Exclusive Southern Vallée de la Gastronomie

6-Day Gourmet Tour from Valence to Marseille

Gourmet tours France, Vallee de la Gastronomie, Terre de Mistral near Aix-en-Provence, credit La Buvette Lyonnaise

At a glance

Region:Multi Region
Type of Tour:,
Duration:6 Days
Guide Price:From £3979 to £4374 per person
Number of Meals:5 breakfasts, 3 dinners (2 of which Michelin-starred)
Number of Winery Visits:4 wineries, 1 olive oil mill and tasting session, 1 chocolate tasting session
Number of Wines Tasted:Approximately 25-35
Tour Transport:Private transfers between regions, private driver services on 4 days as detailed in the itinerary and return taxi transfers to dinner on day 5
Dates / Availability:Available from April to end of October for Monday to Wednesday departure

Trip Summary

6-Day Luxury Gourmet Tour through France: the Rhône Valley, Provence & the Mediterranean Coast

Delve into the sun-drenched heart of Southern France on this exclusive food and wine itinerary designed for lovers of fine wine, great food and authentic local experiences. From the vineyards of Condrieu in the Northern Rhône, into the fascinating historical city of Avignon and on to the sparkling shores of Cassis in Provence, this trip combines culinary indulgence with in-depth wine exploration.

With elegant five-star accommodation, private transport, and a curated programme of tastings and sensory experiences, the Southern Vallée de la Gastronomie tour is the perfect introduction to France’s gourmet south. Expect expressive and aromatic wines, delicious Mediterranean cuisine, olive oil and artisan chocolate tastings and unforgettable local experiences in some of the most scenic corners of Provence and the Rhône Valley.

Gourmet tours France, Vallee de la Gastronomie, Guy Lassausaie's restaurant in Northern Rhone, credit Cherrystone
Gourmet tours France, Vallee de la Gastronomie, vineyards in the Rhone Valley

On day one of your gourmet tour through France, arrive in Valence and make your way to your five-star hotel, Maison Pic. This stylish Relais & Châteaux property combines contemporary comfort with elegant design and is home to one of France’s most celebrated culinary institutions: Anne-Sophie Pic’s triple Michelin-starred restaurant.

Settle into your room or suite before your gourmet journey begins with a spectacular tasting menu at the iconic restaurant itself – this is the only three Michelin-starred restaurant in France led by a female chef.

On day two of your gourmet tour through France, after breakfast at Maison Pic, your private driver will take you north along the Rhône to the renowned Condrieu appellation. Here, you’ll enjoy a private tasting at a prestigious wine estate producing aromatic Viogniers noted for their richness and finesse – a hallmark of this region’s white wines.

Gourmet tours France, Anne-Sophie Pic restaurant at La Maison Pic, credits Alexandre Bienfait
Gourmet tours France, Vallee de la Gastronomie, Domaine Michelas Saint Jemms, credit Cherrystone

Following your tasting, continue to the nearby town of Tain-l’Hermitage to visit Valrhona’s celebrated Cité du Chocolat. This interactive museum and tasting centre offers a multi-sensory journey into the world of fine French chocolate, with behind-the-scenes insights into bean-to-bar production and plenty of opportunities to sample.

After your visit, you may choose to enjoy lunch at the on-site Cité du Chocolat café, which offers a variety of gourmet light bites and sweet treats. Alternatively, take a short stroll into the heart of Tain-l’Hermitage, where a selection of charming local bistros and cafés offer a more traditional Provençal lunch experience.

Your driver will return you to Valence to enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and evening. For dinner this evening, we recommend the more relaxed Bistrot André – Anne-Sophie Pic’s casual brasserie located just next door which offers a refined yet informal alternative to the tasting menu of Maison Pic. Alternatively, you may prefer to take a short walk into the pedestrianised Vieux Valence village which is home to a number of atmospheric restaurants and wine bars. Table reservations can be arranged upon request.

Gourmet tours France, Vallee de la Gastronomie, La Cite du Chocolat, credit Cherrystone
Gourmet tours France, Valence, France

On day three of your gourmet tour through France, after a leisurely breakfast, check out from your hotel and meet your private driver for your transfer south to the gateway of Provence, the historic city of Avignon.

Arriving in the walled city of Avignon, a UNESCO-listed gem and former seat of the Papacy, you’ll be able to drop your bags at your hotel, La Mirande, which is right beside the Palais des Papes in the heart of the city’s fascinating history. The afternoon is free for you to relax or spend some time exploring the city’s historic treasures at your own pace.

