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Stunning Provence: An in-depth discovery of its cultural sites and magnificent landscapes

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All of Provence in 10 days including numerous must-sees and 3 national parks!
During this self-drive tour, we will take you to the vibrant Marseille, the charming Aix-en-Provence and the historic Avignon, as well as to the largest canyon in Europe and many other exceptional heritage sites. You will have the opportunity to indulge in outdoor & cultural activities, while enjoying a high quality of service in the hotels on your itinerary.  All these ingredients combine to give you a taste of the authentic life of the south of France in the heart of Provence! 
This tour can be done with a chauffeur-driven car or can be tailor made to meet your specific needs.

stunning provenceday1DAY 1: EXPLORE FRANCE’S OLDEST CITY
Arrival at Marseille Airport or train station and collect your rental car. After checking into your hotel, explore this colourful city on the Mediterranean coast that, with its 2600 years of history, is France’s oldest city. Visit the characteristic district of Le Panier and along a walkway reach the Fort Saint Jean and the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations (MuCEM), an extraordinary mix of old and new. As the sun goes down, relax with a good pastis on the Vieux-Port, the vibrant heart of the city and have an al fresco dinner in this fascinating setting.
Stages: Marseille
What to see: Marseille
Where to stay: 1 night at La Residence du Vieux Port **** or Le Petit Nice *****

stunning provenceday2DAY 2: HALF-DAY SEA CRUISE INTO THE AMAZING CALANQUES
Wake up in Marseille and get ready for a private cruise with our skipper Laurence, in the national park of the Calanques, with its stunning scenery of limestone creeks and crystalline waters. You will be visiting extraordinary hidden coves only accessible by boat and will be swimming in beautiful, clear waters. After this surprising experience, your journey to the very heart of Provence can start. Direction : Les Baux de Provence.
Stages: Marseille - Les Baux de Provence 88 km
What to see: Marseille, Les Baux de Provence
Where to stay: 4 nights at Mas de l’Oulivié **** or Benvengudo **** - Les Baux de Provence

stunning provenceday3DAY 3: LES ALPILLES
The Alpilles national park boasts an untamed natural environment and proudly preserved traditions. There you may stroll in the middle of mountains covered in scrubland, pine and oak forests, with verdant plains which delight the eye at regular intervals. Perched on a rocky plateau and surrounded by this wonderful landscape, Les Baux de Provence is an ideal base from which to discover this unique region. Visit Saint Remy de Provence, the charming and typically Provençal village that inspired the works of the famous painter Vincent van Gogh. Go horse riding through the pine forests and olive plantations or visit an olive oil mill and participate in a cooking session based on the use of olive oil with the famous chef Fabien Morréale.
What to see: Les Baux de Provence, Saint Remy de Provence, Les Alpilles National Park

stunning provenceday4DAY 4: AVIGNON AND A RHONE WINE TOUR
Let yourself be captivated by this fascinating medieval city to where, for several decades in the 14th century, the Pope Clemente V moved his court. Visit the Unesco heritage sites of Le Palais des Papes and the St-Bénézet medieval bridge, the subject of the famous song Sur le Pont d’Avignon! Now move on towards the countryside to the north of Avignon, the region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape where during the papal schism, the Avignon Popes encouraged the development of viticulture. There, Paul our expert guide will take you for an amazing, relaxing wine tasting tour.
Stages: Les Baux de Provence – Avignon - Châteauneuf-du-Pape 48 km
What to see: Avignon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

stunning provenceday5DAY 5: THE LUBERON AND ITS HILL-TOP VILLAGES
The Luberon is a fascinating region: spectacular countryside of vineyards and orchards, fascinating perched hill-top villages, outstanding natural produce. At your own rhythm, you can stroll around in the cool air rising from the springs at Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. Surrounded by beautiful lavender fields, the ancient Cistercian Abbey of Notre-Dame de Sénanque lies just a few kilometres from the renowned village of Gordes. You will be seduced by this hill-top village dominated by its fortified castle and church and its cobbled streets with enchanting views over the valley and the hills. You will then visit Roussillon, located in the very heart of the biggest ochre deposits in the world, which is one of the most beautiful villages of France. Discover its flamboyant colours wandering its narrow streets, squares and steps where men have long worked in harmony with nature. And why not explore the ochre-coloured hills in a horse-drawn carriage with Olivier? A friendly and sustainable way to discover the natural and cultural heritage of the Luberon!
Stages: Les Baux-de-Provence - Fontaine-de-Vaucluse - Abbey of Sénanque, Gordes- Roussillon 86 km
What to see: The Luberon, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, Abbey of Sénanque, Gordes, Roussillon

