With sprawling fields of fragrant lavender, Forcalquier’s incredible market and indescribably soft sunlight that captivated the likes of Van Gogh, Matisse and Picasso, Provence’s picture-perfect beauty can seem almost unreal. Maybe that’s why we’re drawn to the lesser-known, hidden heart of Provencal life: games of boules with our friend Bernard, nights in the magical La Bastide de Marie and wine tastings with local friends. As good as it looks?
No—much better.
Go Bespoke: Whatever your heart’s desire, one of our seasoned Trip Designers will dream up a totally custom B&R experience that you’ll never forget.
All of our small group trips can be booked as private trips (your dates, your group).
The right number of like-minded travellers to make new friends.
Your dates. Your group. Our expertly-designed itinerary.
Tailored to your interests, a bespoke travel experience.
“I can’t say I really ‘work out,’ but I’m in good shape and am relatively active.”
“I enjoy a good walk or ride, and feel comfortable while on the move.”
“I get moving at least once a week, and don’t mind a little sweat.”
“I get moving a few times per week and enjoy some exertion.”
“I want to feel invigorated each day and going hard is how I like to do that.”
We use premium hotels that are unique expressions of the region. Often they’ve had a previous life as a monastery or a castle, but in every case they offer an exceptionally comfortable stay.
These are stylish 4-star properties that offer a casual and comfortable stay. Often without a 24-hour concierge or room service, they tend to be smaller family-run hotels that are perfect for the region.
We craft extraordinary experiences, tailor made to meet your every need,
with every stitch of every day crafted just the way you want it.
With a travel career spanning nearly two decades, expat Dana Quinn has left few stones unturned in Europe. And underneath those stones? Under-the-radar gems
like mountain pine grappa and a Sicilian cave that whispers to you.
As B&R’s Regional Director for France and Western Europe, Kathy channels her abundant energy and decades of travel expertise into crafting a trip portfolio that immerses travellers into some of the world’s most incredible regions.
Meet KathyWe’ve been in Provence so long, our
friends have an open gate policy.
This was our fourth B&R trip and it was magnificent. Provence was the most beautiful landscape yet! We are busy planning next year’s trip as we are always so pleased with the quality of the hotels, the food and wine, and of course the cycling. Thank you once again B&R!
It’s no wonder why we’ve spent decades roaming Provence: this Southern France beauty has too many things going for it. Here is an ancient ...
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Southern France conjures up images of leisurely sun-soaked afternoons, the heady perfume of lavender fields, and the rustic charm of provincial ...
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With a diverse array of soils and one of France's largest outputs of wine, narrowing down the best rhone valley wines is as challenging as it is ...
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From Van Gogh to the Marquis de Sade, the corner of Provence known as the Luberon has long called to creatives—and with good ...
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"A convivial game to play with friends" (albeit one with a competitive edge), petanque revolves around le cochonnet (the ...
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"On the shaded terrace of Le Bistrot de Pierrerue, in a drowsy, sunbaked old village close to the middle of nowhere, our Lycra-clad gang has a Sunday lunch to ...
READ MORE "Take the slow road. Organize bespoke hiking and biking trips through the prettiest Tuscan and Provencal countryside between the best hotels, restaurants and vineyards. They transport your luggage and lay on guides and ...
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With a languid pace perfectly representative of life in Provence, the game of boules, also known as pétanque, has become a quintessential symbol of Provençal ...
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Real Provençal cuisine is high-spirited but simple, focusing on preserving the taste and texture of seasonal, fresh ingredients. ...
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Home to the Côtes du Rhône and the world famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape, in Provence the vineyards stand out as distinctly as the fields of ...
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Deciding what to see in Provence when you only have a few days to explore is a little bit like choosing which Beatles song to listen to when you only have a few minutes: you know you can't really go wrong, but it's still so hard to ...
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There are myriad reasons to visit Provence, but after years spent wandering the countryside, we've narrowed it down to ...
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Check out what some of our amazing travellers have to say about the land of lavender fields, ...
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"(Provence) has a certain elegance in the presentation of itself," says B&R guide and Provence specialist Thilo Erhardt. ...
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The Greeks believed that the cultivation of the olive tree was the hallmark of a civilized society, and they may have been on to something. ...
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B&R Trip Planner Olivier Maillard enjoyed an opportunity to sit down with chef Christophe Renaud to get a taste of what feeds this young phenom’s ...
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We set out just after dawn to get a head start on the day’s heat, pedaling fast under a tattered blanket of fog. The night before, a strong, cold mistral wind had swept away the last of a long and languorous ...
READ MORE“It was exhilarating to cycle down local farm roads, surrounded by fields of luscious lavender, olive groves and five or six-foot high sunflowers.”
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