In the evening, enjoy a seasonal Provençal dinner at a heritage restaurant just a short walk from your hotel.

Gastronomy tour France, Vallee de la Gastronomie, La Mirande Avignon bar, credits La Mirande
Rhone wine tour

On day four of your gourmet tour through France, check out from your hotel in Avignon, where your private driver will be waiting to accompany you through the rolling landscapes of the Alpilles. Your day begins with a visit to a traditional olive oil mill, where you’ll learn about centuries-old production methods and enjoy a guided tasting of artisanal oils.

From here, travel on to a family-run vineyard near St-Rémy-de-Provence, known for producing expressive southern white wines as well as reds. You’ll enjoy a relaxed tour of the estate, followed by a guided tasting that captures the essence of Provençal winemaking.

After the visit, you’ll have free time for lunch in the village of St-Rémy, with its pretty squares, market stalls and cafés – perfect for soaking up the atmosphere of rural Provence.

In the afternoon, your driver will take you onwards to Marseille. Upon arrival, check in at your five-star hotel overlooking the city’s historic Old Port: InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu. The rest of the evening is yours to spend as you please.

Gastronomy tour France, Vallee de la Gastronomie, Terre de Mistral near Aix, grapes, credit La Buvette Lyonnaise
Luxury Marseille Wine Tasting Tour, Marseille Vieux Port

On day five of your gourmet tour through France, after breakfast at the hotel, your private driver will take you on a scenic journey along the Mediterranean coastline to the picture postcard town of Cassis. Nestled between steep limestone cliffs and crystal-clear waters, this picturesque fishing village is known for its laid-back charm and its exceptional white and rosé wines.

Here, you’ll be welcomed at a prestigious coastal estate for a private tour and guided tasting. Perched above the sea, the vineyard offers not only panoramic views but also a chance to discover mineral-rich wines shaped by sea breezes and sun-soaked terroir.

After your tasting, enjoy some free time to stroll along the harbour, browse the boutiques, or soak up the Provençal atmosphere from a café terrace. Lunch is at leisure in Cassis, whether you prefer a simple seafood platter overlooking the port or a refined meal at a tucked-away restaurant, we’ll be happy to make you a reservation depending on your wishes.

Luxury Marseille Wine Tasting Tour, Cassis sailing boat
Luxury Provence Wine Tasting Tour, Wine Glasses

In the afternoon, your driver will return you to Marseille and you’ll have some time to relax at your hotel before your grand finale dinner. This evening, toast the end of your journey with a showstopping seafood tasting menu at one of France’s most iconic Michelin-starred restaurants, where Mediterranean ingredients are elevated with world-class precision and creativity. Private taxi transfers to and from the restaurant are included to ensure a seamless and relaxing final evening.

On the final day of your gourmet tour through France, enjoy a leisurely breakfast overlooking the Vieux Port before checking out. Should you require assistance with your onward journey, private airport transfers or alternative travel arrangements can be arranged upon request.

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Outline Itinerary

Day One of your Gourmet Tour through France

  • Check in to your hotel in Valence, La Maison Pic.
  • Afternoon at leisure.
  • Welcome dinner: Three Michelin-starred tasting menu.

Day Two of your Gourmet Tour through France

  • After breakfast at the hotel, your driver will meet you at the hotel to accompany you for the day.
  • You will begin with a private visit and wine tasting at a prestigious Condrieu estate.
  • Visit the Cité du Chocolat in Valrhona.
  • Free time for lunch.
  • Evening at leisure (table reservation on request).

Day Three of your Gourmet Tour through France

  • After breakfast, check out of your hotel.
  • Private transfer to Avignon.
  • Check into your hotel, the 5* La Mirande.
  • Afternoon at leisure.
  • Dinner at a local restaurant.
Gourmet tours France, Vallee de la Gastronomie, La Cite du Chocolat, credit Cherrystone
Gourmet tours France, Vallee de la Gastronomie, Domaine de Corps de Loup Condrieu and Cote Rotie, credit Cherrystone

Day Four of your Gourmet Tour through France

  • After breakfast, check out of your hotel.
  • Visit an olive oil mill for a tour and tasting
  • Enjoy a tour and tasting at a family-run vineyard near St-Rémy-de-Provence
  • Free time for lunch in St. Rémy
  • Transfer to Marseille and check in to your 5* hotel, InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu.
  • Evening at leisure.

