We Love —
- Escape to the breathtaking beaches and vibrant lavender fields of Provence for a spectacular 7-night self-driven tour.
- From historic Arles to sun-soaked Marseille and the wild plains of the Camargue, you're sure to fall in love with this magnificent destination.
- Throughout your stay, you'll enjoy a choice between three unique room types in a range of fantastic hotels, all of which include a delicious daily breakfast!
New Voyage Privé —
Carefully selected by our experts especially for you
Your Destination —
Further to the south is the Cote d'Azur (widely known as the French Riviera), where the elegant city of Nice and glamorous resort towns like Saint-Tropez and Cannes adorn the coast. From the Calanques of Marseille to the port of Saint-Tropez, the Mediterranean cannot fail to win over visitors with its sapphire waters and golden beaches.
The Ecrins National Park, the Queyras Natural Regional Park and the Maures mountain range all offer a maze of pathways ideal for hiking and walking. Head for the Gorges du Verdon for canoeing, rafting and other water sports, or peruse the many charming, traditional towns dotted throughout the region.
Food is a central part of this region’s culture, so make sure to sample some of the hearty mountain dishes like gratins and dauphinois, as well as the lighter dishes of Provençal and Mediterranean cuisine like ratatouille and bouillabaisse. For those with a sweet tooth, seek out some calissons (sweets made from almonds and melon), chocolate mendiants and local quince paste, and of course, a meal here wouldn’t be complete without a cold glass of one of the delicious local wines!
Your Itinerary In Brief —
Day 1: Arrival in Avignon
Day 2: Avignon - Isle of Sorgue - Roussillon - Gordes - Avignon
Day 3: Avignon - Baux de Provence - Arles
Day 4: Arles
Day 5: Arles - Marseille
Day 6: Marseille - Calanques - Marseille
Day 7: Marseille - Chateau La Coste - Aix en Provence
Day 8: Departure from Aix en Provence
Your Itinerary —
During their tour, our members will follow the itinerary as seen below.
Your discovery of Provence begins with the stay in Avignon; the capital of this beautiful sunny and colourful region. Your guide will greet you at the hotel and will explain the full tour program. Afterwards, they'll take you for a walking tour of the city that has kept a great Provençal charm. The great history of Avignon is linked to the popes who settled there in the 14th century. Visit the Popes' Palace and the Saint Benezet Bridge. Enter their palaces (not included) and discover a large number of anecdotes about the lives of the papal courts.
Day 2: Avignon - Isle of Sorgue - Roussillon - Gordes - Avignon
After breakfast, you'll take the road to the ochres of Roussillon. Here, you'll enjoy free time for lunch en route at the Isle of Sorgue. Arrive at the Path of the Ocres (tickets to be collected on site), and explore the canyon of Roussillon, the largest ochre deposit in the world. Then, discover Roussillon, classified among the "most beautiful villages in France" whose stones, roofs and facades offer a shimmering palette of colours with warm hues. On the way back, take the time to stroll through the perched village of Gordes.
After breakfast, depart for the heart of Provence! Make a first stop at St Rémy de Provence and the Moulin d'Alphonse Daudet before heading to the Baux de Provence, which has no less than 22 listed monuments. Enjoy an enchanting walk through the alleys and squares of this small citadel. At the exit of the city, the Careers of Light are the scene of magnificent shows. In the afternoon, head to Aigue Morte for an unforgettable adventure; a safari in the very wild Camargue. Hop on board a 4x4 and let yourself be carried by your guide who will pass on the complexity and passion for this delta. Off the beaten track, discover the wild horses and bulls, the ponds, the marshes, the reed beds, and the social and agricultural life of the region. You can even admire the flight of flamingos. In the evening head towards Arles.
Day 4: Arles
After breakfast, take a stroll through the centre of Arles. Stroll through the small streets, lined with charming squares and shops with local produce, and let yourself be immersed in the Provençal spirit. Visit the amphitheatre, which is a remnant of Roman antiquity, and admire the Place de la République and the obelisk, which dates back to the 4th century. Pass the Hôtel-Dieu where Vincent Van Gogh stayed during his visit to Arles.
