Your itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Aix-en-Provence
Arrival in Aix-en-Provence – Arrive at the airport for your flight to France, or at the station for your train journey by Eurostar and high-speed TGV. We transfer by coach to your hotel in Aix-en-Provence, where we stay for seven nights. A welcome drink awaits you at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 2
Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence – This morning, embark on a guided walking tour of Aix-en-Provence, where the timeless beauty of the city once inspired Paul Cézanne’s artistic genius. Discover the allure that led him to create countless masterpieces amidst the stunning surroundings of this elegant town. Aix effortlessly blends the sophisticated charm of Paris with the warmth and intimacy of a Provençal village.
Originally established as a Roman spa town, Aix flourished into the Medieval capital of Provence and remains a vibrant cultural and artistic centre. Known as the ‘City of a Thousand Fountains’, the gentle murmur of water accompanies our journey along picturesque boulevards, through ‘criminal’ squares that historically served as the city’s legal hub, and down the maze of narrow, historic streets.
Then savour the flavours of Provence at a prestigious organic winery, where you’ll uncover the secrets behind their crisp, aromatic wines. Relish the opportunity to sip these exquisite vintages while enjoying a leisurely lunch, all set against the idyllic scenery of this enchanting vineyard estate.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy in this enchanting Provençal city. Perhaps delve into its artistic heritage with a visit to Cézanne’s meticulously preserved workshop, a window into the world of one of France’s most celebrated painters.
Meals: Lunch
Day 3
The Camargue
The Camargue – After breakfast, we venture into the captivating Camargue, where the #Rhone# River fans into a stunning expanse of saltwater marshes alive with wildlife. This protected national park is a paradise for bird enthusiasts, boasting around 400 species, including iconic pink flamingos. You might also spot the region’s famed black bulls and the legendary white horses, often ridden by the Camargue’s skilled ‘cowboys’.
Our journey then takes us to the charming port town of Saintes Maries de la Mer, where we embark on a guided boat tour through the wetlands. Be sure to bring your binoculars to fully appreciate the natural beauty and diverse wildlife of this enchanting landscape.
Next, we take a short journey to the remarkable city of Arles, a thriving hub during the Roman Empire and now a treasure trove of ancient history. On a guided walking tour, you’ll uncover the city’s UNESCO-listed wonders, including the magnificently preserved Roman amphitheatre, Emperor Augustus’s grand theatre, and the Forum, once the bustling heart of Roman Arles.
Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore at your own pace. Art enthusiasts might trace the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh, who was captivated by Arles during his 14-month stay in 1888. It was here that he created some of his most celebrated masterpieces, such as The Café Terrace at Night, The Sower, and his iconic Sunflowers, all inspired by the radiant Provençal light and landscape.
Tonight, we dine at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 4
Luberon Mountains
Luberon Mountains – This morning, we journey north to the breathtaking Luberon Mountains, a region so captivating it inspired Peter Mayle’s beloved A Year in Provence. Famed for its luminous natural light that has long drawn artists, the Luberon is a tapestry of scenic hilltop villages that seem untouched by time. These enchanting spots hum with life, offering vibrant bistros, charming markets, and authentic Provençal eateries. As we ascend through this protected Regional Nature Park, the scenery transforms from olive and peach groves to terraced vineyards. Higher still, fields of lavender stretch endlessly, their soothing fragrance blending with the scent of pine and wild herbs – a sensory of this idyllic corner of Provence.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5
Avignon
Avignon – Today, we journey to Avignon, a city steeped in history and charm. In the 14th Century, it became the seat of the Papal court, transforming its fortunes overnight. Vast wealth poured in, giving rise to grand churches, convents, and elegant mansions – but none more impressive than the monumental Papal Palace. You’ll have time to explore this awe-inspiring fortress-like structure, with its soaring 150-foot turrets as if carved from the living rock. Alternatively, art enthusiasts can visit the Petit Palais Museum, home to a remarkable collection of over 1,000 Renaissance paintings.
