Provence

Provence is one of the most touristic regions in France, which offers the sea, the mountain, the sweetness of life and culture of Provence. The heart of Provence is in the hills that bind the Mediterranean Sea to the Alps. It is a land of exception, appreciated throughout the world for the beauty of its landscapes and inimitable lifestyle. Provence’s azure-blue sky, natural scenery, remarkable heritage, chirping cicadas, lavender fields and hilltop villages make it a holiday destination dreams are made of.

   The population is concentrated largely on the coastal strip and in the Rhone valley. Away from these, into the hills and the mountains of high Provence, there are no big cities, and even small towns are few and far between. The largest cities in this region are Marseilles, Nice, Toulon and Avignon. The local people have a soft singing accent, a reminder that the traditional language of a large part of this region is not French at all, but Provençal. In many towns and cities, street names and other signs are written in both French and Provençal.

   Many great French writers and artists have come from or lived in Provence. Next to Frederic Mistral emblematic Provencal writers include the 19th century Alphonse Daudet, author of the classic "Lettres de mon Moulin", Marcel Pagnol, and the twentieth century novelist Jean Giono, whose works portray rural life in Provençal Alps. Many artists have chosen to live in Provence, on account of the light; but Paul Cézanne, one of the greatest of the Impressionists, was actually a native of Aix-en-Provence.

"There is no Provence. Who love it, love the world or love nothing." (Jean Giono, french poet).

AIX EN PROVENCE, SAINT RÉMY DE PROVENCE AND LES BAUX DE PROVENCE

Full-day tour of Aix en Provence, Saint Rémy de Provence, Les Baux de Provence. Embark on a day-trip that will lead you to Aix-en-Provence, Cezanne’s birthplace and to the Alpilles, immortalized in art by Vincent Van Gogh, who painted many images of the Alpilles' landscapes during his time...

9.00 am: Be met in the lobby of your hotel.

   Enjoy visiting Aix en Provence. Do not miss out on one of the most famous “Cours” in France, the Cours Mirabeau located in the center of the city, and the heart of Aix. Everywhere, throughout the town, fountains big and small bubble. Aix-en-Provence is a city of art, light and activity. Be delighted by Aix’s bustling daily open-air market on the Place Richelme. Enjoy a visit to a Calissons boutique and taste the local specialty! Admire the mansions in the Mazarin district with the Hotel de Caumont, the 4 Dolphins Square with the graceful 4 Dolphins Fountain and the Saint Jean de Malta church. Visit the old town with the Palais des Justice (Law Courts) built on the former site of the Palace of the sovereign counts, the 17th-century Madeleine church, and St Sauveur cathedral.

   In the afternoon, drive along the Alpilles and visit Saint Rémy de Provence, a particularly interesting town because of its typical architecture. You may wish to visit Saint-Paul de Mausole, the clinic into which Van Gogh was taken on May 8, 1889. He found the quality of light and the ardent beauty of the landscapes around Saint Rémy quite fascinating. Continue onto Les Baux de Provence and visit this spectacular hilltop village, the open-air ruins of the Citadel, its Medieval war machinery and the Tower of Eperon.

6.00 pm: Back to your hotel.