Discover Provence on this full-day tour from Aix-en-Provence, ideal for enthusiasts of history, art, and architecture. Admire the spectacular scenery as you explore the interesting places in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Les Baux-de-Provence, and Arles.
This full-day tour from Aix-en-Provence takes you on a discovery of Provence, visiting Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Les Baux-de-Provence, and Arles. Upon arrival in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence you will have some free time to explore the village including the open-air market, one of the most picturesque in Provence. You will also take a photo stop at the Roman monuments and at Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, the hospital where the painter Van Gogh was interned from 1889 to 1890.
You will then explore the exceptional village of Les Baux-de-Provence. The village has kept the narrow streets from the Middle Ages, the imposing ruins of a castle, and the memory of the proud lords and troubadours. From the rocky spur you can admire the breathtaking view of the exceptional scenery.
Continuing on to Arles, you will take a walking tour following the footsteps of Van Gogh to discover the places where he created his most famous paintings dating back to 1888. Arles is also famous worldwide for its architectural heritage including the Roman amphitheater and theatre, and the Romanesque Saint Trophime Church.
Escape to the hilltop villages in the Luberon region on a day trip from Aix-en-Provence. Spend time in L'Isle sur la Sorgue, Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, and Lourmarin. Soak up the atmosphere as you enjoy exploring these quaint towns at your leisure. Travel from Aix-en-Provence to Luberon valley on a full-day tour of the area's charming and unique villages.
First make your way to L'Isle sur la Sorgue, and wander through the open-air provencal market, and along the canals, taking time to stop in the various antique shops. Then enjoy lunch on your own in the exceptional hilltop village of Gordes. Afterward, from mid-June to mid-July only, stop for photos of the blooming lavender fields at Senanque Abbey.
Continue to the colorful village of Roussillon and its ochre cliffs. On the way to Bonnieux, you will admire the Pont Julien, a Roman bridge. Then spend free time here, visiting the 12th-century church surrounded by century-old cedars.
Make your way back through the picturesque and winding Combe of Lourmarin. Stop in Lourmarin, one of the most beautiful villages in France, famous for its Renaissance castle, before returning to Aix-en-Provence.
We will start with a visit in Saint Rémy de Provence. On Wednesday, enjoy free time in the village to visit its open-air market, one of the most picturesque in Provence. Photo stop at the Antiques and St Paul de Mausole (Roman monuments and Van Gogh's Hospital where the painter was interned from 1889 to 1890).
Then we will arrive in the exceptional village Les Baux de Provence. From the Middle Ages, the village has kept the narrow streets, the imposing ruins of a castle and the memory of the proud lords and troubadours. From the rocky spur, it's a breathtaking view on an exceptional scenery that amazes all the visitors.
We will continue to Arles: walking tour on the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh to discover the places where he created his most famous paintings dated back from 1888. Arles is also worldwide famous for its architectural heritage: the Roman amphitheatre and theatre, and the magnificent Romanesque Saint Trophime church (entrance fee not included). The weekly market in Arles takes place on Saturday, take the opportunity to taste and buy local products (fruits, cheese, nougat, tapenade...).
Free-time for lunch on your own during the tour.
The Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire vineyards are located east from the city of Aix-en-Provence, at the foot of the Sainte-Victoire Mountain. Sample these tasty, full-bodied reds with excellent structure, and these subtle and elegant rosés. Wine–tastings included in 2 wine properties of the appellation. Lunch on your own in Aix en Provence.
Afternoon will be dedicated to the highlights of the Luberon. Photo stop in Lourmarin, one of the most beautiful villages in France, famous for its Renaissance castle. Discover Bonnieux, pretty village dominated by his High Church at 425 metres above sea level, which commands the Combe of Lourmarin, unique road through the Luberon. Continue to Roussillon through the Pont Julien, roman bridge. Discover Roussillon, hilltop village famous for the blood and gold colours of its ochre cliffs.
Continue to Gordes: medieval village entirely made with the local stones called “lauze”.
Join us for a wine tour in the scenic landscape of Sainte-Victoire Mountain which was source of inspiration for the famous painter Cézanne from 1880 to 1883.
The Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire vineyards are located east from the city of Aix-en-Provence, and like all the vineyards in Provence, are considered to be some of the most natural in France due to the drying effects of the Mistral wind. The poor and shallow soils, formed by limestone and argillaceous sandstone, produce high quality vineyards.
