Touring Provence: We Interviewed Gout et Voyage Founder about Taste of Provence

Each year, Martine Bertin-Peterson adjusts her Goût et Voyage Taste of Provence tours slightly to ensure that clients enjoy Provence in the right doses. With Goût et Voyage, the itinerary balances sightseeing and relaxation. We had the pleasure of interviewing Martine about what makes touring Provence with Goût et Voyage a unique experience. 

At Perfectly Provence, we work with our partners to share their stories and their connection to the South of France. I first met Martine in person over a drink in Place de L’Horloge in Avignon, where she was waiting to greet guests arriving for the start of their 8-day Taste of Provence tour. Since then, Martine and I have tried to share a meal before or after her small group tours in the region. Goût et Voyage tours in Provence became so popular that Martine’s guests began asking where else they could go for a “Taste of” experience. She responded by offering culinary-cultural tours in Umbria, Normandy, and now Morocco. Please enjoy our discussion below.

1. What originally inspired you to create the “Taste of Provence” tours, and has that inspiration changed over time?

My love affair with Provence began decades ago. Like so many travellers, I was initially captivated by the obvious—the lavender fields, the hilltop villages, the markets overflowing with olives, herbs, and sun-ripened produce. But after returning again and again, I realized that Provence reveals itself slowly. The real magic isn’t found by checking landmarks off a list; it’s found around a family dinner table, in conversations with artisans, at a neighbourhood market, or while learning to cook alongside a local chef.

That realization inspired me to create Goût et Voyage. I wanted to offer travellers an experience that felt less like a tour and more like spending a week with a friend who knows Provence intimately.

Over time, my inspiration has evolved. While food remains at the heart of every itinerary, I’ve become even more passionate about helping guests understand the history, traditions, and people that make Provence so special. Food and wine become the gateway to discovering centuries of culture, and those human connections are often what guests remember most.

2. The Goût et Voyage tour is a comprehensive 8-day tour. Why do you feel that is the right amount of time for a visit to Provence?

Eight days strikes the perfect balance. It gives travellers enough time to settle into the rhythm of Provence instead of rushing from one destination to another.

We intentionally stay in one town and one hotel rather than changing lodgings every couple of days. That means less time packing and driving and more time wandering village markets, lingering over long lunches, exploring Roman ruins, visiting vineyards, or simply enjoying an evening café.

By the end of the week, guests often tell me they no longer feel like visitors—they feel connected to Provence. That’s exactly the experience I hope to create.

3. How do you personalize the experience in Provence for your guests, and what unique elements do you include to make it happen?

Small groups make personalization possible.

Before every trip, I try to learn about each guest’s interests above and beyond food and wine. For those who are passionate about art, we spend time walking the footsteps of Van Gogh in St. Remy and Arles, or we visit the areas around Aix-en-Provence that inspired Cezanne. For the history fans, we spend extra time visiting the Roman ruins in Arles and use “free time” to visit Glanum. We never rush the photography buffs who want to stop for that perfect, Instagram-worthy shot of poppy or lavender fields. Throughout the week, I adjust conversations, recommend optional free-time activities, and make introductions that reflect those interests whenever possible.

I also believe the best experiences happen behind the scenes. Rather than simply visiting a market, we meet vendors. Instead of dining anonymously, we spend time with chefs who share their stories. We visit family wineries, learn from local artisans, and cook with people who have spent generations preserving Provençal traditions.

Those personal encounters transform sightseeing into genuine cultural exchange.

4. All the Goût et Voyage tours are limited to six guests. Why do you feel that is the ideal number to maximize regional experiences?

Six guests is truly the sweet spot.

It allows us access to experiences that simply aren’t possible with larger groups. We can enjoy intimate, hands-on cooking classes, dine in smaller family-owned restaurants, visit boutique wineries, and meet local producers without overwhelming them.

We don’t operate on a stop-watch schedule. If we come upon a local festival, an opportunity to experience a transhumance (shepherds in costume, leading their sheep through the streets of St. Remy) or a tempting vide grenier (garage sale), we can make a stop.

The small size also changes the group dynamic. People arrive as strangers but almost always leave as friends. Meals become conversations rather than scheduled events, and everyone has the opportunity to ask questions, interact with our local hosts, and move comfortably through villages and markets.

I never wanted Goût et Voyage to feel like a bus tour. I wanted it to feel like travelling with a small group of friends.

5. Can you walk us through a typical day on the “Taste of Provence” tour and what guests can expect to experience?

No two days are exactly alike, but each day balances discovery, relaxation, and exceptional food.

We might begin the morning exploring a lively Provençal market where locals shop for the day’s ingredients, followed by a cooking class. We might visit historic, hilltop villages in the Luberon, have a guided tour of Arles, Aix or Avignon, or tour a family vineyard in the Côtes du Rhône.

Lunch is never an afterthought. It’s an opportunity to experience regional specialties and understand how geography and history have shaped Provençal cuisine.

In the afternoon, we may visit an artist’s studio, go on a truffle hunt, or spend R&R time by the pool before gathering for dinner.

