Testimonials/Reviews from 2016
Read here what our clients have to say about Discover Provence Tours 2016
December 16th, 2016 - 'A Wonderful Experience'
This was our favorite tour. Sarah Pernet gave us a full day tour of some of the great historic cities of Provence - Arles, Le Beaux, and St. Remy. She also took us to an Olive Oil production facility, which was fascinating. Sarah explained to us all the highlights and historical significance of these sites. A good part of the tour dealt with artist's Van Gogh's stay in the area, and the artwork he produced there. This was such a great experience and we want to go back and take some of Sarah's other tours. We can't say enough great things about it.
Kerry, Springfield, USA
December 10th, 2016 - 'Aix-en-Provence'
Provence is for sure one of the most beautiful places we have ever visited! In no small part our visit was enhanced dramatically by the tours that were provided us by Sarah of Discover Provence. We spent two gorgeous, crisp November days with Sarah exploring the ancient villages of the Luberon and the Van Gogh trail. The tours were relaxed and informative and customizable to our particular interests. The restaurants chosen for lunch were delightful and delicious. We had the added advantage of traveling off season and having the dramatic countryside and historical sites to ourselves. We are already looking forward to our return so we can continue our explorations hopefully with Sarah as our guide.
Annice, LA, USA
November 18th, 2016 - 'Provence perched villages'
Discover Tours owner and guide Sarah Pernet gave my sister and I a very special day in the perch villages of Provence through her great appreciation for the culture, history and cuisine of the region. She introduced us to off the beaten path towns, restaurants and agricultural tastings keeping us out of the touristy and crowded areas. (The restaurants especially immersed us in French culture and were carefully selected for the quality of the food and the ambiance.) Sarah is also very personable and she is flexible in planning to the needs/wishes of her clients. While we are more often independent travelers, we could not have navigated these villages on our own and appreciate Sarah's perspective and planning. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes and you will want to take photographs. Thank you Sarah.
Arlene, Conneticut, USA
November 10th, 2016 - ' Great Day in the Luberon Region'
My husband and I were staying in Aix-en-Provence and spent a day touring the Perched Villages in the Luberon. Our small tour consisted of one other couple and ourselves, plus Sarah as driver and guide.
It was a full day, and we visited at least six villages, including a stop at a winery. We saw so many things that I'm very glad to have a record from the pictures on my camera!
Although each village is a striking example of how medieval villages were built on the top of hills in order to provide fortification against enemies, each stop had a different character and different aspects to explore. Midway through our day we stopped at a restaurant in one of the villages, and the experience of ordering from a French menu and watching Sarah interact with the waitress and the manager was wonderful. To a certain extent, all the villages are focused on tourism, but during our lunch we felt much more immersed in the French culture than you would expect.
Our time in each individual village was focused (by necessity) since the day includes a good amount of driving as well. But Sarah was flexible when requested, allowing us extra time in shops where we found something of interest, while keeping to her schedule as well as she could.
We had considered touring this area on our own, but having Sarah as a driver was well worth the cost alone. She was able to provide a great deal of background information, although we would have appreciated more information during the initial part of our drive (from Aix to the Luberon region).
We enjoyed every aspect of our tour -- the villages, our lunch, the winery, and our conversations with the other couple and Sarah. And since we had spent the previous day touring on our own, we were especially appreciative of Sarah as driver and navigator! We would recommend this tour to others.
Three Down, Seattle, USA
October 27th, 2016 - 'Town & Sea Tour'
Sarah picked us up at our cruise ship and drove us to Aix-en-Provence where we had a great walking tour by Janicke. What a beautiful place Aix is! Then Sarah took us to Cassis where we enjoyed some food & local wine before we took a boat trip where we enjoyed seeing the spectacular coastal area including 3 calanques. Throughout the day Sarah shared her impressive knowledge about Provence & it's history. We walked away feeling that we saw & learned a lot in just one short day.
Sarah & Janicke are both adorable, very knowledgeable & are justifiably proud of lovely Provence! We had a great day!!
Dee, Los Angeles, USA
October 15th, 2016 - 'Tour of Aix & Cassis'
After a tour of the eastern boringders of France, we went to Aix-en-Provence for a restful finish to our vacation. However, we appreciate the knowledge and expertise of a good local guide and arranged for a full day with Sarah at Discover Provence. Our tour began with a walking tour of Aix where we visited both the "modern" and medieval sides of town and enjoyed the contrast in the architecture and organization of both. We visited the interiors cathedral and a restored home. Local markets and a pastry shop provided snacks along the walk!mWe then were driven to Cassis to enjoy a delicious fish lunch at a dockside restaurant and a boat trip to three of the famous callanques. The final visit to Cap Canaille with its beautiful vista was a perfect finish. Lots of photo opportunities and well informed conversation made this a terrific day! Sarah was a prepared and professional guide in every way.
Lynda, Los Vegas, USA
October 13th, 2016 - 'Half Day to Cassis'
Our 1/2 day tour of Cassis with Sarah was spectacular! Sarah was an excellent guide and so much fun to be around. We had no idea what to expect from our trip to Cassis and it ended up being our favorite part of a 2 week trip to France.
Sarah was so much fun to be around and pointed out interesting sights on drive to Cassis. At my request, we made a quick stop at a local winery and tasted the local wine. Then we went to the top of the cliffs to "look down" on Cassis and it was breathtaking. After that we went down into the town and took a boat ride to view the amazing Calanques. Words cannot describe how beautiful it is. Sarah also made a reservation for us at a wonderful seafood restaurant right on the water. It really was a perfect day and so much different than all of our other experiences we had on the trip. I would highly recommend Sarah for any tour but definitely the tour of Cassis!
Emily, Missouri,USA
October 12th, 2016 - 'A Wonderful Day in Provence'
Sarah took us on a walking tour through Aix in the morning and to several perched villages in the Luberon in the afternoon, capped off with a delightful wine tasting at a winery. Sarah was delightful, knowledgeable and provided helpful tips of the local culture. Her knowledge of art, architecture and local customs allowed this tour to not only be enjoyable but also a learning experience. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who has a limited time in Provence and would like to see the best it has to offer!
Diane, Pennsylvania, USA
October 11th, 2016 - 'Provence with Sarah Pernet'
My wife and I just returned from France. I had arranged a 2 day tour with Sarah Pernet to the Luberon Villages [day 1] and the footsteps of Van Gogh [day 2]. As I reviewed the 2 weeks in southern France, the 2 days we spent on tour with Sarah had the most impact. She picked us up each day near the café Festival at the end of the Cours Mirabeau and drove us to our tour destinations. She has lived in France for over 20 years and she provides perspective on the current French life- much different than the life we live in the US. The tour to the perched Luberon Villages, our market town visit, our lunch together [I ate Provencal pig's foot], our wine tasting with the most beautifully sculptured gardens I had recently seen, marked a perfect day. Throughout the day, she dealt us information in just the correct dose-pertinent moments but not overwhelming encyclopedic suffocation. Day 2 we visited Arles, Les Baux en Provence, St. Remy and a small olive farm. She suggested that we see the Chagall light show in the towering "Quarries of Lights" that was spectacular and a hallmark moment. But my favorite was the insane asylum at St. Remy where we viewed Vincent Van Gogh's room and the surrounding gardens and country side. Placed along the perspectives he viewed are many small replica paintings and it is easy to imagine him ensconced in a creative trance painting a ravenous portrait of life. There is plenty of soul left over even after a century plus. In the end we said goodbye to Sarah at the beginning of 4 rue septembre and I couldn't escape the perception that we were leaving behind her France- nurtured and adored. Don't miss it. Let her take you there.
William, Los Angeles, USA
October 10th, 2016 - 'Two wonderful Days in Provence'
Sarah Pernet picked us up in the morning near the central fountain in Aix-en-Provence and we began the most wonderful two-day adventure in Provence. We drove to the town of Arles where Sarah took us on a walking tour, explaining the history of the town from Roman times through the Middle Ages and up to the time Vincent Van Gogh lived and painted in the town. Throughout Arles there are sites where Van Gogh painted some of his most famous paintings and Sarah guided us through these, sharing her knowledge of art history and the region.
On the way to Arles she made a point of asking us our particular interests and while the tour we had booked was principally about Van Gogh and the Roman history of Arles she include many places and anecdotes she knew would be of interest to us. Sarah also picked up that I had a nasty cold and took us to a shop that sold lavender and lavender essential oils. The shop assistant explained the many medicinal uses of lavender and suggested I use the oil to help rid me of the cold. Within 24 hours it had worked!! Thank you Sarah!
After a visit to the Roman ruins and the hospice where Van Gogh was first admitted, we drove to a small Provencal village for an excellent lunch. We would never have found the restaurant on our own - it was excellent, authentically Provencal and served wonderful food and wine.
As we were interested in art, Sarah suggested we go to a sound and light show about the work of Chagall in Les Baux de Provence. This was in a disused bauxite quarry (hence Les Baux) and was absolutely superb. I cannot do it justice here but can say if you have the opportunity to go, do so!! Again, thank you Sarah for a great recommendation.
Sarah followed up by taking us to the hospital where Van Gogh spent a year before returning to Paris where he took his own life, aged 37. Here he painted the famous Starry Night and his Irises painting among others. It was most poignant.
At the end of our day Sarah drove us to an olive farm where the olive harvest was taking place, showed us how the oil is made and organised a tasting for us.
Driving back to Aix-en-Provence we felt we had had a lovely glimpse of life in Provence. Sarah had lots of advice about the market to be held in the town the next day and also a list of restaurants she recommended.
At noon the next day we set off again for the hilltop villages of the Luberon region of Provence. Following an excellent lunch in a small village Sarah drove us to some of the less well-known, and therefore less touristy, villages, explained how they had developed from the early 1100s, how they defended themselves and why the chateau in each village was built on the rock above the village. We followed this up with a visit to a wine chateau with a wine tasting. A special bonus was their vegetable garden which was a quite spectacular potager, Sarah having picked up that I was a keen gardener.
We cannot recommend Sarah more highly as a knowledgeable, lovely tour guide. She is English-speaking (in fact, she's English born) but she is very French too and will unlock this lovely region of France for you.