Day Five of your Gourmet Tour through France

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Private excursion to Cassis with wine tasting at a coastal estate.
  • Free time for lunch in Cassis.
  • Return to hotel and relax.
  • To conclude your gourmet tour through France, enjoy a Michelin-starred seafood tasting meal dinner in the city. Private, pre-paid taxi transfers to and from the restaurant will also be arranged for you.
Gastronomy tour France, Vallee de la Gastronomie, Navettes les Accoules Marseille, credit Cherrystone
Provence tours- Credits OT Cassis

Final Day of your Gourmet Tour through France

  • After a leisurely breakfast, check out of the hotel.

(ii) The outline itinerary is indicative and is subject to minor changes depending on supplier availability. Availability cannot be guaranteed until we have received a confirmed booking, together with the deposit payment (or payment in full where the dates of travel are in less than 60 days). If the named accommodation / visits are not available, we will endeavour to find suitable alternatives of a similar grade; this may be subject to a supplement or a rebate depending on the price available.

Special Occasion?

Celebrating a birthday, wedding anniversary or engagement? Our expert team would be delighted to talk you through the options and create your perfect trip.

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Accommodation

A special occasion trip beautifully put together.

David - Google Review

Package Prices

  • These prices are per person and based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin or double room.
  • These are realistic guide prices, based on travel in standard season. Considerable discounts often apply if there are more than two of you travelling together. Please let us know your preferred travel dates for a definitive price.
  • Although we propose specific hotels as part of our standard packages, we enjoy excellent relationships and preferential rates at the majority of the hotels in each of our featured destinations. Therefore if you would prefer to stay in a different hotel, this can be arranged. Please contact us for the relevant supplements/discounts.
  • Other room grades are available at most of the hotels that we work with. Just let us know which hotel you prefer and we will send you the relevant supplements for the various room grades.
  • Single supplements and extra night prices are available upon request.
Hotel NameRoom GradeStar RatingDurationPrice Per Person
Exclusive Southern Vallée de la Gastronomie HotelsLuxury5*6 days£4220Book Now
Gourmet tours France, Vallee de la Gastronomie, making Navettes des Accoules in Marseille, credit Cherrystone
Gourmet tours France, Vallee de la Gastronomie, La Drome Provencale, lavender, credit La Buvette Lyonnaise

Enhance your Experience/Tour Upgrades

Please contact us to request further details and a full list of tour upgrades.

If you would like to make your Grape Escapes holiday even more special, there are a number of additional activities that we can arrange for you. To complement the experience, these could be arranged to fit in/around your current itinerary or we can arrange additional nights and room upgrades at your hotel, as well as your travel arrangements, a stop-over en route and even a visit to another part of Europe! See below for some of the most popular upgrades.

  • Stay longer! Just let us know which of the hotels you prefer and we would be delighted to arrange an additional night’s stay.
  • Stay in the vineyards. Why not stay a little longer in your preferred region and indulge yourself in a stay in one of our unique rural hotels?
  • Discover more wine regions. As well as trips to the Rhone Valley and Provence, we also arrange holidays to Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Champagne, the Cote d’Azur, Cognac, Languedoc-Roussillon, the Loire Valley, Tuscany, Piedmont, Prosecco, Ribera del Duero, Porto and the Douro Valley, Sicily, Lisbon, Alentejo and the South of Portugal, and Croatia.
Gastronomy tour France, Vallée de la Gastronomie, wine in Burgundy, credit Cherrystone
Vineyard, Aix-en-Provence wine tours

Further Information

Travel to your Gourmet Tour France

The price of this package does not include travel to the Rhône Valley. Please see our Rhône Valley travel page for more information on how to get to the region or contact us to discuss the best options for you.

Multi Region Tours

For more information on our Multi Region Tours please see our Multi Region page.

Further Information / To Book

To secure your booking, a deposit of 20% of the booking value is required. Your remaining balance will then be due 60 days before you travel. Please call us on +44 (0) 1920 46 86 66 or e-mail info@grapeescapes.net to request a booking form.

Marseille Wine Tour, credit Provence Reservation A la Francaise Provence

I could never have organised this itinerary from Australia. I could go on and on and indeed am doing so to all my friends. You won't go past Grape Escapes for a wine tour.

Sally - Google Review

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Image credits: La Buvette Lyonnaise, Cherrystone, Alexandre Bienfait, Provence Reservation A La Francaise Provence