Carrières de Lumières

Start your trip from Avignon and relax with round-trip transportation via air-conditioned minibus to explore Van Gogh's Provence. The sunny region of Provence has long been an inspiration for artists and painters, like Van Gogh. From the bright colors of the sun and sunflowers to the various colorful landscapes, he painted hundreds of works during his stay in Arles and St. Rémy de Provence. In Arles, follow in his footsteps at the sites that inspired Starry Night, Maison Jaune, Café Terrace at Night, and others. In Saint Rémy, follow some reproductions of his famous works and visit St. Paul de Mausole Asylum where he was interned. A la Française reserves the right to modify the order of the visit because of market days (Wednesdays in Saint Rémy and Saturdays in Arles).

This full-day tour from Marseille offers an immersive exploration of the beautiful region of Provence, taking you to three of its most iconic destinations: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Les Baux-de-Provence, and Arles. Your adventure begins in the charming town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where you'll have free time to wander through its picturesque streets. If you're visiting on a Wednesday, the town hosts one of the most charming open-air markets in the region, offering a wide variety of local produce, artisanal goods, and regional specialties. You will also make a photo stop at the Roman monument "Les Antiques" and have a possibility to visit Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, the hospital where the painter Van Gogh was interned (ticket not included). You will then explore the exceptional village of Les Baux-de-Provence. The village has kept the narrow streets from the Middle Ages and the imposing ruins of a castle. From the rocky spur you can admire the breathtaking view of the exceptional scenery. Possibility to attend the show at Les Carrières de Lumière (ticket not included). Continuing on to Arles, and follow the footsteps of Van Gogh to discover the places where he created his most famous paintings dating back to 1888. Arles is also famous worldwide for its Roman heritage. The weekly market is on saturday morning : Arles is definitely a must-to-see! • Saint Rémy's weekly market takes place on Wednesday • Arles weekly market takes place on Saturday Lunch on your own during the day. NB : On certain days, a quick drive through Aix en Provence to pick up and drop off passengers may be included.

From Avignon or around (contact me if you don’t stay within Avignon itself), we will go for a 50-minute drive to Arles. There, we will stroll in the city center among the Roman and more recent monuments. During the visit, you will see the amphitheater, the Roman theater, the café Van Gogh, the Roman forum, the cloister and cathedral Saint Trophime, and the summer garden. Then we will drive to Les Baux de Provence. In Les Baux de Provence, we will stop first at an olive oil mill (between April and October only), you will do a guided tour of the mill with a worker from there and you will enjoy an olive oil tasting at the end of the visit. After that, we will have a picnic lunch in front of the mill, made up with fresh products from local farms only (between April and October only). Then, we will walk inside the medieval village of Les Baux de Provence, listed among the most beautiful villages of France, which was entirely built with limestone and offering a fantastic view over the area, including Arles, the Camargue, the Alpilles mountains and the region around Aix en Provence and Marseille. You will also enjoy the wonderful light show at the Carrières de Lumières in Les Baux de Provence. This is a little movie with lights projected on former limestone quarries used to build the village in the Middle Ages. This is a spectacular light show in a historic and beautiful scenery. To finish, after a 15-minute drive, you will have a free time in the beautiful town of Saint Rémy de Provence, where Van Gogh spent around a year of his life, and where he painted his most famous paintings including the Starry Night. Then we will go back to Avignon by driving on around 40 minutes.

Follow in the tracks of Vincent van Gogh in Provence on this 5-hour tour. Begin in Arles, a city that fascinated the artist. Then, set off to discover the city through the history of the artist during this fascinating city tour. First, visit the monumental “Carrières de Lumières” which hosts extraordinary multimedia shows, unique in the world with Dali and Gaudi. Finish with St Paul de Mausole, the famous psychiatric hospital, where Van Gogh spent 1 very creative year.

I propose you to customize this day in function of your expectations, the mood and energy of the day ! My goal is to provide you a nice and authentic experience without running in order to be able to immerse in Provence and feel its unic atmosphere. COUNTRYSIDE : peaceful nature, hilltop authentic villages, wine tasting, incredible landscapes, game of pétanque with local appetizers..just like locals do ! (around Sainte Victoire mountain or Le Castellet) MARSEILLE : Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde basilica, amazing view over the sea & the city, walk in the vibrant Old Port AIX-EN-PROVENCE : chic medium size town perfect for strolling & shopping CASSIS : boat ride to visit the incredible Calanques, strolling & lunch in the pictoresque port or beach time. Drive on Cap Canaille, the biggest cliff in Europe, a glass of wine with a stunning view there of all the Mediterranean Chose your itinerary (port, hôtel, airport or train station pickup and drop off) : From Marseille Marseille+Aix-en-Provence+countryside or Marseille+Cassis From Toulon / La Seyne-sur-mer Cassis+Le Castellet or Cassis+Marseille From Aix-en-Provence Marseille+countryside or Marseille+Cassis or Cassis+countryside Ready for the perfect day by Happy Day in Provence? :)

Explore the enchantment of Les Baux-de-Provence on our journey that combines history, breathtaking landscapes, and wine tasting. Immerse yourself in the past with a visit to the medieval castle, marvel at majestic panoramas, and savor local wines in renowned estates such as Château Estoublon, Mas Sainte-Berthe, and/or Mas de Gourgonnier. Book now for an unforgettable adventure in the heart of Provence. Please note that the program will be tailored to the timing and preferences of our clients. Perched atop a rocky outcrop in the Alpilles mountains, Baux de Provence offers a stunning panorama of the Provençal landscape. The village's cobbled streets, lined with ancient stone houses, lead to the impressive ruins of the Château des Baux. Here, you can explore the remnants of this once-mighty fortress and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding olive groves and vineyards. As you wander through the village, you'll be captivated by its rich history and heritage. Visit the 12th-century Saint Vincent Church, adorned with intricate carvings and frescoes. The village is also home to charming art galleries and boutiques, showcasing local crafts and Provençal specialties. Chose a visit to the Carrières de Lumières , a unique art exhibition set in a former quarry or Saint Rémy the Provence, VanGogh paints inspiration sites and Nostradamus born town. This immersive experience combines light, music, and art, projecting masterpieces onto the quarry's towering walls. To enhance your experience, we offer opportunities to engage with the local community. Savour authentic Provençal cuisine at a traditional restaurant, or enjoy a wine tasting session at a nearby vineyard. Our knowledgeable guides, passionate about eco-tourism, will share insights into the village's efforts to preserve its natural and cultural heritage. This journey to Baux de Provence is more than a tour; it's an immersive experience in Provençal life, offering a blend of historical exploration, cultural encounters, and natural beauty. It's a perfect choice for those seeking to escape mass tourism and embrace responsible, immersive travel.

Discover exceptional destinations such as Camargue Regional Natural Park, Unesco Biosphere of the Causses-Cévennes, Great Sites of France, historic towns (Avignon, Arles, Nîmes, Montpellier, Marseille, Uzès, Aigues Mortes, Saintes Maries de la Mer), typical villages of Provence and Occitania, unusual sites (Le Pont du Gard, Les Baux de Provence, Saint Guilhem le Désert, Cathars castles, Calanques of Cassis), museums (Camargue or Cévennes), exceptional local winegrowers, and the best breeders of wild bulls or horses of Camargue.