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Avignon
Not just another boringly beautiful Cote d�Azur city, Avignon is considered one of the most attractive in France. Situated on the left bank of the Rhone River, it boasts many parks, jardins, and cathedrals and was formerly home to seven different Popes. Attractions in Avignon Palace de Papes (Popes) - founded in 1316 Notre Dame des Doms Cathedral - 12th century Romanesque architecture contains crypt of Pope John XXII Festival d�Avignon - international in scope and featuring music, theatre, and art activities for 3 weeks every summer Pont St-Benezet - 12th century bridge associated with famous children�s song, �Sur le pont d�Avignon Calvet Museum - sculptures, antiques, paintings Musee Carnavalet - paintings from Renaissance period Pont-du-Gard - Roman aqueduct circa 1 B. C. |
Avignon Tours and Attractions, France
Visit of Fontaine de Vaucluse, the Sorgue River source, one of the most important and mysterious in the world. The beauty of the site inspired poets like Perrarque and Frederic Mistral. Paddle wheels are dated from the time of its former silk and wool industry. It has the most important Antiquity market in France, after Paris. The Antiquity Market takes place every Sunday.
Enjoy a half day of sightseeing in the vineyards of the Rhone Valley. You will stop at 2 different wineries which produce red, white and rose wines, including Chateauneuf du Pape. During the tour your English speaking guide will explain the difference in the grape varieties, vinification and the ageing cellars. You will also learn a little about French history and enjoy fantastic views from the cellars over castles and mansions dating from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Visit Uzes, a charming city set in the garrigues countryside. A former duchy as well as a bishopric and consular seat, Uzes has preserved its layout as a medieval stronghold, embellished in the 17th and 18 th centuries. See the Place aux Herbes, the Episcopal palace, the ducal palace, the Fenestrelle tower and the Cathedral. Next you will discover the famous site "le Pont du Gard" dated from the first century A.C. and classified by UNESCO as the most amazing and well conserved part of the Roman aqueduct of Nimes. There's time to visit the exhibition where you can learn more about the former techniques used to construct it.
Today you will visit Arles to admire its famous Amphitheater and to walk in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh. Discover the many sites painted by this world famous artist, including "la Maison Jaune", "le Caf� la Nuit" and "Le Jardin de l'hotel Dieu." Visit St Paul de Mausole at St Remy de Provence, where Van Gogh was interned from 1889 to 1890 and see a reconstitution of his room. Take a photo stop at the Antiques in St Remy de Provence: Triumphal Arch and Mausoleum, located in a field of olive-trees, landscapes painted several times by Van Gogh.
Visit of Menerbes, one of "the most beautiful villages in France" perched upon a rock. This stony citadel seduced famous artists like Pablo Picasso and Peter Mayle (British writer who wrote A year in Provence). Visit Roussillon, famous for its red and yellow ochre cliffs, unusual natural landscape. Visit Gordes, perched village in Luberon, one of "the most beautiful villages in France", completely made with dry stones. Visit of the Lavender Museum to discover the flower symbol of Provence. Please note: The lavender fields are in bloom from approximately middle of June to middle of August.
Luberon is an unrivaled place in France for its spectacular landscapes: perched villages of castles, ochre cliffs, lavender fields. In Oppede-le-Vieux, admire an old village built on a rock and the remains of its ramparts and medieval castle. Visit the colorful village of Roussillon and walk in the former ochre canyon. Visit Gordes, a perched village famous for being "the most beautiful village in France." It is completely made with dry stones. In the Lavender Museum, you will discover the flower symbol of Provence.
Forget the hassles of hiring a car and finding your own way! Take a small group tour of Provence and its exquisite highlights: Avignon, Pont du Gard, Les Baux de Provence and Roussillon. Your minivan holds a maximum of eight passengers, and a small group tour is the perfect way to get to out-of-the-way places in one day. You will visit the famous Pont du Gard bridge classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site and dating back to the 1st century. Then you'll travel through the lock of Vallabregues on the Rhone river, and visit Tarascon to admire the medieval Roi Rene castle. You'll also tour the historic center of Les Baux de Provence, with free time to enjoy lunch on your own. After a stop at the Antiques of Saint Remy de Provence, a triumphal arch and funeral monument in a field of olive trees painted many times by Vincent Van Gogh, you'll journey to the Luberon, made famous by Peter Mayle in his book A Year in Provence. You'll also visit Roussillon and the dry-stone village of Gordes, one of the most beautiful villages in France. Finally there's a visit to a lavender museum to discover the floral symbol of Provence. You'll witness a distillation demonstration during the harvest (from July to August).