Mary, Victoria, Australia
October 7th, 2016 - 'An Excellent Day in Aix-en-Provence with Sarah'
I traveled to Aix late September from Paris, and since I only had a few days in the area, and I had read the awesome reviews about Discover Provence, I booked the Town + Country Tour with Sarah. She was very prompt in responding, and kept in touch with me providing information ,the meeting place etc. until our tour. I was very lucky, since on this day I was the only guest on her tour and she did not mind "customizing" it a bit for my interests. We had a wonderful day, first strolling the streets and markets of Aix, and I learned the interesting history of this town, including humorous stories from the past. We then traveled out of town to visit some unique [non tourist] villages literally "perched" in the Lubron Hills-- such as Lourmarin, where we had a sun and fun filled lunch in a small cafe---great food, great conversation! We then continued on to Cucuron and Ansouis to view some lovely chateaux and cathedrals, then finished up at a vineyard for wine and olive oil tasting. Sarah is English, so for me not speaking any French, that was a big plus. She also goes out of her way to assist you with any questions you might have as a first time visitor to Aix, booking me a perfect restaurant for my last night and showing me where all the shoe stores are in Aix.....my secret addiction! She is incredibly organized and knowledgeable about everything in the area. I can highly recommend Discover Provence and when I return with my family I will definitely book a custom tour for us. Thank you.
Patricia, Washington DC, USA
October 6th, 2016 - 'Perfect Tour'
My daughter and I took 3 full day tours with Sarah. We enjoyed them very much. Sarah makes sure you get a complete feel for Provence. Living there now and an indept history of the area. We loved Cassiss and the many hilltop villages. We also went to a wine and olive vineyard. Both were fabulous. Sarah treats you as a friend and is very adaptable on tours. We chose to shop in one of the villages and she was fine with that. Lunch stops were at delicious restaurants. We wouldn't hesitate to reccomend any or all of these tours.
Susan, Oregan, USA
September 22nd, 2016 - 'Aix-en-Provence and Cassis'
Sarah gave an amazing tour of Aix-en Provence and Cassis. She was incredibly responsive from the first time we contacted her months before our trip when we weren't even sure we were going on the trip! Sometimes you can read reviews where things are overstated. In this case, however, I cannot say enough good things about Sarah. She was skillfully organized, knowledgable and extremely helpful when we had special requests about a purchase, and answered all of our questions. We took one of her newer tours and it was absolutely seamless. As a bonus, lunch was delicious! I would not hesitate to recommend her wholeheartedly and would book a tour again with her and hope she had space available!
Laura, California, USA
September 19th, 2016 - 'Lovely day filled with a variety of experiences'
Our experience with Sarah Pernet, the founder of Discover Privence, was very positive from the time of first contact prior to our trip through to the end of our day as she dropped us off in Aix. Sarah was personable and informative. She also gave us some flexibility from the original itinerary in that we had a few choices on how we wanted to spend our afternoon. Some unexpected stops were a delight including being able to purchase some local wine we enjoyed over lunch at the winery where it was made. We learned so much about the region from Sarah. We would without hesitation contact her again and highly recommend her to anyone traveling to Provence who wants a true flavor for the culture and history of the region.
Patricia, Virginia, USA
September 15th, 2016 - 'Day of wine, stunning sights and views'
This review is a bit overdue but in comparison to some recent disappointing tours in Vienna and Budapest, I wish I could go back and tour with Sarah in Provence. Our day in The Luberon hills visiting quaint villages and tasting local wines was fantastic and Sarah was one of the best guides ever.
Morobins, Toronto, Canada
September 13th, 2016 - 'Magical, delightful.........our BEST day in Provence'
I have been on tours in several cities over the years and have to say without reservation that this is "the best of the best!"
Sarah and Janicke have obviously put much consideration into details that provided us with every comfort during our tour of Arles and the surrounding towns. I appreciated their inquiry about our special interests and the way that they greatly enriched our visit to Provence with stories about the geography, culture, local traditions, history and the arts. We were a bit intimidated about attempting to find our way around in a rental car and Sarah's expert maneuvering through tiny streets (she can park on a dime!) gave us peace of mind and the ability to focus on the surrounding beauty and soak up the info she was sharing. The details of the entire day felt seamless and magical.
We particularly appreciated Sarah and Janicke's emphasis on sustainable agriculture, local artisans and the fabulous family operated restaurants that offer only seasonal, locally grown products in the "slow food manner" on their menus. I enjoyed the most artistically presented, delicious meal I've had in Provence during my tour!
We can't thank you enough for providing us with the highlight of our 10 day exploration of Provence!
Mary, North Carolina, USA
September 10th, 2016 - 'Tour of Provence by Discover Provence'
Two couples received a tour of Provence on August 27, 2016-Discover Provence. Our contact for setting up the tour was Sarah Permet-founder of Discover Provence. She was totally receptive to our needs. Developing a tailored 1-day tour was smooth in every regard. The tour was conducted by Ms. Janicke Lemiere. Janicke was outstanding. The vehicles was very comfortable with good visibility. She presented information to us during transit between well coordinated stops. The information was engaging and focused us for the next stop. It was delivered in a conversational and interactive manner. We never felt that we were hearing a lecture or a standard delivery. It had been tailored to our interests. Tours of the sites were great and well conducted. We learned a lot about the land, the people, culture, history, food, and wine. One of the focuses was on the transformative art traditions associated with the region. This part of the tour really prepared us for the art collections in Paris. The tour was outstanding in every regard! We were sorry when the day drew to a close. We recommend Discover Provence to you with the highest degree of enthusiasm!
Lynn & Bob, South Carolina, USA
September 9th, 2016 - 'Half Day Tour of Aix-en-Provence'
Although my husband and I often enjoy self guided tours, guide book and map in hand, we are so glad that we spent time with Sarah during our recent visit to Aix. She is very knowledgeable about the history, architecture and culture of the region and was able to provide insights and tips that we would not have had otherwise. She is very organized in her itinerary and, at the end of our town walk, gave us a type written list of her favorite restaurants, which was very helpful. We highly recommend Sarah and Discover Provence!!
Christine, California, USA
September 8th, 2016 - 'Wonderful Day Exploring Provence'
We found our limited travel time in Aix-en-Provence was well-spent in Sarah's expert hands. She made excellent suggestions for additional sites as she learned more about our interests during our tour. Her recommendations for dining and area focal points ensured a perfect three days in Aix for all of us. Highly recommended.
Jacqui, California, USA
September 3rd, 2016 - 'Wonderful time exploring and learning'
My husband and I are in Aix for two weeks to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We really didn't want to rent a car and have to deal with negotiating traffic in a foreign country, the crush of the summer crowds, and we knew we'd miss so much trying to get educated on the sights on our own, so we hired Discover Provence. We did a three day tour, but I understand the rules are that I may only review one...what a shame because they were all fantastic.
It just happened that it would be just my husband and me with Janicke on a full day tour of the Luberon. The experience was like having a knowledgeable, good friend or relative show you around their town. Throughout the day she not only educated us on the sights (history, architecture, art, etc) but also gave us the skinny on fun things like celebrities, life in the area,etc.
Discover Provence also seems to about sustainable tourism. Janicke seems to take much pride in what she does, pride in the community, and local artisans and businesses. I really liked that aspect of the tour.
We saw some incredible sights, took memorable photos, learned a great deal about French regional culture, tasted some wonderful foods and bought some high quality souveniers made in Provence!
We highly recommend Discover Provence!
Lee, North Carolina, USA
August 28th, 2016 - 'Loved this Tour'
My husband and I recently spent 5 days in Aix-en-Provence and booked a Town and Country tour with Sarah for our first day there. It was a perfect way for us to introduce ourselves to the interesting and beautiful town of Aix! During the morning we took a walking tour, followed by a trip to some of the Luberon villages and ending with a delightful wine tasting at a local vineyard. The weather was sunny, breezy and warm (typical of Provence in the summer) and it was an absolutely delightful day!
Sarah was a great guide and the small group tour was perfect for us; we were able to go at our own pace and quickly felt as if we were visiting a dear friend who was taking us on a tour of her town.
We heartily recommend visiting Aix. It's a 3 hr high speed train ride from Paris and a 4 hr ride from Barcelona and has lots of history, culture, great restaurants, lovely shopping and very friendly people. We would also give Sarah & Discover Provence our very highest recommendation!!
Linda, Wisconsin, USA
August 19th, 2016 - 'Touring with Janicke is like touring with a friend'
This was our second time with Janicke from Discover Provence. She was able to tour us for two days during our trip to Provence. One day was a Roman day. On this day we explored the theatre of Orange and the Arc de Triomphe of Orange and then we went to Glanum to see the Roman ruins of Glanum. The second day we explored the hilltop villages of the Luberon. We love being with Janicke! She is like hanging out with a close friend. She is relaxed and easy to be with and at the same time she is extremely knowledgeable about the history of the area (and history in general). I like that I never felt rushed if I wanted to stop in a shop or spend a little more time somewhere. Everything was scheduled so that we could see a lot, but without feeling like we had to rush from one place to another. We look forward to returning to Provence and using Janicke again!
Laura, Texas, USA
August 15th, 2016 - 'Aix walking tour with Jackie'
So we have kids - ranging from solid teenage to 6 year old. They can be tough on tour guides. Hell, I can be tough of tour guides. However, Jacky, our guide in Aix, handled us all very well. Getting into enough detail to satisfy me but keeping it interesting for the kids to enjoy what they were seeing. So knowledgeable, engaging, and flexible with her itinerary. Excellent all around
Luke, North Carolina, USA
August 10th, 2016 - 'Loved every minute!'
Like other's, we only had one full day to spend it Provence and wanted to make the most of it. I am so thankful that we booked the Town and Country tour instead of wondering aimless around Aix, not really knowing at what we were seeing. Both Sarah and Janicke are the most delightful ladies. Janicke took us on the "town" part of the tour, providing details about the city, buildings, fountains, history, etc. that gave so much more meaning to what we were seeing, pointing out details that we would have totally missed otherwise, as my guess is they would not have been in a guide book. She was most patient with us wanting to linger a bit in a store she brought us to that my sister just loved (she had to buy an extra bag to take home all the little treats she bought!) and then in the market as well. We then met up with Sarah who took us on a very informative tour of the country, taking us to several "perch" villages, quintessential of Provence, and we enjoyed a lovely lunch in one of them, one of our best meals we had in France! The fond memories of that day will be with us for a lifetime. I look forward to another tour with Discover Provence Day Tours the next time I visit, which I hope is soon!
