Notre Dame de Garde

Day 1

Marseille

Today you arrive by air via Paris or London. An English-speaking tour guide will arrive as well as private motorcoach, both of which will stay for the duration of the tour.

Expect a short orientation followed by a guided tour of the Old Port and the famous Jewish Quarter.

Next, visit Notre Dame de la Garde, a beautiful church that overlooks the entire city. Continue on to Aix-en-Provence.

Once in Aix, check in to the hotel and the rest of the evening is free.

During the summer months, stroll about the evening market on the Cours Mirabeau, or sip a café au lait at one of Aix’s famous cafés on the Cours, including Les Deux Garçons, frequented by Cezanne and Emile Zola. Enjoy a welcome dinner with the group.

Overnight, Aix-en-Provence.

Day 2

Aix-en-Provence

If it’s Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, spend the morning perusing Aix’s extensive market. If not, sleep in and meet later in the morning for a half-day walking tour of the Old Town. Entrance fees are included to the Atélier Paul Cézanne.

Enjoy another free evening. Try a world famous crêpe from Crêpes-à-Gogo, located underground near the Office du Tourisme, next to the magnificent fountain, La Rotonde.

Overnight Aix-en-Provence.

Day 3

Arles, Les Baux-de-Provence, St. Remy

After breakfast, enjoy a full day excursion to Arles to see the ancient Roman ruins including a large Amphitheater, the St. Trophime Cloister, as well as enjoying a lunch in the town that inspired some famous works by Van Gogh.

Next visit the charming towns of Les-Baux de Provence and St. Remy de Provence, considered amongst the most charming villages in the region.

Return to Aix-en-Provence to spend the rest of the evening at your leisure.

Consider going to the Office de Tourisme and doing a scavenger hunt to discover all of Aix’s famous fountains, including La Rotonde and Les Quatre Dauphins among others.

Overnight Aix-en-Provence.

Day 4

Avignon

Today you’ll take a full day tour of Avignon, seat of the papacy in the 14th century, Nimes, and the Pont du Gard with the tour director.

Enjoy a half-day city sightseeing tour in the motorcoach, led by the tour director. Entrance fees are included to the Papal Palace and the famous Pont d’Avignon or Avignon bridge. There will also be a stop on the tour at the Cathedrale Notre Dame des Dons.

After the visit there will be free time to visit the town, do a little shopping on Avignon’s main street, and lunch at a local restaurant.

Then continue on to Nimes via the Pont du Gard, a famous three-tiered Roman Aqueduct located near the town of Remoulins.

Once in Nimes, there will be a brief orientation with the tour director as well as an entrance-fee-included visit to the Roman Arena. Feel free to wander around the town in the early evening before returning to Aix-en-Provence.

Overnight Aix-en-Provence.

Day 5

Grand Canyon du Verdon and Lac de Ste. Croix

Full day excursion to the Grand Canyon du Verdon with the tour director. In nice weather, stopping at the absolutely stunning Lac de Ste. Croix will allow the chance to sunbathe or go out on the water in a rented boat. Be wary of swimming, the current is strong!

Drive back to Aix-en-Provence along the Corniche Sublime.

Once back in Aix enjoy a dinner with the tour director at a local restaurant with transportation to and from the hotel via motorcoach.

Overnight Aix-en-Provence.

Day 6

Cassis

Enjoy a visit by motorcoach to Cassis, a beautiful seaside town. In the summer enjoy basking in the sun on the sand beaches, or in colder weather, roam around the small shops to find provençal treasure, such as the linens, pottery, and famous quilts.

Weather permitting, one must take a boat tour of the Calanques which are much like Mediterranean fjords dug out of the limestone cliffs.

Return to Aix.

Overnight in Aix-en-Provence.

Gordes

Roussillon

Day 7

Gordes and Roussillon, Luberon

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Aix, but be ready to leave for an afternoon in the most beautiful region in the south of France, the Luberon, made famous in the U.S. by Peter Mayle’s best selling book, One Year in Provence.

The coach will stop in the village of Gordes, arguably the prettiest village in all of France. Enjoy a few hours for lunch and leisurely shopping.

The tour will continue then to the stunning village of Roussillon, located atop magnificent Ocre Cliffs. Entrance fees to the Quarry are included. It is said the soil of the village gets its hue from a woman who, forbidden to see her beloved, threw herself off the cliff and stained the ground red with her blood.

Return to Aix for your last night in Provence.

Overnight Aix-en-Provence.

Nice

Day 8

Nice

Leave Aix-en-Provence by motorcoach and travel to Nice via St. Tropez, the French residence of Johnny Depp, and Cannes, the home of the famous Cannes Film Festival.

After a stop in Cannes, the tour will continue on to Nice, where the rest of the evening will be spent at leisure after checking into the hotel.

Overnight Nice.

Day 9

Nice and Monaco

Enjoy a morning and early afternoon in Nice. There is much to explore in the city, and Nice is famous for its Bon Marché, aka finding very good French products which are relatively inexpensive.

This is a great day for souvenir shopping. Of course, strolling along the stone beach is also an option.

The afternoon will be spent in the principality of Monaco, home to the famous Monaco Grand Prix.

Enjoy a walking tour with the tour director. Watch the changing of the guards at the Monaco Palace, stroll through the magnificent Gardens that overlook the Mediterranean and visit the Aquarium, built directly on the side of a cliff.

Then enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant.

Return to Nice late in the evening.

Overnight Nice.

Day 10

Grasse

Mid-morning to afternoon visit to Grasse, one of the major homes of the French Perfume industry.

Visit a Perfume Factory with your tour guide and each lunch in town. Return to Nice and enjoy your late afternoon and evening.

Overnight Nice.

Day 11

Return home

Motorcoach services to return flight to US.

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