Highlights
- Experience 1960s film locales and tour Saint-Tropez vineyards in a vintage car
- Sample Provençal delicacies in the idyllic towns of Antibes and Saint-Paul de Vence
- Relax on two private cruises, sailing along the Riviera and to the Lérins Islands
- Tour the lavender fields of the Luberon and see the views that inspired Chagall
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Nice, Champagne Sunset Cruise Around the Coast | Nice |
| Day 2 | Guided Tour of Monaco & the Riviera, Gardens & Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild | Nice |
| Day 3 | Full-Day Adventure on the Coast: Cannes, Antibes & Saint-Paul de Vence | Nice |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Saint-Tropez, Vintage Driving Tour & Wine Tasting | Saint-Tropez |
| Day 5 | Full-Day Sailing Cruise to the Lérins Islands | Saint-Tropez |
| Day 6 | Saint-Tropez Gourmet Market Tour, Afternoon Beach Club Experience | Saint-Tropez |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Aix-en-Provence via Cassis, Calanques de Cassis Kayaking | Aix-en-Provence |
| Day 8 | Discover the Villages of the Luberon & Provence's Lavender's Fields | Aix-en-Provence |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Marseille, City Walking Tour, Michelin Dinner at Une Table au Sud | Marseille |
| Day 10 | Depart Marseille |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Nice, Champagne Sunset Cruise Around the Coast
Bienvenue en France! Your flight lands in Nice, a chic port town at the northern end of the French Riviera. The city earned its nickname, Nissa La Bella (Nice the Beautiful), for its artistic spirit, grand plazas, and crescent-shaped pebble beaches. You'll be met by your driver and transferred to your 5-star hotel, Le Negresco, whose doors have been welcoming the international jet set since 1913 and whose guests have included Salvador Dalí, Princess Grace of Monaco, Elton John, and The Beatles.
Check in, and you'll find the hotel's artistic opulence mirrored in the individual design of each room or suite. Expect a joyous mix of eras and styles with an extensive collection of works of art from the 17th century to contemporary and ornate period furnishings throughout the hotel. After a refresh, waste no time exploring Nice's chic, colorful Vieille Ville (Old Town), whose streets are lined with pastel-colored buildings, cafés and boutiques.
You'll ease in gently to the Riviera lifestyle this evening with a private cruise around the Mediterranean coastline. Head to the harbor, where you'll be met by your skipper and welcomed onto your catamaran. Your only task for the rest of the evening is to sip Champagne and admire the sunset over the Baie des Anges and the twinkling lights of the Côte d'Azur.
Day 2: Guided Tour of Monaco & the Riviera, Gardens & Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Spend today touring the best of the Riviera's enchanting hilltop villages and landmarks with your private driver and guide. Your first stop is Èze, a medieval village nicknamed "the eagle's nest" for its position at a rocky outcrop. Stroll the corkscrew cobbled streets to the top of the town, and you'll find the castle ruins and an exotic garden, home to a striking collection of cactuses and succulents. En route to Monaco, you'll pass through La Turbie to see the landmark Trophy of Augustus, a 164-foot-high (50 m) monument dedicated to the Roman Emperor.
Eventually, you'll reach Monaco—one of the world's smallest countries. There's plenty to explore here, not least in Le Rocher (the medieval Old Town), where you'll find the Prince's Palace, St. Nicholas Cathedral, and the Oceanographic Museum. Your guide will share snippets of history and anecdotes about the dynasty that's reigned here for dozens of years, and you'll finish with a visit to the Monte Carlo district to see the legendary casino and Prince Rainer's car collection.
Continue your exploration of the French Riviera with a trip to the Rothschild Villa Ephrussi and Gardens, a magnificent palace with 19th-century pink facades surrounded by nine gardens. With themes ranging from Japanese, Florentine, Provençal, and Rose, you can either spend a couple of hours wandering the gardens at your own pace or with a private guide. Afterward, you'll return to your hotel in time for dinner.
