Provence with Club Argaux

Day 1: Aix-en-Provence

Bienvenue en Provence! Our week of world-class wines, vines, and cuisine begins in Marseille with a private transfer to Aix-en-Provence, a cobbled university hub brimming with art and culture.

We’ll ease into our first day with an unhurried afternoon at the hotel, a thoughtful refuge of leafy terraces and quiet, moss-covered corners that beg for a pause in the sun. Feeling settled and refreshed, we’ll gather here for our first sip of the trip, a sparkling welcome of champagne and inspired amuse-bouche. Dinner tonight is a truly luxurious affair—once we’ve gotten our fill of bubbles and bites, we’ll meander over to the hotel’s award-winning eatery for an exceptional welcome feast.

La Table at Le Pigonnet is the poster child of Provencal cuisine: a simple yet stunning masterpiece of hyperlocal, seasonal specialities that range from tender sea bream to pan-fried sweetbreads. For a special treat, our Argaux hosts have hand-selected the wines for tonight, and as we savor their thoughtful choices, we’ll learn more about Club Argaux’s Margaux and Alyssa, and their profound connection to Provence.

Day 2: Aix-en-Provence

After breakfast at our hotel this morning, we’re heading out to experience the pinnacle of French culture and cuisine. It’s market day and alongside an expert local guide, we’ll wander through vibrant stalls of just-picked produce and artisanal cheeses, pausing to sample and chat with the vendors as we go. Following our tour, we’ll have plenty of time to revisit our favorite stands and artisans on our own, picking up hyperlocal souvenirs for our friends and family back home. 

Next, we’re making the short drive to Château de Beaupré, a family-owned estate tucked within 130 hectares of sloping vineyards and pine-covered hills. Here, we’ll taste a stunning selection of award-winning vintages and enjoy a lunch of seasonal delicacies, then meander over to one of the oldest wineries in France to continue our tasting journey. This visit is a special treat: the estate owner of Château Barbelle is a close friend of Alyssa and Margaux’s and eager to take us on a behind-the-scenes tour of the cellar and the unique terroir of their vineyard as well.

After a vibrant day of tasting and sampling, the evening is ours to luxuriate in our poetic surroundings. Wind through the fountains of our hotel’s pristine garden, test your petanque skills outside the in-house bar, or soak up the magic of the evening with a stroll through Aix’s romantic city square.

Day 3: Aix-en-Provence

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we’ll continue our pilgrimage through Provence’s most esteemed wineries with a tour and tasting at a nearby estate. Here, the seasoned winemakers work in harmony with the terroir—we’ll learn all about their method as we wander through rows of sun-kissed vines.

Next, we’re heading to La Villa des Chef, where we’ll roll up our sleeves and dive into a one-of-a-kind cooking workshop. Here, an expert chef will guide us through a stunning lineup of hyperfresh ingredients and local herbs, while Alyssa and Margaux will walk us through the nuanced art of cooking with wine. Alongside the Argaux duo, we’ll learn how to draw out depth and dimensionality in our sauces and sides through a careful simmer or slow braise, then tuck into the fruits of our labor for lunch. Back at the hotel, the afternoon is ours to reflect on the day’s inspired learnings. 

Dinner tonight is at a local favorite in Aix’s city center, and it’s the perfect excuse to indulge in an evening of luxurious lingering. Savor a digestif at one of the neighborhood’s intimate bar à vins or pop into the elegant cocktail bar around the corner—Aix at night is brimming with inspiration, and we can’t wait to bask in the magic of the cool evening air. 

Day 4: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

We’re bidding adieu to Aix this morning and heading to Saint Remy, taking full advantage of the local gems that dot our route along the way. Our first stop? Avignon, home of the unforgettable Palais de Papes. This historic palace was the seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century and remains one of the world’s largest medieval Gothic structures. To wander through its storied halls is to wander through history, and we’ll revel in our breathtaking surroundings before continuing onward to Crestet.

Here, we’re disembarking for lunch at Chêne Bleu, a beloved local estate with a critically-acclaimed lineup of handmade wines. Once we’ve gotten our fill of the farm-fresh spread, we’ll gather for a masterclass in one of winemaking’s most complex processes. Blending is an art that’s at once creative and scientific, and alongside the Chêne team, we’ll harness our tasting prowess as we layer our favorite varietals to craft a winning blend. 

Feeling buoyant and inspired by our Chêne experience, we’ll settle back for the last leg of our journey to St. Remy. It’s but a short, hour-long (and ridiculously scenic) ride from Crestet to our hotel, a stunning villa that drips with sun-dappled character and charm. Once we settle in, we’ll convene for a classic Provençal experience-a hyperlocal wine and cheese tasting paired with a light and lively dinner.

Day 5: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

This morning, we’re diving straight into the region’s legendary viticulture with a tour and tasting at Château Montfrin. Tucked between the rivers Rhône and Gard, the centuries-old estate is a symphony of terroir, brimming with rolling vineyards and gentle olive groves as far as the eye can see. We’ll tease out the nuances of the winery’s best vintages against this idyllic backdrop, then continue onward to Camargue, where a once-in-a-lifetime meal awaits. 

Here, we’re gathering at La Chassagnette, the Michelin-starred masterpiece of Chef Armand Arnal. Overflowing with lush gardens and rolling orchards, this leafy retreat is more than just a restaurant, it’s an ode to the dazzling depth of seasonality and the unrestrained harmony of nature’s most vibrant ingredients. As the (hyperfresh) cherry on top, our six-course spread comes expertly paired with local wines—it’s the only possible way to elevate such an incomparable feast. 

Still glowing from our meal, we’ll head back to the hotel for earned rest and relaxation. The evening is yours to embellish. 

Day 6: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

We’re starting the day with an e-bike ride through the storied landscape of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, home to one of the Rhone Valley’s most esteemed appellations. As we cruise through quiet villages and rolling vineyards, we’ll feel the terroir come to life beneath our wheels for a truly immersive introduction to the region’s renowned blends. In typical MOAD fashion, we’re rounding out our ride with a full-fledged tasting of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s finest, exquisitely paired with a breezy picnic lunch alongside Margaux, Alyssa, and a renowned local winemaker. 

Back at Hotel Le St. Rémy, the afternoon is yours to conquer. Stroll through the hotel’s storybook gardens, take a dip in the heated pool, or meander into town to explore Saint Rémy’s historic streets. With our hotel’s central location, the streets of St. Rémy await exploration, while quaint storefronts promise one-of-a-kind treasures for one last shopping trip before you depart tomorrow.

We’ll reconvene for an in-house dinner later tonight, a family-style feast of artisanal flavors and regional specialities made all the more special with wines hand-picked by Alyssa and Margaux. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the magic of our exhilarating journey through Provence, and together we’ll raise our glasses in toast to the memories and friendships we’ll cherish for the years to come.

Day 7: Au Revoir, Provence!

It’s our last day, and after breakfast at our hotel, we’ll head to the airport in Marseilles, where we’ll bid adieu to Alyssa, Margaux, and our fellow explorers. With all that we’ve tasted and experienced, we know it won’t be long before we return to this magical place. Until we meet again!