A self-driven tour in Provence starting in Avignon, a comfortable automatic SUV, Suggestions, Avignon Popes' Palace, Guided walking-tour in Aix en Provence, 1 night in a 4* (Four-Star) hotel in Avignon and 2 nights in a 4* (Four-Star) hotel in Aix en Provence - with breakfasts.

Itinerary

Day 1: Avignon - let's see Provence.

A car for 4-days to be picked-up at the rental agency in Avignon

Hit the french roads in a comfortable automatic Nissan SUV (or similar) w/ GPS included!

Welcome to Avignon!

From its elaborate past when it was the Capital of the Christian world, Avignon still shines with its stunning architectural legacy, much of it having UNESCO's World Heritage status.

Check in at Hotel de l'Horloge**** for one night with breakfast .

Visit of the Popes' Palace

The Popes' Palace is the largest Gothic palace in the world! Built in less than 70 years by the Popes, today there are 25 rooms open to your visit. At one point it served as military barracks and is now used regularly as a theatrical stage and a cultural setting for prestigious exhibitions.

Day 2: Departure to Aix en Provence.

Check-out after breakfast and depart for Aix en Provence.

Suggestions:

Isle sur la Sorgue...The "chineurs" - lovers of beautiful objects d'art, galleries and antique shops and will be delighted as there are nearly 300 antique dealers in this small town!

Gordes...Risiing up as a citadel and offering views of landmarks from its past: a majestic protective castle, a massive church with its fortifications, and surrounded by unusually tall buildings (for the era) overlooking a precipice with narrow streets below that making it possible to escape assaults of the Mistral winds.

Roussillon...Located in the very heart of the biggest deposits of ocher in the world and is consequently distinguished by a palette of vibrant colours.

Welcome to Aix en Provence! 

Bathed in the light of its special climate, Aix-en-Provence is a city of refined elegance as evidenced in its bustling streets and squares.

History here continues in the joys and drama of everyday life - a pleasurable shopping trip blending with its noble heritage. Pause for a drink on a terrace to take in the graceful architecture and stroll around in the town's baroque splendour.

Check-in at the Hotel Aquabella**** for two nights - with breakfasts.

Day 3: Day at your leisure to take in the Aix en Provence area

Enjoy a guided walking tour

Founded by the Romans during the 1st century BC (!) the city was a town of warmth called Aquae Sextiae. From these origins, Aix-en-Provence preserved many of its monumental fountains. Strolling the streets you'll appreciate how superbly maintained the ensemble of 17th and 18th Century buildings are, making this town one of the most distinguished in France.

The St-Sauveur cathedral and cloister offers a rich panorama of medieval architecture. Try not to leave without visiting one of its picturesque food markets, helping to make Aix-en-Provence the gastronomic capital of the region.

Near the city center, the Montagne Ste-Victoire perfectly evokes the memory of Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne who immortalized it on canvas numerous times. 

Suggestions:

Arles...This city was once a Roman Gaul metropolis, and once that Empire fell it became the symbol of a radiant Christian epoch.  Evidence of this past can be vividly seen in the Alyscamps, the ancient theatre, and the Baths of Constantine.

Nimes...The city of Nîmes was built in a remarkable way with its Roman monuments over two thousand years ago. It is how this this ancient architecture remained intact over the centuries that gives the city its identity, its personality, its singularity, and its exceptional appeal.

Baux de Provence...This city belongs to the group labeled "The Most Beautiful Villages of France". Views from the top of the rocky promontory are absolutely breathtaking. The fortifications of this impregnable village located in the heart of the Alpilles provide an interesting exemple of the defensive style of architecture in use between the 11th and 13th centuries. The main relic of this mighty stronghold is the castle crowned by a massive keep. Inside, you can see the castral chapel and restored medieval war machines. Strolling in the village will give you the opportunity to discover numerous splendly preserved 15th century houses and tiny chapels. 

Lavender fields...The Provence fields produce some of the finest lavender in the world - and they’re certainly among the most famous. Come in early summer, when the spring poppies have all starting to disappear and the bright lavender bloom arrives, transforming an already beatific landscape into a patchwork of vivid colours.

Day 4: Don't miss Cassis and its creeks - enjoy your free day !

Check-out after breakfast and depart for Cassis.

Welcome to Cassis!

This lovely and classic Provençal harbour has, since the age of time, been protected by its high calcium-rich cliffs acting as a perfect to shelter for maritime vessels. In the Roman period, the city was not only known for its coral trade, but also for its links with the Middle East and Northern Africa. Nowadays Cassis is prosperous thanks to thousands of annual visitors who come in search of its cultural authenticity, glorious sunshine, and spectacular ancient architecture. So many tiny chapels, fortifications and old houses surround the harbour.

Many artists, and particularly those of the 19th century, were fascinated by its colourful facades and surroundings; Paul Signac, Georges Braque and Maurice Wlaminck, to name a few. Here you'll have the chance to awaken that fascination yourself!

Suggestion:

How about a cruise of the beautiful Creeks of Cassis?
Spanning 20 km between Marseille and Cassis, the Calanques is composed of jutting limestone cliffs dotted with hiking trails and climbing sites. The shoreline is cut into by a succession of dramatic creeks, their bright walls in brilliant contrast to the deep turquoise and blue of the Mediterranean. The park has 18 such creeks in Cassis and three others east of La Ciotat and Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, so the picturesque cruise is well worth the time.

Drop-off the car at the rental agency in Aix en Provence.

Accommodations

Avignon: Hotel de l'Horloge**** (Four-Star) for one night

In the city centre, on Place de l’Horloge and close to the Pont d’Avignon, the Hôtel de l’Horloge  is a charming Four Star establishment in an ideal location to discover Avignon's art and culture.

Aix en Provence: Hotel Aquabella**** (Four-Star) for two nights

You will find the Aquabella Hotel surrounded by a magnificent Mediterranean garden and ideally situated in the heart of Aix en Provence.

This package includes

Please note that this package is based on a double occupancy room

• One night in a 4* hotel in Avignon - breakfast included
• Two nights in a 4* hotel in Aix en Provence - breakfasts included
• A comfortable automatic SUV - with GPS
• Entrance fee for the Avignon Popes' Palace
• A guided walking-tour in Aix en Provence

This package does not include

• Public parking in Avignon (around 15 euros for 24h)
• Public parking in Aix en Provence (around 12 euros for 24h)
• Other meals and drinks
• Personal expenses
• Other visits not listed
• Guide appreciation gratuity
  

Additional information

• Providers are subject to change according to their availability at the time of reservation. Should this arise, we will offer a parallel alternative at the same high standard.