Day 3: Full-Day Adventure on the Coast: Cannes, Antibes & Saint-Paul de Vence
Known for its annual film festival, gorgeous beaches, and chic boutiques, Cannes epitomizes the luxury and glamour of the French Riviera. You'll start your full-day private tour of the coast with a visit to the city's Old Port, the entry point to Cannes' historic center, the Suquet. Built on a hill, the labyrinthine medieval streets lead to sweeping views of the coast. Pop into any designer shops you've had your eye on, then continue along the coast to Antibes, a typical Provençal market town home to the Picasso Museum, which chronicles the artist's famous 1946 stay in Château Grimaldi.
The art theme continues with a visit to Saint-Paul de Vence, a medieval walled town known for its contemporary art museums and residents, including the artists Picasso and Marc Chagall, French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, and American writer James Baldwin. Don't miss the 17th-century Saint Charles-Saint Claude chapel, which in 2012 was decorated with murals by French artist Paul Conte. Stop for a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants, where you'll find regional delicacies, including Provençal stew, aioli, and anchoïade, a delicious anchovy dip.
After a full day of exploring, you'll return to your hotel late afternoon, where you can either relax with an apéritif on the terrace or enjoy a predinner dip in the pool.
Day 4: Transfer to Saint-Tropez, Vintage Driving Tour & Wine Tasting
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Follow in the footsteps of famous French actor Louis de Funès today, whose 1964 comedy "Les Gendarmes à Saint-Tropez" stormed the box office and has remained a cult favorite. You'll embark on a private tour of the region's wine estates in either a vintage Citröen 2CV or an open-top Mehari, both made mythical by the actor during the sixties. Accompanied by a sommelier, you'll drive by the Gendarmerie of Saint-Tropez and head to Château de Pampelonne, a renowned local vineyard where you'll enjoy a wine tasting and tour of the vineyards.
Hop back in the car, and your next stop is the Domaine de la Madrague winery, situated near Gigaro Beach in La Croix Valmer (another of the film's iconic locations.) Known for its organic methods, you'll taste several varietals and hear about the estate's wine production and how the grapes are cultivated according to ancient farming methods.
Toward the end of the afternoon, you'll return to the port, where your driver will transfer you to your 5-star La Bastide de Saint-Tropez hotel. Situated a few minutes from the beaches of Ramatuelle, La Bastide is an elegant Mediterranean mansion with four luxurious Provençal farmhouses built around a heated pool and enclosed in an oasis of palm trees and exotic plants. Spend the remainder of the afternoon poolside, head to the beach, or explore Saint-Tropez.
Day 5: Full-Day Sailing Cruise to the Lérins Islands
Spend the day soaking in the Mediterranean sunshine on a full-day private sailboat outing. Your destination is the famous Lérins Islands and the twin islands of Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat, the two largest of this group of four emerald islets. Renowned for their rocky beaches and eucalyptus-scented forests, the islands also boast several historical and cultural sites. Sainte-Marguerite is home to the 17th-century Fort Royal, which housed the infamous "Man in the Iron Mask" for 11 years, while Saint-Honorat is known for its expansive 11th-century Cistercian monastery, Lérins-Abbey.
Whether you choose to explore the islands or spend the day swimming in the crystalline waters, don't miss a visit to La Tonnelle on Saint-Honorat, a gorgeous lunchtime restaurant featuring fresh seafood, Mediterranean classics, and French staples. Relax with a glass of wine and enjoy the sweeping sea views before sailing back to Saint-Tropez in the evening.
Day 6: Saint-Tropez Gourmet Market Tour, Afternoon Beach Club Experience
Get to grips with Saint-Tropez's renowned gastronomy this morning with a small group tour of the town's Places des Lices market. Accompanied by a local food guide, you'll stroll the stalls and discover the Provençal herbs and spices used to make the region's bouillabaisse and ratatouille. Sample decadent tarte Tropézienne, a brioche pastry filled with creamy custard and raspberries, and hear about Saint-Tropez's history and development during the 20th century, from a peaceful fishing village to one of the world's top luxury destinations.
The town's seaside location ensures excellent seafood, and you'll stop by the fish market to view the day's catch before sampling delicacies such as chestnut cream, fresh goat's cheese, honey, and olives. Your tour concludes at one of the nearby al fresco cafés where you'll enjoy either a café or a well-deserved glass of rosé.
