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INDEPENDENT TRAVEL SERVICES
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INDEPENDENT TRAVEL RESOURCES
DAY TRIPS IN PROVENCE
AVAILABLE ANY DAY - PRIVATE DAY TOURS
Available from your hotels or villas in the surrounding areas of Aix, Avignon, Arles and St. Remy. Inquire about the extent of our coverage.
NOTE: Other locations for pick up is possible. We also customize day trips. Inquire, if the following is not exactly what you're looking for.
1. Ile-sur-la-Sorgue & Avignon Tour - 8 Hours
Suggested Day of Tour: SUNDAYS - MARKET DAY COST: 1 to 4 people - 575 Euro 5 to 8 people - 750 Euro Cost of lunch is extra.
Market Day in Ile-sur-la-Sorgue is on Sundays, the best day to visit. Lively market, the best in Provence, perfect for an authentic Provencal experience.
Your guide will take you on a private outing to the market via a private van.
Tour Ise-sur-la-Sorgue, a wonderful provencal town in the Vauclause. It is built on the island of branches of the River Sorgue and canals flow through the town center. Visit on early on Sundays when the market is in full swing and enjoy an authentic Provencal experience. Crafts, antiques, trinkets, cheese, olives, bread, vegetables, and all kinds of food perfect for a great picnic can be had. You may purchase the making of a nice picnic lunch and head to the park for a picnic or select a one of the cafe that line the canals.
It is also host to twice a year world famous antiques fairs. It's heaven to antique and art lovers and collector as there are close to 300 dealers and shops around. Entrance fees to sites and museums are not included in the price.
2. Avignon &
Villeneuve-les-Avignon - 8 Hours
The palace construction begun in 1335 and it is known to be the biggest Gothic Palace in all of Europe, equivalent in size to 4 Gothic cathedrals! You will be guided to explore the 20 rooms and more, visit the private apartments where Popes lived for
over 70
years. Then after a stroll across the Palace gardens overlooking the city, walk down to the famous "Avignon bridge", built in 1177, after a young sheaperd named Bénezet who claimed to have heard Divine voices.
Your tour
guide will then escort you for a walking tour in History through this
charming fortified little town across the Rhone river, facing Avignon,
which used to be the frontier between the Kingdom of France and
the provençal Pope's possessions.
Visit of the Carthusian monastery of the
Val de Benediction, one
of the biggest in the world, discover how
monks lived in the Middle Ages, admire
frescos by Matteo Giovanetti. End of your walking tour with views of Fort St. Andre and its abbey Italian styled gardens. You will then be driven back to your hotel in Avignon, and eventually stop at the Place de l'Horloge.
3.
Pont du
Gard, St.
Rémy de Provence, Glanum, les Baux de Provence
- 9 HourS NOTE: Like all our day trips in Provence, this tour can be fully customized. Perfectly preserved Pont du Gard, the biggest aqueduct from ancient Roman times that supplied running water to the city of Nimes and its surroundings, is a marvel of engineering work that has defied two millenniums, attracting scientists, artists and visitors from all over the world. Pont du Gard is a UNESCO World Heritage site. As a bonus, check out the 1,000 year old olive tree a few yards away from this incredible site. This is one of the highlights of this Provence day trip. This magnificent monument is situated at the end of the Gardon Canyon. From its heights, one can admire the suggestive landscape of the valley and follow the flow of the river Gard, tributary of the Rhône river. Drive to Saint Remy de Provence - Located at the slants of the Alpilles mounts, the town that gave birth to Michel de Notre Dame - universally known as Nostradamus, St. Remy will capture you in the charm of its streets and ancient fountains. You will walk through the town center or you may also visit (optional) the house where Nostradamus was born in December 15, 1503. You will also tour the ancient Roman site of Glanum, walk amongst the ruins of the Forum, monuments and baths in a Gaulish-Roman necropolis that dates from 30 B.C. Suggested Lunch (Cost of lunch is extra) - A unique open-air terraced restaurant, overlooking the Forum ruins, called "Taberna Romana" (Roman Tavern). There you will get a taste of dishes in use in ancient Rome and have left a landmark in the history of modern gastronomy! Drive to Les Baux de Provence - The village of Baux de Provence, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, is located at the very heart of the Alpilles mounts, on a rocky plateau at 268 yards high. It dominates exceptional and breathtaking panoramas. Les Baux is surreal and has been around since 3,000 BC. Les Baux has a very interesting landscape and village. It has a majestic castle, labyrinth streets and breathtaking views. The ruined castle complex was carved from the living rock it stands on and dates back to 950 A.D. The ruins you see today once housed over 6,000 people. You will see the ruins of a medieval castle, the cadastral chapel, the donjon, the Sarasin tower. Also, on display are artifacts and massive weapons of the time. Les Baux has a very interesting landscape and village that is fun to explore.
