Exploring Provence

Integrated into a natural site that has preserved its untamed charm, The Pont du Gard has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1985. Two thousand years after its construction, this ancient edifice is still a veritable masterpiece, as much for the technical prowess involved, as for its simple beauty. The Pont du Gard made up part of the Roman aqueduct that brought water from Uzès to Nimes.

Head to the town of Avignon which was, for some time, the capital of Christendom in the Middle Ages. It retains the indelible mark of its grandiose destiny: the Palais des Papes (Papal Palace), and the Saint-Benezet bridge called the “Pont d’Avignon”. It was the inspiration for the French song "Sur le Pont d'Avignon". The surviving arches of the bridge, as well as the Palais des Papes and Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms, are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage sites. In addition, dozens of churches and chapels, all remains of a past rich in history, give the city its unique atmosphere.

Rich and complex, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the best wine from the Provence region. Between Avignon and Orange, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard’s 3200 hectares dominate the plain. The village streets clustered at the foot of the castle, a 14th-century Papal residence, are dotted with fountains and the wine cellars that offer the best way to discover this famous variety of wine. Propelled by Baron Leroy, the owner of Château Fortia in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this is where the AOC (appellation d'origine contrôlée) protected origin concept was born: measures of quality that, when adopted in 1923, bestowed on Châteauneuf the status of a high-quality wine when it became one of the first AOC in 1936.

Visit the village of Sault from where you will have a unique view of the lavender fields (in season). Situated on the border of a great wooded plateau, blooming with lavender, Sault is a health resort perched at 776m. All around the town lie immense blue fields alternating with fields of wheat for as far as you can see. While you are in the town, take time to enjoy the local food specialities such as nougat and lavender honey, or sit on the terrace of a local café as you blend in with the local population.

The Alpilles are an extension of the Luberon Mountains, their steep slopes terraced to enable the growing of almonds, apricots, olives and grains. Surrounded by lush green perfumed valleys, the ancient streets of Saint Rémy are lined with beautifully restored old houses. While strolling through the narrow winding streets you will discover old fountains, shady squares, picturesque restaurants and elegant boutiques. This historic village is built on one of the oldest archaeological sites in Europe, and you will be able to explore the remains of the Comptoir de Glanum which was founded in the 2rd century BC. Two important monuments are visible next to the site: l'Arc de Triomphe and the Mausolée des Antiques.

You will drive through a sea of olive trees and acres of vineyards to the village of Les Baux de Provence. Perched on a rocky plateau 245m high, with a brilliant view of Arles, this immense stone fortress is one of the must-sees in Provence and the village is officially classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. The village can only be visited by foot and you will admire the ancient houses that have been carefully restored, beautiful Renaissance façades and several magnificent "hôtels particuliers" which today serve as art galleries or museums.

In the afternoon, you will make a stop in Saint Paul de Mausole. The monastery includes the home where Vincent van Gogh was treated for a year. You will see the wheat field that the artist contemplated and painted during his time at the institute as well as a reproduction of the room where he was confined.

If you love Roman monuments, this tour is for you. You will discover many historical buildings as you walk through the streets of Arles. The city was once a major Roman centre founded in 45 BC, so you will find buildings like an amphitheatre and a circus on your walk. The amphitheatre is the 20th largest Roman amphitheatre in the world. In the Middle Ages it was converted into a fortress to resist invaders, and soon a village was built inside until the authorities decided to restore it to how it was during Roman times. You'll also learn more about the painter Van Gogh on this tour. He spent a year and a half in Arles and completed many works under the bright light of Provence, fascinated by the breathtaking scenery. In Arles, he rented the Yellow House to welcome his friend Paul Gauguin, he painted the Sunflowers, and it's also here that he painted Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear after he had a violent fight with Gauguin. All over the town, you will see reproductions of his paintings in front of the real sites, such as The Courtyard of the Hospital or the yellow café of Café Terrace at Night. Finally, you'll visit the Romanesque Saint Trophime Church, a gem with a remarkable facade from the 12th century, which is like an open Bible with very lively and amazing scenes.

This captivating island area in the Rhone Delta is home to a wide variety of wondrous flora and fauna. On this safari you will have the opportunity to see the bulls and horses that roam the extensive marshlands and are only found in the Camargue. Explore the lagoons and marshes and spot pink flamingoes and flocks of wild birds.

Visit the charming village of Maubec where you will meet chef Jean-Marc Villard and his wife Alice. Together, you will head to the local Provençal market where the chef will help you select the perfect ingredients for your lunch. You will then go back to his house where you'll prepare, and sit down to enjoy, a meal consisting of two amuse-bouches, a starter, main course and dessert.

Visit the town of Aix en Provence, in the footsteps of the artist Cézanne. Aix en Provence is a city of art, light and activity. At its centre is the old town (Vieille Ville), ringed by a circle of boulevards and squares. It's a small enough area to explore by foot, but there's so much to see you could spend days exploring. The medieval Aix was protected by a wall with 39 towers, but today only the 14th-century "Tourreluquo" tower remains, at the northwest corner of the town. The Cours Mirabeau is a beautiful tree-lined avenue in the heart of the city, with one side lined with wonderful terrace cafés and bookshops. If you have time, take a few moments to sit at a sidewalk café and enjoy the atmosphere as you watch city life pass by. Other places you can visit are the market, the Granet Museum and the atelier where Cézanne painted some of his most famous works before his death in 1906.

Together with your private guide, you will head to the town of Cassis. This little seaside resort is snuggled at the foot of a very tall cliff called Cap Canaille. It's a wonderful place to stroll around, with its picturesque fishing port lined with cafes and restaurants. The town has lovely old quarters with a shady square where locals cool off and play pétanque on summer nights. You will also discover the Calanques by boat, a series of limestone cliffs, fjords and rocky promontories plunging into the Mediterranean Sea, for about 20km of coastline. From there you will visit Bandol - one of Provence’s most internationally recognised wine regions. Based around the fishing village of Bandol, west of Toulon, the Bandol AOC (Appelation d’origine controlee) covers the production of eight communes with silicon and limestone soils.