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Immerse yourself in the scents and flavors of Provence on a full-day private tour that takes you from lavender fields to perfume bottle. Departing from Aix-en-Provence, this exclusive experience combines hands-on lavender harvest, traditional distillation, a Provençal apéritif with local wines, a light lunch, and an intimate natural perfume workshop. At the end of the day, you return to your hotel with your own essential oil, floral water and personalized fragrance, all created by you.
Your day begins with pickup directly from your hotel in Aix-en-Provence. Meet your English-speaking driver-guide and settle into a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle for the scenic drive through the Provençal countryside. Along the way, learn about the history of lavender in Provence, its uses in aromatherapy and perfumery, and the role of local farmers in preserving traditional know-how.
Arrive at a charming Provençal mas, privatized just for you for the morning. Here you meet Gaël, your local farmer and host, who will introduce you to the different varieties of lavender and their properties. Under his guidance, take part in the harvest, cutting and gathering the flowers in the surrounding fields (seasonal activity depending on flowering and harvest periods).
Back in the courtyard of the mas, discover the traditional process of distillation. Together with Gaël, load the still, follow each step of the extraction, and watch as the steam carries the aromatic compounds from plant to essence. As the distillation unfolds, you see the separation between essential oil and floral water, and learn how each is used in cosmetics, wellness and perfumery.
While the still works its magic, enjoy a relaxing coffee break in a private room of the mas. Take a moment to savor the quiet of the countryside, ask questions, and deepen your understanding of Provence’s aromatic plants, from lavender to other botanicals used in essential oils.
Using the essences extracted during the distillation, you will prepare and bottle your own lavender-based products. With Gaël’s help, fill and label:
Each item is made by you, on site, and will be yours to take home as a unique souvenir of your time in Provence.
At midday, enjoy a convivial Provençal apéritif served at the mas. Taste tapenade and other regional spreads, accompanied by organic wines from a nearby vineyard as well as fruit and plant-based juices. This is a relaxed moment to share with your hosts and guide, and to discover local flavors that pair naturally with the aromatic world you have been exploring.
The apéritif is followed by a light lunch in the form of a fresh poke bowl, prepared with seasonal ingredients. This balanced meal keeps you energized for the creative afternoon ahead.
In the afternoon, dive deeper into the art of perfumery during an exclusive, small-group workshop. Guided by a perfume expert, connect to your emotions and your sense of smell as you explore a carefully curated palette of natural essences. Learn how to perceive top, heart and base notes, understand their harmony, and discover how plants can act as true emotional allies.
Step by step, you will compose your own signature fragrance, choosing and balancing accords to reflect your personality. At the end of the workshop, you leave with a 15 ml bottle of the natural perfume you have created yourself – a unique, personal reminder of your day in Provence.
After the workshop, it is time to return to Aix-en-Provence. Relax in the comfort of your vehicle as your driver takes you back through the Provençal landscapes, scented with memories of lavender, herbs and flowers.
Arrive back at your hotel in Aix-en-Provence around 5:30 pm. You will carry with you not only your essential oil, floral water, exclusive mist and personalized perfume, but also a deeper understanding of Provence’s aromatic heritage and the craftsmanship behind natural fragrances.
This full-day “from plant to perfume” experience is ideal for travelers who want to go beyond classic sightseeing and truly engage their senses – combining nature, gastronomy, wellness and creativity in the heart of Provence.
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