Avignon

Culture & History

Tucked between the Alps to the east and the Rhone River to the west, Provence is a rich tapestry of natural and manmade wonders. On this tour departing Avignon, you will combine a tour of its Roman heritage with a trip to the famous vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Start your afternoon wine-tasting tour with the village of Gigondas. Located at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail hill range, the vineyard covers an area of 12 km² and the wines produced belong to the Crus of the southern Côtes du Rhône. The Grenache noir expresses its full flavor in glimmering red wines with pronounced tannins, a robust body, and a solid propensity for ageing. Afterwards, stop at the ruins of the castle built by the former Popes who relocated the papacy to Avignon in the 14th-Century and used it as their summer residence. Then drive to the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, one of the world’s most popular wines. Discover the different grape varietals, such as Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, which give distinctly fruity and spicy wines. The 13 varieties of grapes combined with the various soils create a large palette of complex red wines and elegant white wines. Enjoy a wine-tasting in one of the numerous cellars of the village before going back to Avignon.

Your guide will first take you to Fontaine de Vaucluse, a beautiful village located by the river Sorgue. Walk up to its spring – one of the biggest in Europe. Next, stop at Sénanque Abbey and take as many pictures as you want of this majestic 12th century Abbey which is surrounded by lavender fields. After the photo-stop at the 'belvedere', head off to Gordes, a hilltop village made of local dry stones and enjoy the market (on Tuesdays). Explore the Provencal village of Roussillon, and observe the houses, whose colors vary with the sunlight. The Provencal market on Thursday adds even more colors. This is where you will take your lunch break (not included). After lunch, explore the lavender fields. Fill your body with fresh lavender fragrance, take some pictures and have a look at a distillation operation during harvest.  Your final stop is the village of Sault, in the middle of a bucolic landscape, isolated from civilization. There, enjoy some free time for shopping, taste a lavender ice cream or have a drink on a panoramic terrace.  At the end of the tour, your guide will drive you back to Avignon. 

Enjoy a scenic tour of Provence and see some of its most beautiful sites in one day. The 10-hour tour takes in the well-preserved Roman aqueduct of Le Pont du Gard, built in the 1st century BC as part of the Nîmes aqueduct from Uzès to Nemausus (now Nîmes). Drive to the rocky outcrop of Les Baux de Provence in the Alpilles mountains. Stroll the historic center to see a beautiful 16th-century house and Romanesque buildings. Continue to Saint Rémy de Provence to explore the remains of the Roman city of Glanum, including a triumphal arch set in an olive grove that inspired Van Gogh. After some free time for lunch, you will visit Roussillon, famous for its red and yellow ochre cliffs. Enjoy panoramic views of Gordes, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful villages in France. Drive to Fontaine de Vaucluse, walk up to the cave from which the River Sorgues emerges. This impressive resurgence spring hasn't revealed its secrets yet and many speleologists have searched in vain the exact depth of the well. On Sundays only, enjoy L’Isle sur la Sorgue, a village famous for antique shops and the weekly open air market which is one of the most colorful and typical in the Provence.  

Visit the best sights in Provence during this full-day tour from Avignon. Your driver-guide, a specialist of Provence, will accompany you throughout the day.  Start in the beautiful villages of the Luberon and the famous Fontaine de Vaucluse. Admire the provençal landscape in the Luberon and have a chance to have a photo stop in lavender fields in summer (from June 15th to July 31st). Then, head over to Gordes listed as "one of the most beautiful villages in France". Walk in the red streets of Roussillon and discover the ochre lands. After this, enjoy the panoramic views of the Alpilles in Baux-de-Provence and take a stroll through the beautiful city of St-Rémy-de-Provence. Finish your amazing day at the majestic Pont du Gard.

