July: This photography tour is not currently in the schedule, but can be added by request

  7 nights/8 inclusive days  |  Maximum of 6 participants, and a minimum of 4 participants

Photography Tour Overview: 'Tis the season to be purple in terms of the photographing lines of blooming Lavender, plus the ancient towns of Lourmarin, Gordes, Avignon, Roussillon, Lacoste, and Sisteron. Also included is the Senanque Abbey, Arles, the wild horses of the Camargue, 1,700 year old Pont Julien [bridge], the magnificent Pont du Gard aqueduct, plus the Verdon canyon. As with all of our photography tours, early and late shooting is scheduled for each day.

Lavender notes: The dates of this photography workshop have been specifically chosen to coincide with the flowering Lavender, and it should be noted that local weather conditions will dictate whether or not this will be an average, or very good year for Lavender.

Our itinerary . . .
But first things first! We suggest that you set your camera's clock to the local time, as your images will then synchronize with the times in our included photo tour field notes.

Days 1 + 2  |  Napoleon Route, Gourdon, Castellane and Sisteron
We'll gather at 10 a.m. in the lobby of our gateway hotel near the Nice airport. After group introductions we’ll head for the included first day lunch, during which John will present a selection of images that you can expect to capture during our Provence photography tour. We'll then head in the direction of Castellane via sections of the Napoleon Route. Our first scheduled stop is the spectacularly situated ancient village of photogenic Gourdon. Views from the village to the Mediterranean are memorable. We will then skirt the southern edge of the Calern plateau, and make a variety of stops as we make our way to Castellane through the rugged Regional Natural Park of the Préalpes d'Azur for our two night stay.
On day 2 we'll explore the Castellane region which has the distinction of being the least-populated sub-prefecture of France. The Chapel of Our Lady of the Rock, dating from the High Middle Ages, dominates from atop the rock that hovers high above the town. Images of the chapel from a nearby mountain pass are spectacular, and you’ll be there! Going north we’ll pause in Senez, and spend time in Sisteron for a variety of images including the 13th century Citadel that sits above the town. On our return to Castellane we’ll stop off in Volonne, and be on the lookout for fields of golden sunflowers. We’ll conclude with a few more shots of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rock prior to descending into the town. Over the years the light has been amazing at almost any time of day. Check out the tour gallery for examples!
Castellane, 2 nights

Days 3 + 4  |  Verdon Grand Canyon, Hilltop villages, Gordes, Senanque Abbey and an abundance of Lavender
Heading west today we'll travel via the Verdon River and Gorge with multiple stops for spectacular scenery. From the rapids at river level we’ll climb until we’re way above the river bed, and where the canyon walls, and White Mountain Goats rule. Look down to see the Griffin Vultures soar! La Palud is our lunch stop, then on to the Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, a pretty and very photogenic medieval village perched on the side of a mountain. Then come multiple stops for the colorful symmetry of vast lavender fields that appear to stretch all the way to the mountain ranges in the east. Barns and lone trees will enhance your compositions.
On day 4 a variety of Provencal villages are scheduled including Saignon, Gordes at dawn and dusk, Lacoste, the classic Senanque Abbey image, and the ancient Roman built Pont Julien [bridge]. Lavender is never far away but in smaller quantities, and the ochre-tinted village of Roussillon in the evening light will close our day.
Near Roussillon, 2 nights

Days 5 + 6  |  The Horses of the Camargue, Avignon, Arles and Pont du Gard
We’ll 'mop up photographically' around Gordes this morning, then head in the direction of Arles and detour for additional ancient Provencal locations such as the walled city of Avignon on the Rhône River. The Saint-Bénézet bridge, better known as the Pont d'Avignon and for the French song Sur le pont d'Avignon, has only four of the original twenty one piers left standing, and subsequently the bridge ends mid-channel. On one of the piers stands the small Romanesque chapel of Saint-Bénézet. In the late evening light we’ll be in Arles adjacent to the Roman amphitheatre built in 90 AD. Back then it held over 20,000 spectators for chariot races and bloody hand-to-hand battles.
On day 6 we’ll start our day at the massive 1,900 year old Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard. It’s an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge built in the first century AD to carry water over 50 km [31 miles] to the Roman colony of modern day Nîmes. The Pont du Gard is the highest of all Roman aqueduct bridges, as well as one of the best preserved. In the evening we'll be adjacent to the Mediterranean as the wild horses of the Camargue, ushered by Gardians on horseback, gallop through shallow water exclusively for our group. Your images will likely be spectacular!
Arles, 2 nights

