Itinerary
Day 1
Fly to Nice, Montpellier or Marseille or travel by Eurostar and TGV to Aix-en- Provence. You have a choice of hotels where we stay for seven nights including bed, breakfast and two dinners, plus two dinners in excellent quality restaurants giving you a real taste of the local cuisine.
Firstly, situated on the outskirts of the city, the four-star Novotel Aix Beaumanoir, set in its own gardens. The four-star Aquabella hotel and Spa is a delightful converted 18th century townhouse, beautifully located next to the old town. The four-star superior MGallery Roi Renee, one of Aix’s finest hotels, just steps away from the Cours Mirabeau the city’s principal avenue. Finally, opened in 2014 the purpose built, contemporary luxury of the five-star Renaissance.
Day 2
Aix en Provence is a stunningly beautiful place, originally a spa town founded by the Romans. It is a labyrinth of tiny alleyways and squares and is known as the ‘city of a thousand fountains’. This is provincial France at its best. Paul Cézanne was the city’s favourite son and he painted 300 paintings here and in the surrounding area, with his workshop preserved exactly how it was when he died in 1906. This morning, you have tour of the city after which you may explore as you wish.
Day 3
After breakfast you leave Aix and head for the nearby coast and the delta of the great River Rhone - the Camargue – now designated a National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty famed for its iconic black bulls, white horses and pink flamingos. Next you arrive in Arles, the ‘Pearl of Provence’. Although not very large today, in Roman times it was the imposing capital of Gaul, Britain and Spain with a range of monuments to match. Its preservation has been remarkable and on go on a fascinating walking tour you will see the forum, theatre and incredible amphitheatre plus much more of this superb city. Van Gogh lived here for two years and, inspired by the Provençal countryside, produced 200 paintings and 100 drawings including such famous works as ‘Sunflowers’, ‘Café de Nuit’, ‘The Red Vines’ and ‘The Sower’. After some free time, you are then free to return to your hotel.
Day 4
This morning you head inland to the stunning scenery of the Luberon mountains. It was here that Peter Mayle found inspiration for his book, A Year in Provence. First of all, you cross the fertile plains adorned with olive and peach groves which change to rich vineyards on the lower slopes. Then as you climb, there is row upon row of fragrant lavender, together with the mimosa and pine trees, that give the unmistakable aroma which is one of Provence’s hallmarks. Once famous as the haunt of highwaymen, with the castle of the Marquis de Sade, it is now a much prized nature reserve.
Day 5
Today you visit nearby Avignon, one of Europe’s most historic cities. Its destiny changed early in the 14th century with the exile of the Pope’s court from Rome. Vast wealth poured in to build churches, convents and elegant townhouses, but most of all the incredible Papal Palace. You have time to visit this imposing building which from the outside resembles a citadel rising from living rock flanked by turrets more than 150 feet high. Alternatively, there is the Petit Palais museum which houses an excellent collection of more than 1,000 paintings. You also visit the Pont du Gard, an amazing Roman aqueduct, wider than the Thames in London and one of the wonders of the ancient world. You then return to your hotel in Aix.
Day 6
Today have a free day to spend as you wish. Perhaps sample some local produce at one of the many markets to be found every morning tucked away on a pretty square, perhaps visit the brilliant Musee Granet with a gallery entirely devoted to Cezanne, plus works by Degas, Picasso, Renoir, Monet and host of others or the fascinating Museum of Natural History, exhibiting a collection of dinosaur eggs from the slopes of the nearby Mont Ste-Victoire. Probably best though is just wander through Aix’s maze of ancient street lined by its 17th and 18th century mansions, admire the graceful charm of its fountains, the majesty of its avenues, the intimacy of its cafes absorbing the entire inimitable atmosphere. Perhaps though, just relax with a book, the choice is yours!
Day 7
Today we head just south to the rugged Mediterranean Coast firstly visiting delightful La Ciotat, whose pretty painted houses rise in tiers overlooking the bay and old port. Along the coastline we start to discover the amazing limestone coastline, carved by the sea into the most incredible contorted shapes, majestic needles, hidden coves and almost vertical milk-white cliffs plunging spectacularly into the deep blue sea. This really is one of Europe’s most astonishing seascapes. Next it’s probably Provence’s most alluring port, Cassis, an utterly charming little spot with its myriad of fishing boats riding at anchor, overlooked by a mighty medieval fortress. This gorgeous bay has drawn many famous visitors over the years including Virginia Woolfe and Sir Winston Churchill, who took painting lessons here in the 1920s. Explore the sights or taste some delicious local seafood before, for the finest possible vistas, we explore by boat the stunning Massif des Calanques’s dazzling white cliffs and pinnacles erupting from the sea.
Day 8
Today you return to the airport or railway station at the appropriate time to return home.