Later we visit the Pont du Gard, an extraordinary Roman aqueduct that spans the Gardon River. Wider that the Thames and considered one of antiquity’s greatest engineering feats, it’s a true marvel of the ancient world. We then return to our Aix-en-Provence hotel in the evening, reflecting on a day of timeless wonders.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6
Free day
Free day – Today is yours to enjoy the chanting city of Aix-en-Provence at your own pace. Stroll down the elegant Cours Mirabeau, a tree-lined boulevard brimming with cafés and boutiques, then lose yourself in the labyrinth of narrow streets where charming squares and a host of grand fountains await discovery.
Fort art lovers, the Musée Granet offers a treasure trove of masterpieces, including works by Cézanne, Degas, Matisse, Monet, and Picasso. Alternatively, delve into the wonders of the natural world at the Museum of Natural History, where you can marvel at a remarkable collection of dinosaur eggs discovered on the slopes of the nearby Mont Sainte-Victoire. Whether you prefer cultural pursuits or wandering around, Aix promises an unforgettable day of exploration.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7
Cassis
Cassis – Today, you’ll venture to the breathtaking coastline and the scenic fishing village of Cassis, a gem of the Provençal Riviera. Situated in a stunning bay, this charming town enchants visitors with its colourful cottages, a quaint harbour dotted with boats, and a sandy bench all watched over by an imposing medieval fortress. Once a retreat for illustrious figures like Winston Churchill and Virginia Woolf, Cassis remains a haven of artistic inspiration. See the highlights of this quaint township aboard the adorable, road-touring Petit Train.
For lunch, treat yourself to freshly caught seafood at one of the delightful waterfront restaurants. In the afternoon, set sail on a boat trip to explore the Massif des Calanques. Marvel at the dramatic white cliffs, striking rock formations, and the seabirds that thrive in this rugged, natural wonderland.
On our return this afternoon we will visit a stunning lavender farm on the outskirts of Aix. If we are fortunate enough to visit whilst the flowers are in bloom you will enjoy the heady scents and sight of rows of vibrant blue flowers on a walk through the fields. We will discover more about this typical provencal plant and its cleansing, soothing properties, partaking in a soap customisation workshop in the grounds on this family estate.
We then return to your hotel in Aix. Tonight, we dine at a renowned local restaurant. Begin the evening with a refreshing aperitif before savouring the exquisite flavours of the gourmet menu. Freshly prepared seasonal ingredients promise a truly memorable Provencal feast and our gastronomic experience will be completed with a selection of local wines.
Meals: Dinner
Day 8
DAY 8
Return home
What’s included
What’s not included
Additional information
Camargue Wetlands Cruise & Wildlife Spotting
Glide through shimmering lagoons as you cruise the Rhône Delta, a vast wetland alive with birdlife. Scan the reedbeds for pink flamingos and watch the white horses of the Camargue splash in shallows while herds of black bulls graze the salty marsh.
Hear tales of the Camargue’s gardians—Provence’s cowboys—and the migratory flyways that make this a sanctuary for more than 400 species. Departing near Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, the cruise reveals a raw, elemental landscape shaped by river, wind, and sea.
Arles Roman Heritage Walking Tour
Step into antiquity as you join a guided walking tour of Arles, exploring the mighty Arènes d’Arles amphitheatre, the Roman Theatre of Arles, and the storied Place du Forum. Sun-warmed stone and time-smoothed steps reveal a city layered with millennia of history.
Once a major power in Roman Gaul, Arles later enraptured Van Gogh; his starry nights and yellow café still echo through its lanes. Your guide weaves emperors, merchants, and artists into a vivid portrait of this UNESCO-listed treasure on the Rhône.
Luberon Mountains Scenic Drive & Hilltop Villages
Trace a tapestry of vineyards, orchards, and fragrant lavender fields on a scenic drive through the Luberon. Perched hilltop villages crown ridgelines, ochre-streaked slopes glow in the sun, and cypress rows point toward blue horizons.
Within the Luberon Regional Nature Park, dry-stone bories, terraced vines, and thyme-scented paths tell of centuries of rural craft. Artists have long chased this pure Provencal light; you’ll absorb it in panoramas that balance rustic charm with dramatic mountain contours.
Avignon City Visit & Palais des Papes
Explore the medieval heart of Avignon, circled by stout walls and defined by the monumental Palais des Papes. Stroll beneath stone battlements and admire views toward the Pont d’Avignon, where the Rhône glints below Avignon’s ramparts and tiled bell towers.
