Tour Overview
Welcome to Provence! Come and explore Provence on this specially prepared, private program. Visit the magnificent papal stronghold of Avignon and the huge Palais des Papes, where seven exiled popes once resided. Tour a domain in Chateauneuf du Pape and enjoy a wine tasting. Stroll the antique shops in L’Isle sur Sorgue in search of that perfect souvenir. Explore the medieval villages that dot the countryside. See the truly astonishing Cathedral of Images, depicting the life and works of Picasso. Take in the great 12th century Abbey of Senanque and the enchanting village of Gordes. Explore the lesser-known region of upper Provence and visit a distillery that makes the signature aperitif of Provence- and enjoy a tasting. Perhaps a private painting lesson? Create your own masterpiece and we will have it mailed home. Follow in the footsteps of Cézanne with a visit to his studio. Try not to miss the Picasso-Cézanne exhibit taking place at the Granet Museum from May to September, 2009!Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Avignon, FranceOn arrival in France, at either Marseilles Airport or Avignon TGV station, you will be met by a local iExplore Representative, shown to your waiting vehicle and transferred to your hotel just outside Avignon. You will be confirmed for three nights at Hostellerie Les Frenes in a standard room, including breakfast. Hostellerie des Frenes: Located just outside the picturesque town of Avignon, the 18 bedroomed hotel built inside a Napoleonic villa offers a place to relax and unwind after a busy day of sightseeing. Surrounded by park, the Hostellerie des Frenes boasts a heated outdoor swimming pool, outdoor Jacuzzi and sauna. The rooms all showcase Provencal style furniture and you are sure to enjoy the restaurant with outdoor terrace. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Hostellerie Les Frenes Day 2: Avignon- Chateauneuf du Pape- Avignon
Today you will transfer to Avignon’s city center and meet your local English-speaking guide for a half day walking tour (3 hours) in the magnificent papal stronghold of Avignon. Visit the Clock Tower Square before entering the huge Palais des Papes, where seven exiled popes lived between 1309 and 1377 and where the rooms are decorated with some excellent 14th century frescoes. In the afternoon, travel north to Chateauneuf du Pape with your driver-guide. When touring by private car with a driver-guide, we use an experienced driver-guide who will give commentary en route and maybe do some guiding although generally they are not permitted to guide within museums and certain historical sites. The town of Chateauneuf du Pape is renowned for its fabulous wines and is set in the hills overlooking its famous vineyards. There are now 35 Chateauneuf du Pape domains strictly controlled by the government. Visit a famous Domaine and enjoy a wine tasting before being driven back to your hotel. If time allows, you may like to enjoy a stroll in L’Isle sue Sorgue, famous for its antique shops and have time to browse for that perfect souvenir of your trip.
Hostellerie Les Frenes
Breakfast Day 3: Avignon- Les Baux- St. Remy- Avignon
Today meet your local English-speaking driver-guide and private vehicle for a full day (8 hours) sightseeing tour to Les Baux-de-Provence, Saint Remy-de-Provence and Arles. The medieval village of Les Baux sits high above the surrounding countryside and boasts the truly astonishing “Cathedral of Images”, where large colored photographs depicting the life and works of Picasso are projected on to the walls of a huge cave, accompanied by atmospheric music. You will also be able to visit St. Remy-de-Provence with its Roman antiquities. Optional Sightseeing: Private tour of Avignon and the surrounding area in a Citroen 2CV. Discover Provence in a Citroen 2CV with your own private English-speaking driver-guide. Experience the small winding streets of Avignon in a traditional French car and receive a unique view of daily life in Provence.
