Marseille, Aix en Provence & Les Baux de Provence — A Journey Beyond the Familiar

Marseille

For your added comfort, a Meet & Greet assistant will be waiting for you outside of airport customs, holding a sign with your name on it. They will help you to co-ordinate meeting up with your private driver and accompany you to your accommodation.. Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer.. A Welcome Package will be provided and will include any relevant documents or tickets required for your trip.. Overlooking Marseille’s historic Old Port, this Michelin-starred restaurant offers refined Mediterranean cuisine shaped by the seasons. Expect beautifully plated dishes, thoughtful flavour combinations, and an elegant atmosphere that highlights the vibrant setting outside. A wonderful choice for elevated dining with sweeping harbour views.

Accommodation: Intercontinental Marseille Hotel Dieu (B) (Classic Room)

Marseille

For your added comfort, a Meet & Greet assistant will be waiting for you outside of airport customs, holding a sign with your name on it. They will help you to co-ordinate meeting up with your private driver and accompany you to your accommodation.. Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer.. A Welcome Package will be provided and will include any relevant documents or tickets required for your trip.. Overlooking Marseille’s historic Old Port, this Michelin-starred restaurant offers refined Mediterranean cuisine shaped by the seasons. Expect beautifully plated dishes, thoughtful flavour combinations, and an elegant atmosphere that highlights the vibrant setting outside. A wonderful choice for elevated dining with sweeping harbour views.

Accommodation: Intercontinental Marseille Hotel Dieu (B) (Classic Room)

Marseille

Embark on an exciting private day trip encompassing two French Riviera favorites- vibrant Marseille and the ancient fishing port of Cassis. Meet your driver-guide at your hotel and travel south to the seaside town of Cassis. Drive along the scenic Corniche des Cretes road, stopping to admire sweeping, magnificent coastal views of the Gulf of Cassis from Cape Canaille. Head down to Cassis where you'll explore the charming fishing village, wandering along the gorgeous harbor, lined with colorful, pastel-painted houses. Enjoy some free time to browse the markets or perhaps scout out a seafront restaurant for a pause in your day. Later, rejoin your guide and hop aboard a shared cruise to discover the magnificent Calanques of Cassis, effectively the Riviera's version of scenic fjords. Be awed by the untamed nature as you glide past the jagged rock formations, soaring limestone cliffs, and tranquil inlets. Return to Marseille where your guide will take you on a relaxing sightseeing tour and see historic highlights of France's second-largest city, including the hilltop cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Garde, the 5th century Abbey of St Victor, the Old Port, and the stunning gardens and fountains of the Palais Longchamp.

Accommodation: Intercontinental Marseille Hotel Dieu (B) (Classic Room)

Marseille, Aix en Provence

Meet your private driver and vehicle for a transfer to Aix en Provence. Approximate travel time is 45 minutes.. Meet your guide for a half-day walking tour of Aix en Provence. Discover the fountains, the famous Cours Mirabeau, private mansions, and the places frequented by the painter Paul Cezanne. It is while along the Cours Mirabeau, decorated by fountains and 17th and 18th centuries private hotels, that you enter the heart of Aix en Provence. Discover the architectural wealth of the city through the Four Dolphins Fountain, the Preachers Fountain, Albertas, City Hall, and Cardeurs squares, as well as Saint Sauveur Cathedral.. Enjoy a free evening to follow your interests, whether you step out to explore or unwind at your hotel.

Accommodation: Le Pigonnet (B) (Superior Room), Marseille

Aix en Provence

Meet your private driver-guide and embark on a full day tour of Aix en Provence, focusing on famed former resident and Impressionist painter, Paul Cezanne. Begin with an enjoyable walking tour of the city, following in Cezanne’s footsteps. Begin at the Rue de l’Opera, passing his father’s hat workshop followed by the Cafe des Deux Garçons, and the Cafe Oriental (now Bistro Romain) where he met Joachim Gasquet for the first time. Next, see the Eglise de la Madeleine where Cezanne was christened, his school the Ecole St Joseph, Cezanne’s last home, the Church St Jean-Baptiste (where he married Hortense Fiquet), Saint Sauveur Cathedral, and many other sites associated with his life.  Continue with a drive along the road named after Paul Cezanne to the foot of Mount Sainte-Victoire. Pause here to admire the view of Chateau Noir, the Hills of St Joseph and the renovated Mill at le Tholonet. Continue to the Pont des Trois Sautets. It was here, along the banks of the Arc River that Cezanne and the young Zola went swimming and read poetry. Years later this setting provided inspiration for The Bathers .

