Ep 3. Life in Provence & starting a custom tour agency: a chat with Christopher & Laurent
Today on the podcast I chat with Christopher and Laurent, the founders of Ooh Provence, a unique tour agency offering personalized experiences in Provence.
They have a world of knowledge about the Provence region, and plenty of great tips of places to visit, food to try and things to do while you’re here. Keep reading for details from the interview.
Laurent, originally from Burgundy and Christopher, who grew up in London crossed paths unexpectedly at a birthday party in Hamburg, leading to a beautiful relationship. After years of city life in London, they embarked on a bold move to Provence, seeking a change of pace and a chance to reconnect with their creative passions.
After a brief sabbatical, during which they explored the region and indulged in their artistic pursuits, they stumbled upon the idea of starting a tour company.
Inspired by their own love for Provence and guided by the suggestion of a friend, they set out to create a business that offered more than just sightseeing tours. Ooh Provence was born out of a desire to provide immersive experiences that felt more like a day out with friends than a typical tourist excursion.
Unlike traditional tour companies, Ooh Provence specializes in personalized, bespoke tours tailored to the interests and preferences of each group. Whether it's exploring charming villages, sampling local cuisine, or discovering hidden gems off the beaten path, Laurent and Christopher strive to create unforgettable experiences for their clients.
Their tours, designed for small groups of friends and family, offer a more intimate and flexible alternative to mass-market tourist packages. From wine tastings in Gordes to leisurely strolls through lavender fields, every itinerary is carefully curated to showcase the best of Provence while avoiding overcrowded tourist hotspots.
Interested in booking a tour with them, you can follow this link to their website.
And keep reading for all their recommendations!
Christopher & Laurent’s Provence recommendations:
It’s always challenging to narrow down just a handful of favorite spots to share with visitors in Provence, but the noteworthy locations they recommended include:
Gordes: Despite its cliché status, the view from the top is undeniably beautiful. From there, continue your journey through the Luberon and explore the unique ochre mines.
Apt and Saignon: While the village of Apt may not be the most beautiful, it has a very cool Saturday market. For a charming village experience, head to Saignon, where a small yet incredible restaurant awaits at the top. The drive to Saignon also treats you to lesser-known lavender fields, adding to the picturesque scenery.
Curcuron: This village is equally charming, featuring a delightful ice cream parlor that's worth a visit.
Food recommendations:
When it comes to food, they shared it's all about fresh, seasonal ingredients. Some of their favourites included:
Grilled daurade bought from the market, particularly when enjoyed while sipping rosé on a lazy afternoon.
Laurent shared he loves a good ratatouille, oven baked slowly, for two hours all made with fresh market ingredients too.
Other delicious fresh foods they enjoy buying from the market are in season melons, figs and goat cheese. Drizzle the figs & goats cheese with honey and spicy olive oil, and it makes the perfect feast.
When asked to choose just one food, Laurent shared his favourite would have to be the goats cheese. Not from the supermarket, but what you find in the market. In Apt there is a guy selling it and the goats cheese is so soft and creamy, you just eat it as is, with no bread, it's just gorgeous.
If you are looking for a sweet treat to try in Provence. Then they suggested calissons. They are a little sweet from Aix en Provence. it's a little oval shape that's made of preserved melon, orange peel and grounded almond with an icing on the top.
It is from the middle age and was supposedly created as a gâteau for the wedding of Roi René and his wife, Dame Jeanne. She was supposedly very stern. Roi René apparently asked his patissier to make a cake as beautiful as she was. So they made this cake (it was previously a cake, not a sweet). And after trying it Dame Jeanne supposedly smiled, which was apparently an event on his own and she is supposed to have said, "di calin soun" (they are cuddly in Provencal).
When is comes to wine Christopher would recommend the wines of the Sainte-Victoire. On the south side of the Sainte-Victoire mountain there's a very small appelation, and amongst that you have some amazing wines. They both recommended trying out small vineyards and when dining at restaurants always asking for local wines.
I hope you enjoyed hearing the story of Christopher and Laurent and I’m sure your mouth must be watering as much as mine while reading about all the delicious foods to try in this lovely region!
