Galloping white horses of the Camargue splash by just ten feet away. Over 1000 pink flamingos allow us to approach to within 20 feet. The good people of our picturesque village of Fontvieille transform themselves and their village into a fantastic scene circa 1890. In the vales of the Luberon, cherry orchards burst into bloom providing inspiring foregrounds for our hill village portraits.
Annual 9 day tour begins and ends Marseille Airport. Stay 5 nights in Fontvieille village near Arles and 3 nights in Luberon Mountain village of Joucas. Pleasant small hotels, great food, 7 photographers and Pro guide Don Lyon (over 25 years experience guiding and instructing in travel and nature photography). Trip is planned to coincide with cherry blossom time around Provence, pleasant weather, markets and the Festival of the Windmills in Fontvielle, bloodless bullfights and Running of the Bulls as well. Pont du Gard, Les Baux, ancient cities and hill top villages. One afternoon is spent photographing local cowboys and a herd of White Horses galloping through the marshes of the Camargue. Thousands of Flamingos are photographed just 30' away. We eat in small local cafes and stay in charming small hotels. Transportation is in a go any-where, stop anytime Van driven by your guide.
Itinerary:
Day 1 (April 6)
Meet Don at the BW Marseille Airport Hotel at 10 am to drive to picturesque Fontvieille and our charming, cozy hotel. This afternoon we’ll photo-explore nearby Arles’ winding cobblestone streets, shutters and doors. Arles and the countryside around St. Remy inspired Van Gogh to create impressionistic masterpieces. Roman theater and coliseum await within medieval walls.
Days 2 - 5
Fontvieille: On Sunday, our picturesque village retreats into the past as the townsfolk dress as bakers, butchers, farriers, fishwives, school teachers, and grand dames circa 1890 Provence. They demonstrate traditional crafts such as soap making, chair caning and horse shoeing. At the bull ring young men test their mettle by trying to snatch a ribbon from between the bull’s horns — without getting gored! We capture this timeless ballet with slow pans. Photographic highlights include the soft evening light on the 2000 year old Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard. St. Remy has narrow streets leading to tiny squares and courtyards where pleasant cafés feature Provencal olives, almonds, garlic, and refreshing light wines. The quiet convent gardens where Van Gogh convalesced and painted are here. Les Baux is a fortress city towering above the villages of the rugged Alpilles. Nearby, vineyards surround a whitewashed, tile-roofed 12th century stone chapel flanked by tall cypress trees under a dazzling blue sky. There is much to photograph in this heart of Provence - you’ll be amazed at the variety and freshness of your images - such a change from most travel photography!
The Camargue is a marshy refuge for black fighting bulls and white stallions. With a minimum of six, we’ll hire local cowboys to round up the horses and drive them through the marshes just 10' from us. We shoot for about 3 hours—making a 100 or more images to be sure we each have something spectacular. Both slow shutter panning shots and fast shutter speeds capture dramatic shots of flying manes and dancing hooves. Nearby pink flamingos winter over in this lush delta of the Rhone River to feast on the newly planted rice. We easily get to within 20' and fill our frames with the squabbling birds as well as nesting storks, many brilliant ducks and European raptors and owls that have found a sanctuary here. We sip a pastis and enjoy a memorable dinner as guests of the Aguillar family. Patrice Aguilar is the local photographer who organizes the horse drive. Hotel Laetitia—5 nights.
Days 6 - 9
Hill Towns of the Luberon: To the east are the low limestone mountains of the Luberon. Cherry trees are “hung with bloom along the bough, ... wearing white for Eastertide.” The soft light of spring, the puffy white blossoms and the old stone farms and villages creates photographic magic. Here hilltop villages are surrounded by stone walls for protection in medieval days. Red sandstone and ochre painted walls, shutters of Mediterranean blue and citron yellow, are living art. Each Village of the Luberon Mountains and Vaucluse Plateau offers charming vistas, street scenes, shop windows, and cafes. We gather vistas along the narrow country roads, and visit red Roussillon and plump Gordes. Our move to the tiny village of Joucas puts us in the midst of a dozen charming villages. Early and late light among the undulating orchards in bloom and somber rows of grapevines will give us incredible color, magical atmospheric conditions and startling graphic designs. Hostellerie des Commandeurs—3 nights.
Day 9 (April 14)
Marseille Airport onward: Plan your departure flight for any time after 2 pm on April 14, or overnight at Marseille Airport for morning flight on April 15. Courtesy shuttle takes you to the Marseille Airport.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
9 day Land Cost $2533.
* Includes: accommodation (twin basis), transportation as noted, admissions, taxes, and the services of your photographic guide. Cost based on a minimum of 6. Single supplements - $301.
* Cost does not include: airfare to Marseille or items of a personal nature, and is based on the US Dollar 1.20 to the Euro - may need to be adjusted prior to depature. Meal Budget - $ 360.
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