A Taste of Provence at Chateau St. Victor La Coste
/The Gardois and Provençal departments of France are home to some of finest elements of French living: warm sunshine, fresh ingredients, friendly people, stunning landscapes, and a deep appreciation for cultural heritage.
Mathieu the cat happily greeting guests at Château SAint Victor La Coste
The lifestyle is full of reminders to take a slower, more intentional pace, and to remember that time is best spent when savored and shared. My first time experiencing this way of life was during a visit to Château Saint Victor La Coste back in 2022 (read more about that here), and these principles have stuck with me ever since.
As someone who has found great joy in discovering new destinations and expanding my horizons to far-away corners of the world, I’ve noticed in recent years that I’ve also found immense comfort in revisiting places that I’ve been to before. Both as an occasion to revel in the familiarity, but also as an opportunity to reflect on how far I’ve come and how much I’ve grown since my last visit. Maybe it’s a sign of maturing, or maybe it’s a testament to the slower pace of Provence inspiring me to be more thoughtful, mindful, and appreciative– but regardless, a visit to the South of France is sure to instill a lasting sense of joie de vivre at any moment in one’s life.
And somewhat serendipitously, I was grateful that the opportunity arose to return to the Château Saint Victor La Coste yet again this summer– this time to experience the “Taste of Provence” tour, to reunite with my dear friend Ana, to reconnect with Alison and Costas the wonderful hosts and owners of the Château, and to show my sweet dog Gigi a special place that has become dear to my heart. In this article, I describe the highlights from my experience on the “Taste of Provence” tour, including details about the itinerary, the accommodation options, and how to reserve your spot on the next one.
Dinner is served! The table is set in the dining room of Château Saint Victor La Coste, ahead of a delicious welcome dinner prepared by Alison, our Host.
A Small Group Provençal Retreat in a French Château
Reserving a spot on a “Taste of Provence” tour is a unique way to experience Château Saint Victor La Coste. Not only is the itinerary filled with wonderful activities to experience the South of France lifestyle, but Alison and Costas open the main château (which is their private home) to host meals, apéros, and conversations on their private terraces and dining rooms which are typically not completely open to guests that simply book a stay in one of the cottages surrounding the property’s infamous courtyard pool.
The Château is a stunning and impressive monument that has played host to centuries of jovial celebrations (dating back to 1543!), and experiencing it during a friendly gathering amongst other travelers truly feels like a special way to honor and be a part of its long history. The groups on the “Taste of Provence” tours are limited to 8-10 guests, allowing for an intimate and personal weekend that can be enjoyed by all.
A definite highlight is the cooking class that takes place in the luminous and beautifully decorated French country kitchen. Simply stepping foot in it is a remarkable event in-and-of-itself, but for guests on a “Taste of Provence” tour, it is the setting where you are guided through expert cooking techniques by renowned chefs and prepare an extraordinary meal using seasonal and local ingredients.
We were very fortunate that during our “Taste of Provence” trip, our cooking class was led by chef Séverine Sagnet (founder of Jacqueline in Villeneuve-les-Avignon, and former chef at the Michelin-starred La Mirande in Avignon). Our three-course meal consisted of vibrant vegetables, fresh seafood, and other delightful ingredients and market finds that I previously wouldn’t have dared attempting myself had I not been shown the ropes by such a talented expert. The class was fun and immersive, and I left feeling accomplished having learned many new tricks that I will surely be recreating on my own in the future. The cooking instruction we received was a perfect blend of light-hearted and productive, and of course after a few hours in the kitchen we were able to enjoy the result of our efforts: a glorious lunch on the sun-soaked terrace just off the Château’s main dining room.
The menu changes depending on what is in season during your tour, but the ingredients are guaranteed to always be local, inventive, full of flavor, and best enjoyed amongst new friends. The “Taste of Provence” trip is designed to enjoy the company of the other travelers, bonding over a love of great food, great wine, and a beautiful setting. The other meals we enjoyed during the trip were equally as memorable and delicious, and graciously prepared by Alison who is a fantastic cook.
The cooking class was led by professional chef Séverine Sagnet
seasonal Artichokes were the star of one of the courses we prepared
Enjoying the meal on the sun-soaked terrace of the Château, paired with local wine
“A Taste of Provence” Tour Highlights
Other highlights during the “Taste of Provence” tour take guests out of the Château to discover the region through Gard and neighboring Provence, the border of which the city of Avignon sits right on. Driving through Gard to the town of Uzès and the villages of Laudun-l’Ardoise, guests can take in stunning views of the French countryside on the way to the various activities that filled our itinerary:
During our weekend, we indulged in wine tasting, truffle tasting, and a bit of shopping both in the town of Uzès and in the famous Villenueve-les-Avignon brocante. After a short walking tour and visit to the impressive cathedral of Uzès, we were treated to some free time to wander through the lively but quaint town which is home to a number of unique and original boutiques, before taking a moment to relax on the town square with a cool beverage.