After breakfast, depart for the oldest city in France, which was founded by the Greeks; Marseille! For the morning program, enjoy an original tour of the city by electric bike with a guide. See both off-the-beaten-track locations and the city's main attractions. Explore the Old Port district, the Belgian wharf and the iconic Canebière, the cradle and heart of the city. Then, visit Our Lady of the Guard, which is also known for its 360-degree panorama of the city and its islands. Spend free time to discover Marseille's rich culinary heritage through a tasting of regional wines and salted cheeses. Try tasty traditional snacks such as a fried panisse from a local artisan.
Day 6: Marseille - Calanques - Marseille
After breakfast, depart for Cassis, where you can immerse yourself in the warm atmosphere of this small fishing port, surrounded by vineyards and small terraces lined up under the warm-coloured houses. Then, embark on a magical cruise and explore the most remote corners of the Calanques Nature Park. From the sea, admire a succession of cliff-lined fjords and the sumptuous landscapes of this exceptional Mediterranean site. In the afternoon, spend free time in the city centre.
After breakfast, head to Châteaux La Coste for a guided tour of French Art and Architecture (meet with the guide on site at 10 am). Château La Coste is an estate of vineyards where wine, art and architecture live in harmony and celebrate the beauty of Provence. Artists and architects were invited and encouraged to choose a place in the landscape that spoke directly to them and had the freedom to create a work that would live there. Discover through wooded hills and valleys, along olive groves and vineyards, many contemporary art installations on your way. Château LaCoste, is a winery and an extraordinary centre of contemporary art with works by the greatest contemporary architects, Frank Ghery (Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Brands of Riscal, New York Tower, Louis Vuitton Paris Foundation and other tanst), Tadao Ando (Poly Center Shanghai, Dogana Venice, Naoshima Island, Sapporo Buddha Hill) or Jean Nouvel (Louvre Abu Dhabi, Philarmonie Paris, Agbar Tower, Chirac Quai Branly Museum) and a luxury hotel. Along a route through the beautiful vineyards are works by different artists. A superb Music Pavilion created regularly welcomes artists and musical concerts. Created by Irish collector Paddy Mc Mullen, the project transforms Château La Coste's winery into a contemporary art centre. Guest artists and architects have carte blanche to create an artistic work on the site of their choice. For lunch, rest in one of 4 restaurants (Le Tadao Ando, La Terrasse, Francis Mallmann famous Argentine Chef, Vila La Coste). In an exceptional setting they will offer you inventive cuisine according to your desires, with fresh seasonal products mostly from local producers as well as their vegetable garden. Continue on the road to Aix en Provence. Visit the beautiful city of Aix, the darling of Paul Cézanne, in complete freedom. Stroll through the charming alleyways of the old town and discover 18th century houses, authentic fountains and bustling squares. The cathedral is quite unique, mixing 1st century Roman columns with exceptional works of art. Finally, visit Cézanne's famous studio and discover the history of the place, the artist's daily life and the influence of his painting for the artistic currents that followed.
Day 8: Departure from Aix en Provence
After breakfast, take the road back home or head to the airport for your return flight.
Your Tour Hotels —
Our members will stay at the following hotels in a Standard Room, Superior Double Room or Superior Triple Room, all of which include a delicious daly breakfast.
Your Hotels
Arles: 2-night stay at the Hotel Arles Plaza 4*
Marseille: 2-night stay at the Hotel NH Collection Marseille 4*
Aix en Provence: 1-night stay at the Golden Tulip Aix en Provence 4*
Superior Triple Rooms Sleep up to
Please note: the bed for the 3rd guest sharing is likely to be a sofa bed or camp style bed. If any of these hotels are not available, hotels of a similar standard will be found.
Please note that due to the current global health pandemic (COVID-19), certain restaurants and buffets may be closed or places and tables may be limited. We strongly recommend that you contact the hotels for further information two days before your arrival.
Please note that due to the current global health pandemic (COVID-19), the cultural, leisure and wellness activities, as well as the outdoor swimming pools at these hotels may be closed or limited in terms of access. We advise you to contact the hotels or the tourist office two days before your arrival.
Your Journey —
Flights: The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Car Hire: For the freedom to explore your destination at your own pace, Sixt car hire may be added at the next stage of the booking process for an additional fee (flight inclusive offers only - subject to availability and Sixt office opening times upon your arrival).
Please note: Car hire is not included in this offer. Guests can either book Sixt car hire as explained above or use their own car to explore Provence.