Provence

Luxury small group travel

Option 1 : May 13 - 17, 2024
Option 2 : June 10 - 14, 2024
Option 3 : Sept.16 - 20, 2024

5 days, 4 nights

Small group, limited to 16 travelers

$ 3,800 USD per pers. dd occ. (solo traveler: add $ 950 USD) FIXED RATE

Early bird: 10% off if you book more than 5 months before departure date

Your itinerary at a glance

Activity level: EASY

We have made arrangements with our service providers to give you preferential access to pick-up and drop-off points so that you are as close as possible to the various sites and will never need to walk that far. This itinerary is therefore adapted to seniors and persons with reduced physical mobility.

Why book this trip with Finding France?

• Hassle-free travel: we are an experienced boutique tour operator based in France that has a deep knowledge of the region and is fully licensed, insured, and registered with French authorities.
• Throughout your stay, your local Personal Travel Assistant is there to take care of everything you need during your trip.
• All our guides and PTA’s speak English fluently (as well as many other languages, please inquire with our travel designer!)
Go at your own pace and take your time to enjoy all that France has to offer without the fatigue.
• Enjoy authentic encounters with locals.
• Support the local economy by visiting French artisans and producers.

• A multilingual knowledgeable Personal Travel Assistant at your service throughout your stay. Your PTA is with you during transfers and visits of different sites to ensure your well-being – and will regale you with anecdotes, history, and experiences about France and the French people;
• Additional guides and experts from the region;
• A fun intercultural class at the beginning of your stay for a better understanding of French culture
• A Travel Advisor to answer all your questions before your departure;
4-star boutique hotels very well located with all breakfasts included*;
All lunches in our hand-picked restaurants – the ones where the locals go to eat. Soft drinks and wine included.
2 dinners in gourmet restaurants (a welcoming dinner on the first evening, and the last dinner). Soft drinks and wine included.
Private guided tours with jump-the-line tickets at museums, historical sites, and artisan workshops;
• Hotel with WIFI + Concierge service assistance available 24/7
• Gratuities at hotels and restaurants;
• Tastings and samplings when visiting local producers;
• Entry fees and easy access to all events and activities described in the itinerary;
• Transportation in a high-quality air-conditioned vehicle;
• Luggage transfers.
• Unlimited bottled water (replenished daily);
Pick-up and drop-off at Aix-en-Provence or Marseille train station or Marseille Provence Airport (optional: we can look after your transfer from Paris, CDG Airport, or from the French Riviera, please contact us).
• Shopping time opportunities with our recommendation on where to find the best value for money souvenirs (no forced shopping, no middlemen)
24/7 emergency contact to call if you need anything during your stay.

*We select only the best hotels. All rooms are air-conditioned with all amenities easily accessible and suitable for persons with reduced physical mobility.

• International flights

• Medical travel insurance

• Cancellation- Interruption insurance

• Tips for your Personal Travel Assistant and driver

 

Your detailed itinerary

Your arrival in Provence

 Arrive at the Aix-en-Provence TGV train station or at Marseille Airport.
We will meet you at your gate or platform and provide transportation to your boutique hotel, ideally situated in the beautiful town center of Aix-en-Provence for a 5-night stay (you only have to unpack once!). 

Enjoy the sun, the majestic sycamores lining the streets, and the song of the cigales as we dine together that evening in Aix. 

• Begin your day with an amazing panoramic view of Marseille as we go from the Old Port up to the Notre Dame de la Garde basilica via  the “John Kennedy” cliff road that runs along the Mediterranean coastline. 

• Enjoy an insider’s peek into the production (and tasting!) of locally famous chocolates made with olive oil  at the Les Espérantines chocolaterie. Located  along the Old Port, we will also have the chance to see the stunning architecture of the Cathédrale de la Major.

• Our morning concludes with lunch together in the restaurant of Les Espérantines.

• With your local guide, tour the fishing village of Cassis with its beautiful brightly-colored houses and bustling port along the Mediterranean sea.

• Treat yourself to an incredible panoramic of the Calanques…by boat! As you coast along the turquoise, crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean, your guide will share the secrets of these steep-walled cliffs, their sheltered inlets, and unique ecosystem.

•  Return to Aix-en-Provence for free time and dinner (on your own). Night in your boutique hotel.

 

• Your local guide will take you back in time to the capital of ancient Rome as you visit the historical center of Arles with its Roman amphitheater and arenas that date back 2,000 years. A UNESCO world heritage site, these were the sites of gladiator battles starting in the 1st century AD. 

•  Make a stop in front of the café that Van Gogh made famous in his 1888 painting “Café Terrace At Night.” 

• Lunch on your own in Arles; we will give you our recommendations for the best restaurants where you can sample local specialities like anchoïade (an antipasto dish with anchovies, grilled bell peppers, egg, and olives) or fougasse (a focaccia-type bread used to make French calzone, which can include goat cheese or Roquefort, lardons, fruit, walnuts, or olives).

