The Chauffeur Who Saved The Day—And Built His Business on Word of Mouth
This article is part of Luberon Profiles, my conversations with small business owners and interesting people in our area.
Not all heroes wear capes. Some roll up in a sleek Mercedes with space for seven adults, one child, and a dog—on less than 24 hours’ notice—in July, the busiest month of the year.
That’s how I met Sébastien Tolme.
Born and raised in the Luberon, Sébastien is a private chauffeur and founder of Luberon Service, a company that offers airport transfers, wedding/event rides, and private sightseeing trips in Provence.
He’s been doing this work for 10 years—even without a website. Built on word-of-mouth referrals, his business is trusted by concierges, hotels, and anyone who’s ever needed a reliable driver.
Last July, I found out exactly why he’s earned that trust.
You see, it was peak season in the Luberon. My family and some friends were visiting, and I had planned the perfect day for us: vineyard-hopping and lavender fields. Unfortunately, one of our rental cars fell through and suddenly, we didn’t have enough seats for everyone.
I called every private driver I knew. No one was available. One even said, “It’s so last minute. You won’t find anyone.”
Out of desperation, I called someone I’d never worked with before: Sébastien. He immediately understood what I needed and gave me a fair quote within minutes. The next day, he showed up at our door—early, calm, professional, and ready with a clean minibus (plus a card reader for easy payment—so convenient!).
No hassle, no drama. Smooth from A to Z.
So, if you’re visiting the Luberon—solo, as a couple, or with a group—and need a private driver for transfers or sightseeing, contact Sébastien. He can be your chauffeur, your tour guide, or both. He speaks French and English, owns five minibuses and two sedans, and runs a team of bilingual drivers.
And no, he’s not paying me to say any of this. Just a happy client here! Without further ado, meet the guy who helped save the day with my family.
Note: Answers were provided in French and translated into English.
Tell us a bit about yourself. Who are you and what brought you to the Luberon?
My name is Sébastien, a private driver and a native of the Luberon. I was born and raised here, so I know this area inside and out: its vineyard-lined roads, hilltop villages, and peaceful pace have always been part of my daily life.
I created Luberon Service out of love for my native land. I wanted to offer a high-end, personalized, and authentic transportation service. I love welcoming my clients like guests, helping them discover the treasures of the Luberon, and offering them much more than a ride. A true moment of comfort, trust, and sharing.
Now, we’d love to know about your business. What’s the backstory?
Luberon Service is, above all, a story of passion and attachment to my region.
I was born and raised here, and I’ve always had a deep love for the Luberon. After many years in the transportation industry, I wanted to create my own company and to offer a different kind of service. More personal, more attentive, more local.
The idea for Luberon Service was born from a desire to combine professionalism and authenticity, offering my clients tailor-made trips in an elegant, friendly, and serene atmosphere. Whether for a wedding, sightseeing, or a private transfer, I take care to make sure the journey itself becomes a pleasant experience.
Today, I am proud to represent the Luberon through my work and to help people discover it in a different way—through the eyes and perspective of someone who grew up here.
It’s true that until now I’ve been working without a website, and honestly, it’s been going very well. I can’t complain! But I have recently hired someone to create my website. It will be online in January 2026, which will help me reach even more people.
Were you in this line of work before? If not, what did you do prior?
No, this was not my profession before. I worked in the automotive parts transport sector for nearly 11 years, where I gained experience in driving, logistics, and service. This experience naturally led me to create Luberon Service, where I now offer personalized, high-end passenger transport.
Imagine you’re in an elevator. You’ve got 30 seconds. How do you describe your business to a stranger?
My name is Sébastien, a private driver from the Luberon. Whether it’s for sightseeing, a wedding, or a private transfer, I help people discover the Luberon through the eyes and perspective of someone who grew up here.
My clientele is mostly international. I have five minibuses that accommodate eight passengers, and two sedans that are ideal for couples.
I don’t have a minimum number of passengers for reservations. Clients can be two, three, four, or even alone. The service I provide is the same for everyone, regardless of group size. I focus on delivering a flawless, high-end service. This is truly my priority.
