Toulon Shore Excursion Provence Wine Tour private

Embark on a vibrant Shore Excursion from Toulon Port of Call to Visit the City of Marseille!

Meet your English speaking local guide

Today, your meeting point will be directly at your ship in Toulon Cruise Port. Meet your English speaking private guide who will go over the itinerary and program of this private full-day Provence tour with you.

Then board your premium A/C vehicle and begin to make your way to the Cassis wine region where you will partake in a wine tasting session of Provencal wines. As you return, stop in the Bandol wine appellation for another wine tasting session.

Reach the seaside village of Cassis

Well known for its Calanques national park (small limestone inlets) beaches, and beautiful port overlooked by a medieval chateau. Enjoy some free time in the village to have lunch, and stroll around the colorful narrow streets. If time permits, it is possible to take a boat tour to admire the fascinating Calanques.

Cassis was one of the first in the region established as an Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP) in 1936. The village is one of the few local appellations comprising a single, tiny commune. While most nearby appellations were originally cultivated by Greek outposts, Cassis is based on Ligurian origins.

Blessed by 3,000 hours of annual sunshine, cool maritime winds and the freshening effects of the Mistral, the wine region is truly a spot set aside for gorgeous Cassis Whites. This is the only region in Provence to produce a majority of white wines, regulated to contain at least 80% Marsanne. This varietal adds beautiful aromatics and finesse, an elegant profile for the refreshing, high-quality white wines of Cassis.

Clairette is also a common component, adding fresh acidity to balance the body of Marsanne. A touch of red wines and a strong showing of rosé wines are also cultivated in Cassis – blends of Cinsault, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. Enjoy visiting a domain with the tasting of local wines.

Arrive in Bandol and taste more wines

After your exploration of Cassis, your shore trip will continue heading to Bandol. If time permits, your driver guide might make a stop in Le Castellet just for the view. The village of Bandol is a popular coastal town and wine growing region in the western part of the Cote d'Azur. Your visit to Bandol will start by a local wine tasting. 

The Bandol vineyard lies in a natural amphitheater where the vines are planted on terraces over approximately 1,600 hectares. Sheltered by the massif of Sainte Baume to the North culminating at 1,147 metres, the Bandol vineyard descends in terraces towards the sea in a magnificent amphitheater of wooded hills.

Bold red wines

The expression of the terroir comes together in the range of wines produced in the area: red wines, white wines and rosé wines. Bandol is a resolutely red wine, mainly produced from the Mourvèdre variety, known as the king of the appellation. Mourvèdre is the chief grape variety in the blend (50% to 95%). It is harmoniously combined with Grenache and Cinsault, the former bringing generosity to the wine, the latter giving it refinement.

Elegant white wines of Bandol

To penetrate the secret of Bandol, one must also taste its white wines. The wine-growers take delight in surprising wine lovers with this type of wine, produced in very low quantities. Clairette, Ugni Blanc and Bourboulenc are the base of the varietal mix.

Gourmand rosé wines

Bandol rosés are enchanting. Their roundness and generosity make them different from other rosé wines. Mourvèdre, Grenache and Cinsault combine to give, by direct pressing, a well-structured, refined, pale-coloured wine with delicate salmon hues.

After your tour, you will be driven back to your cruise ship and that will be then end of your Toulon shore excursion and the end of our services.