• Stroll through the Baux de Provence, one of the most beautiful villages in France and the first fortified city (10th century AD). Marvel at the medieval fortress with its large tower, or donjon, built to house the Lord’s family in comfort and to serve as shelter for the serfs during an attack.

• Let yourself be transported into the world of classic and modern masterpieces in a one-of-a kind exhibition constructed entirely with light, projections, and music…in a

  Return to Aix-en-Provence for free time and dinner (on your own). Night in your boutique hotel.

 

• Discover the Château d’Ansouis, typical of the Provence region and which will give you a spectacular view of the surrounding Aigues Valley.  Located in one of the “Most beautiful villages of France,” we will have an exclusive visit with the owner of the château and the terraced gardens, which have been in the family for centuries.

• On our way to Lourmarin, we will pass through gorgeous provincial towns  like Cucuron (photo stops possible!). 

• Lunch is on your own in Lourmarin where a Renaissance-era château overlooks the city. We will provide you with our recommendations for sampling typical specialities from Provence made with fresh, in-season produce.

• After lunch, we suggest visiting the Château de Lourmarin which boasts an impressive collection of 16th-19th century furniture, artwork, and even musical instruments.  There is also time for shopping or relaxing in the town center (before immersing ourselves in the provincial landscape between Lourmarin and Gordes).

• Discover the magnificent village of Gordes, perched high on a hill and offering a breathtaking view of the valley below.  Stroll through winding cobblestone streets of this picturesque village and discover the numerous art galleries and traditional artisanal workshops, Roman churches, and pathways along the cliff.

•  Return to Aix-en-Provence for free time and dinner (on your own). Night in your boutique hotel.

• Get a feel for the relaxed (and sunny) atmosphere of Aix-en-Provence (the historical capital of Provence) as we tour its narrow streets and fountains, hundred year-old Sycamore trees lining the city center, townhouses painted in ochres and earth tones – and understand why artists like Paul Cézanne found their inspiration here!

• Stroll through the weekly farmer’s market with your guide and taste local specialities along the way. Your guide will introduce you to local producers and tell you stories about life in Provence. We will also select fresh, in-season produce for our cooking class (and the wines to go with the meal!). 

• Enjoy a hands-on cooking session of a traditional meal à la provençale with a local Chef using the produce selected at the market. We will then lunch with the Chef in the French tradition – several courses, wine pairings, a relaxed cadence, and good conversation.

• Back in the town center: 

OPTION : shopping or relaxing

OPTION : A visit to Paul Cézanne’s workshop and a short walk for a beautiful view of Mont Sainte-Victoire that he loved and painted often.

• Dinner (on your own). Night in your boutique hotel.

• In the heart of the Rhône river valley, we will visit historic Avignon, or the “City of the Popes.” Enjoy a walking tour with your local guide of this beautiful and dynamic fortified city.

• One of the most visited monuments in France and the largest Gothic structure of the Middle Ages, the Palais des Papes is our next stop. The Palais notably housed the Popes that had broken with Rome at the beginning of the 14th century (before their return to Rome 60 years later). Admire the view of the Rhône and the famous Pont d’Avignon from above, and visit the Palace’s adjoining cathedral church.

• We will eat lunch together in Les Halles – the covered market – tasting fresh, local produce in a bustling and friendly atmosphere.

 

• Head deeper into wine country to the town of one of the most revered Rhône Valley wines – Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In addition to a private visit of the cellars, the winemaker will present the grape variety in more detail, highlighting the specificities of the vineyards. We will then have an exclusive tasting (including grands crus) paired with a tasting of distinctive local French cheeses.

• Return to Aix-en-Provence for free time and dinner (on your own). Night in your boutique hotel.

Your departure

After your check-out, we arrange transfers to Marseille Airport or the Aix-en-Provence TGV train station.

Please note:

The order of the days is subject to change depending on the weather (we want you to have the best experience possible!).
Our days include regular breaks in order to truly enjoy the town or countryside, take pictures, enjoy a café or thé on a sunny terrace, and do some shopping (at your discretion).

Why choose Finding France?

photo-cam-and-map

Custom Private Tours

Starting at 2 travelers
From 1 to 15+ days

french-immersion

Authentic Immersive Experiences

Meet locals and artisans throughout France. Enjoy places where the locals go

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Personal Travel Assistant

A “PTA” and 24/7 concierge service to take care of everything you need during your stay

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Incoming Agency based in France

A multilingual team that speaks and conducts tours in French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and Hebrew

Contact our team :

Join us for a luxury vacation in Provence!

Accepted payment methods :

You can also pay by Bank Transfer or in Cash, depending on amount. Please, contact us.