Heidi, USA
August 5th, 2016 - 'Custom Day Tour with Sarah'
My friends and I were visiting Provence for the day and wanted to jam everything there was to do here in one day! Not many tours let alone tour guides catered to our specific needs. So thankfully we saw Sarah's listing on trip advisor! She customized an all day tour for us and it was just incredible! She was so sweet and Patient with us. There was a point in the tour where a few of us wanted to check out the local markets so she arranged for that to happen while still allowing us time to do everything else we had plan. She has great relationships with local restaurants and brought us to an unbelievable one in one of the villages we visited! It was truly an amazing day and can't wait to come back and have a Day with Sarah!
Libbie, New York, USA
July 30th, 2016 - ' Relaxed & Informal'
I booked this last minute as I wanted to spend a day exploring the surrounds of Aix en Provence.
Because of my restricted dates the only tour that Sarah had available was the 'Van Gogh, Arles and Les Baux-de-Provence' trip
Though this would not have been a tour I would normally avail of, I must say it was one of the nicest relaxing and informative days I have had in long time.
After visiting Arles and the Van Gogh sights we headed off to a village for fun relaxing lunch before continuing onto Les Baux-de-Provence and Saint Remy Saint Paul De Mausole.
Sarah was a fabulous guide and more than willing to be flexible if we requested a change to the schedule or a slowing of the pace.
For that small personalised touch I could not recommend 'Discover Provence' highly enough.
Niamh, Dublin, Ireland
July 28th, 2016 - 'Highlight of our Trip'
I spent 3 weeks traveling around parts of Spain, France, and Ireland and this tour was one of the highlights of my trip. It was incredibly well planned and put together. The tour guides were knowledgable and friendly. Provence is spectacularly beautiful and this tour really helped us to get an understanding of this region that we otherwise wouldn't have received. The tour of Aix was amazing. Not only did it include history of the town and buildings, but we also dived into the culture of the city...visiting the markets, a local shop, and dining at a wonderful restaurant. I would highly recommend this tour to anybody visiting Provence. It's worth it!
Julie, North Carolina, USA
July 26th, 2016 - 'Amazing day tour of towns & villages around Aix'
We were so lucky to have Janicke as our guide for what turned out to be a private tour of the villages and Van Gogh. She picked us up in a small car and took us to see the towns, the sites, the foods and we followed Van Gogh's travels. And the restaurant she took us to for lunch, amazing. I would highly recommend Discover Provence, we can't wait to come back and try them again for another tour.
Joel, Palo Alto, California, USA
July 24th, 2016 - 'A Fantastic Two Days'
Our family of four spent two wonderful days with Sarah from “Discover Provence” in July exploring the beautiful region.
Sarah was excellent to deal with right from the start and helped tailor the two days to ensure we saw and did everything we wanted to see and do. Every day was fun and interesting thanks to Sarah’s extensive knowledge and the way she explained the history of the area to us.
We covered a lot of ground in the two days but never felt pressured to move on and were able to enjoy beautiful lunches both days in local restaurants that were not full of tourists. Our two days included a walking tour of Aix, a boat tour of three calanques out of Cassis, visiting some of the fantastic perched villages in the Luberon, a close up lavender harvesting experience and concluded with marvellous evening truffle hunting.
Sarah is a careful driver, her vehicle was clean and bottled water was always available.
If you are interested in using a professional tour company that will personally look after you and show you the very best, look no further. Our two days were worth every cent and we could not have asked for better. Thank you Sarah and Discover Provence.
Greg, Auckland, New Zealand
July 22nd, 2016 - 'The Most Delightful Day'
I have to admit: I'm incredibly skeptical of day tours. I'm always hesitant to book them in fear that the format will be too rigid, that I won't really get to explore as I'd want to, that I'll miss out on the things that interest ME, personally. But my friend really wanted to do a day tour of the Luberon, so we booked with Sarah at Discover Provence.
It was the most wonderful day!! The way Sarah structured the day enhanced the places we visited rather than detracting from them. Sure, I would've loved to have more time to explore each place, but it just wouldn't've been physically possible within one day. Sarah was able to give us notes on the history and culture of each place, to answer our questions and highlight the most interesting points, giving us the best of each village we visited. Her style made me realize that I'd rather see a handful of villages with her rather than drive myself to one or two during the day with no insight into what was around me.
Highly recommended! Thank you, Sarah, for the most delightful day!
Jessica, Orlando, Florida, USA
July 19th, 2016 - 'When time is at a premium Discover Provence Day Tours are the way to go'
Our family of six had way too few days to explore Provence and found the solution in having tours set up with Discover Provence before our arrival in the South of France. In addition to one full day on our own to explore Aix, we took a 1/2 day tour of Cassis with a boat ride to three calanques and a full day tour to Arles and Les Baux. We were conveniently met at our B & B for each tour.
The tour guides (Sarah & Janika) were both well versed in everything from history, art, food, culture and were able to shape the tour to our family interests. We found the tours informative and appreciated how much time we saved not having to figure things out ourselves or waiting on line for transportation. We saw much more and got much more out of what we saw because of their guidance and experience. It was like having a good family friend who wants to show you their favorite spots and make things as easy and authentic as possible so you love their home they way they do. It was clear that they enjoy what they do and are very professional about their preparation so they keep their tours fresh and don't rely on just rote memorization of facts or repetition of jaded tourist materials. I would highly recommend their services.
Cara, New York, USA
July 11th, 2016 - 'Wonderful Day in the Luberon Region'
Our guide, Janike, was exceptional! Each of the numerous Luberon villages she took us to was unique and charming and she was knowledgable about all aspects of the region. We had a lovely and leisurely lunch at a family restaurant and the tour ended with a very nice wine tasting at winery with superb gardens. This tour is not cheap, but well worth the money!
Juliet, Philadelphia, USA
July 10th, 2016 - 'Wonderful Day in the Luberon with Sarah'
My mother and I did the full day Luberon villages tour with Sarah in July and it was the highlight of our trip to Aix-en-Provence. Sarah was so knowledgeable about the history and culture of the region, and took us to some charming and hidden parts of several of the Luberon villages. When we were growing hot in the afternoon, Sarah adapted our itinerary to visit an olive press and taste some local production rather than stay outside at the last village. Throughout the day, Sarah also helped us book a taxi for our return home and gave us awesome recommendations when we told her planned to go to Cassis. Her restaurant recommendations were also spot-on. I highly recommend booking a tour with Discovery Provence if you're in the area!
Jessica, NY, USA
July 3rd, 2016 - 'Sarah & Janicke are amazing at creating memories'
Sarah of Discover Provence set up 3 tours for us. After talking to us and understanding we wanted to focus on the painters of the area she modified her tours to meet our needs.
We will always remember the Chagall and Van Gogh Exhibits, the afternoon spent learning about Cezanne and the spectacular hill towns. Both Sarah and Janike are not only great guides but super interesting individuals who made us feel like family. They shared insights into what make Provence special. We found Discover Provence made our tour of Provence special, creating memories for a life time.
Steves, San Diego, California, USA
June 28th, 2016 - 'Morning in Aix and afternoon in Cassis'
While my husband was at work, I went on a day tour with Janicke. She was a great tour guide. She had a vast amount of knowledge and love for the city and surrounding area. My favorite meal for my entire 10 day trip was with this tour, fish soup by water in Cassis. Amazing.
Kelli,Houston,Texas,USA
June 20th, 2016 - 'Cooking with Marie-Hélèn'
Our friends joined us for a magical day in the kitchen of Marie Helen for a cooking class in the Provençal style, arranged by Discover Provence. We had a magical day, which started with Marie Hèlen's warm hospitality welcoming us with coffee and cookies. She had just been to the market that morning and her kitchen was full of gorgeous produce we would use to convert into a yummy meal. We all pitched in to follow her direction while we prepared a traditional bean and vegetable stew topped with the classic pistol sauce of Provence, along with making tapenade and eggplant spread. Marie Helen had remade some items, such as a zucchini flan and some lavender honey creme brûlées, but she kindly made up another batch to demonstrate all the steps in the recipe. Then we sat down to our sumptuous meal, accompanied by wines, and enjoyed the fruits of our labors.
Stacy, California, USA
June 19th, 2016 - 'Perched Village Tour'
Two of us joined Janicke on the Perched Villages Tour and it was outstanding. The small group size (5) worked really well. Janicke was very knowledgable about the area and made sure that we all got a chance to see what we were interested in. Plenty of stops for photos too, which was nice. A really nice extra touch was that she dropped off all of us back at our hotel(s). The area is beautiful but the Janicke made the day special.
Karyn, Tronto, Canada
June 18th, 2016 - 'Very accomodating guide to our wishes'
My sister and I booked a private day tour as we had already visited some of the sights listed in their tour. In response to our request for some changes our tour was stress free and very thorough visiting all the sights we wanted to see as well as some they suggested in Saint-Remy and the region. We had a lovely lunch with our guide in one of the small villages on our way to Saint-Remy where she casually provided us with a knowledgeable summary of information on the region, Van Gogh and Saint-Remy. I highly recommend this tour for its thorough view of the area as well as its convenience and timeliness from Aix en Provence.
Karen, Virginia, USA
June 17th, 2016 - 'Loved our time with Discover Provence'
Our group of 4 ladies fell in love with Provence and Sarah Pernet, our tour guide from Discover Provence. One of our tours included a visit to Cassis with a boat ride on the Mediterranean with such beautiful views that words are hard to find to describe! Sarah is an excellent guide--very knowledgeable and flexible and so easy to be with that we really felt like she was more of a good friend than a tour guide. I highly recommend Discover Provence English speaking tours!
Terri, Georgia, USA
June 16th, 2016 - 'Discover Provence 3 Day Tour'
We are a group of 4 ladies who booked a tour with Sarah from Discover Provence.
