5-Day Private Provence Package: Avignon, the Luberon & Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Pick up at Aix en Provence train station or Marseille Provence airport and private transfer to your hotel in Aix en Provence. Enjoy some free time for personal discovery depending on time of arrival. Evening is at leisure in Aix en Provence.

Meet your English speaking local guide

In the morning, we will come and pick you up at your centrally located accommodation in Aix en Provence. We can also pick up from a centrally located meeting point if you are staying in a rental accommodation. Meet your English speaking driver/guide who will go over the itinerary and program of the day with you. Then board your premium A/C vehicle and begin your private tour led by a local guide.

Arles Town Visit

Upon arrival in Arles, it is possible to choose from different types of walking tours of this charming small town. Discover the Historic city of Arles, a fortified town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Participate in a walking tour of the historic center to visit the most emblematic monuments of the town including the Amphitheater, the Antique Theater or Saint Trophime church.

The Roman City & Sites

If History and Culture are of interest, then this option is the one you should choose. Arles underwent an urban revolution following the foundation of the Roman Colony of Arelate in 46 BP. Most of the Roman monuments that can be visited in Arles date back to the 1st Century. The Roman Amphitheater was built at the end of the 1st Century to the North of the town.

It is part of a general extension of Arles and was built at the same period of time as the baths. It is larger than the one located in Nîmes and could welcome up to 25.000 spectators. Antique Games will be held within until the fall of the Roman Empire.

The building of the Antique Theatre was requested by Emperor Auguste. It could welcome up to 10.000 spectators at a time. Only part of the Theater remains but it is still one of the most well preserved in France.

Used as a Theater until the beginning of the 5th century, it was then used as a quarry for the construction of the paleo-christian church of Saint Stephen. In the 17th century the famous Venus of Arles was discovered during early archeological digs.

The Roman Forum

Located at the intersection of the Cardo (north-south axis) and the Decumanus (east-west axis), the Roman Forum of Arles is made up of a great square of which only two fragments still exist. What is interesting about the Forum in Arles are the foundations as it is built on a cryptoporticus, which is a covered corridor or passageway.

The cryptoporticus were known to be used as storage areas in other towns but the one in Arles is, however, too damp for prolonged storage and may have served as a barracks for public slaves.

On the Footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh

If you are attracted to painting and wish to learn a bit more about the life of Van Gogh in Arles, then this option is perfect. During his stay in Arles between February 1888 and May 1889, Vincent Van Gogh executed about 300 paintings and drawings. The places in the city where the artist set up his easel are marked with panels representing his paintings. 

During this tour, your guide will take through the town of Arles on the footsteps of Van Gogh to show you the setting of where some of the most famous paintings of the artist were done. To enhance this tour, it is also possible to purchase the tickets to the Arles Van Gogh Foundation during the booking process.

Saint-Rémy de Provence

Along the way, before reaching the small village of St Remy, enjoy a photo stop on the Plateau des Antiques to admire the Roman triumphal arch and Mausoleum. Visit Saint-Paul de Mausole where Van Gogh stayed a year. This lunatic asylum is where the artist voluntarily admitted himself after his breakdown in December 1888 that resulted in the self mutilation of his left ear. It is during his stay here that he will achieve some of his most famous paintings including the starry night.

Arrive in Saint Remy de Provence, one of the prettiest villages of the area. The village is known to be a summer hot spot for chic parisians, yet it is still possible to find some quiet areas within the village, as there are many small squares scattered all over.  After the visit, free time for personal discovery and lunch. For your information, there is a beautiful Provence Market on Wednesdays.

Les Baux de Provence

Drive to the Alpilles mountain region that is famous for its vineyards and olive trees. Reach the medieval hilltop village of les Baux-de-Provence built on a rocky spur and from where you will have a breathtaking view of the surrounding Provence Countryside. Enjoy some free time to stroll and explore the narrow streets, Art galleries and the remains of a 10th century fortress.

Visit the Carrières de Lumières, a unique light and sound show in Europe located in an ancient limestone quarry where the natural 14 meter high limestone walls act like giant screens.

In the historic site of Les Baux de Provence in the heart of the Alpilles, the former quarries dug out by the hands of man since the Roman era today offer the visitor a magical world of entrancing images and music.

From these quarries was extracted the white limestone used to build Les Baux and its citadel. In the 19th century, industrial development increased the demand for building stone and Les Baux exploited a large number of quarries, including the Grands Fonds, today the Carrières de Lumières.

After the visit of Les Baux de Provence village, we will return to Aix en Provence.

Night at your hotel.

Breakfast at your hotel

9.00am Pick up at your hotel in Aix en Provence

Cassis village visit

Arrive in the fishing village of Cassis and discover this cute portside village as well as the calanques listed by Unesco as a world heritage national park. The land & sea area is known for its white cliffs and turquoise water. Follow your guide on a walking tour of the village so as to get your bearings.

As you stroll through the narrow streets of Cassis, browse small shops and stores that sell local goods of Provence, far from the chain stores that you would find in larger cities. If you are in the village on a Wednesday or Friday morning, your guide will certainly take you to the local market where it is possible to taste local delicacies.