No trip to Saint-Tropez is complete without a visit to one of the town's legendary beach clubs, and you'll spend the afternoon at your club of choice. Whether you choose the iconic Club 55 on Boulevard Patch or one of the more recent arrivals, such as La Réserve, Serena, or Loulou, the rest of the afternoon is yours to dance, relax beachside on a sunbed with a cocktail, or sample mouthwatering al fresco dining.
Day 7: Transfer to Aix-en-Provence via Cassis, Calanques de Cassis Kayaking
Today marks the next leg of your French Riviera vacation with a private two-hour transfer to Aix-en-Provence or just Aix (as the locals call it.) You'll stop en route in Cassis, a town nicknamed "Little Saint-Tropez" and famous for the UNESCO-listed Calanques de Cassis. These striking white cliffs, formed over 120 million years ago, are surrounded by turquoise waters and make the perfect location for a kayaking trip around the Provençal coastline.
After several hours of paddling around the creeks, you'll continue on to Aix with your driver. Located in southern France's Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, the town is adorned with café-lined streets, leafy boulevards, and fountain-filled squares. With more than a whiff of Paris' chic elegance, the city combines laid-back Provençal charm with top-notch gastronomy and a rich artistic heritage—it was once the home of painter Paul Cézanne.
Your accommodation for the next two nights is Hotel Le Pigonnet, a luxury boutique hotel nestled within peaceful gardens and furnished with a harmonious mix of chic comfort and antique furniture that reflects the hotel's 18th-century roots. Cool down with a dip in the pool or wander into nearby Aix before returning to the hotel to dine at the esteemed on-site restaurant La Table du Pigonnet, an Aix institution since 1924.
Day 8: Discover the Villages of the Luberon & Provence's Lavender's Fields
Today, you'll meet your driver for a private tour of the Parc du Luberon, whose famous lavender fields and typical Provençal hilltop towns have charmed visitors and artists for centuries. Wind your way through undulating hills until you reach the village of Roussillon, known for its vivid red cliffs and ocher quarries that stand out against the lush pine trees and blue skies. Wander the cobblestone streets, and depending on the light, you'll see the village's stone walls and architecture in hues ranging from soft yellow to rich orange to burnt red.
Continue to Lourmarin, where you'll have a few hours to immerse yourself in village life. Visit the town's striking Renaissance castle, or nab a shady spot for an al fresco lunch at one of the restaurants that line the picturesque alleyways. The final stop on your tour is Gordes, a hilltop town with an enviable position whose reputation as one of France's most beautiful villages has attracted famous painters, including Marc Chagall, Jean Deyrolle, and André Lhote.
Day 9: Transfer to Marseille, City Walking Tour, Michelin Dinner at Une Table au Sud
This morning, you'll meet your driver for a 40-minute private transfer south to Marseille, a lively port town and the oldest city in France, founded by Greek settlers in 600 BCE. You'll be dropped off at your accommodation, the 5-star Hôtel Dieu Intercontinental, a historic property (inaugurated by Napoleon III) located in Marseille's Old Town atop Panier Hill. Rooms and suites are designed by Jean-Philippe Nuel, a leading name in luxury hotel design, while facilities include a Clarins Spa with an infrared sauna, gym, pool, and on-site brasserie.
When you're ready, head out with your guide for a private walking tour of the city. You'll start at the Vieux-Port (Old Port) to see the fisherman selling their daily catch, then pause for coffee in one of the area's typical bistros. Visit the Le Panier neighborhood, the city's oldest quarter and a treasure trove of colorful, winding, narrow streets that lead to an eclectic mix of street art-filled walls, boutiques, and ancient churches. See highlights, including the Cathédrale St Marie Majeure and the battlements and gardens of Fort St-Jean.
Afterward, either head back to your hotel for an afternoon of pampering at the spa or continue exploring Marseille at your own pace. Don't miss the Mucem Museum (the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations), which offers a contemporary take on the 21st century cultures across the Mediterranean. In the evening, you'll spend your last night dining at Une Table au Sud, a Michelin-starred restaurant in the Vieux-Part, to the backdrop of the sun setting over the Med.
Day 10: Depart Marseille
It's time to say goodbye to France. At the appropriate time, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the Marseille Provence Airport. Au revoir!
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