She was an excellent guide. We toured the Le Baux, St. Remy, and Arles area. Her choices helped us to really feel that we learned a lot about the area. She booked our lunch in a small village where the food was wonderful. We felt like Sarah was a friend after the three days. We would recommend Discover Provence to any English speaking travelers as a way to get to see as much of the area as possible in relaxed comfort.
Patricia, Georgia, USA
June 12th, 2016 - 'Provençal Cooking with Marie-Hélèn'
We 4 loved the small group, no stress fun with Marie-Hélèn in her cheerful kitchen. It was delightful to snap, peel, chop and pound and whip while learning about prep technique tips, local food and Provencal life. Our informed chat continued with appetizers & wine - yes, pastis too! - on the verandah and most pleasurably throughout the delicious luncheon . Best, Marie-Hélèn gave us her recipes. To ensure not missing this wonderful all-day event, I recommend that you book early.
Liz, San José, USA
June 6th, 2016 - 'A Wonderful Day'
Last week, our family of 4 decided to take a tour with Sarah around the perched villages of Luberon. It was a wonderful decision, and we had an amazing time! Sarah was knowledgeable, fun, and passionate. She was able to give us a lot of history from the areas we visited, and had developed relationships with various area vendors in order for us to shop around and eat very, very well. We quite literally took in the sights, sounds, and even tastes of the area with a great lunch and both a wine and olive oil tasting. And in addition to all of that, the views were absolutely to die for. If you are looking to have a great day in Provence, look no further - Sarah and the Discover Provence team have you covered.
Susan, New York City
May 26th, 2016 - 'Touring Provence enlightning and delightful'
Touring with Sarah was one of the wisest decisions we could have made during our recent visit to Provence. We flew in early prior to a Viking River Cruise and hired Sarah for a day's tour of the area. Sarah made the tour interesting and enlightening and the pacing was just right for us. Her energy and congenial personality made for a delightful tour. Sarah offers many different types of tours. We did the Provence Day & Sea Tour. The day was perfect and Sarah was a lovely companion. Should we return to the Provence area, we would seek out Sarah to explore additional possibilities. Thank you, Sarah! We feel we've made a new friend.Cindy & Justin
Cindy, IL, USA
May 20th, 2016 - 'Arles and more in the spirit of Van Gogh'
I joined Sarah touring with four additional visitors for a fun-packed tour with historical facts surrounding Van Gogh. Her friendly, informative manner put the group at ease as we meandered through the cobblestone streets. It amazes me that these areas are so packed with such artistic inspiration, evident in this Provencial countryside. I am fortunate to be staying here for awhile as I would like to further explore these regions and Sarah gave us all an overview which is quite adequate for a tourist, to get a feeling for this gem of a region. Our lunch break was delicious and kept us energized for the remainder of our tour...plus the olive oil tasting was yet another treat! I will plan on including other tours with Discover Provence during my stay.
Lisa, USA
May 17th, 2016 - ' Apt name: Discover Provence'
If you want to discover all aspects of Provence - history, culture, geography, scenery, food, wine - this company is the answer. After an informative and enjoyable walking tour of Aix, we spent a glorious afternoon by the Mediterranian in Cassis. This tour covered a lot of ground but was not rushed. Sarah is very well organized but not rigid. She adjusts the pace of the tour to accommodate her clients as well as uncertainties like changes in the weather. All aspects of working with Discover Provence were handled efficiently from initial email contact, to confirming the schedule, pickup at a suggested site, and drop off at the end. You can't go wrong with Discover Provence.
Sam, Virginia, USA
May 15th, 2016 - 'Relaxing & Beautiful Day Trip to Cassis'
I went on the half-day tour to Cassis because I wanted to get out of Aix for a day and make sure to see the Sea. For lunch I had fish caught that morning in the Mediterranean. The small-batch local wine was one-of-a-kind and delicious. Then we explored the town by land and sea. I was traveling solo, and this was the perfect activity. Sarah was a wonderful guide. It is highly recommended.
Meredith, Boston, USA
May 3rd, 2016 - 'Feel welcome in Aix-en-Provence'
Janicke met our small group of three in Aix and guided us through the old town at a very easy pace. I had done two walking tours through the Tourist Bureau the previous day, but Janicke was able to show a side of Aix that I had not seen. We looked at the life of Paul Cezanne, where he lived and painted. I felt like an honoured guest as we then drove to places where Cezanne walked, worked and ate. Highly recommended.
Gail, Perth, Australia
April 26th, 2016 - 'Wonderful Round 2'
I visited Aix-en-Provence in January 2016 and participated in 2 tours with Sarah. They were wonderful experiences. My husband and I returned in April 2016 and and along with my daughter, who is attended college in Aix this semester, participated in 3 tours: Arles & Van Gogh, Cassis, and Provencal Cooking. Sarah and Janicke are wonderful, well informed and personable tour guides. We would definitely recommend them to our friends and relatives considering a visit to Aix.
Sherrie, Gren Bay, Wisconsin, USA
April 15th 2016 - 'Wonderful 3 Days in Provence'
My wife and I had three perfect days with Discover Provence. Our guide Janicke had a thorough grasp of Procence's geography, culture, and history. We felt instantly at ease with her. She had the knack of being able to tailor the tour to our interests, and our discussions covered a wide range of topics. The shops and restaurants she took us to were outstanding. We not only glimpsed life in Provence, we experienced life there through the people she introduced us to. In a short time, we saw wonderful places we would never have been able to find on our own. The tour greatly enhanced our understanding of Provence; we cannot recommend it enough. A thoroughly memorable time.
Ed, Boise, Idaho, USA
March 26th, 2016 'Flawless, lovely, dynamite.....what a great time'
Sarah is fantastic, she is a skilled communicator and a wonderful guide. My wife and I were warmly greeted by our bilingual guide in her comfortable van. Then we were off on our all day tour! Sarah is knowledgable and passionate about Provence and its enchanting charm. It was easy to get to know her because our semi-private tour turned out to be just my wife and me! So we met in the Center of Aix and proceeded to our first stop, a walking tour in Arles, where Van Gogh lived and painted. Sarah is a wealth of interesting and spirited commentary regarding the art, the culture, architecture, etc. We walked a bit and soaked as much of the local flavour of Arles as possible....such a lovely walk, we then went and torus inside of the old roman colisseum-style forum and it was quite impressive. Sarah is willing to bend and accommodate and her even keel approach is soothing and we blended well with her and she with us. Sometimes these kind of tours can seem long and winding, but this tour is so very cool and well-worth it.
Before I forget, we had a terrific lunch at a cozy local bistro on the way to the monastery where Van Gogh spent his last year of life...this was so very lovely and I personally was in awe of what I learned from this visit. I was so happy that we were taken to this special place. We then proceeded to Les Baux, we went to an olive mill and a cute winery--all were charming, interesting and Sarah has it down perfectly!!
All of this AND it is only March and the flowers are still forthcoming...ha, no worries, this tour, this tour company and I am thinking the entire staff of this company is top-notch. Like I said earlier in this review, sometimes tours seem really long and tiring...not this one, quite the opposite. We were out all day and I could have stayed out much longer, once again a testimony to Discover Provence day tours. Thank you Sarah!!
Steve, American living in London,
UK
Febuary 26th, 2016 - 'A Beautiful Day in Provence'
Janicke spent the day with us and it was like an old friend showing you their favorite places. Beautiful views of the Provence countryside, interesting walks through centuries-old villages, and more. Janicke seemed to know everything one could know, answering all of our questions. The price is kind of expensive, but it's about the value, not the cost.
Michael, Virginia, USA
Febuary 21st, 2016 - 'Highlight of our Trip'
Our day with Janicke on the "Perched Villages of Luberon" tour was the absolute highlight of our week! It felt less like a tour and more like spending a fun, wonderful day with a warm, good humored and knowledgeable old friend who enjoyed sharing with us her favorite spots in a beautiful part of the world she loves. We will certainly sign up for another tour with Discover Provence the next time we are in France! Very highly recommended!
Deb, Massachusetts, USA
Febuary 15th, 2016 - 'A stimulating Tour of Lubern Villages'
I participated in two days of touring with Discover Provence--a full day tour of the villages of Luberon and a half day tour of Cassis. Both tours were phenomenal--a mix of breathtaking sites, medieval villages, and Mediterranean splendor. Janicke was our tour guide, and she treated us not just to the history and literature of the south of France, but also the little bits of local lore that make Provence such a special place. She is also a genuinely interesting and nice person--one that my whole family was happy to spend our days with. My overall experience with Discover Provence, from initial communication to scheduling, through the tour and after, was first rate. They are professional and accommodating. We will certainly return to Provence and when we do, we look forward to truffle hunting and visiting wineries with Discover Provence!
Robert, Georgia, USA
Febuary 12th, 2016 - 'Great Day in Aix-en-Provence'
Janicke was our tour guide for the day and she has in-depth knowledge of the culture & history. Janicke made sure that we were comfortable. We enjoyed the food as well. Janicke was flexible, and she made sure that we were able to spend some time in places where we were interested in. Great job Janicke! We highly recommend this tour.
Pam, California, USA
January 27th, 2016 - 'Enjoyable Day Tour to Arles and Les Baux de Provence'
We did a walking tour of Aix-en-Provence and a full day tour of Arles and Les Baux de Provence with Sarah. The tours were enjoyable, informative and interesting and it was so relaxing to have someone else take care of all the details (and drive!). Sarah really paid attention to what we were interested in and let us take our time at each of the sites, even if it meant a later finish. Part of the original tour was closed due to the time of year, so she added a visit to a winery which was something we wanted to do. She was very flexible, even letting us decide on the day of the tour which tour we wanted to do and what we wanted to include. i highly recommend a tour with Discover Provence!
Ramona, Ottawa, Canada
January 12th, 2016 - 'Enjoyable, Professional, Educational'
I participated in two tours with Sarah: the walking tour of Aix-en-Provence and the full day tour of Luberon Villages. Sarah is a wonderful tour guide who has done her homework and preparation. She is personable, multi-lingual and easy to understand. She offered restaurant recommendations from her personal experience. I tried several of the restaurants and they were amazing! After the tour Sarah emailed the itinerary for each tour for reference.
My husband and I will be returning to Aix in April and will be participating in several more tours of this beautiful region of France!