4 :
Senanque Abbey, Wine tasting at Chateauneuf du Pape,
Drive through Provence Countryside
– 8 Hours
DETAILS OF THE DAY
TRIP
For your wine tasting
session we have chosen for you the Domain Musset winery.
5: Fontaine de Vaucluse, Gordes, les Bories – 8 Hours
On the way to the spring, you'll be going through an old paper mill, where we will learn how paper was hand made, and still is, before your eyes, using 15th century techniques. You can later climb up to the Bishops of Cavaillon castle, which still offers a dramatic view over the spring. From here, you’ll make our way to the hill perched village of Gordes. Due to its privileged position, its exceptional charm and its typical architecture, Gordes has been listed as "one of the most beautiful villages of France". While strolling around the tiny streets, which climb up between the tall houses, you will discover beautiful old doorways, arcades and walls of flat stone perfectly restored. You will also enjoy a panoramic view of the valley and mountains of Luberon. Suggested Lunch (Cost of lunch is extra) - Restaurant l'Estellan, for their fabulous gourmet meals served in the terrace.
Drive to the dry stone village of Bories - The origin of the "bories"
at Gordes is believed to date back to the time of the Ligurians, who
lived in the region several centuries ago. Also known as "Gallic
huts", these traditional dwellings are built using local dry stones
without mortar. The village was restored in the seventies and looks as
it did when it was abandoned at the beginning of the 19th. century
-
200 years ago. 6: ...On the footsteps of Van Gogh – 10 Hours DETAILS OF THE DAY TRIP Arles, Saint Paul de Mausole Monastery, Apilles Your tour guide will unveil to you the charms of Arles, city of arts and history. Arles, right on the south bank of the Rhône river, is rich in important antiquities of Roman-Gaulish times: the Roman Amphitheatre, the Arenas, the imperial baths of emperor Constantine who used to spend summer vacations there. All magnificent buildings, which have defied time, today still host cultural events. Vincent Van Gogh came to Arles at the end of the 19th century and produced hundreds of drawings, sketches and paintings of the most suggestive sites of this beautiful city. Follow his footsteps in the small squares, the alleys, the still living cafes, restaurants and houses celebrated by the artist paintings. Suggested Lunch (Cost of lunch is extra) - Corridas..How about a Spanish lunch? We suggest a touch of exoticism at the Andaluz restaurant famous for his tapas bar and its unique gipsy atmosphere. Other truly French restaurants are available, of course. Drive to Saint Paul de Mausole monastery, Van Gogh's hospital. The monastery was once a home for mentally ill patients. Van Gogh was admitted in May 1889, after having left Arles, hoping to find rest and cares to sooth his suffering. During his staying there, he painted over 150 canvasses in the area around St. Rémy and the Alpilles mountain. The poppies, olive trees, wheat fields are still there to be seen, sometimes with the reproduction of Van Gogh's paintings next to them to compare…
Visit of his bedroom (a remake), the cloister, the gardens where the
artist used to promenade. 7: A day in Camargue, cruise on the Rhône river canals, Aigues Mortes – 10 Hours
If you are staying in a hotel in Avignon, you will drive past the city of Arles and you'll gradually notice a change in colors and shapes of the environment: the light of reflected marshes on the road will at times blare your eyesight. The vegetation becomes rare. You will something quite unique in this area: white horses, black bulls and pink flamingos.