Hostellerie Les Frenes
Breakfast Day 4: Avignon- Luberon- Mane en Provence
The Luberon, inspiration for the book “A Year in Provence, is a region of rolling hills and verdant nature dotted with churches and rural communities. Your driver-guide will take you to the great 12th century Cistercian Abbey of Senanque and to the enchanting village of Gordes before heading towards upper Provence. Stop en route in Cavaillon for a two-hour Melon Discovery Tour (available June to September only- this is a public tour) The tour includes a visit to a melon farm where full explanations behind the famous Melon de Cavaillon will be given. Tasting of the local delicacies is a must before heading on to the Luberon and upper Provence. Later this afternoon settle into the Couvent de Minimes, a former convent that has been transformed into a hotel nestling below the Alps. You will be confirmed for three nights at Le Couvent des Minimes in a standard room, including breakfast. Originally constructed in 1613 as a monastery devoted to the study of nature, the Couvent des Minimes opened as a hotel and L’Occitane spa after a complete refurbishment in 2008. The 46 rooms and suites overlook the beautiful surroundings and the spa offers a chance to relax in an atmosphere of complete peace and tranquility. Perhaps enjoy dinner in the hotel’s renowned gastronomic restaurant or a light lunch by the pool on the terrace.
Le Couvent des Minimes
Breakfast Day 5: Mane en Provence
Today with your driver-guide you will travel further into the lesser known upper region of Provence, and in Forcalquier visit an old distillery that makes the signature aperitif of Provence- pastis, and also enjoy a tasting. Later today you can “design” the rest of your day by selecting one of these options: Private Painting Lesson: a private painting lesson where you get to create your own masterpiece, which will be mailed home to await your return. Or… visit the French National Observatory. Tonight drive to the local French National Observatory to admire privately the bright stars of the night, considered to be the clearest in all of France.
Le Couvent des Minimes
Breakfast Day 6: Mane- Moustiers Ste Marie- Gorges du Verdon/Mane
This morning your driver-guide will take you to the factory of L’Occitane for a private visit of this most famous of Provence’s toiletry products and continue to the charming village of Moustiers Ste Marie wedged in between two rocky bluffs and famous for its “faience” potteries. Afterwards, drive the spectacular road above and along the awesome Gorges of Verdon, considered one of the great natural wonders of France, and indeed of all Europe, with breathtaking views of the river cascading along its course thousands of feet below. Later this afternoon return to the delightful Couvent des Minimes.
Breakfast
Le Couvent des Minimes Day 7: mane en Provence- Aix en Provence
This morning transfer to Aix, with a stop along the way to visit Mont Sainte Victoire, a local landmark made famous by Cézanne, and the renowned Chateau de Vauvenargues, Picasso’s final home and resting place. Public visits to Picasso’s burial site will be possible for the first time since his death and this will only be from May to September of this year. After arrival at your hotel and once you have settled in, your local English-speaking guide will meet you for a half-day (3 hour) walking tour of Aix, once the capital of Provence. Enjoy the bustling Cours Mirabeau, the heart of the town, and a visit to Cézanne’s studio. It was here that Cézanne painted some of his most well known works- there is also a striking collection of simple objects, which were once featured in his still life paintings. Don’t miss the fantastic Picasso-Cézanne exhibition taking place at the Granet Museum from May to September 2009. You will be confirmed for one night at Le Pigonnet in a standard room, including breakfast. A quintessential Provencal mansion, Le Pigonnet has been a celebrated hotel run by the same family since 1924 and is surrounded by delightful gardens yet just a mile from the bustle of Aix-en-Provence. It has a unique atmosphere of comfort and hospitality, which has been eloquently described as: ‘an isle apart, set in the city’. Secluded bowers formed by flowering shrubs and hedges; mellowed urns, fountains and a swimming pool shaded by cypresses, umbrella pines and terracotta roofed shelters creates a pre-Rahpaelite idyll. Entering through its monumental gates, this 19th century mansion with its Genoese-style towers appears as a breathtaking sight. Inside, the 50 hotel bedrooms are decorated in classic style with regional fabrics and furniture putting you completely at ease. As the bright Mediterranean sunlight steams through the windows, the colors and details of comfortable furniture and elegant drapes positively glow. Lovers of Provencal cuisine will have cause to celebrate their discovery of Le Pigonnet.
Breakfast
Le Pigonnet Day 8: Depart Aix en Provence
Today you will be privately transferred to Marseilles Airport or Aix Train Station.
Breakfast
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