Sherrie, Wisconsin, USA
This was our favorite tour. Sarah Pernet gave us a full day tour of some of the great historic cities of Provence - Arles, Le Beaux, and St. Remy. She also took us to an Olive Oil production facility, which was fascinating. Sarah explained to us all the highlights and historical significance of these sites. A good part of the tour dealt with artist's Van Gogh's stay in the area, and the artwork he produced there. This was such a great experience and we want to go back and take some of Sarah's other tours. We can't say enough great things about it.
Kerry, Springfield, USA
December 10th, 2016 - 'Aix-en-Provence'
Provence is for sure one of the most beautiful places we have ever visited! In no small part our visit was enhanced dramatically by the tours that were provided us by Sarah of Discover Provence. We spent two gorgeous, crisp November days with Sarah exploring the ancient villages of the Luberon and the Van Gogh trail. The tours were relaxed and informative and customizable to our particular interests. The restaurants chosen for lunch were delightful and delicious. We had the added advantage of traveling off season and having the dramatic countryside and historical sites to ourselves. We are already looking forward to our return so we can continue our explorations hopefully with Sarah as our guide.
Annice, LA, USA
November 18th, 2016 - 'Provence perched villages'
Discover Tours owner and guide Sarah Pernet gave my sister and I a very special day in the perch villages of Provence through her great appreciation for the culture, history and cuisine of the region. She introduced us to off the beaten path towns, restaurants and agricultural tastings keeping us out of the touristy and crowded areas. (The restaurants especially immersed us in French culture and were carefully selected for the quality of the food and the ambiance.) Sarah is also very personable and she is flexible in planning to the needs/wishes of her clients. While we are more often independent travelers, we could not have navigated these villages on our own and appreciate Sarah's perspective and planning. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes and you will want to take photographs. Thank you Sarah.
Arlene, Conneticut, USA
November 10th, 2016 - ' Great Day in the Luberon Region'
My husband and I were staying in Aix-en-Provence and spent a day touring the Perched Villages in the Luberon. Our small tour consisted of one other couple and ourselves, plus Sarah as driver and guide.
It was a full day, and we visited at least six villages, including a stop at a winery. We saw so many things that I'm very glad to have a record from the pictures on my camera!
Although each village is a striking example of how medieval villages were built on the top of hills in order to provide fortification against enemies, each stop had a different character and different aspects to explore. Midway through our day we stopped at a restaurant in one of the villages, and the experience of ordering from a French menu and watching Sarah interact with the waitress and the manager was wonderful. To a certain extent, all the villages are focused on tourism, but during our lunch we felt much more immersed in the French culture than you would expect.
Our time in each individual village was focused (by necessity) since the day includes a good amount of driving as well. But Sarah was flexible when requested, allowing us extra time in shops where we found something of interest, while keeping to her schedule as well as she could.
We had considered touring this area on our own, but having Sarah as a driver was well worth the cost alone. She was able to provide a great deal of background information, although we would have appreciated more information during the initial part of our drive (from Aix to the Luberon region).
We enjoyed every aspect of our tour -- the villages, our lunch, the winery, and our conversations with the other couple and Sarah. And since we had spent the previous day touring on our own, we were especially appreciative of Sarah as driver and navigator! We would recommend this tour to others.
Three Down, Seattle, USA
October 27th, 2016 - 'Town & Sea Tour'
Sarah picked us up at our cruise ship and drove us to Aix-en-Provence where we had a great walking tour by Janicke. What a beautiful place Aix is! Then Sarah took us to Cassis where we enjoyed some food & local wine before we took a boat trip where we enjoyed seeing the spectacular coastal area including 3 calanques. Throughout the day Sarah shared her impressive knowledge about Provence & it's history. We walked away feeling that we saw & learned a lot in just one short day.
Sarah & Janicke are both adorable, very knowledgeable & are justifiably proud of lovely Provence! We had a great day!!
Dee, Los Angeles, USA
October 15th, 2016 - 'Tour of Aix & Cassis'
After a tour of the eastern boringders of France, we went to Aix-en-Provence for a restful finish to our vacation. However, we appreciate the knowledge and expertise of a good local guide and arranged for a full day with Sarah at Discover Provence. Our tour began with a walking tour of Aix where we visited both the "modern" and medieval sides of town and enjoyed the contrast in the architecture and organization of both. We visited the interiors cathedral and a restored home. Local markets and a pastry shop provided snacks along the walk!mWe then were driven to Cassis to enjoy a delicious fish lunch at a dockside restaurant and a boat trip to three of the famous callanques. The final visit to Cap Canaille with its beautiful vista was a perfect finish. Lots of photo opportunities and well informed conversation made this a terrific day! Sarah was a prepared and professional guide in every way.
Lynda, Los Vegas, USA
October 13th, 2016 - 'Half Day to Cassis'
Our 1/2 day tour of Cassis with Sarah was spectacular! Sarah was an excellent guide and so much fun to be around. We had no idea what to expect from our trip to Cassis and it ended up being our favorite part of a 2 week trip to France.
Sarah was so much fun to be around and pointed out interesting sights on drive to Cassis. At my request, we made a quick stop at a local winery and tasted the local wine. Then we went to the top of the cliffs to "look down" on Cassis and it was breathtaking. After that we went down into the town and took a boat ride to view the amazing Calanques. Words cannot describe how beautiful it is. Sarah also made a reservation for us at a wonderful seafood restaurant right on the water. It really was a perfect day and so much different than all of our other experiences we had on the trip. I would highly recommend Sarah for any tour but definitely the tour of Cassis!
Emily, Missouri,USA
October 12th, 2016 - 'A Wonderful Day in Provence'
Sarah took us on a walking tour through Aix in the morning and to several perched villages in the Luberon in the afternoon, capped off with a delightful wine tasting at a winery. Sarah was delightful, knowledgeable and provided helpful tips of the local culture. Her knowledge of art, architecture and local customs allowed this tour to not only be enjoyable but also a learning experience. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who has a limited time in Provence and would like to see the best it has to offer!
Diane, Pennsylvania, USA
October 11th, 2016 - 'Provence with Sarah Pernet'
My wife and I just returned from France. I had arranged a 2 day tour with Sarah Pernet to the Luberon Villages [day 1] and the footsteps of Van Gogh [day 2]. As I reviewed the 2 weeks in southern France, the 2 days we spent on tour with Sarah had the most impact. She picked us up each day near the café Festival at the end of the Cours Mirabeau and drove us to our tour destinations. She has lived in France for over 20 years and she provides perspective on the current French life- much different than the life we live in the US. The tour to the perched Luberon Villages, our market town visit, our lunch together [I ate Provencal pig's foot], our wine tasting with the most beautifully sculptured gardens I had recently seen, marked a perfect day. Throughout the day, she dealt us information in just the correct dose-pertinent moments but not overwhelming encyclopedic suffocation. Day 2 we visited Arles, Les Baux en Provence, St. Remy and a small olive farm. She suggested that we see the Chagall light show in the towering "Quarries of Lights" that was spectacular and a hallmark moment. But my favorite was the insane asylum at St. Remy where we viewed Vincent Van Gogh's room and the surrounding gardens and country side. Placed along the perspectives he viewed are many small replica paintings and it is easy to imagine him ensconced in a creative trance painting a ravenous portrait of life. There is plenty of soul left over even after a century plus. In the end we said goodbye to Sarah at the beginning of 4 rue septembre and I couldn't escape the perception that we were leaving behind her France- nurtured and adored. Don't miss it. Let her take you there.
William, Los Angeles, USA
October 10th, 2016 - 'Two wonderful Days in Provence'
Sarah Pernet picked us up in the morning near the central fountain in Aix-en-Provence and we began the most wonderful two-day adventure in Provence. We drove to the town of Arles where Sarah took us on a walking tour, explaining the history of the town from Roman times through the Middle Ages and up to the time Vincent Van Gogh lived and painted in the town. Throughout Arles there are sites where Van Gogh painted some of his most famous paintings and Sarah guided us through these, sharing her knowledge of art history and the region.
On the way to Arles she made a point of asking us our particular interests and while the tour we had booked was principally about Van Gogh and the Roman history of Arles she include many places and anecdotes she knew would be of interest to us. Sarah also picked up that I had a nasty cold and took us to a shop that sold lavender and lavender essential oils. The shop assistant explained the many medicinal uses of lavender and suggested I use the oil to help rid me of the cold. Within 24 hours it had worked!! Thank you Sarah!
After a visit to the Roman ruins and the hospice where Van Gogh was first admitted, we drove to a small Provencal village for an excellent lunch. We would never have found the restaurant on our own - it was excellent, authentically Provencal and served wonderful food and wine.
As we were interested in art, Sarah suggested we go to a sound and light show about the work of Chagall in Les Baux de Provence. This was in a disused bauxite quarry (hence Les Baux) and was absolutely superb. I cannot do it justice here but can say if you have the opportunity to go, do so!! Again, thank you Sarah for a great recommendation.
Sarah followed up by taking us to the hospital where Van Gogh spent a year before returning to Paris where he took his own life, aged 37. Here he painted the famous Starry Night and his Irises painting among others. It was most poignant.
At the end of our day Sarah drove us to an olive farm where the olive harvest was taking place, showed us how the oil is made and organised a tasting for us.
Driving back to Aix-en-Provence we felt we had had a lovely glimpse of life in Provence. Sarah had lots of advice about the market to be held in the town the next day and also a list of restaurants she recommended.
At noon the next day we set off again for the hilltop villages of the Luberon region of Provence. Following an excellent lunch in a small village Sarah drove us to some of the less well-known, and therefore less touristy, villages, explained how they had developed from the early 1100s, how they defended themselves and why the chateau in each village was built on the rock above the village. We followed this up with a visit to a wine chateau with a wine tasting. A special bonus was their vegetable garden which was a quite spectacular potager, Sarah having picked up that I was a keen gardener.
We cannot recommend Sarah more highly as a knowledgeable, lovely tour guide. She is English-speaking (in fact, she's English born) but she is very French too and will unlock this lovely region of France for you.