Boat Ride in the Calanques National Park

This full day tour from Aix en Provence also includes a panoramic boat ride of the Calanques that are located near Cassis. From the small port, reach the Calanques National Park that stretches from Marseille to Cassis to admire some of the most beautiful coves part of the steep rocky coast that developed in limestone due to erosion. The result is a breathtaking landscape that mixes turquoise waters with impressive limestone cliffs and inlets.

Enjoy some free time for personal discovery & lunch (at own expense)

The great thing about this tour is that the program has been designed to leave you enough time to thoroughly enjoy your time in Cassis. After your visit & 45 minute boat ride, you will have sufficient time to take in some of that "Provence atmosphere" and lose yourself in the small quiet backstreets compared to the bustling harbor.

It will also be time for you to taste some of the local delicacies in one of the many restaurants or bistros of the village. Ask your guide for recommendations as there are a number of restaurants that serve fine meals. As you can imagine, fish & seafood are among the most popular dishes to be found in the village. 

Reach Cape Canaille, the highest cliff in Europe

No tour to Cassis will be complete without a drive along the Route des Crêtes. As you leave Cassis, your drive will begin to head up towards the highest sea cliff in all of Europe. Of course, your driver/guide will stop in one of the many areas dedicated to take in the views over the village and the surrounding Mediterranean Sea. The views are stunning and make for a great opportunity for astounding photos. 

Provence Rosé, red & white Wines

After the drive to Cap Canaille, it will be time for you to experience a wine tasting session in the Côtes de Provence - Sainte Victoire, an appellation that was created in 2005. The soil here is quite poor and is mainly formed of limestone and clay/sandstone.

This 'terroir' is ideal for the production of elegant rosé wines and robust and generous red wines. For the Provence Sainte Victoire Rosé and red wines, the main grape varieties used are Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah. Occasionally, other varietals can include Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan or Mourvèdre.

After a short drive, arrive at a carefully selected winery of the Côtes de Provence Sainte Victoire wine producing area. Here, the view is stunning with the Montagne Sainte Victoire in the back and limestone plateaus that are often planted with Olive trees.

Upon arrival, taste local Rosé wine and find out about the winery and the wine making process of this very popular wine. Depending on the winery visited, continue your tasting with reds and/or whites of the Appellation. 

Return to Aix en Provence

After your wine tasting session, it will be time to make our way back to Aix en Provence. Night at your hotel.

Meet your English speaking local guide

On this private full day small group tour, we will first come and pick you up at your accommodation in Aix en Provence. Meet your English speaking driver guide who will go over the itinerary and program of the day with you.

Drive to the Châteauneuf du Pape wine region where you will have several wine tasting sessions in carefully selected Châteauneuf du Pape wineries.

Châteauneuf du Pape Wine tour 

The Châteauneuf du Pape Appellation was one of 6 to be labeled as the first AOC wines of France in 1936. The vineyards planted by the Romans were extended and developed by the Pope's residing in Avignon popes during the 14th century.

In 1314, Clement V, the first Avignon Pope discovered the special soil of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. His successor, John XXII supports him and it was during his reign that the vineyard really took off and spread fame beyond the borders of “The Comtat”.

The former bishop of Avignon, Jacques Duèse was elected as Pope John XII and succeeded Clement V in 1316. He regularly drank the wines from the vineyards ‘in the north’ and did much to improve viticulture practices there.

The Pope sought a place sufficiently far from the city to discourage courtiers, sycophants, and scroungers, yet close enough so that a courier could go there and back to Avignon on the same day. The ideal spot was found on a hillock overlooking the Rhône Valley about halfway between Avignon and Orange – Châteauneuf – and this area was placed directly under his authority.

As you reach this famous wine producing region, discover the village and its ancient castle that was the summer residence of the Pope's during their stay in the area. Here, you will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view on the valley.

Morning Wine tasting session in a local Winery

The Chateauneuf du Pape wines are well known for their full bodied red wines made predominantly with different grape varieties such as Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre that are typical grapes that can be found in the southern vineyards of France. There are also some white Châteauneuf du Pape wines that are intensely perfumed. The grape varieties used for the white wines include Grenache Blanc, Rousannes, Clairette and Bourboulenc many of which are rustic french varietals.

Upon arrival in the village, it will be time to taste some of the local wines in a local winery. Then, you will have some free time to roam around and enjoy a wine tour of Chateauneuf du Pape wines in the old 14th century pope cellars. Depending on your wishes, it will be possible to taste more wines in the local wineries that your guide can point to.

Lunch in a local restaurant (at own expense)

After your morning Chateauneuf du Pape wine tour, it will be time for lunch. We can pre-book a restaurant for you and your party in a local restaurant. Why not enjoy the local food and pair it with more Chateau neuf du Pape red or white wines.

Afternoon wine tasting session in a local Winery

After lunch, experience your second Chateauneuf du Pape winery tour. Listen about the history of this unique domain, visit the installations and participate in a commented tasting of the wines of the estate.

Take the opportunity to ask about the wine making process, the different bledings that are possible and most of all learn about the large range of grape varieties that can be used to make this exceptional wines. 

After the wine tasting tour, we will take you back to Aix en Provence. Night at your hotel.

Breakfast at your hotel and return transfer from your hotel in Aix en Provence to TGV train station or Marseille airport. End of our services.