Forest Survival & Foraging Class in Provence: 24-Hour Bivouac

Spend a night in the forest learning what grows there and how to stay safe.

A 24-hour naturalist class in a Provence forest where you learn to identify edible wild plants, practice survival basics, and sleep under the stars with a guide, camping gear, dinner and breakfast included. The course covers foraging techniques, how to avoid toxic plants, orientation, what to pack for safety, and the real priorities of survival, then you test everything during an overnight bivouac. Suitable for beginners. Offered in English or French with guide Aurélien.

The experience

You arrive for a half-day of hands-on foraging, learning which plants around you are edible and how to pick them without confusion. Aurélien teaches you the method to identify new plants on your own, so the skill stays with you after the night ends. The second half shifts to survival: what goes in your bag, how to navigate, what mistakes cost time or safety, and the real priorities when things go wrong. You get a snack of foraged plants while exploring the forest's plant world.

At dusk you settle into the bivouac (shelter and sleeping bag provided), and eat dinner. The night is yours to search for deer and foxes while you sleep under the stars. Breakfast comes in the morning, and you leave having tested every skill you learned in a real forest setting, not a classroom.

The course runs one full day and one night. Camping gear is included. You bring only what you'd normally carry. Service animals are welcome. The guide speaks English or French, so book the language that fits you.

What’s included

• Camping survival gear (shelter and sleeping bag).
• dinner and breakfast.
• a snack of foraged plants.
• half-day foraging instruction with edible plant identification.
• half-day survival initiation covering navigation, packing, priorities and real dangers.
• one night in the forest.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 2027

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (16 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by EncounterNature

Is this one for you?You do the foraging and the survival practice yourself under Aurélien's instruction. This is not a lecture or a demonstration. The small group and overnight format suit anyone who wants to learn by doing and sleep in nature, not someone looking for a guided sightseeing walk or a hotel stay.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 17 years); Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What exactly do I learn to identify and pick on the foraging half?

Edible wild plants that grow in the Provence forest. Aurélien teaches you how to spot them, confirm they're safe to eat, and avoid toxic lookalikes, then gives you the method to recognize new plants independently, so you can forage on future hikes without a guide.

What does the survival part of the class cover?

Survival covers what to pack for safety, how to navigate, the real dangers you might face, and the priorities that matter most when things go wrong. You learn the mistakes to avoid, then put it all into practice during the night in the forest.

Do I need to bring my own sleeping bag and tent?

No. Camping gear (shelter and sleeping bag) is included. Bring only your personal items and clothes suitable for a night outdoors.

Is this suitable if I'm not very fit?

The class is designed for beginners and is suitable for all physical fitness levels. It is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.