Mary, Victoria, Australia
October 7th, 2016 - 'An Excellent Day in Aix-en-Provence with Sarah'
I traveled to Aix late September from Paris, and since I only had a few days in the area, and I had read the awesome reviews about Discover Provence, I booked the Town + Country Tour with Sarah. She was very prompt in responding, and kept in touch with me providing information ,the meeting place etc. until our tour. I was very lucky, since on this day I was the only guest on her tour and she did not mind "customizing" it a bit for my interests. We had a wonderful day, first strolling the streets and markets of Aix, and I learned the interesting history of this town, including humorous stories from the past. We then traveled out of town to visit some unique [non tourist] villages literally "perched" in the Lubron Hills-- such as Lourmarin, where we had a sun and fun filled lunch in a small cafe---great food, great conversation! We then continued on to Cucuron and Ansouis to view some lovely chateaux and cathedrals, then finished up at a vineyard for wine and olive oil tasting. Sarah is English, so for me not speaking any French, that was a big plus. She also goes out of her way to assist you with any questions you might have as a first time visitor to Aix, booking me a perfect restaurant for my last night and showing me where all the shoe stores are in Aix.....my secret addiction! She is incredibly organized and knowledgeable about everything in the area. I can highly recommend Discover Provence and when I return with my family I will definitely book a custom tour for us. Thank you.
Patricia, Washington DC, USA
October 6th, 2016 - 'Perfect Tour'
My daughter and I took 3 full day tours with Sarah. We enjoyed them very much. Sarah makes sure you get a complete feel for Provence. Living there now and an indept history of the area. We loved Cassiss and the many hilltop villages. We also went to a wine and olive vineyard. Both were fabulous. Sarah treats you as a friend and is very adaptable on tours. We chose to shop in one of the villages and she was fine with that. Lunch stops were at delicious restaurants. We wouldn't hesitate to reccomend any or all of these tours.
Susan, Oregan, USA
September 22nd, 2016 - 'Aix-en-Provence and Cassis'
Sarah gave an amazing tour of Aix-en Provence and Cassis. She was incredibly responsive from the first time we contacted her months before our trip when we weren't even sure we were going on the trip! Sometimes you can read reviews where things are overstated. In this case, however, I cannot say enough good things about Sarah. She was skillfully organized, knowledgable and extremely helpful when we had special requests about a purchase, and answered all of our questions. We took one of her newer tours and it was absolutely seamless. As a bonus, lunch was delicious! I would not hesitate to recommend her wholeheartedly and would book a tour again with her and hope she had space available!
Laura, California, USA
September 19th, 2016 - 'Lovely day filled with a variety of experiences'
Our experience with Sarah Pernet, the founder of Discover Privence, was very positive from the time of first contact prior to our trip through to the end of our day as she dropped us off in Aix. Sarah was personable and informative. She also gave us some flexibility from the original itinerary in that we had a few choices on how we wanted to spend our afternoon. Some unexpected stops were a delight including being able to purchase some local wine we enjoyed over lunch at the winery where it was made. We learned so much about the region from Sarah. We would without hesitation contact her again and highly recommend her to anyone traveling to Provence who wants a true flavor for the culture and history of the region.
Patricia, Virginia, USA
September 15th, 2016 - 'Day of wine, stunning sights and views'
This review is a bit overdue but in comparison to some recent disappointing tours in Vienna and Budapest, I wish I could go back and tour with Sarah in Provence. Our day in The Luberon hills visiting quaint villages and tasting local wines was fantastic and Sarah was one of the best guides ever.
Morobins, Toronto, Canada
September 13th, 2016 - 'Magical, delightful.........our BEST day in Provence'
I have been on tours in several cities over the years and have to say without reservation that this is "the best of the best!"
Sarah and Janicke have obviously put much consideration into details that provided us with every comfort during our tour of Arles and the surrounding towns. I appreciated their inquiry about our special interests and the way that they greatly enriched our visit to Provence with stories about the geography, culture, local traditions, history and the arts. We were a bit intimidated about attempting to find our way around in a rental car and Sarah's expert maneuvering through tiny streets (she can park on a dime!) gave us peace of mind and the ability to focus on the surrounding beauty and soak up the info she was sharing. The details of the entire day felt seamless and magical.
We particularly appreciated Sarah and Janicke's emphasis on sustainable agriculture, local artisans and the fabulous family operated restaurants that offer only seasonal, locally grown products in the "slow food manner" on their menus. I enjoyed the most artistically presented, delicious meal I've had in Provence during my tour!
We can't thank you enough for providing us with the highlight of our 10 day exploration of Provence!
Mary, North Carolina, USA
September 10th, 2016 - 'Tour of Provence by Discover Provence'
Two couples received a tour of Provence on August 27, 2016-Discover Provence. Our contact for setting up the tour was Sarah Permet-founder of Discover Provence. She was totally receptive to our needs. Developing a tailored 1-day tour was smooth in every regard. The tour was conducted by Ms. Janicke Lemiere. Janicke was outstanding. The vehicles was very comfortable with good visibility. She presented information to us during transit between well coordinated stops. The information was engaging and focused us for the next stop. It was delivered in a conversational and interactive manner. We never felt that we were hearing a lecture or a standard delivery. It had been tailored to our interests. Tours of the sites were great and well conducted. We learned a lot about the land, the people, culture, history, food, and wine. One of the focuses was on the transformative art traditions associated with the region. This part of the tour really prepared us for the art collections in Paris. The tour was outstanding in every regard! We were sorry when the day drew to a close. We recommend Discover Provence to you with the highest degree of enthusiasm!
Lynn & Bob, South Carolina, USA
September 9th, 2016 - 'Half Day Tour of Aix-en-Provence'
Although my husband and I often enjoy self guided tours, guide book and map in hand, we are so glad that we spent time with Sarah during our recent visit to Aix. She is very knowledgeable about the history, architecture and culture of the region and was able to provide insights and tips that we would not have had otherwise. She is very organized in her itinerary and, at the end of our town walk, gave us a type written list of her favorite restaurants, which was very helpful. We highly recommend Sarah and Discover Provence!!
Christine, California, USA
September 8th, 2016 - 'Wonderful Day Exploring Provence'
We found our limited travel time in Aix-en-Provence was well-spent in Sarah's expert hands. She made excellent suggestions for additional sites as she learned more about our interests during our tour. Her recommendations for dining and area focal points ensured a perfect three days in Aix for all of us. Highly recommended.
Jacqui, California, USA
September 3rd, 2016 - 'Wonderful time exploring and learning'
My husband and I are in Aix for two weeks to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We really didn't want to rent a car and have to deal with negotiating traffic in a foreign country, the crush of the summer crowds, and we knew we'd miss so much trying to get educated on the sights on our own, so we hired Discover Provence. We did a three day tour, but I understand the rules are that I may only review one...what a shame because they were all fantastic.
It just happened that it would be just my husband and me with Janicke on a full day tour of the Luberon. The experience was like having a knowledgeable, good friend or relative show you around their town. Throughout the day she not only educated us on the sights (history, architecture, art, etc) but also gave us the skinny on fun things like celebrities, life in the area,etc.
Discover Provence also seems to about sustainable tourism. Janicke seems to take much pride in what she does, pride in the community, and local artisans and businesses. I really liked that aspect of the tour.
We saw some incredible sights, took memorable photos, learned a great deal about French regional culture, tasted some wonderful foods and bought some high quality souveniers made in Provence!
We highly recommend Discover Provence!
Lee, North Carolina, USA
August 28th, 2016 - 'Loved this Tour'
My husband and I recently spent 5 days in Aix-en-Provence and booked a Town and Country tour with Sarah for our first day there. It was a perfect way for us to introduce ourselves to the interesting and beautiful town of Aix! During the morning we took a walking tour, followed by a trip to some of the Luberon villages and ending with a delightful wine tasting at a local vineyard. The weather was sunny, breezy and warm (typical of Provence in the summer) and it was an absolutely delightful day!
Sarah was a great guide and the small group tour was perfect for us; we were able to go at our own pace and quickly felt as if we were visiting a dear friend who was taking us on a tour of her town.
We heartily recommend visiting Aix. It's a 3 hr high speed train ride from Paris and a 4 hr ride from Barcelona and has lots of history, culture, great restaurants, lovely shopping and very friendly people. We would also give Sarah & Discover Provence our very highest recommendation!!
Linda, Wisconsin, USA
August 19th, 2016 - 'Touring with Janicke is like touring with a friend'
This was our second time with Janicke from Discover Provence. She was able to tour us for two days during our trip to Provence. One day was a Roman day. On this day we explored the theatre of Orange and the Arc de Triomphe of Orange and then we went to Glanum to see the Roman ruins of Glanum. The second day we explored the hilltop villages of the Luberon. We love being with Janicke! She is like hanging out with a close friend. She is relaxed and easy to be with and at the same time she is extremely knowledgeable about the history of the area (and history in general). I like that I never felt rushed if I wanted to stop in a shop or spend a little more time somewhere. Everything was scheduled so that we could see a lot, but without feeling like we had to rush from one place to another. We look forward to returning to Provence and using Janicke again!
Laura, Texas, USA
August 15th, 2016 - 'Aix walking tour with Jackie'
So we have kids - ranging from solid teenage to 6 year old. They can be tough on tour guides. Hell, I can be tough of tour guides. However, Jacky, our guide in Aix, handled us all very well. Getting into enough detail to satisfy me but keeping it interesting for the kids to enjoy what they were seeing. So knowledgeable, engaging, and flexible with her itinerary. Excellent all around
Luke, North Carolina, USA
August 10th, 2016 - 'Loved every minute!'
Like other's, we only had one full day to spend it Provence and wanted to make the most of it. I am so thankful that we booked the Town and Country tour instead of wondering aimless around Aix, not really knowing at what we were seeing. Both Sarah and Janicke are the most delightful ladies. Janicke took us on the "town" part of the tour, providing details about the city, buildings, fountains, history, etc. that gave so much more meaning to what we were seeing, pointing out details that we would have totally missed otherwise, as my guess is they would not have been in a guide book. She was most patient with us wanting to linger a bit in a store she brought us to that my sister just loved (she had to buy an extra bag to take home all the little treats she bought!) and then in the market as well. We then met up with Sarah who took us on a very informative tour of the country, taking us to several "perch" villages, quintessential of Provence, and we enjoyed a lovely lunch in one of them, one of our best meals we had in France! The fond memories of that day will be with us for a lifetime. I look forward to another tour with Discover Provence Day Tours the next time I visit, which I hope is soon!
