Provence Paradise | 6 Day Photo Tour in France
Description
Summary
Description
Beginning around July and running until August is summer in picturesque Provence. 'Tis the season where the landscape is painted with the rich colors and soothing aroma of lavender. And that's just the beginning of what Provence can offer, as we take you on a tour of the region's small castle-like towns, cozy alleys, olive copses and beautiful landscapes that stretch from one horizon to another.
We will follow in the footsteps of the masters such as Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso, who were entranced by Provence's natural beauty and were inspired to create many of their masterpieces here. Of particular note are the region's Valensole plateau, with its blue lavender blooms, lone trees in the vast fields, towns and villages, where will get a taste of the elements that inspired these two timeless artists.
While photographers will surely enjoy the tour, there is also much to be had and experienced for amateurs and beginners as well — Provence is the kind of place whose beauty manages to touch and inspire everyone. You'll learn to maximize the tools you have on hand to compose images in order to capture the area's magnificent landscapes, as well as process your photos. There are also a myriad of subjects to photograph as we stroll through the towns and villages, which will be filled with unique architecture and colorful people, and whose character changes as we move from daytime to nighttime.
Included
Activities
Daily itinerary
Day 1 - Meetup in Marseille
After initially meeting up at the Marseille airport at 13:00, you'll be brought to your accommodations where you'll have some time to freshen out and get settled before we head out and take some late afternoon and evening shots of the landscape at the Valensole plateau.
Day 2 - Sunrise to Sunset: A Day in Provence
Out of the frying pan and into the fire, so they say, but here, we mean it in a good way. We begin the second day of the tour by visiting the spectacular lavender fields just before sunrise breaks at Valensole. After that, we'll get the opportunity to rest and devote ourselves to our lectures on photography and processing. We'll head out again before the day ends to capture some great images as we head back to the lavender fields for a golden hour sunset shoot.
Day 3 - Blooming lavender
We begin our day with the breathtaking sight of sunrise over the lavender fields, painting a serene palette of colors that awaken the senses. After soaking in the early morning beauty, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Then we will journey to the village of Roussillon to explore the mesmerizing hues of Le Sentier des Ocres. Next, we'll venture to the Abbey in Senanque for an enchanting afternoon photoshoot, capturing the historic beauty amidst serene landscapes. As evening approaches, we will dine in the vibrant urban district of Gordes, indulging in the culinary delights of the region. The day culminates with a visit to the viewpoint at the village of Gordes, where we'll capture the stunning sunset and blue hour, immortalizing the picturesque scenery in our memories and cameras.
Day 4 - Moustiers Sainte-Marie
On our fourth day, we'll be greeted by more stunning lavender fields, setting the stage for a day filled with unique experiences. In the afternoon, we will discover Moustiers Sainte-Marie, a gem in Provence which offers enchanting sunset vistas that illuminate its ancient stone architecture and cobblestone streets with a golden glow. Beyond the village, we can capture the serene beauty of the Notre-Dame de Beauvoir chapel or the sprawling lavender fields nearby, each offering unique perspectives of Provencal life and landscapes. This picturesque village, set against dramatic cliffs, is a haven for capturing the essence of Provence in the magical evening light.
Day 5 - Aix-en-Provence
We'll greet the sunrise in the lavender fields on the fifth day before heading to Aix-en-Provence, where we'll take out breakfast. The area also happens to be an ideal spot for street photography, so we'll make it a point to visit the local market, visit shopkeepers and artisans, all the while capturing our own artistic interpretation of their simple town life. And before capture the golden light of the sunset at the Valensole lavender valley, we'll brush up on more techniques and lessons on processing where we'll be able to take a more serious look at some of the images we've taken so far.
Day 6 - Departure
You'll be heading off to Marseille and will be at the airport around noon for your flight home.
Departure Schedule
1-6 Jul 2023 - guided by Armand Sarlangue
1-6 Jul 2024 - guided by Armand Sarlangue
Disclaimer
We highly recommend that you get a travel and medical insurance. Your own domestic medical insurance and private health scheme will not cover you whilst you are overseas.
The tour is always dependent on weather, as the Icelandic weather can indeed be highly unpredictable. Likewise, visits to ice caves are dependent on favorable conditions, and indeed the ice caves themselves are not permanent. When it comes to the Northern Lights, while they are most likely to be seen between September and April, there is no guarantee that they will appear on a given day.
Guides
Armand Sarlangue
View profile pageArmand Sarlangue is a full-time photographer for the past 16 years. Son of a pro photographer, visual arts have always been a passion since childhood and he always had a camera in hands since young age.
He started working as a reportage and studio photographer in 2005.
In 2018, he finally decided to focus on what he loves the most, nature photography.
He’s now photography educator and workshop leader, as well as NFT artist.
Being in the most remote places and capturing the artistic expression of the natural world is what motivates him, and he believes that photography can be one of the best ways to raise awareness on nature conservation, by helping others to connect with the secret beauty of nature.
Photography is also a way for him to tell his own inner stories about our world, using nature’s shapes and colors as words.
His images have been awarded tens of times, and exhibited internationally by institutions like the California Academy of Sciences, Exposure Photography Festival, Sienna Photography Festival, and others. He recently won the grand prize of the biggest international Aerial photography awards, The Siena Drone Awards, with his signature image « Big Bang ».
His work can be seen in several photo books, and have been featured by medias such as Natgeo, Geo Magazine, M6 TV, France TV, The Guardian, Paris Match, Vanity Fair, Australian Photography Magazine, BBC News, and many others.
