Plus Marseille
Active pace with longer touring days. Expect intermittent walking at a moderate pace for 2–3 hours over a variety of terrain, including cobblestones, hills and uneven pavements. Must be able to negotiate stairs of varying heights, sometimes without handrails. Can tolerate periods of standing during guided tours and be able to climb in/out of various modes of transportation. Some days may include 5–7 km of walking over the course of the day.
We fly to Marseille via Paris.
We arrive in Marseille and transfer to Avignon, with free time until our Welcome Dinner.
Today we’ll explore Avignon’s highlights on foot, seeing the Pont d’Avignon and the lively Place de l’Horloge. We’ll visit the imposing Palace of the Popes, and pop into Les Halles, Avignon’s quaint food market, for a cooking demo and tasting of Provençal specialties with a local chef.
A free day to explore the town, its charming streets, museums and vibrant markets.
We will enjoy a visit to Arles, the ancient Capital of Rome,and inspiration for many of Van Gogh’s paintings. Then it’s on to Camargue, a wildlife reserve that’s home to over 300 bird species, including flamingoes. We’ll have a special lunch at a typical Manade (livestock farm), and meet the “cowboys” who work with the famous Camargue horses. The day end with a visit to the picturesque Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.
This full-day excursion starts with a walking tour of Uzes, France’s premier medieval dukedom. We will stroll the shaded boulevards and medieval streets and visit the Pont du Gard, a technical and artistic masterpiece that has been in place for 2,000 years. Then it’s off to Nîmes to see some of the world’s best-preserved Roman monuments, with some free time to wander on your own.
A day at leisure to further explore Avignon. Consider crossing the Rhône River to visit medieval Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, with its imposing hilltop Fort Saint-André, Philippe le Bel Tower, peaceful cloisters, and arts centres.
Today will take us to some of the most beautiful villages in France. We’ll see Roussillon, with its famous ochre landscape, Gordes, a medieval hilltop village, and Coustellet, where we’ll visit the lavender museum.
Discover Vaison-la-Romaine, an ancient Roman city where the largest market in Provence is being held weekly. Next is the summit of Mont Ventoux for breathtaking views over the Toulourenc Valley, and finally, a visit of a local winery for a taste of the lovely wines and terroir produce in Ventoux region.
A last day at leisure to experience the convivial and layback Provençal lifestyle.
First, we visit Orange—the “Gateway to Southern France”—where we will see the famous Triumphal Arch and the Roman theatre. Then it’s time for truffles! We’ll spend time with a welcoming family who will show us how their dogs cavage (sniff out truffles), then prepare a delicious lunch of truffle dishes to enjoy.
Today we start off in Aix-en-Provence, a beautiful city with majestic squares and distinctive yellow Baroque-style buildings. On our walking tour, we’ll walk along the elegant Cours Mirabeau and stop at a local market. The next stop is Cassis, a beautiful fishing village that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into an Impressionist painting. We end in Marseille for a 2-night stay near the quaint old port.
This morning our sightseeing tour will take in the old port and original “Ombrière”, Esplanade du J4, Promenade Laffond, Notre-Dame de la Garde with its exceptional view of the city, the Friuli Islands and Château d’If, and more. The rest of the day is free to visit one of the famous museums, explore the ancient “Le Panier” neighborhood, take a scenic cruise, or browse the Republic Quarter’s stylish boutiques. Tonight is our Farewell Dinner.
Au revoir, France! Air France takes us back to Canada via Paris.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
