7-day
Specific Tour
Unlimited
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Provence is the light, colour and fragrance of southern France gathered into a single region. In seven days by car you link papal Avignon, Roman Arles, the hill villages of the Luberon, elegant Aix-en-Provence and lively Marseille. It is a trip with an unhurried rhythm, made for village markets, vineyards and long lunches on plane-shaded squares.
The region takes its name from Provincia Romana, Rome’s first province outside Italy, and preserves some of the best-surviving Roman monuments in Europe. In the fourteenth century Avignon became the seat of the papacy, giving the city its imposing Palace of the Popes and its ramparts. Later Provence inspired Van Gogh, Cezanne and Matisse, who came here in search of its incomparable Mediterranean light.
Avignon is dominated by the Palace of the Popes and the unfinished Saint-Benezet bridge, while the spectacular Roman aqueduct of the Pont du Gard lies nearby. Arles preserves a Roman arena and ancient theatre, along with the landscapes Van Gogh painted. In the Luberon the highlights are Gordes, the quarries of light at Les Baux-de-Provence, Senanque Abbey with its lavender rows and ochre-red Roussillon, while Aix-en-Provence charms with the Cours Mirabeau and Cezanne’s studio, and Marseille with the Old Port, Notre-Dame de la Garde and the Calanques.
Provencal cooking is built on olive oil, herbs, vegetables and fish. Try ratatouille, tapenade, soupe au pistou and, in Marseille, an authentic bouillabaisse with rouille sauce. Pair them with the region’s rose wines and finish with goat cheeses and calissons from Aix-en-Provence.
Marseille has the liveliest nightlife, with bars around the Old Port and in the Cours Julien quarter. Aix-en-Provence, a student city, fills with terraces and music venues around the Cours Mirabeau. Evenings in Avignon are quieter, except in July when the whole city moves to the rhythm of its famous theatre festival.
The best season for lavender in bloom runs from mid-June to early August. A car is essential for the Luberon villages, while in historic towns it is best to use the peripheral car parks. Currency: Euro· Time: one hour behind Greece· Arrival airport: Marseille (MRS) or Avignon (AVN).
The trip runs for 7 days and starts from €775 per person, departing from Athens. You pick the dates — there is no fixed departure.
The price includes: round-trip flights Athens – France – Athens including taxes, 6 nights’ accommodation in selected hotels with breakfast, car hire for the entire duration of the trip, detailed suggested driving itinerary, support from our office before and during your trip.
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No account needed. We will let you know if anything worth knowing happens.
Optional tours, tickets and activities you can book for your days there. We arrange the trip — these you choose yourself.
Activities, experiences and local guides — book ahead and keep your days free of queues.
These activities are provided and sold by our partners. You complete the booking on their page, at exactly the same price.
This is a made-to-order trip, so you choose the dates. We are happy to advise on the best season for this destination and on how the weather, prices and crowds change through the year — just tell us roughly when you are thinking of travelling.
The main inclusions are:
The full list of what is and is not included appears in the "Included / Excluded" section on this page.
For destinations inside the European Union and the Schengen area, Greek citizens travel with a new-type national ID card bearing Latin characters, or with a valid passport. We recommend carrying your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) as well. Minors must carry their own travel document, and a valid driving licence is required if you are hiring a car. Entry rules change, so please confirm the current requirements with our office before you book.
The local currency is Euro. Cards are widely accepted in cities and hotels, but it is worth carrying some cash for small shops, markets and tips. Tell your bank you are travelling so your card is not blocked.
Changes and cancellations follow the terms of the airlines, hotels and suppliers booked for you, so the cost depends on how close to departure you are and on the fare rules of each booking. Tell us as early as possible and we will look for the least costly option. The general terms of participation apply to every booking.
Travel insurance is not included in the price unless the "Included" list on this page says otherwise. We strongly recommend it, especially for trips outside the EU, so that medical care, cancellation and lost luggage are covered. We can arrange a policy for you — just ask when you book.
Yes — this is an individual trip, not a group departure. There is no fixed itinerary and no coach schedule: you travel on your own, at your own pace. We can change the number of nights, the class of hotel, add or drop destinations and arrange transfers, car hire or private guides.
Send us a request through the form on this page, call us, or drop by the office. We will come back with availability and a written quotation before anything is charged. The trip as shown runs for 7 days.