One thing I intentionally avoid is overscheduling. Provence invites you to slow down. There is always time to enjoy a café terrace, browse a boutique, or admire the landscape.

6. How are the hotels and activities selected for the “Taste of Provence” itinerary, and are there any seasonal or annual adjustments?

Every hotel and activity is personally researched and continually evaluated.

I look for accommodations that reflect the character of Provence rather than large international hotels. Charm, comfort, location, hospitality, and authenticity matter far more than luxury alone.

The same philosophy applies to activities. I choose experiences, chefs, and guides because they tell the story of Provence and introduce guests to remarkable local people.

Every itinerary evolves slightly each year. Seasonal harvests, festivals, market schedules, new culinary discoveries, and relationships with local artisans all influence the program. I enjoy finding new experiences while keeping the guest favourites that have become traditions.

7. How do Goût et Voyage tours differentiate themselves from other culinary and cultural experiences in the region?

Our tours are intentionally designed to go beyond tourism; they are all-inclusive from the pick-up point (all meals, tips, taxes, entry fees, wine with lunch and dinner), and they really are 8 FULL days.

Food is the common thread, but every culinary experience becomes an opportunity to understand better Provence’s history, traditions, agriculture, and way of life.

Rather than trying to see everything, we focus on experiencing places deeply. Guests spend meaningful time with chefs, winemakers, olive oil producers, artisans, and residents who generously share their knowledge and stories.

Equally important is the atmosphere. Our small groups foster conversation, curiosity, and friendship. Many guests tell me that one of the greatest surprises is how close everyone becomes by the end of the week.

8. Could you share a memorable story or guest feedback that highlights the impact of the tours?

I am particularly proud that 35% of our clients book a second, third, or fourth trip with Goût et Voyage.

Comments I hear over and over are, “I never could have planned this trip on my own” and “Amazing attention to detail.”

A recent client said, “I loved that everything was handled. I just had to wake up, get dressed, and meet the group. No thinking on my part, other than to enjoy myself. Which I did immensely.”

In my feedback survey, I ask clients, “If a friend or colleague asked you to describe your Goût et Voyage trip experience, what would you say?” Here are some of their responses:

“Awesome! If you want to travel with a small group to Provence, go with Goût et Voyage”

“I would tell them that each day was memorable and exceeded what I expected to have experienced. We had plenty of time to see the important sites, relax at homes while we cooked or truffle hunted, allowing us to really experience the feel of the countryside. The meals we ate out were learning experiences, and I know I ate many things. I would not usually order. Martine was so organized, chose the best experiences, guides and chefs.”

“The pre-trip information was perfect but still did not prepare me for how fabulous the trip would be!!”

One of my favourite pieces of feedback came from a guest who said, “We arrived as six strangers and left as six friends.” That perfectly captures what I hope every Goût et Voyage experience becomes.

9. How have participant feedback and experiences influenced changes to the tours?

I take guest feedback very seriously, and it shapes every season.

Over the years I’ve learned that travellers value quality over quantity. Rather than trying to include one more attraction, I’ve built in more opportunities to linger—whether that’s enjoying a leisurely lunch, spending extra time in a favourite village, or allowing guests to soak in the atmosphere.

I’ve also added experiences that guests consistently requested, including more hands-on cooking, additional time with local producers, and greater opportunities for conversations that connect food with history and culture.

The tours continue to evolve, but always with the same philosophy: authentic experiences, meaningful connections, and a relaxed pace.

10. What advice do you have for someone considering joining a “Taste of Provence” tour for the first time?

Arrive curious.

You don’t need to be a serious foodie or wine expert to enjoy a Goût et Voyage Taste of Provence. Bring an open mind, comfortable walking shoes, and a willingness to try something new—whether it’s tasting an unfamiliar cheese, learning to cook a traditional Provençal dish, or chatting with a local shopkeeper.

Most importantly, slow down.

Provence isn’t a place to rush through. It’s a place to savour. The most memorable moments are often the ones you never expected—a conversation over coffee, a village market at sunrise, or laughter shared around a dinner table with people who were strangers just a few days earlier.

If you embrace that spirit, Provence has a wonderful way of staying with you long after you’ve returned home.

Tour Details: Taste of Provence:

If you love holidays that involve learning about a region’s history and culture while sampling gourmet food and wine, you must book a Goût et Voyage tour in Provence!

• June 2-June 9, 2027 (Booking Now) 

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

What is included?

The Goût et Voyage “Taste of Provence” tour is a complete 8-day tour. After checking in at the hotel on the first day, get ready for some sightseeing on the last day before departure.

8 days/ 7 nights, fully escorted, all-inclusive from Avignon, multi-lingual guide
Pick-up and transfer to and from Avignon TGV station
Accommodations at a 4-star boutique hotel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
Travel in private, air-conditioned vehicles throughout your trip
Cooking classes, winery tours, and tastings as per the itinerary
Entrance fees (museums, historic sites, etc.) as per the itinerary
NO single supplements or hidden fees!
Tips and taxes

Please click here for more information on the “Taste of Provence” tours.

Does a Goût et Voyage trip tempt you? Here is a sample itinerary.

Space is strictly limited to six (6) guests per trip.

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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).