stunning provenceday6DAY 6: ON THE ROAD TOWARDS GREOUX-LES-BAINS
Take your time and get ready to explore another part of this incredible region, The Alps of Haute Provence. Along the way to your next hotel in Gréoux-les-Bains, you will certainly be struck by the fascinating villages of Forcalquier and Manosque surrounded by attractive traditional Provençal landscapes of lavender and olives. Here we invite you to live a unique adventure: embark on a hot-air balloon ride for an unforgettable flight over the mountains of Lure and the Luberon.
Stages: Les Baux-de-Provence – Forcalquier – Manosque – Gréoux-les-Bains 158km
What to see: East of Luberon, Forcalquier, Manosque
Where to stay: 3 nights at Villa Borghese **** - Gréoux-les-Bains or Le Couvent des Minimes Hotel&Spa ***** - Mane

stunning provenceday7DAY 7: THE LAVENDER PLATEAU IN THE ALPS OF HAUTE PROVENCE
The self-drive tour brings you now to the famous Valensole plateau with its fields of ever-changing shades of purple lavender and of golden wheat. Discover Lake Sainte Croix du Verdon, where you can enjoy sailing, swimming, windsurfing, or pedalo and canoe-kayak on its emerald green waters.
Stages: Gréoux-les-Bains – Valensole – Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon 37 km
What to see: Valensole, Lake Sainte Croix du Verdon

stunning provenceday8DAY 8: THE VERDON GORGES, THE LARGEST CANYON IN EUROPE
Start your day visiting one of the most beautiful villages of France, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Located in an exceptional setting, surrounded by the Verdon Gorges, Lake Sainte Croix and the lavender fields of Valensole, this village is known all over the world for its uniquely refined decorated ceramics. You will have the opportunity to visit Christine’s workshop, an earthenware manufacturer, where you will practice decoration on draft materials, before painting your own plate.
You are now at the entrance to the Verdon Gorges, a spectacular 50km-long canyon that reaches up to 700m in depth in places, a result of limestone erosion of the plateaus of Haute Provence by the Verdon river. Take advantage of the many opportunities to go hiking, kayaking, canyoning or rock climbing.
Stages: Gréoux-les-Bains – Moustiers-Sainte-Marie – La Palud-sur-Verdon 55 km
What to see: Moustiers Sainte Marie, Gorges of Verdon

stunning provenceday9DAY 9: AIX-EN-ROVENCE, THE JEWEL OF PROVENCE
As the last stop on your tour, you can’t miss this city rich in heritage, art, culture and education. Aix enjoys an exceptional geographic location and the picturesque charm of the surrounding villages will pleasantly surprise you, as well its magnificent landscape immortalized by painters such as Cezanne, Picasso and Kandinsky. Discover the beauty of this city by strolling around its labyrinth of narrow streets and thousand fountains on a tour with our qualified guide Arthur. You’ll be visiting The Cathedral, Hotel de Ville, Cours Mirabeau, the roman remains and many other secret spots.
Stages: Gréoux-les-Bains – Aix-en-Provence 56 km
What to see: Aix-en-Provence
Where to stay: 2 nights at Aquabella Hotel&Spa **** or Renaissance Hotel ***** - Aix-en-Provence






stunning provenceday10DAY 10: AIX: GOURMET, FASHION AND SPA
Start your day with a visit to the Provençal market where you can find plenty of local specialities such as macarons, calissons, goat’s cheeses, olive oil, honey and fantastic local wines. Go shopping in the fashion boutiques of this “mini-Paris” or relax in the Spa of your hotel built on ancient roman natural springs and swim in its outdoor pool at the foot of the ramparts.
What to see: Aix-en-Provence



DAY 11: END OF YOUR TRIP
According to your scheduled flight or train back home, drop off your rental car at Marseille Airport or train station.
PRICE DETAILS
Starting from US$ 3725 per person
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Standard double room - 4**** hotels accommodation
Bed and breakfast board from day 2 to day 11
Car rental from day 1 to day 11: group D with unlimited kilometres
The following guided activities mentioned in the itinerary:
Day2: private cruise in the Calanques
Day3: horse riding or visit to an olive oil mill
Day4: wine tour
Day5: horse-drawn carriage
Day6: hot-air balloon ride
Day8: visit to a faience workshop
Day9: guided tour of Aix-en-Provence
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
International flights or trains
5***** accommodation upgrading
Meals
Fuel costs, additional driver fee
All the activities not mentioned in “INCLUDED IN THE PRICE”
Personal expenses
Cancellation and repatriation insurances, all-risks coverage
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Destination

france provence

PRICE DETAILS

Starting from US$ 3725 per person
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