The ideal way to discover Provence is your own
way, Choose either the morning or afternoon tour for a comprehensive
introduction to this classic French region. Afternoon Tour: Drive along a picturesque road through lavender fields to Sault, lavender capital or the Claparedes plateau (photo stops). Free time in Sault or Roussillon to wander and do shopping in lavender shops. You will appreciate the lavender and enjoy the essences, flowers and honey. Drive to Coustellet across lavender fields and small picturesque villages including St Jean, Lioux and Gordes (free visit). Visit the Lavender Museum in Coustellet, where you'll learn everything you need to know about lavender (video, exhibition and shop).
Taste the wine of Provence on this full-day trip from Avignon. You'll visit picturesque medieval villages and combine with a scenic drive though the vineyards around Chateauneuf du Pape. Enjoy explanations about "terroir" grape varieties, vinification and aging cellars. Indulge in tastings at two wineries with explanations on how to taste the wine. The tour continues to Pont du Gard (preserved Roman aqueduct!), Les Baux de Provence and a picturesque medieval village in the Alpilles mountains. Before returning to Avignon stop at the famous village of Gordes which ranks among the most beautiful villages in France. Note, the tour includes time at leisure for you to enjoy lunch.
Start your day with a visit of Les Saintes Maries de la Mer, a famous site for gypsy pilgrimage. Its fortress Church proudly holds the relics of Saint Sarah, saint of the Gypsies. Enjoy a cruise on the Rhone River to discover the fauna of Camargue. As you cruise along the Rhone River, in the distance you can see white horses and black bulls running free. This wonderful scene is combined with the beautiful pink legs of flamingos which add an exotic touch to Camargue. After your cruise you will visit Aigues-Mortes, a medieval city founded Louis IX, King of France, who wanted to build a harbor on the Mediterranean Sea. You will have free time to explore the city including Constance Tower, the Ramparts, Notre Dame des Sablons, an early gothic style church, St Louis Square and the Statue of the King.
Begin with a stop at the Antiques of Saint Remy de Provence (Triumphal Arch and funeral monument) located in a field of olive-trees, landscape painted several times by Van Gogh. Next visit les Baux de Provence, village located upon a rock at 245 meters high. Discover its historical center: the Museum of Santons, the Hotel des Porcelets (beautiful house of the 16th century) and the St. Vincent Church, a pretty Romanesque building. Take a walking tour in Arles and learn about its Roman heritage with visits to the famous amphitheater, theater and many ancient sites painted by Van Gogh, such as La Maison Jaune , Le Caf�, la Nuit , Le Jardin de l'hotel Dieu. Next take a walking tour of Arles and learn about its rich Roman heritage including visits to the famous amphitheater. Walk in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh to discover the many sites painted by this famous artist including la Maison Jaune, le Cafe la Nuit and Le Jardin de l'hotel Dieu. |
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Provence
Le Grand Tour 
Private
Provence Tour: Fontaine de Vaucluse and Isle sur Sorgue 
Half-Day
Wine Tasting Small Group Day Trip from Avignon 
Private
Provence Tour: In the Footsteps of the Romans 
Private
Provence Tour: In the Footsteps of Van Gogh 
Lavender
and Villages in Provence Small Group Day Trip 
Private
Provence Tour: Luberon Villages and Lavender Day Trip from Avignon 
Provence
in One Day Small Group Day Trip from Avignon 
Provence
Lavender Small Group Half-Day Trip 
Provence
Wine Tasting Small Group Day Trip from Avignon 
Private
Provence Tour: Rhone River Cruise and La Camargue 
Van
Gogh in Provence Small Group Day Trip 