Sample these tasty, full-bodied reds with excellent structure, and subtle and elegant rosés. Wine tastings included in 2 wines from the appellation.
A discovery itinerary through the most beautiful and charming hill-top villages in Luberon, all sentinels of time gone by. Photo stop in Lourmarin, one of the most beautiful villages in France, famous for its Renaissance castle. Bonnieux, a picture perfect Provençal village, on top of which stands a 12th century church surrounded by century-old cedars.
Continue to Roussillon through the Pont Julien, roman bridge. Discover Roussillon: perched on the top of cliff of old ochre quarries, the village is a painter's palette, a magical place where combinations of oxides give to the ochre an infinite variety of colors, which can be found in the landscape and on the frontage of its houses. Gordes offers an extraordinary vision of a village erected on the cliff.
His fortress castle and church dominate the typical houses of the village which were built with stones from the rock on which they are fitting.
Come with us for an unforgettable visit of Cassis! You will join panoramic views from the Cape Canaille, the highest maritime cliff in Europe, and then free time in the charming fishermen port, possibility to join a cruise to discover the calanques, limestone cliffs diving in the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean sea and creating natural coves (fat, rocky claws that resemble Norwegian fjords and poke out into the sea).
There are some places you can’t help but fall in love with at first sight and Cassis is part of them.
Drive to Manosque to enjoy a guided tour of Occitane factory, famous for its cosmetic products elaborated with local flowers and plants. Cross Valensole plateau (lavender fields in bloom from mid-June to mid-July).
Continue to Moustiers-Ste-Marie, famous for its earthen ware workshops (free time for visit and lunch on your own). Drive to the Gorges of Verdon River: breathtaking views on the lake of Sainte Croix and on the Verdon canyon. Enjoy free time on the beach of the lake of Sainte Croix. Back to Aix en Provence via the village of Sainte Croix du Verdon overlooking the lake.
Come with us to Monaco to see the changing of the guard in front of the Princes' Palace. Enjoy panoramic view on the Mediterranean sea from the rock of the principality of Monaco and drive on the Monaco world famous race-track. We will stop for photos at the old Casino of Monte Carlo, facing the famous Hotel de Paris and Café de Paris and Deluxe boutiques.
Then, drive on the Corniche road to Eze to see the perfume factory Fragonard and the medieval village. We will continue to Nice for a panoramic tour of the city: the castle park overlooking the bay of angels, the old town, the Cours Saleya and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
Along scenic roads winding across the fields of flowers, we will arrive on the wide Plateau of Valensole specialised in the cultivation of “lavandin”. After many stops by the lavender fields in bloom, we will the stop at a farmer/producer's place: lavender and lavandin essential oils, olive oil, lavender honey... Learn everything about the cultivation, distillation and properties of lavender and lavandin.
Through Arles, on to the Regional Natural Park of Camargue where bulls and horses roam free in wide spaces. Arrival in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, the capital of Camargue, along the wild and picturesque Route de Cacharel. Visit the fortified church with its famous legend and free time in the village (possibility of swimming).
Optional activity (not included): Bird sanctuary of Pont de Gau for a discovery, on foot, in between marshes and reeds of the main birds of Camargue (pink flamingos and other birds).
We drive you to Arles in a comfortable minibus with an English speaking driver/guide. On arrival in Arles, enjoy 4 hour free time with your ticket ‘Passeport Liberté’ to discover the city on your own. The ticket ‘Passeport Liberté’ will be delivered by the driver/guide with a map of the town. This ticket will give you access to 4 monuments and 1 museum of the town among the following sites : Amphitheatre, Roman theatre, Constantin Roman Thermal bath, Cryptoporticus, Alyscamps, Romanesque Cloister Saint-Trophime, Museum Réattu and Museum Arles antique.
Explore your favorite sites at your own path and discover the fascinating Roman and medieval heritage of the town!
Through the valley of the Durance river, arrival on the Plateau of Valensole specialised in the cultivation of « lavandin », where small roads are winding among the fields of flowers. Many stops by the fields in bloom. Stop at a farmer/ producer's place: lavender and lavandin essential oils, olive oil, lavender honey....Stop in the perched village of Moustiers-Ste-Marie, so famous for its earthen ware workshops (free time for visit and lunch on your own).
In the afternoon, continue to the breathtaking opening of the Grand Canyon of the River Verdon. Photo stop in the lavender fields. View on the picturesque village of Sainte Croix de Verdon before going back to Aix