Your first stop will be Fontaine de Vaucluse where you will be charmed by the biggest French spring. Spontaneous stops at poppy fields on the way are included (in season). Next, marvel at Sénanque Abbey, a jewel of Romanesque art nestled in a lush greenery environment. Afterward, enjoy strolling through the streets of the spectacular hilltop village of Gordes, where you can admire the play of warm light on the dry stone walls. Move on to Roussillon and observe all the different shades of the ochre by wandering along the Ochre Trail (entrance fee not included - 3€/adult) and the colored roads of the village. Then, walk on the streets of Ménerbes, the fortified hilltop village that inspired Peter Mayle to write his most successful novel One Year in Provence.

This tour takes you to the vineyards of the Rhone Valley, the second largest wine-growing region in France. Vines have been cultivated here since the days of the Romans and the centuries-old tradition is ripe for exploring. Tucked between the Alps to the east and the Rhone River to the west, it is an area rich with natural and manmade wonders. Departing from Avignon, you will drive through the lush landscape on your way to the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The name is familiar across the globe for its exquisite wines, but you will also have time to explore the village and see the ruins of the castle where former Popes built their summer residence after they relocated the papacy to Avignon in the 14th-Century. The tour visits 1 winery involved in the production of red, white and rosé wines. Go to the cellars and learn everything you could possibly think to ask, about the "terroir,“ grape varieties, vinification and ageing process. You will also get a lesson in how to taste wine using your eyes, nose and finally taste. As the French say, "A votre sante!" Cheers!

Explore some of the historic sites of Provence on a full-day minibus tour from Marseille, starting with the medieval city of Avignon. Drive along the docks between the Rhône River and historic city walls, looking at the Saint-Benezet Bridge made famous by the children's song, “Sur le Pont d'Avignon.” Go to the impressive Palais des Papes (Popes' Palace), site of the Papacy in the 14th century before their return to Rome. The largest Gothic palace in Europe, the austere Palais dominates the city (entrance tickets not included). Sample the wines of the Rhône River valley in the legendary village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, boasting a castle ruin that overlooks the vineyards of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. You will visit the cellar of a winery for a complimentary wine-tasting session. Next, drive to the Pont du Gard to see the remains of the Roman aqueduct that supplied water to the city of Nîmes. The tour then continues towards the Alpilles Mountains to the lofty village of Les Baux de Provence, located on a rocky spur overlooking the valley. Take an unforgettable journey back to the Middle Ages at Les Baux, before your return journey to Marseille.

Enjoy a scenic drive through the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape followed by wine tastings at two different wineries. From the ruins of the Pope's summer residence, enjoy a panoramic view over the Rhône River valley and the hill ranges surrounding the village. In the afternoon, discover the village of Roussillon and its colorful houses. Continue to the village of Ménerbes; famous thanks to the novel 'A Year in Provence' written by Peter Mayle. Take advantage of a photo stop at Pont Julien, from Roman times.Drive through the village of Lacoste, where you will see the remains of the castle of the Marquis de Sade. Conclude the tour with free time in the dry-stone-built hilltop village of Gordes.

Explore the Alpilles and Luberon regional parks in this half-day trip from Avignon. Focusing on a fusion of cultural heritage and natural beauty, you'll discover your own mini "year in Provence" within the space of a mere few hours with these twin attractions. Admire the panoramic view of the Alpilles from the hilltop village of Les Baux de Provence. Visit the Luberon and its precariously perched villages, along with Gordes, listed among "the most beautiful villages in France". Lest we forget Roussillon with its red houses and ochre textures. Final stop will be a fab photo opp at famous Senanque Abbey.

Visit of the charming medieval town of Uzès, founded during the Roman era and the site of an aqueduct that was built to supply the city of Nîmes. The Pont du Gard is the most well-known stretch of the aqueduct left standing. On this 5-hour program, you’ll see the traces of Roman civilization in Uzès as well as substantial monuments from the Middle Ages. Visit the famous 2,000-year-old Pont du Gard, a section of the Roman aqueduct that provided water to Nîmes. The highly photographed bridge was listed by UNESCO in 1985 as a World Heritage Site. You’ll discover the treasures of Nîmes, including the Coliseum that is considered to be second only to the Coliseum in Rome. Its Roman amphitheater is still in use and today has a seating capacity of 10,000.