First, there’s a visit to the striking Alpilles mountain range, with its famous villages surrounded by olives and grapevines. Perched villages in the Luberon, lavender fields near Sault, and the Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct complete the last few days of the itinerary.

Book Your Trip

TripUSAFrance (website)
Telephone +1 (703)-375-9548
Email: contact@tripusafrance.com

2022 Lavender tour dates (some tours only have a few spots left):

• June 28th – July 7th
• July 5th – July 14th
• July 12th – July 21st
• July 19th – July 28th

What is Included?
Three Hotels
All breakfasts
All lunches
Five (5) dinners
Daily cold water and snacks
All entry fees
Three (3) wine tastings
Transportation to all sites/activities
Pick up and drop off from/to Montpellier’s airport or train station.

What does it cost?
Single Room: USD $4,889/Person
Double Room: USD $4,489/Person

Please inquire about privatizing a tour.

Image credits: All photos were provided by and published with the permission of TripUSAFrance.

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).