Day 7  |  Arles to Lyon via Orange
We may be heading to the airport vicinity in Lyon today, but on the way we'll be rounding off our Provencal photography with several stops including the Roman amphitheater in Orange. After early hotel check-in we'll explore Lyon's old town that is clustered around the Saône River to close the trip. The included dinner on the last night of our photography tour will feature an 'It's You!' presentation of clients in action on this tour by John.
Old town Lyon, 1 night

Day 8  |  Departure day
As there isn't any photography scheduled for the day of departure on this trip, your flight home can be arranged for any time today. Transport to the airport is included unless you’re staying on for a day or more.

Burgundy, France, follows our Provence trip: Free transport is available
As stated, if you are taking part in our Burgundy photography tour we will provide complimentary transport to the Burgundy region. In case you're wondering, yes, we will make several photo stops along the way!

Photo Tour Photographer/Leader: John Baker, Travel Images Photography Tours
The preceding itinerary is a copyrighted work by John Baker Photographer LLC, and Travel Images Photography Tours

Enhancing Your Photography Skills
Describing the assistance you'll receive on one of our photography tours takes more than a few words, so for greater detail please go here.

Exertion level: This photography tour is classified as 'non strenuous' to 'moderately strenuous'
A majority of images are found in close proximity to our vehicle
Each day we will visit various hill towns and explore them on foot. Consequently there are steps and inclines, but as you'll be exploring with your camera the pace will be slow, and the distances relatively short.
In every other respect this photography tour is considered non-strenuous to mildly strenuous

Do you need a Visa for travel to France?
Travelers from all countries can do a quick check of visa requirements here or here
Our international clients may need to contact the embassy of their intended destination in their own country for a visa. Go here or here

Photography Tour Cost, Deposit, Cancellation Policy and Enrollment Guidance

Trip Cost: $3,773 USD per person not including airfare. A 5% discount is applied to all double occupancies. A single room supplement is required for single occupancy

Single Supplement: 14% of the base cost of the trip

The deposit for this photography tour is $400. Make a deposit, or pay your tour balance here

Cancellation policy: Go here

Enrollment guidance: Go here

Included in the Trip Cost: The following items are included in the trip cost . . .

• Photography instruction throughout the trip by John

• All accommodations with private facilities [en-suite]

• All breakfasts

• Lunch on day one of the trip

• Dinner on the last night of the trip

• On-vehicle snacks and bottled water

• All ground transportation

• Airport pick-up on day 1, and drop-off on departure day. Arrival prior to day 1 is not included

• Entrance fees for sites and activities listed below under ‘Admissions Included’

• Following the trip you'll receive detailed field notes describing the time, place and subject of each photo stop, plus image uploads to a private web page of clients 'in action' on the trip

Not Included in the Trip Cost: The costs for these items are the responsibility of each participant . . .

• Airfare

• Travel costs between your home and the gateway airport and return

• Any transportation or travel costs incurred prior to or after the tour’s inclusive dates

• Pre-tour and/or post-tour accommodation

• Lunches and dinners except for lunch on day one of the trip, and dinner on the last night of the trip

• Alcoholic beverages

• Entrance fees or costs related to optional sites or activities not included in the itinerary

• Baggage fees

• Medical expenses

• Personal items such as the hotel mini-bar, laundry et cetera

• Incidental charges incurred at our accommodations such as movie rentals, internet and phone

• Travel insurance

• Passport or visa expenses

• Airport departure taxes, if applicable

Admissions Included in the Trip Cost:

• Pont du Gard

• The wild horses of the Camargue photo shoot

• Any other admissions such as the Roman amphitheatre at Arles are optional and not included

• You will of course have free reign to photograph the exterior of locations not included, and if time permits, to enter at your own expense