A hen party, a weekend catch-up with your girlfriends… in fact, any occasion is a good excuse to spend time with your friends, make new memories and, incidentally, take some great photos. Here are our ideas:
Facial yoga at a lavender distillery
Les Agnels is one of the historic distilleries in the Vaucluse, visible at the top of a small hairpin bend on the road between Bonnieux and Lourmarin, in the Luberon. One more bend and you find yourself on the Plateau des Claparèdes, with its expanses of lavender that turn blue and fill the air with their fragrance from the end of June onwards.
After a souvenir photo against this incredible backdrop and a short tour of the distillery, you’ll spend an hour learning about facial yoga (self-massage, acupressure, gua sha, roller massage and energy meditation), followed by a session with Tibetan singing bowls (1 hour). Just what you need to approach the next part of the day (the wedding) with complete serenity!
Practical information:
Workshop duration: 2 hours
Group size: 5 to 12 people maximum.
Price: flat rate for 2 to 7 people: €200
For 8 to 12 people: €25 per person (equipment provided)
Distillerie les Agnels, route d’Apt, à Buoux
contact@lesagnels.com
www.lesagnels.com
Wine painting at an AOC Ventoux vineyard
For a change from traditional creative workshops, head to the Château de la Croix des Pins in Mazan, at the foot of Mont Ventoux. At this vineyard, nestled amongst the vineyards of the Ventoux AOC, participants discover a technique that is as original as it is unusual: wine painting. You don’t need to have an artistic streak. Guided step by step, you will create your own canvas using wine as a colourant, following pre-drawn outlines. All this takes place in a relaxed atmosphere, punctuated by tastings of the estate’s wines and a few nibbles.
Everyone leaves with their own artwork, a unique memento of this special time shared with friends.
Practical information:
Workshop duration: 2 hours
Group size: 4 to 8 people
Price: €35 per person (equipment, wine and nibbles provided).
Château de la Croix des Pins, in Mazan.
coralie.clemente@lacroixdespins.fr
www.chateaulacroixdespins.fr
A sunset aperitif in the hills
Setting off from Vaison-la-Romaine, you’ll climb aboard the vintage Dyane car driven by Corine, from Youpi Tours, to explore the vineyards, olive groves and hilltop villages of northern Ventoux. Then, as the light fades, you’ll head to a carefully chosen vantage point to admire the sunset. There, enjoy a generous aperitif featuring local specialities and wines from local producers. The perfect choice for lovers of breathtaking scenery, bohemian atmosphere and unforgettable souvenir photos.
Practical information:
Duration of the experience: approximately 4 hours
2 to 3 people in the Dyane (additional participants possible depending on the package).
Price: €85 per person, all-inclusive. For those following in another car (and taking turns to ride in the Dyane), €55.
Youpi Tours, departing from Vaison-la-Romaine.
corine.youpitours@yahoo.com
www.youpitours.fr
An electric quad bike ride through the Ventoux hills
Here’s an activity that’s just a little more active, combining discovery, nature and gentle thrills. In Puyméras, near Vaison-la-Romaine, Naturoquad offers guided electric quad bike tours through the surrounding countryside, amongst vineyards and villages. After a short driving lesson on a secure track, you’ll set off – alone or in pairs on a quad bike – for two hours of exploration along the trails, with no engine noise and with full respect for biodiversity!
A break to sample local produce in the heart of the countryside rounds off this outdoor adventure.
Practical information:
Duration of the experience: approximately 2 hours 30 minutes (including a 30-minute introductory session)
Up to 12 people.
Prices: from €90 for 1 person on a quad bike, €120 for 2 people on 1 quad bike (1 driver only), €150 for 2 people on 1 quad bike (2 drivers).
Naturoquad, in Puyméras.
naturoquad@gmail.com
www.naturoquad.fr
A micro-adventure between cliffs and hilltop villages
For those who love a challenge and the great outdoors, this two-day micro-adventure in the Monts de Vaucluse offers a total immersion in the heart of wild and little-known Provence. With rucksacks on your backs, you’ll make your way along forest trails, through hidden valleys, past limestone cliffs and hilltop villages, with Mont Ventoux as a backdrop. The route connects Velleron, Le Beaucet and Venasque, among the most beautiful villages in the Vaucluse.
For the more adventurous, the second day includes a descent down the dry Campredon canyon, with several abseils along the rock faces, including a spectacular 25-metre finale. A sporting, immersive and exotic experience just a few kilometres from Avignon.
Practical information:
Duration: 2 days of multi-day hiking (42 km)
Level: experienced hikers; dry canyon accessible to beginners when accompanied
Route: loop starting from Velleron with a stop in Venasque
Option: Campredon dry canyon accompanied by a qualified instructor
Price depends on the accommodation chosen in Venasque and meals
The Grand Avignon Tourist Office provides GPX tracks, suggestions for stops and accommodation, and can help you organise this micro-adventure.
https://www.grandavignon-destinations.fr/micro-aventures-avignon/
Cocktail workshop in Avignon
Shake, measure, garnish: at Baryum 56, you’ll learn the basics of mixology during a friendly workshop led by Hadrien, the bar’s owner. After an introduction to the available ingredients and a few basic principles, everyone makes their own cocktail or mocktail (non-alcoholic) before savouring it in the cosy atmosphere of this bar in Avignon’s historic centre. A unique activity that combines skill and creativity and gets you in the mood for the rest of the evening!
Practical information:
Duration: 2 hours
Price: €55 per person
For 6 to 12 people
Baryum 56, in Avignon.
lebaryum56@gmail.com
www.baryum56.fr
Make your own organic soap
Savon Stories is a small business run by Moute, who loves nothing more than making, creating, imagining… and sharing her knowledge! And her enthusiasm is infectious! So why not make your hen party all about wellbeing and craftsmanship by taking part in a soap-making workshop? You’ll discover the secrets of cold-process soap-making and create your own organic soaps, choosing your own ingredients and essential oils.
You’ll leave with three bars of soap you’ve made yourself – a lovely, useful and fragrant memento of this special time shared with friends.
Practical information:
Duration: 1½ to 2 hours.
Price: €35 per person.
Up to 10 people.
Each participant takes home three 100 g bars of soap.
Savon Stories, in Avignon.
info@savonstories.com
www.savonstories.com