Just Back From: Normandy & Provence

In June and July, Laura spent two weeks in France doing site visits in Normandy and Provence. June is the month to go to Normandy to see the region’s lush gardens, however June is not the most ideal time for visiting Provence as the crowds and heat ramp up (and we were there during a heatwave!).

This estate stretches back to the Middle Ages, with a Renaissance chateau, and gardens designed in the early 20th century by Achille Duchene.

We are delighted to be introducing our first Normandy tour in June 2027. Normandy is a large region in northern France, hugging the cliffs along the English Channel and extending further south towards Paris and the Loire with rolling hills and idyllic towns. Most travelers associate Normandy with its military history and with Claude Monet’s garden at Giverny. While both of those associations are very important to the region’s (and world’s) history, there is much more to explore here.

A classic Norman chateau, constructed in the 16-17th centuries and still privately owned.

Normandy’s climate is similar to that of England’s, making it an ideal place for gardeners. My visit in June coincided with the peak season for the region’s blooms - the hydrangeas were enormous!

Hydrangeas in bloom.

Normandy is also full of châteaux, a result of the region’s long history. During the medieval period, Normandy was ferociously contested by the French and English and has a result many fortified castles were built. Later, during periods of economic growth and stability, Normandy's wealth led to the construction of châteaux as symbols of status and affluence by noble families. I visited many of these châteaux and look forward to sharing several on our trip in 2027.

A chateau in Normandy.

While gardens and châteaux will be the focus of our 2027 tour, we cannot ignore Normandy’s other charms. Its cliffs, especially those at Etretat, have inspired painters for centuries. We cannot also not forget the charming, timbered towns of Honfleur and Rouen. Because it is within easy reach of Paris, many Parisians have second homes and escape here on the weekend (Deauville, the region’s chicest town, is often called the 21st arrondissement). This being France, there are of course fabulous antique markets.

A short uphill walk is worth it for the view of Etretat.

This means we have an abundance of options for our Normandy tour and we are hard at work at creating a balanced itinerary that shares our favorite and most fabulous places with you all. To get on the Early Access list for this tour, be sure to sign up here.

June is the time to visit Provence if you want to see the lavender in bloom.

I then took the train south to Provence for a week. This was part vacation, part work. Our Provence tours are at the core of what we offer and we are constantly revisiting the area to make sure all of our intel (especially on hotels and restaurants) is up to date. While I did try to relax a little, the week was a productive one updating our Provence list of hotels, restaurants, and sites that we use both for our group tours and trip planning services.

Dinner with a view in the heart of the Luberon Valley.

Now, I am back home to relax for 6 weeks before our fall tour season begins in September.