Everything is fully personalized, so pricing depends on the itinerary, duration, and number of stops.
What part of your business makes you happy? How about what worries or challenges you?
What makes me happiest is seeing my clients leave with a smile, satisfied from start to finish. I put my heart and soul into what I do and always strive to do better. I don’t allow myself to make mistakes, because for me, every detail counts.
What really matters to me is that each client has a wonderful time and has fond memories of their time with Luberon Service.
Recently, I also had the opportunity to expand my network. I was invited to spend the weekend in Monaco for a charity gala presented by Princess Stéphanie of Monaco. I met many wonderful people there who are interested in my services— not in Monaco, of course, since that’s not my area—but when they come to the Luberon, they will know where to find me.
Do you remember your very first customer? How did that feel?
Yes, I remember it very well! It was an American couple from Texas. They were discovering the Luberon for the first time, and I had a lot of fun showing them the region.
I was both a little nervous because it was my very first client, and very proud to be able to offer them a great experience. Their smiles and their thanks at the end confirmed to me that I was in the right place in this profession.
Have you ever had a strange or unexpected request from a client?
Yes, once a client asked me to go back past a house he had just seen, because he was convinced it belonged to a famous actor. We walked around the village, without ever seeing the star, but we had a good laugh about it!
When you started out, what did you imagine running a business in Provence would be like…and how did the reality compare?
Initially, I imagined running my business in Provence as something quite simple and peaceful, like the region. In reality, I quickly realized that it requires a lot of work, rigor, and organization on a daily basis.
But despite the challenges, I’m proud to bring my business to life in such an exceptional setting. The contact with people, the trust of customers, and the beauty of the Luberon remind me every day why I chose this path.
Outside of work, what’s ONE thing you’re most proud of and why?
Outside of work, what I’m most proud of is my family. My wife Justine and my 20-year-old daughter Marine are my greatest support and achievement. Their presence brings me a lot of balance and motivation on a daily basis.
What’s one unconventional or surprising or brave choice you’ve made that shaped where you are today?
I would say that the bravest choice I made was to go out on my own and create Luberon Service. It wasn’t easy at first. You have to build everything yourself, take risks, and believe in your project.
But I followed my instincts and my passion for my region and connecting with people. Today, I’m proud of having dared, because it allowed me to do a job that truly suits me.
If you weren’t French, what’s something you wished you knew about living in the Luberon before coming here?
If I weren’t French, I would have loved to know how peaceful and authentic life in the Luberon is. Here, people take the time to live, to enjoy the landscapes, the markets, the villages, and the sunshine. It’s a place where people are welcoming, where each season has its charm, and where you quickly feel at home.
What do you love most about living in the Luberon? And what’s one thing you wish you could change?
What I love most about living in the Luberon is the beauty of the region, the light, the nature, the villages, and above all, the quality of life. Here, we live at a more human pace, taking the time to appreciate the simple, authentic things.
If there’s one thing I’d like to change, it would be for the area to remain a little more vibrant outside of the tourist season, so that local life continues to thrive all year round, not just in the summer.
If you could take your favorite person to just ONE village/site/attraction in the Luberon, where would it be and why?
I would choose Roussillon for its unique colors and timeless atmosphere. Amid the ocher cliffs, the narrow streets, and the evening light, you feel like you’re walking through a painting. It’s a place that perfectly represents the beauty and gentleness of the Luberon.
What’s your favorite restaurant/cafe in the Luberon? What do you love to eat, drink, or do there?
My favorite restaurant is L’Auberge des Carrières in Les Taillades. It’s a charming place, with refined and generous cuisine, made with fresh, local products. I love going there for the setting, the welcome, and the pleasure of eating well. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a truly relaxing moment and to savor the spirit of the Luberon.
Need an English-speaking chauffeur privé for your trip in the Luberon? Contact Sébastien:
WhatsApp: +33 788 955 256
Email: sebastientolme@hotmail.fr
Instagram: luberon_service
