French la Vie Journeys

Journey with me on an unforgettable experience in Provence, where you will explore the world of, antique dealers, brocante markets, shared meals in private homes, and makers celebrating art, history, and culture who will entice you to cultivate French-inspired beauty in your life.

French la Vie Journeys goes into the heart and soul of France by rambling along the backroads to one-of-a-kind places, going to the brocantes (antique/flea markets) and private homes visit with creative makers who offer personal shopping of curated objects with a pace that invites you to feel the subtle magical elegance for which France is famous.

For more information about the French la Vie Journeys, click the links below or scroll down.

Frequently Asked Questions

The dates for 2025 are now set and open for booking:

May 6-13th, 2025 – ONE place available

~~May 20-27th, 2025 – Full~~

June 3-10th, 2025 – ONE place available

~~September 9-16th, 2025 – Full~~

~~September 23-30th, 2025 – Full~~

~~October 2-8, 2025 – Full~~

~~October 7-14th, 2025 -Full~~

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The French la Vie Journey dares you to come and explore to your heart’s desire.

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Intimate groups of no more than four to six guests and create a one-week itinerary around handpicked brocantes, stunning homes to visit, and charming villages, allowing you to immerse yourself in the Provencal lifestyle.

We will visit places in Marseille, Aix en Provence, Lourmarin, Cotignac, Carpentras, Isle sur la Sorgue, and other delightful villages.

During your stay, we’ll have ripe occasions to connect with antique dealers and visit markets and brocantes. There are so many of them you will lose count! We will visit at least 19 of them, the best of the best.

We will take a peek into my antique/brocante friends’ homes, who generously invite us into their world, where you can see how they created their homes with their antique finds, share a meal with them, and, of course, we will visit various antique dealers’ spaces, and each one will tempt you with their collections.

FAQs

What does a French la Vie Journey include?

Seven nights’ accommodation with shared bathrooms in my four-hundred-year-old Maison de village home in Saint Zacharie, at the base of Saint Baume mountain between Marseille and Aix en Provence.
All meals are included! You’ll enjoy a range of culinary delights, from home-cooked meals to authentic French dining experiences at handpicked restaurants in the area. Your dining expenses are included in the package, ensuring you can savor the local cuisine without worrying about additional costs. We will mix charming restaurants, picnics, and hosted meals at my friends’ homes, with drinks included.
My services as a bilingual guide for all brocantes, flea markets, and planned activities.

What is not included?

Air transportation to and from France, personal expenses, and travel insurance are not included. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance.

How is transportation arranged?

We arrange a group transfer from Marseille on the first day at 11 am and a return transfer to Marseille airport, hotel, or train station (arrival at the airport at 9 am) on the final day. Please arrange your flights accordingly. All transportation during the French la Vie week will be in a in a minivan.

How do I send my treasures home?

Whether your purchases are souvenirs filling your suitcase or boxes full of small or home furnishings, we can help you send your parcels back home. We have plenty of options at various price points depending on your needs. We have connections for shipping boxes to containers. Nothing is too big, too small, or impossible—except sending the Eiffel Tower.

How many people per Journey?

We can accommodate one to six people. Or we can customize a journey for your individual group

How far will we walk each day?

One must be in good physical shape and able to walk and carry their purchases on an average of 5000 steps daily.

We will not be climbing steep hills, nor thousands of stone steps.

Nevertheless, you must be able to keep up with the group.

Please bring your smile and positive attitude to share with others.

What does a French la Vie Journey cost?

4,000 Euros per person (Single room, shared bath)

How do I secure my spot?

When you sign up for your French la Vie Journey, a nonrefundable 2,000 Euro deposit will secure your spot. The remaining amount must be paid two months before your visit’s scheduled date. A confirmation email plus a questionnaire will be sent to you shortly after receiving your deposit.

How do you accept payment?

Payment is accepted either by international bank transfer or through PayPal. (You will need to add a 4.0% service fee to cover PayPal’s service fee.) Contact us for details.

What is the cancellation policy?

Suppose you need to cancel your trip to France and for the French la Vie Journey? In that case, your initial non-refundable deposit (2000 Euros) will not be refunded. Other monies sent may be refunded if a cancellation notice is given six months before your French la Vie Journey date. After this date, any reasons for your cancelation on your part or due to your travel arrangements cannot be refunded. Do not hesitate to ask if you are unclear about the French la Vie’s booking and cancellation policies.

Can a French la Vie Journey be customized?

Costs will vary depending on your choices.

If you would like a personal experience, we can create a one-of-a-kind journey for you, too, whether it is the brocante, art, cooking, vintage clothing/textiles, or a little of everything that makes you happy. I am located in Provence, and my daughter, Chelsea, lives in Paris.

I can create a unique, tailored group for couples, a group of up to six, and larger groups… No matter the size of your group.

I have teamed up with Red Shed Tours with their Provençal and Brittany travels.