At the town of Sainte Marie-de-la-Mer you will see how its Andalusian
originated gypsies made their unique rather peculiar dwellings: small
one storey huts with thatched roofs. Suggested Lunch (Cost of lunch is extra) - Les "Arcades" restaurant, located in a quiet place, close to the square Saint Louis, in a 16th century building, it celebrates 30 years of existence. The regional cuisine, best products, inventive chef Jean-Marie Mercier. Specialities: grilled fish, bouillabaisse (fish soup), tellines (seafood). Afternoon in Aigues Mortes (cruise at 3 p.m.).
In the year 1240, Saint Louis decided to build a city close to his kingdom in order to have a direct access to the Mediterranean Sea. This city was built and called Aigues-Mortes, an area of marshes, sand and water. Seven centuries later, the fortification still dominates the Camargue, as one of the most well preserved medieval French building.
8: Verdon Canyon, Aix-en-Provence, St Victoire – 12 Hours Driving tour to the Verdon Canyon.
Don't forget to bring your camera and be ready to carry out a splendid
photo reportage!
Driving tour to Aix en Provence:
...On
the footsteps of Cezanne.
In Aix, you can visit Cezanne's studio and take a stroll down the famous
Cours Mirabeau, lined with centuries old plane-trees, cafes,
restaurants, and enjoy some provençal art
and
craft shopping (ceramics, lavender soaps, perfumes…) in the Cours
Mirabeau street market.
9: Arles, St. Remy – 8 Hours
Van Gogh's Provence Drive to Saint Remy de Provence - Located at the slants of the Alpilles mounts, the town that gave birth to Michel de Notre Dame - universally known as Nostradamus, St. Remy will capture you in the charm of its streets and ancient fountains. You will walk through the town center or you may also visit (optional) the house where Nostradamus was born in December 15, 1503. You will also tour the ancient Roman site of Glanum, walk amongst the ruins of the Forum, monuments and baths in a Gaulish-Roman necropolis that dates from 30 B.C. Stop at Saint Paul de Mausole monastery, Van Gogh’s hospital. The monastery was once a home for mentally ill patients. Van Gogh was admitted in May 1889, after having left Arles, hoping to find rest and cares to sooth his suffering. During his staying there, he painted over 150 canvasses in the area around St. Rémy and the Alpilles mounts. The poppies, olive trees, wheat fields are still there to be seen, sometimes with the reproduction of Van Gogh's paintings next to them to compare. Visit of his bedroom (a remake), the cloister, the gardens where the artist used to promenade. Suggested Lunch (Cost of lunch is extra) - A unique open-air terraced restaurant, overlooking the Forum ruins, called "Taberna Romana" (Roman Tavern). There you will get a taste of dishes in use in ancient Rome and have left a landmark in the history of modern gastronomy! Drive to Arles. Your tour guide will unveil to you the charms of Arles, city of arts and history. Arles, right on the south bank of the Rhône river, is rich in important antiquities of Roman-Gaulish times: the Roman Amphitheatre, the Arenas, the imperial baths of emperor Constantine who used to spend summer vacations there. All magnificent buildings, which have defied time, today still host cultural events. Vincent Van Gogh came to Arles at the end of the 19th. century and produced hundreds of drawings, sketches and paintings of the most suggestive sites of this beautiful city. Follow his footsteps in the small squares, the alleys, the still living cafes, restaurants and houses celebrated by the artist paintings.
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Inquire about other tours available. All our day trips can be fully customized. We can design one especially for you.
LIST OF PROVENCE DAY TRIPS DETAILED ON THIS PAGE.
1. Ile-sur-la-Sorgue & Avignon - 8 Hours
2. Avignon &
Villeneuve-les-Avignon - 8 Hours
3.
Pont du
Gard, St.
Rémy de Provence, Glanum, les Baux de Provence
- 9
Hours
4:
Senanque Abbey, Wine
tasting at Chateauneuf du Pape,
Drive through Provence Countryside
– 8 Hours
5: Fontaine de Vaucluse, Gordes, les Bories – 8 Hours
6: On the footsteps of Van Gogh – 10 Hours
7: A day in Camargue, cruise on the Rhône river canals, Aigues Mortes – 10 Hours
8: Verdon Canyon, Aix-en-Provence, St Victoire – 12 Hours 9: Arles, St. Remy – 8 Hours
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