Highlights
- Relax in your well-appointed rooms at the 18th-century Château de Fonscolombe
- Sample delicious red and white Burgundy wines in the villages of Cassis and Bandol
- Stroll past beautifully restored homes in historic Les Baux-de-Provence
- See flocks of bright-pink flamingoes in the marshes of Camargue National Park
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Marseille, Transfer to Aix-en-Provence, Guided Walking Tour | Aix-en-Provence |
| Day 2 | Wines of Cassis & Bandol, Calanques National Park Snorkeling | Aix-en-Provence |
| Day 3 | Villages of Luberon, Dine at Orangerie Restaurant, Transfer to Gordes | Gordes |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Les-Baux-de-Provence, Saint-Rémy, Olive Oil Tour & Tasting | Les Baux-de-Provence |
| Day 5 | Day Trip to Camargue National Park, Safari in Camargue | Les Baux-de-Provence |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Marseille, Depart |
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Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Marseille, Transfer to Aix-en-Provence, Guided Walking Tour
Welcome to France! Your flight lands in Marseille, where you'll meet your private driver and transfer to your hotel in Aix-en-Provence, a city located in southern France's Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region and famed for its Provençal charm and slow-paced lifestyle. Once the home of painter Paul Cézanne, the city is known for his paintings of the nearby peak of Montagne Sainte-Victoire. Due to the historic fountains found at nearly every turn, it's also often referred to as the "City of a Thousand Fountains."
You'll stay at the Château de Fonscolombe, a gorgeous 5-star hotel set in an 18th-century estate once owned by the Marquis de Saporta and Fonscolombe families. Get settled into your tastefully appointed room, taking advantage of amenities such as the fitness room and heated pool, or take a stroll in the gardens with more than 180 species of trees and plants.
Once you've had a chance to regroup, take a guided walking tour of the city. Uncover the rich heritage of art and culture that defines daily life here, strolling the narrow streets and passing historic churches and squares as your guide points out hidden gems. See the Saint-Sauveur Cathedral, a Romanesque/Gothic church built on the site of an ancient Greek temple to Apollo, and the Town Hall (known locally as the Hotel de Ville), which dates to the 14th century. The tour concludes with a walk along the Cours Mirabeau, a busy thoroughfare lined with leafy trees, markets, and cafés—perfect for people-watching.
Day 2: Wines of Cassis & Bandol, Calanques National Park Snorkeling
Travel to the charming Mediterranean villages of Cassis and Bandol, both known for their old-world charm and natural beauty. Cassis, a coastal gem known as "Little Saint-Tropez," is a gateway to the hidden coves and limestone cliffs of Calanques National Park, while Bandol is beloved for its white-sand beaches. Both areas, however, are known for their hundreds of acres of vineyards and stellar wine production. With help from your expert guide, you'll take a full-day tour of the villages and wineries.
Provence, in general, is renowned for its fine rosé wines, but Cassis is more famous for whites, while Bandol is known for reds and rosés. Visit some of the top wineries in the region and enjoy tastings overlooking beautiful terraced vineyards and the Mediterranean Sea. The tastings also include tours of the facilities for some insight into the production process, with the opportunity to chat with the winemakers and learn the secrets of creating the perfect varietal.
Afterward, return to Cassis for a private snorkeling tour of Calanques National Park, a 143,000-acre (58,000 ha) coastal park. Board the boat and meet your captain and crew, then begin your cruise along the sheer cliffs that rise from the water, navigating small creeks such as the Sormiou or Calanques d'En Vau. Your guides will share the history and legends of the region, stopping in quiet coves to snorkel among the colorful fish that call the park home. Return to your hotel in the evening, resting up for tomorrow's adventures.
Day 3: Villages of Luberon, Dine at Orangerie Restaurant, Transfer to Gordes
Spend today discovering the hilltop villages of the Luberon region, a massif in Central Provence consisting of three mountain ranges: the Lesser, Greater, and Eastern Luberon. Your private driver will collect you in the morning, and you'll travel to the Parc du Lubéron, with its Provençal hilltop villages and flowering lavender fields in summer.
See the village of Gordes, which has rustic houses lodged against the mountainside, winding cobblestone streets, and an impressive 10th-century château. Depending on the day, you can have lunch at a local café or catch the weekday market. Stop for some pictures at the nearby Senanque Abbey, an exquisite 12th-century Cistercian abbey, then continue to Roussillon, a colorful city with narrow streets, steep staircases, and ocher-colored facades. Finish in Lourmarin and its famed Renaissance castle. Visit the castle, or you can stop for a beverage at one of the many cafés.
This evening, have dinner at the historic Orangerie restaurant atop a hilltop in Gordes that offers breathtaking views of the Luberon Valley. Sit on their terrace at a romantic, white-topped table, sampling delicious cuisine in a superb setting. Overnight in Gordes tonight at the sumptuous Airelles, Bastide de Gordes, a 5-star retreat with warm, elegant rooms, lush gardens, and a sparkling outdoor pool.
Day 4: Transfer to Les Baux-de-Provence, Saint-Rémy, Olive Oil Tour & Tasting
Your next destination is Les Baux-de-Provence, or Les Baux, a rural community in the Bouches-du-Rhône region. Depart with your private driver in the morning, traveling along quiet roadways to the village, considered one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area. Check into your hotel, the Domaine de Baumanière, where you'll find warmly decorated rooms, tree-lined gardens, a spa, and three pools. The hotel is also home to the prestigious L'Oustau de Baumanière, which holds three Michelin stars and combines French tradition with modern creativity.
After check-in, you'll have some time to explore on your own. Walk around the well-preserved streets of this historic township, taking in the restored old houses, Renaissance facades, and the once-private mansions that now host galleries and museums. Visit the 10th-century fortified castle, Château des Baux-de-Provence, and if you like, check out Les Carrières de Lumières, a multimedia art show held in a former quarry near the castle. Projected on its cavernous walls and expansive floors are enormous, moving images of the works of painters such as Van Gogh, Gauguin, Chagall, and Picasso, all set to music.
This afternoon, your driver will take you to Val d'Enfer, a fascinating valley filled with limestone carved by water erosion over thousands of years, then to tour Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Along the way, you'll stop at Moulin de Castellas, an olive mill where you can learn about the techniques used to extract olive oil and sample different flavors. End the day with a stroll through Saint-Remy, an area inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by the rock carvings in the nearby Otello cave.
Day 5: Day Trip to Camargue National Park, Safari in Camargue
Your last day in France takes you on a safari to Camargue National Park, a UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve where bulls and white horses thrive near the vast salt marshes. Your private driver will transport you to Aigues-Mortes, a lovely medieval city in the park, where you'll have time to stroll around. A vast 13th-century fortress surrounds the town, and if you climb to the top, you'll see views of the red and white salt lagoons where flamingoes feed on the tiny pink shrimp that give them their color.
Then, it's time for a Jeep safari tour. Together with your expert guides, drive through swamps, traverse channels, and race along rice fields. See pink flamingoes, their vibrant colors contrasting against the natural landscapes as they wade in the marshes and meet the Camargue horses. The breed is known for its white coat, strength, and agility, and herds roam freely in the marshes and along the shore. Visit the local gardians (Camargue herdsmen) who look after and ride the horses and learn about their way of life.
Day 6: Transfer to Marseille, Depart
Your romantic French getaway ends today. At the designated time, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport in Marseille, where your departing flight awaits. Au revoir!
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