Heidi, USA
August 5th, 2016 - 'Custom Day Tour with Sarah'
My friends and I were visiting Provence for the day and wanted to jam everything there was to do here in one day! Not many tours let alone tour guides catered to our specific needs. So thankfully we saw Sarah's listing on trip advisor! She customized an all day tour for us and it was just incredible! She was so sweet and Patient with us. There was a point in the tour where a few of us wanted to check out the local markets so she arranged for that to happen while still allowing us time to do everything else we had plan. She has great relationships with local restaurants and brought us to an unbelievable one in one of the villages we visited! It was truly an amazing day and can't wait to come back and have a Day with Sarah!
Libbie, New York, USA
July 30th, 2016 - ' Relaxed & Informal'
I booked this last minute as I wanted to spend a day exploring the surrounds of Aix en Provence.
Because of my restricted dates the only tour that Sarah had available was the 'Van Gogh, Arles and Les Baux-de-Provence' trip
Though this would not have been a tour I would normally avail of, I must say it was one of the nicest relaxing and informative days I have had in long time.
After visiting Arles and the Van Gogh sights we headed off to a village for fun relaxing lunch before continuing onto Les Baux-de-Provence and Saint Remy Saint Paul De Mausole.
Sarah was a fabulous guide and more than willing to be flexible if we requested a change to the schedule or a slowing of the pace.
For that small personalised touch I could not recommend 'Discover Provence' highly enough.
Niamh, Dublin, Ireland
July 28th, 2016 - 'Highlight of our Trip'
I spent 3 weeks traveling around parts of Spain, France, and Ireland and this tour was one of the highlights of my trip. It was incredibly well planned and put together. The tour guides were knowledgable and friendly. Provence is spectacularly beautiful and this tour really helped us to get an understanding of this region that we otherwise wouldn't have received. The tour of Aix was amazing. Not only did it include history of the town and buildings, but we also dived into the culture of the city...visiting the markets, a local shop, and dining at a wonderful restaurant. I would highly recommend this tour to anybody visiting Provence. It's worth it!
Julie, North Carolina, USA
July 26th, 2016 - 'Amazing day tour of towns & villages around Aix'
We were so lucky to have Janicke as our guide for what turned out to be a private tour of the villages and Van Gogh. She picked us up in a small car and took us to see the towns, the sites, the foods and we followed Van Gogh's travels. And the restaurant she took us to for lunch, amazing. I would highly recommend Discover Provence, we can't wait to come back and try them again for another tour.
Joel, Palo Alto, California, USA
July 24th, 2016 - 'A Fantastic Two Days'
Our family of four spent two wonderful days with Sarah from “Discover Provence” in July exploring the beautiful region.
Sarah was excellent to deal with right from the start and helped tailor the two days to ensure we saw and did everything we wanted to see and do. Every day was fun and interesting thanks to Sarah’s extensive knowledge and the way she explained the history of the area to us.
We covered a lot of ground in the two days but never felt pressured to move on and were able to enjoy beautiful lunches both days in local restaurants that were not full of tourists. Our two days included a walking tour of Aix, a boat tour of three calanques out of Cassis, visiting some of the fantastic perched villages in the Luberon, a close up lavender harvesting experience and concluded with marvellous evening truffle hunting.
Sarah is a careful driver, her vehicle was clean and bottled water was always available.
If you are interested in using a professional tour company that will personally look after you and show you the very best, look no further. Our two days were worth every cent and we could not have asked for better. Thank you Sarah and Discover Provence.
Greg, Auckland, New Zealand
July 22nd, 2016 - 'The Most Delightful Day'
I have to admit: I'm incredibly skeptical of day tours. I'm always hesitant to book them in fear that the format will be too rigid, that I won't really get to explore as I'd want to, that I'll miss out on the things that interest ME, personally. But my friend really wanted to do a day tour of the Luberon, so we booked with Sarah at Discover Provence.
It was the most wonderful day!! The way Sarah structured the day enhanced the places we visited rather than detracting from them. Sure, I would've loved to have more time to explore each place, but it just wouldn't've been physically possible within one day. Sarah was able to give us notes on the history and culture of each place, to answer our questions and highlight the most interesting points, giving us the best of each village we visited. Her style made me realize that I'd rather see a handful of villages with her rather than drive myself to one or two during the day with no insight into what was around me.
Highly recommended! Thank you, Sarah, for the most delightful day!
Jessica, Orlando, Florida, USA
July 19th, 2016 - 'When time is at a premium Discover Provence Day Tours are the way to go'
Our family of six had way too few days to explore Provence and found the solution in having tours set up with Discover Provence before our arrival in the South of France. In addition to one full day on our own to explore Aix, we took a 1/2 day tour of Cassis with a boat ride to three calanques and a full day tour to Arles and Les Baux. We were conveniently met at our B & B for each tour.
The tour guides (Sarah & Janika) were both well versed in everything from history, art, food, culture and were able to shape the tour to our family interests. We found the tours informative and appreciated how much time we saved not having to figure things out ourselves or waiting on line for transportation. We saw much more and got much more out of what we saw because of their guidance and experience. It was like having a good family friend who wants to show you their favorite spots and make things as easy and authentic as possible so you love their home they way they do. It was clear that they enjoy what they do and are very professional about their preparation so they keep their tours fresh and don't rely on just rote memorization of facts or repetition of jaded tourist materials. I would highly recommend their services.
Cara, New York, USA
July 11th, 2016 - 'Wonderful Day in the Luberon Region'
Our guide, Janike, was exceptional! Each of the numerous Luberon villages she took us to was unique and charming and she was knowledgable about all aspects of the region. We had a lovely and leisurely lunch at a family restaurant and the tour ended with a very nice wine tasting at winery with superb gardens. This tour is not cheap, but well worth the money!
Juliet, Philadelphia, USA
July 10th, 2016 - 'Wonderful Day in the Luberon with Sarah'
My mother and I did the full day Luberon villages tour with Sarah in July and it was the highlight of our trip to Aix-en-Provence. Sarah was so knowledgeable about the history and culture of the region, and took us to some charming and hidden parts of several of the Luberon villages. When we were growing hot in the afternoon, Sarah adapted our itinerary to visit an olive press and taste some local production rather than stay outside at the last village. Throughout the day, Sarah also helped us book a taxi for our return home and gave us awesome recommendations when we told her planned to go to Cassis. Her restaurant recommendations were also spot-on. I highly recommend booking a tour with Discovery Provence if you're in the area!
Jessica, NY, USA
July 3rd, 2016 - 'Sarah & Janicke are amazing at creating memories'
Sarah of Discover Provence set up 3 tours for us. After talking to us and understanding we wanted to focus on the painters of the area she modified her tours to meet our needs.
We will always remember the Chagall and Van Gogh Exhibits, the afternoon spent learning about Cezanne and the spectacular hill towns. Both Sarah and Janike are not only great guides but super interesting individuals who made us feel like family. They shared insights into what make Provence special. We found Discover Provence made our tour of Provence special, creating memories for a life time.
Steves, San Diego, California, USA
June 28th, 2016 - 'Morning in Aix and afternoon in Cassis'
While my husband was at work, I went on a day tour with Janicke. She was a great tour guide. She had a vast amount of knowledge and love for the city and surrounding area. My favorite meal for my entire 10 day trip was with this tour, fish soup by water in Cassis. Amazing.
Kelli,Houston,Texas,USA
June 20th, 2016 - 'Cooking with Marie-Hélèn'
Our friends joined us for a magical day in the kitchen of Marie Helen for a cooking class in the Provençal style, arranged by Discover Provence. We had a magical day, which started with Marie Hèlen's warm hospitality welcoming us with coffee and cookies. She had just been to the market that morning and her kitchen was full of gorgeous produce we would use to convert into a yummy meal. We all pitched in to follow her direction while we prepared a traditional bean and vegetable stew topped with the classic pistol sauce of Provence, along with making tapenade and eggplant spread. Marie Helen had remade some items, such as a zucchini flan and some lavender honey creme brûlées, but she kindly made up another batch to demonstrate all the steps in the recipe. Then we sat down to our sumptuous meal, accompanied by wines, and enjoyed the fruits of our labors.
Stacy, California, USA
June 19th, 2016 - 'Perched Village Tour'
Two of us joined Janicke on the Perched Villages Tour and it was outstanding. The small group size (5) worked really well. Janicke was very knowledgable about the area and made sure that we all got a chance to see what we were interested in. Plenty of stops for photos too, which was nice. A really nice extra touch was that she dropped off all of us back at our hotel(s). The area is beautiful but the Janicke made the day special.
Karyn, Tronto, Canada
June 18th, 2016 - 'Very accomodating guide to our wishes'
My sister and I booked a private day tour as we had already visited some of the sights listed in their tour. In response to our request for some changes our tour was stress free and very thorough visiting all the sights we wanted to see as well as some they suggested in Saint-Remy and the region. We had a lovely lunch with our guide in one of the small villages on our way to Saint-Remy where she casually provided us with a knowledgeable summary of information on the region, Van Gogh and Saint-Remy. I highly recommend this tour for its thorough view of the area as well as its convenience and timeliness from Aix en Provence.
Karen, Virginia, USA
June 17th, 2016 - 'Loved our time with Discover Provence'
Our group of 4 ladies fell in love with Provence and Sarah Pernet, our tour guide from Discover Provence. One of our tours included a visit to Cassis with a boat ride on the Mediterranean with such beautiful views that words are hard to find to describe! Sarah is an excellent guide--very knowledgeable and flexible and so easy to be with that we really felt like she was more of a good friend than a tour guide. I highly recommend Discover Provence English speaking tours!
Terri, Georgia, USA
June 16th, 2016 - 'Discover Provence 3 Day Tour'
We are a group of 4 ladies who booked a tour with Sarah from Discover Provence.