Accommodation: Le Pigonnet (B) (Superior Room), Aix en Provence

Aix en Provence, Les Baux de Provence

Departing this morning with your private driver-guide, you'll transfer to Les Baux de Provence, making a stop in the ancient city of Arles en route, with numerous Roman relics. Upon arrival to Arles, marvel at the ruins of the impressive Arles Amphitheater. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 2,000-year-old structure formerly held up to 26,000 spectators in its prime. Outside of the town hall, you can spot a 4th-century Roman obelisk that was pulled from the River Rhone and erected in the middle of Place de la Republique. Check out the exterior of the 4th-century Baths of Emperor Constantine, and witness the ruins of the Roman Theater, even older than the Amphitheater, where stone has been impulsively stripped over time and for use in other projects throughout the city. Continue to Les Baux de Provence, named one of the most beautiful villages in France, largely due to its hilltop position and picturesque stone ruins of the upper old village and castle. Stroll through the quaint, narrow streets and picture the aura of 16th-century life here, when the village was thriving. End your day with a drop-off at your hotel.

Accommodation: Baumaniere (B) (Luxury Room), Aix en Provence

Les Baux de Provence

Setting out with your private driver-guide, head out into the Provencal countryside to visit a lavender processing factory. Here, immerse yourself in the pleasant aroma as you learn how the essential oils - with their effective antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties - are extracted from the plants. The lavender fields of Provence Spring into bloom for the balmy summer months of June and July each year, blanketing the region’s fields with a vivid violet color. Later in the afternoon, head along the beautiful Luberon Valley to discover one charming Provencal village after another. Admire the cliff-top settlements, sprawling vineyards, antique shops, and postcard-perfect sights along the way.

Accommodation: Baumaniere (B) (Luxury Room), Les Baux de Provence

Les Baux de Provence, Avignon

Meet your private driver-guide and transfer to Avignon. Upon arrival, you'll set out on a wonderful walking tour of the medieval city. Stroll narrow streets filled with history including the 1,100-year-old St. Peter's Church. Discover the iconic Pont d'Avignon, an iconic bridge which appears in nearly every picturesque photograph of this ancient city. Walk up to the Rock of the Doms to enjoy its public gardens and a panoramic view of the city. No visit of Avignon is complete without admiring the massive Palais des Papes (the papal palace), one of the most important Gothic buildings in all of Europe. In the afternoon, head to the UNESCO-listed town Orange where you'll discover Provence’s ancient roots. Home to a Roman amphitheater and a beautifully preserved 2,000-year-old Triumphal Arch, Orange has thousands of years of history to appreciate. Conclude your day back in Avignon.

Accommodation: La Mirande Hotel (B) (Deluxe Room), Les Baux de Provence

Avignon

Savor the essence of France’s famed Rhone Valley on a private journey through the celebrated vineyards of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. With your expert driver-guide, travel through a landscape of sun-drenched hills and storied wine estates, where centuries of tradition meet world-class viticulture. Enjoy privileged access to two renowned wineries, where you’ll walk among manicured vines, uncover the secrets of the region’s unique terroir, and indulge in curated tastings of exceptional vintages. As your tour comes to an end, enjoy a return transfer to your hotel.

Accommodation: La Mirande Hotel (B) (Deluxe Room), Avignon

Avignon, Marseille

Meet your private driver and vehicle for a transfer to Marseille Airport. Approximate travel time is 1 hour.