A Culinary Wander through the Wonders of France
Organised and run by Our French Impressions
Your host, Jean-Marie, on tour with Pepe Saya in the heart of Brittany visiting the smallest producer of butter in the region
Considering choices for lunch on our arrival in Avignon - May 2018
Testimonial for our May 2018 tour
"The trip was wonderful and there were so many highlights. Each day had its own special moments.
And you were the perfect companion to uncover some of the delights of Provence. Having a native speaking Frenchman did remove all the barriers that normally confront a tourist. Having you there meant that we could relax while you dealt with ordering food or negotiated access to the cellar of the establishment. I consider myself very lucky to have had you as a guide to Provence. From the wild thyme along the roadside, to the fields of wild poppies, to the cellars in the area, to such beauty in the rugged terrain, the magnificent view of the cliffs at Roussillon, to the beauty of Lacoste and the famous chateau, all were enjoyable. Then to a quiet evening in Avignon where you cooked a superb meal while we were entertained by Elodie Sablier . Where else would you find a grand piano in a living room in a small flat? Taking the cruise along the shores of the Mediterranean surrounding Cassis, the water was so blue and calm, contrasting with the rugged cliffs left me speechless. Back on land, we then enjoyed a meal overlooking the sea enjoying what had been caught that morning.
The magic of that last night will stay with me though. Such a beautiful setting where we enjoyed cuisine beyond superb and then explored their cellar under the guidance of the sommelier.
Thank you for this experience. I just want to go back and do it all again."
Margaret K. Melbourne
In May I joined with Jean Marie from ‘Our French Impressions’ on a week-long tour of the Luberon region of Provence. I am no stranger to France and have visited Provence previously.
Yet there are many advantages to be had travelling with a native Provençal: Jean Marie is at one a tour guide but also provides an insight into the life and the people. Each day was a new adventure with a different theme be it French Antiques or Roman ruins or exploring the beautiful City of Aix en Provence.
Of course, food and wine were an important part of every day and we frequented a mixture of street cafés and restaurants. One or two of the latter being a bit special as were the wine cellars that we got to visit. We learnt a lot about the wine industry in the region and listened to some compelling arguments in favour of the cork!
As to the unusual, Jean Marie prepared dinner one evening at the home of a young lady pianist who meantime entertained us with some of her own compositions from the seat of her grand piano. It was a wonderful evening.
A terrific week and I will certainly have a mind to doing it again in the not too distant future. The best way I think of expressing the week is to share with you some of the images taken.
Thank you, Jean Marie, for a great experience.
Alistair R. Melbourne
And you were the perfect companion to uncover some of the delights of Provence. Having a native speaking Frenchman did remove all the barriers that normally confront a tourist. Having you there meant that we could relax while you dealt with ordering food or negotiated access to the cellar of the establishment. I consider myself very lucky to have had you as a guide to Provence. From the wild thyme along the roadside, to the fields of wild poppies, to the cellars in the area, to such beauty in the rugged terrain, the magnificent view of the cliffs at Roussillon, to the beauty of Lacoste and the famous chateau, all were enjoyable. Then to a quiet evening in Avignon where you cooked a superb meal while we were entertained by Elodie Sablier . Where else would you find a grand piano in a living room in a small flat? Taking the cruise along the shores of the Mediterranean surrounding Cassis, the water was so blue and calm, contrasting with the rugged cliffs left me speechless. Back on land, we then enjoyed a meal overlooking the sea enjoying what had been caught that morning.
The magic of that last night will stay with me though. Such a beautiful setting where we enjoyed cuisine beyond superb and then explored their cellar under the guidance of the sommelier.
Thank you for this experience. I just want to go back and do it all again."
Margaret K. Melbourne
In May I joined with Jean Marie from ‘Our French Impressions’ on a week-long tour of the Luberon region of Provence. I am no stranger to France and have visited Provence previously.
Yet there are many advantages to be had travelling with a native Provençal: Jean Marie is at one a tour guide but also provides an insight into the life and the people. Each day was a new adventure with a different theme be it French Antiques or Roman ruins or exploring the beautiful City of Aix en Provence.
Of course, food and wine were an important part of every day and we frequented a mixture of street cafés and restaurants. One or two of the latter being a bit special as were the wine cellars that we got to visit. We learnt a lot about the wine industry in the region and listened to some compelling arguments in favour of the cork!
As to the unusual, Jean Marie prepared dinner one evening at the home of a young lady pianist who meantime entertained us with some of her own compositions from the seat of her grand piano. It was a wonderful evening.
A terrific week and I will certainly have a mind to doing it again in the not too distant future. The best way I think of expressing the week is to share with you some of the images taken.
Thank you, Jean Marie, for a great experience.
Alistair R. Melbourne
May might not be a good time if you want to see Lavender but what about the poppies!
We are in deepest Provence, enjoying morning coffee in a plaza and there in the corner is this bottlebrush!?
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The wine cellars were something else …
(Bauumanière & Auberge de Noves)
Throughout the week we saw the countryside and the Luberon mountains were never far away.
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After having organised so many trips and itineraries for friends and acquaintances, Our French Impressions have finally done what so many have urge them to do - organise gastronomic and lifestyle trips to various parts of France, starting with Paris and Provence - so here it is!
Jean-Marie's family on his mother side have deep roots in Provence having been one of the prominent landowners in the region up until the mid last century producing everything from lavender to rice, olive oil to soap. To this day, the family remains deeply attached to their origins and know "their" Provence intimately. Jean-Marie is also the nominated family cook, whose travails are well documented on this blog and beyond and who learned his trade watching his grandmother and mother cook for decades.
Jean-Marie's family on his mother side have deep roots in Provence having been one of the prominent landowners in the region up until the mid last century producing everything from lavender to rice, olive oil to soap. To this day, the family remains deeply attached to their origins and know "their" Provence intimately. Jean-Marie is also the nominated family cook, whose travails are well documented on this blog and beyond and who learned his trade watching his grandmother and mother cook for decades.
Bespoke tours for food & wine professionals
We have recently organised a research trip to Normandie, Bretagne and Vendée around artisan butter makers for the famous Pepe Saya Butter Company based in Sydney and arguably the best butter maker in Australia.
The tour included visits to local museums and famous shops dedicated to butter making over the centuries, as well as visits to 8 artisan butter and cheese makers as small as making 5 kgs of butter a week, to larger operations treating up to 1.5 millions of litres of milk a year and producing a ton of butter a day, still retaining the care and attention to the quality of the final product as smaller producers. We have the capacity to organise this sort of experience for any particular product or produce, whether it's cheese, foie gras, potatoes, olive oil or winee and Champagne, or a particular region like Provence, Alsace, Bordelais or Burgundy. Just ask! 
5 kgs of whey butter chez Valérie & Bruno Royant in Brittany
A ton of butter a day chez Pascal Beillevaire
If you are interested, then register by clicking the button below and we will get in touch with you to get your brief and organise a besoke tour geared just for you.
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Bespoke tours for individuals
If you have an interest in another region of France and you can gather a group of minimum six people, we can tailor a bespoke "promenade" for you. Our areas of expertise include food & wine bien sûr, but also architecture and some industrial & consumer products like speakers and turntables... "Your Week in Provence"
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