As someone who loves vintage shopping, visiting the brocante in Villeneuve-les-Avignon was a bucket-list experience. The market is full of interesting finds that make memorable souvenirs, and offers a cheery atmosphere that makes for a perfect setting for a traditional picnic lunch.
We also enjoyed walking through bright green vineyards in Laudun-l'Ardoise to discover and learn about local wine varietals directly from the growers, before having the opportunity to taste them ourselves in their comfortable and air-conditioned tasting room.
While exciting, enriching, and informative, each activity outside the castle makes every return to the Château that-much-more anticipated and rewarding. Simply spending time at the Château, in or around the pool, is a rejuvenating and restorative experience– perfect for marveling at the souvenirs you purchased, the wines or goodies you picked up that may or may not make it all the way home with you before consuming them, or simply reflecting on what a lovely time it’s been to holiday like the French. Your exact itinerary may differ than what I’ve experienced and described here in this article, as part of the beauty of southern French living is honoring the seasonality of various events and harvest periods. But regardless of when you join a “Taste of Provence” tour, you are sure to be treated to the best the region has to offer during that respective season.
Discovering local GardoisE wine varieties on a vineyard visit in Laudun-L’Ardoise
Antique shopping at the Villeneuve-les-Avignon brocante
Antique shopping at the Villeneuve-les-Avignon brocante
Catching up with my dear friend Ana Linares during the “Taste of Provence” trip
Retreat Accommodations at Chateau St. Victor La Coste
Accommodations at Château Saint Victor La Coste consist of three cottages and one suite surrounding the inner courtyard and pool, and additional bedrooms which are located in the main Château. Rooms and suites are requested and offered on a first-come, first-serve basis for each “Taste of Provence” tour, so advance booking is recommended if you have a specific option in mind.
During my first visit, I stayed in Cottage III, sometimes referred to as the “Princess Cottage”, and during my recent visit I stayed in La Suite, which I describe in more detail below. For more photos and details of each of the accommodation options on the Château St. Victor La Coste website, refer to the links below:
Looking out to the Courtyard Pool from a window of La Suite, in the Main Chateau
La Suite at Chateau St. Victor La Coste
La Suite is a spacious and classically decorated space that is located on the ground floor of the main Château through an unassuming doorway just off the communal salon. The four-post bed is cloud-like, and the space is also equipped with a desk, sofa, and extensive library of books and curiosities. The large bathroom and generously proportioned dressing room are connected to La Suite’s very own private courtyard that can also be accessed through the bedroom, making the space feel continuous and straight out of a fairy-tale.
La Suite also has its own doorway and view looking into the central courtyard and pool, though its sheer footprint and positioning within the main Château allow it to feel very private. Both myself and my dog Gigi felt as though we were receiving royal treatment as guests in this historic castle, and I would certainly recommend La Suite for any visitors looking for a spacious and memorable accommodation option during their “Taste of Provence” tour.
La Suite at Château Saint Victor La Coste– note that the property is also dog-friendly!
La Suite at Château Saint Victor La Coste
La Suite at Château Saint Victor La Coste
The view of the garden and pool upon entering Château Saint Victor La Coste
How to Book Your Spot on a “Taste of Provence” Tour
“A Taste of Provence” is a three-night, all-inclusive retreat. 2027 dates are now open for booking, and can be reserved by contacting Alison and Costas directly at chateaustvictorlacoste@gmail.com, subject to availability for the following dates:
1. Thursday April 22nd to Sunday April 25th
2. Thursday May 6th to Sunday May 9th
3 Thursday June 3rd to Sunday June 6th
4. Thursday Sept 23rd to Sunday Sept 26th
My personal advice would be to pair your “Taste of Provence” trip with a few additional days and nights at the Château either before or after to simply enjoy some lazy and well-deserved relaxation at your own pace.
While my experience during the “Taste of Provence” tour was wonderful, when it ended I found myself feeling not ready to leave and wishing I could have extended my visit. If could you plan ahead, you can avoid making this same mistake that I made and you will be sure to enjoy your visit to the fullest!
Click here to see everything I packed for my visit to Château St. Victor La Coste, shown here in the dressing room of La Suite
Soaking up the morning sunshine and reminiscing about my first visit to Château St. Victor La Coste in 2022
Whether you are a solo traveler or you plan to join a “Taste of Provence” trip at Château Saint Victor La Coste with a partner, a friend, or a family member (or a little dog, like I did!), you are sure to have a memorable experience soaking up the best of the Gardoise and Provençale regions of southern France.
I personally can’t wait to return, and am so grateful to have had this experience and this opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces, make new friends, and bask in such a special and historic setting.
Are you planning a stay at Château Saint Victor La Coste and have any questions about my experience staying as a guest or as a traveler on a “Taste of Provence” tour? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll be happy to provide any additional guidance!
This post contains affiliate links and at no cost to you, I may earn a commission which allows me to keep this site free for all readers. I only recommend products, brands, and services that I personally use and believe in.
