Country Life, in association with garden travel specialist Boxwood Tours, is delighted to announce an exclusive tour to Provence, to enjoy the gastronomy and gardens of this sun-drenched region. Hosted by Louisa Jones, the leading expert in the gardens of Provence, and led by Tania Compton, our tailor-made tour explores old country estates and bastides of the Alpilles and the Lubéron, many reinvigorated by designers of international reputation.
Timed for mid-May, when these elegant gardens are warm, fragrant and still with the freshness of late spring, highlights include the horticulturally diverse St Rémy gardens of Pierre Bergé, lifelong companion of Yves Saint Laurent; three enchanting country gardens by Dominique Lafourcade; La Louve, stylish masterpiece of the late Nicole de Vésian, and the rose-bowered grounds of Petit Fontanille, parts of which were remodelled by Rosemary Verey.
Most of the gardens are accessible only with Louisa Jones and many have appeared in Country Life, including the remarkable clifftop garden of La Carmejane.
The tour is based in two five-star hotels: the Hotel D'Europe in the medieval city of Avignon, and La Coquillade, among the lavender fields of the Lubéron. The tour takes place on May 13-18 and costs from £2,998 per person, including travel by Eurostar.
For more information, contact Boxwood Tours, Rhiw, Llanbedr, Gwynedd LL45 2NT (01341 241717; www.boxwoodtours.com).
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