Hear how 14th-century pontiffs transformed the city into a seat of power and patronage. With time to delve deeper, those who wish may step inside the Palais des Papes to discover stark papal apartments and frescoed chapels that speak to an age of influence and intrigue.
Pont du Gard Roman Aqueduct Visit
Stand before the Pont du Gard, a 2,000-year-old marvel whose three-tiered arches stride the Gardon River. Hewn by Roman engineers without mortar, its golden limestone glows against olive groves and clear water.
Learn how this aqueduct once fed nearby Nîmes, channeling springs across valleys with astonishing precision. Wander riverside paths, contemplate ancient craftsmanship, and pause for photos and reflection at vantage points that reveal symmetry, scale, and the timeless grace of classical design.
Cassis Village Orientation by Petit Train
See Cassis from a delightful angle as you board the Petit Train for a relaxed orientation of this harbour town. Pastel facades, bobbing fishing boats, and café terraces frame views toward Cap Canaille, one of Europe’s tallest sea cliffs.
The tour threads narrow lanes and waterfront esplanades, capturing the village’s Riviera charm and luminous Mediterranean light. Your guide highlights coastal history, local fishing traditions, and the chalk escarpments that shelter Cassis’ sunlit bay.
Calanques Boat Tour from Cassis
Set sail to the Calanques from Cassis and trace a jagged coastline where chalk-white cliffs plunge into turquoise coves. Cameras love the play of light on limestone buttresses and the glassy water tucked into narrow inlets.
This protected national park shelters seabirds and fragrant pine groves clinging to crags above crystalline bays. Your captain steers into sheltered amphitheatres of rock, revealing natural cathedrals sculpted by wind, waves, and time.
Lavender Farm Visit & Soap-Making Workshop
Wander a Provencal family estate and stroll through blue lavender fields humming with bees. Learn the lore of this emblematic flower, from harvest to traditional distillation, and customise your own lavender-scented soaps with botanicals gathered on site.
Depending on the season, rows glow violet from late June into summer, their perfume carried on warm breezes. Hosts share centuries-old uses—cleansing, soothing, and uplifting—that anchor lavender at the heart of Provencal daily life.
Provençal Gourmet Dinner with Aperitif & Wine Pairing
Celebrate local cuisine as you enjoy a pre-dinner aperitif before a Provencal gourmet dinner at a celebrated restaurant. Courses might showcase daube simmered with herbs, garden vegetables glossed with olive oil, and sun-ripened fruit tarts, complemented by a regional wine pairing.
Conversation flows as vintages from nearby estates highlight rosemary, thyme, and citrus notes in the dishes. This is Provence at table—seasonal, convivial, and paced to savour the evening as the city’s shutters and squares exhale their gentle twilight.
Welcome Drink with Your Tour Manager
Begin your journey in style as you meet your Tour Manager and raise a welcome drink with fellow travellers. Get a friendly overview of the days ahead, local tips, and a sense of the region’s flavours and rhythms.
The relaxed gathering sets the tone for the tour, easing you into Aix’s café culture and sunlit ambiance. Connections are made, questions answered, and the group slips naturally into the Provencal mindset.
Organic Vineyard Tasting & Lunch near Aix
Taste Provence at its source as you sample regional wines at an organic vineyard framed by vines, olive trees, and cicada-song. Compare crisp rosés and aromatic whites before a leisurely Provencal lunch served among garrigue-scented hillsides, where rosemary and thyme perfume the breeze.
Learn how sustainable practices shape the character of AOP wines, from sunlit terraces to careful cellar work. Notes of wild herbs and citrus pair with seasonal dishes, creating a relaxed, countryside tableau that captures the region’s honest, sun-drenched cuisine.
Aix-en-Provence Guided Walking Tour
Discover Aix in the company of an expert as you join a guided walking tour along the plane tree-lined Cours Mirabeau and through the honey-stoned lanes of the Vieil Aix. Hear how the elegance of the City of a Thousand Fountains shaped daily life and inspired Paul Cézanne, whose spirit lingers in studios, markets, and sunlit squares.
Unpack layers of history from Roman spa town to medieval capital while admiring refined mansions and wrought-iron balconies. Glimpse the richly textured architecture around Saint-Sauveur Cathedral and pause at tinkling fountains, where limestone basins and mossy rims cool the Provencal air.
