Provence, Marseille & St Tropez

Ferry to Calais and overnight stay in the Reims area on a bed and breakfast basis.

Provence, Marseille & St Tropez

After breakfast, we continue our scenic journey through France, stopping in the charming village of Chablis for lunch at your leisure before arriving in central France for our second overnight stay.

Provence, Marseille & St Tropez

We continue to our hotel in Toulon, stopping en-route in Avignon for lunch at your leisure and a little free time. This striking, historic city was once the seat of the Catholic Popes in the Middle Ages – be sure to visit the unique Palais des Papes in Avignon’s ancient quarter, one of the largest medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. There are also beautifully preserved ramparts, old alleyways, mansion-lined streets, lively squares and the famous Pont d’Avignon to explore.

Provence, Marseille & St Tropez

Enjoy free time in our base of Toulon, a vibrant city known for its beautiful sandy beaches and lively cultural scene. The city’s Old Town, Le Mourillon, is characterised by narrow streets and colourful markets, while the waterfront provides stunning views of the harbour and the shimmering blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. You may also like to catch the cable car to the summit of Mont Faron for spectacular views over the city and coastline.

Provence, Marseille & St Tropez

Enjoy free time in our base of Toulon, a vibrant city known for its beautiful sandy beaches and lively cultural scene. The city’s Old Town, Le Mourillon, is characterised by narrow streets and colourful markets, while the waterfront provides stunning views of the harbour and the shimmering blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. You may also like to catch the cable car to the summit of Mont Faron for spectacular views over the city and coastline.

Provence, Marseille & St Tropez

We start the day at the vibrant Bandol Market, which stretches along the town’s picturesque promenade and offers a wonderful immersion into the sights, sounds and scents of Provence. Browse through the stalls of regional specialities, baked goods, handmade crafts and souvenirs before we head to our next destination.

Cassis is a lovely fishing town, overlooked by a centuries-old château. We stop here for lunch at your leisure, with time to explore the harbour and stroll down the esplanade, with its pastel-coloured buildings, small cobblestone passageways, gorgeous boutiques and restaurants. Fans of seafood will be in their element, with the freshest catch of the Côte d’Azur available. This is the perfect opportunity to book a table at a harbourside brasserie, sit back and enjoy the views with a chilled glass of local cassis, the blackcurrant liqueur that lends its flavour to a kir royale. While in Cassis, we strongly recommend our optional boat cruise along the coastline known as the Calanques, a stunning national park of striking white cliffs, limestone caves and clear waters.

Full day

Provence, Marseille & St Tropez

We start this exciting day of sightseeing in Grasse, the world’s perfume capital. Located in the hills of the French Riviera, Grasse’s history is as rich and layered as the fragrances that waft through its streets. Explore this picturesque town at your leisure, with its vibrant fields of flowers, charming medieval streets and stunning vistas.

In the afternoon, we head to one of the most well-known spots on the French Riviera, famed for its international film festival – Cannes. The name is synonymous with glamour, luxury and the finest in cinematic artistry. Stroll along La Croisette, the city’s iconic boulevard lined with palm trees, high-end boutiques and grand hotels. Cannes is not only a playground for the elite but also a city rich in culture, with historic sites like the Le Suquet district, offering panoramic views and a glimpse into the old-world charm of the Côte d’Azur.

Provence, Marseille & St Tropez

We make our way to Aix-en-Provence, a city of art and light and the birthplace of Post-Impressionist painter, Paul Cezanne. Nestled in the heart of Provence, this historic city is famed for its thermal hot springs and picturesque Old Town. Stroll through the bustling markets, admire the elegant fountains and immerse yourself in the quintessential Provencal way of life. There is time for lunch at your leisure before we return to our hotel for dinner.

Provence, Marseille & St Tropez

Travel to our overnight hotel in France, with a light evening meal included.

Provence, Marseille & St Tropez

After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and head back to Calais for our return journey home.

Explore Bandol’s lively quayside as you browse the quayside market for olives, tapenade, lavender, cheeses and fresh breads. Stalls spill along the harbour, perfumed by thyme and rosemary while fishing boats rock gently at their moorings—an inviting scene of everyday Mediterranean life.

Discover the character of Bandol AOC wines, shaped by the sun and the Mourvèdre grape, and meet local producers proud of their terroir. The setting blends coastal sparkle with Provencal abundance, perfect for tasting and people-watching under the sails of striped awnings.

Walk Cassis’s pastel harbour to admire fishing boats, café terraces and lanes scented with sea spray and citrus. Beyond the quay, views stretch to the ochre cliffs of Cap Canaille, a dramatic backdrop to this compact, photogenic port.

Soak up a Riviera tempo rooted in maritime tradition and framed by the nearby calanques of white limestone. Charming boutiques and stone passageways invite unhurried wandering as you pause for photos and reflection beside the glittering water.

Stroll the elegant Cours Mirabeau, where plane trees shade grand mansions, fountains murmur and market stalls brim with Provencal colour. Slip into honey-stoned lanes to find bakeries, bookshops and sunlit squares that define the city’s easy rhythm.

Connect with the legacy of Paul Cézanne and the light that inspired him, as fountain-studded squares and carved facades reveal centuries of prosperity. This is Aix at its most authentic—art, architecture and the Provencal art de vivre in harmonious balance.

Visit Avignon’s walled heart to wander the cobbles around the soaring Palais des Papes and gaze toward the story-laden Pont d’Avignon. Cafés cluster in shaded squares while Gothic spires rise above lively streets.

Learn how Avignon became the seat of the papacy in the 14th century, shaping Europe’s politics and culture. Intact medieval ramparts and grand stone palaces speak of power, piety and Provencal pride—a compact city rich in atmosphere and history.

Wander Chablis’s stone-built lanes beside the Serein River, where timbered houses and a graceful church evoke medieval Burgundy. Artisan shops, little bridges and quiet squares make this wine village irresistibly photogenic.

Sense the legacy of Chardonnay shaped by Kimmeridgian marl as you view the Grand Cru slopes above town. Discussions of vineyards and limestone terroir fill the air, revealing why Chablis has long been a benchmark for crisp, mineral-driven wines.

Board a coastal launch in Cassis to cruise the calanques, slipping into narrow inlets carved between turquoise coves and towering limestone cliffs. The boat noses beneath pale rock walls, revealing hidden beaches, sea caves and pine-clad headlands.

Witness the raw beauty of Calanques National Park from the best vantage—on the water—where seabirds wheel and the sea turns glass-clear. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, with sailing subject to local conditions.

Discover the fragrance lore of the perfume capital of Grasse, where jasmine and May rose long shaped a storied craft. Meander medieval lanes, browse elegant parfumerie boutiques and inhale the floral notes that drift through sunlit squares.

Continue to Cannes to stroll the palm-lined La Croisette, admire the Palais des Festivals, and ascend Le Suquet for Riviera views over the bay. This cultural outing is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Cruise the Gulf of Saint-Tropez from Sainte-Maxime, gliding past pine-fringed headlands and sleek yachts before docking beside the Vieux Port. Step ashore to wander cobbled lanes and sun-washed facades, continuing to the plane-shaded Place des Lices where café terraces and pétanque courts capture Riviera life.

Absorb the town’s shift from fishing village to artists’ haunt and style icon, or ascend to the Citadel of Saint-Tropez for sweeping sea views. Arriving by sea heightens the romance—salt on the breeze, light on the water, and the harbour unfolding ahead.