She was an excellent guide. We toured the Le Baux, St. Remy, and Arles area. Her choices helped us to really feel that we learned a lot about the area. She booked our lunch in a small village where the food was wonderful. We felt like Sarah was a friend after the three days. We would recommend Discover Provence to any English speaking travelers as a way to get to see as much of the area as possible in relaxed comfort.
Patricia, Georgia, USA
June 12th, 2016 - 'Provençal Cooking with Marie-Hélèn'
We 4 loved the small group, no stress fun with Marie-Hélèn in her cheerful kitchen. It was delightful to snap, peel, chop and pound and whip while learning about prep technique tips, local food and Provencal life. Our informed chat continued with appetizers & wine - yes, pastis too! - on the verandah and most pleasurably throughout the delicious luncheon . Best, Marie-Hélèn gave us her recipes. To ensure not missing this wonderful all-day event, I recommend that you book early.
Liz, San José, USA
June 6th, 2016 - 'A Wonderful Day'
Last week, our family of 4 decided to take a tour with Sarah around the perched villages of Luberon. It was a wonderful decision, and we had an amazing time! Sarah was knowledgeable, fun, and passionate. She was able to give us a lot of history from the areas we visited, and had developed relationships with various area vendors in order for us to shop around and eat very, very well. We quite literally took in the sights, sounds, and even tastes of the area with a great lunch and both a wine and olive oil tasting. And in addition to all of that, the views were absolutely to die for. If you are looking to have a great day in Provence, look no further - Sarah and the Discover Provence team have you covered.
Susan, New York City
May 26th, 2016 - 'Touring Provence enlightning and delightful'
Touring with Sarah was one of the wisest decisions we could have made during our recent visit to Provence. We flew in early prior to a Viking River Cruise and hired Sarah for a day's tour of the area. Sarah made the tour interesting and enlightening and the pacing was just right for us. Her energy and congenial personality made for a delightful tour. Sarah offers many different types of tours. We did the Provence Day & Sea Tour. The day was perfect and Sarah was a lovely companion. Should we return to the Provence area, we would seek out Sarah to explore additional possibilities. Thank you, Sarah! We feel we've made a new friend.Cindy & Justin
Cindy, IL, USA
May 20th, 2016 - 'Arles and more in the spirit of Van Gogh'
I joined Sarah touring with four additional visitors for a fun-packed tour with historical facts surrounding Van Gogh. Her friendly, informative manner put the group at ease as we meandered through the cobblestone streets. It amazes me that these areas are so packed with such artistic inspiration, evident in this Provencial countryside. I am fortunate to be staying here for awhile as I would like to further explore these regions and Sarah gave us all an overview which is quite adequate for a tourist, to get a feeling for this gem of a region. Our lunch break was delicious and kept us energized for the remainder of our tour...plus the olive oil tasting was yet another treat! I will plan on including other tours with Discover Provence during my stay.
Lisa, USA
May 17th, 2016 - ' Apt name: Discover Provence'
If you want to discover all aspects of Provence - history, culture, geography, scenery, food, wine - this company is the answer. After an informative and enjoyable walking tour of Aix, we spent a glorious afternoon by the Mediterranian in Cassis. This tour covered a lot of ground but was not rushed. Sarah is very well organized but not rigid. She adjusts the pace of the tour to accommodate her clients as well as uncertainties like changes in the weather. All aspects of working with Discover Provence were handled efficiently from initial email contact, to confirming the schedule, pickup at a suggested site, and drop off at the end. You can't go wrong with Discover Provence.
Sam, Virginia, USA
May 15th, 2016 - 'Relaxing & Beautiful Day Trip to Cassis'
I went on the half-day tour to Cassis because I wanted to get out of Aix for a day and make sure to see the Sea. For lunch I had fish caught that morning in the Mediterranean. The small-batch local wine was one-of-a-kind and delicious. Then we explored the town by land and sea. I was traveling solo, and this was the perfect activity. Sarah was a wonderful guide. It is highly recommended.
Meredith, Boston, USA
May 3rd, 2016 - 'Feel welcome in Aix-en-Provence'
Janicke met our small group of three in Aix and guided us through the old town at a very easy pace. I had done two walking tours through the Tourist Bureau the previous day, but Janicke was able to show a side of Aix that I had not seen. We looked at the life of Paul Cezanne, where he lived and painted. I felt like an honoured guest as we then drove to places where Cezanne walked, worked and ate. Highly recommended.
Gail, Perth, Australia
April 26th, 2016 - 'Wonderful Round 2'
I visited Aix-en-Provence in January 2016 and participated in 2 tours with Sarah. They were wonderful experiences. My husband and I returned in April 2016 and and along with my daughter, who is attended college in Aix this semester, participated in 3 tours: Arles & Van Gogh, Cassis, and Provencal Cooking. Sarah and Janicke are wonderful, well informed and personable tour guides. We would definitely recommend them to our friends and relatives considering a visit to Aix.
Sherrie, Gren Bay, Wisconsin, USA
April 15th 2016 - 'Wonderful 3 Days in Provence'
My wife and I had three perfect days with Discover Provence. Our guide Janicke had a thorough grasp of Procence's geography, culture, and history. We felt instantly at ease with her. She had the knack of being able to tailor the tour to our interests, and our discussions covered a wide range of topics. The shops and restaurants she took us to were outstanding. We not only glimpsed life in Provence, we experienced life there through the people she introduced us to. In a short time, we saw wonderful places we would never have been able to find on our own. The tour greatly enhanced our understanding of Provence; we cannot recommend it enough. A thoroughly memorable time.
Ed, Boise, Idaho, USA
March 26th, 2016 'Flawless, lovely, dynamite.....what a great time'
Sarah is fantastic, she is a skilled communicator and a wonderful guide. My wife and I were warmly greeted by our bilingual guide in her comfortable van. Then we were off on our all day tour! Sarah is knowledgable and passionate about Provence and its enchanting charm. It was easy to get to know her because our semi-private tour turned out to be just my wife and me! So we met in the Center of Aix and proceeded to our first stop, a walking tour in Arles, where Van Gogh lived and painted. Sarah is a wealth of interesting and spirited commentary regarding the art, the culture, architecture, etc. We walked a bit and soaked as much of the local flavour of Arles as possible....such a lovely walk, we then went and torus inside of the old roman colisseum-style forum and it was quite impressive. Sarah is willing to bend and accommodate and her even keel approach is soothing and we blended well with her and she with us. Sometimes these kind of tours can seem long and winding, but this tour is so very cool and well-worth it.
Before I forget, we had a terrific lunch at a cozy local bistro on the way to the monastery where Van Gogh spent his last year of life...this was so very lovely and I personally was in awe of what I learned from this visit. I was so happy that we were taken to this special place. We then proceeded to Les Baux, we went to an olive mill and a cute winery--all were charming, interesting and Sarah has it down perfectly!!
All of this AND it is only March and the flowers are still forthcoming...ha, no worries, this tour, this tour company and I am thinking the entire staff of this company is top-notch. Like I said earlier in this review, sometimes tours seem really long and tiring...not this one, quite the opposite. We were out all day and I could have stayed out much longer, once again a testimony to Discover Provence day tours. Thank you Sarah!!
Steve, American living in London,
UK
Febuary 26th, 2016 - 'A Beautiful Day in Provence'
Janicke spent the day with us and it was like an old friend showing you their favorite places. Beautiful views of the Provence countryside, interesting walks through centuries-old villages, and more. Janicke seemed to know everything one could know, answering all of our questions. The price is kind of expensive, but it's about the value, not the cost.
Michael, Virginia, USA
Febuary 21st, 2016 - 'Highlight of our Trip'
Our day with Janicke on the "Perched Villages of Luberon" tour was the absolute highlight of our week! It felt less like a tour and more like spending a fun, wonderful day with a warm, good humored and knowledgeable old friend who enjoyed sharing with us her favorite spots in a beautiful part of the world she loves. We will certainly sign up for another tour with Discover Provence the next time we are in France! Very highly recommended!
Deb, Massachusetts, USA
Febuary 15th, 2016 - 'A stimulating Tour of Lubern Villages'
I participated in two days of touring with Discover Provence--a full day tour of the villages of Luberon and a half day tour of Cassis. Both tours were phenomenal--a mix of breathtaking sites, medieval villages, and Mediterranean splendor. Janicke was our tour guide, and she treated us not just to the history and literature of the south of France, but also the little bits of local lore that make Provence such a special place. She is also a genuinely interesting and nice person--one that my whole family was happy to spend our days with. My overall experience with Discover Provence, from initial communication to scheduling, through the tour and after, was first rate. They are professional and accommodating. We will certainly return to Provence and when we do, we look forward to truffle hunting and visiting wineries with Discover Provence!
Robert, Georgia, USA
Febuary 12th, 2016 - 'Great Day in Aix-en-Provence'
Janicke was our tour guide for the day and she has in-depth knowledge of the culture & history. Janicke made sure that we were comfortable. We enjoyed the food as well. Janicke was flexible, and she made sure that we were able to spend some time in places where we were interested in. Great job Janicke! We highly recommend this tour.
Pam, California, USA
January 27th, 2016 - 'Enjoyable Day Tour to Arles and Les Baux de Provence'
We did a walking tour of Aix-en-Provence and a full day tour of Arles and Les Baux de Provence with Sarah. The tours were enjoyable, informative and interesting and it was so relaxing to have someone else take care of all the details (and drive!). Sarah really paid attention to what we were interested in and let us take our time at each of the sites, even if it meant a later finish. Part of the original tour was closed due to the time of year, so she added a visit to a winery which was something we wanted to do. She was very flexible, even letting us decide on the day of the tour which tour we wanted to do and what we wanted to include. i highly recommend a tour with Discover Provence!
Ramona, Ottawa, Canada
January 12th, 2016 - 'Enjoyable, Professional, Educational'
I participated in two tours with Sarah: the walking tour of Aix-en-Provence and the full day tour of Luberon Villages. Sarah is a wonderful tour guide who has done her homework and preparation. She is personable, multi-lingual and easy to understand. She offered restaurant recommendations from her personal experience. I tried several of the restaurants and they were amazing! After the tour Sarah emailed the itinerary for each tour for reference.
My husband and I will be returning to Aix in April and will be participating in several more tours of this beautiful region of France!
Sherrie, Wisconsin, USA
