Avignon, Pont du Gard, Les Baux de Provence and Luberon by Minivan

Commences: Avignon, France
Duration: 10 hrs

 

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).

Pont du Gard

Commences: Avignon, France
Duration: 10.5 hrs

 

On this Grand tour of Provence you will first visit Orange, founded by the Romans in the 1st century BC. You will see the Triumphal Arch, one of the most remarkable of its kind in France. The arch is decorated with friezes commemorating Julius Caesar's victories over the Gauls in 49BC. You will also visit the Antic theater, built during the time of August Caesar.

Enjoy a scenic drive in the vineyards around Chateauneuf du pape,  where you will learn about grape varieties, vinification and aging cellars and wine tasting.

Your tour will continue to the Pont du Gard, the best preserved roman aqueduct, Les Baux de Provence, a picturesque medieval village in the Alpilles mountains, and then in the Luberon region, the famous villages of Gordes and Roussillon which rank among the most beautiful villages in France.

Great Provence Wines and Famous Sites by Minivan

Commences: Avignon, France
Duration: 9 hours

 

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.

Gordes, France

Commences: Avignon, France
Duration: 6 hrs

 

First visit today is to the famous Pont du Gard, vestige of a 1st century AD roman aqueduct. Protected by UNESCO and World Heritage Listed, it is an amazingly well-preserved monument that will take your breath away.

Visit Les Baux de Provence, a village located upon a rock which is 804 feet (245 meters) high. In the historical center, visit the Museum of Santons, the Hotel des Porcelets, beautiful 16th Century houses and the St Vincent Church.

Visit the tiered village of Gordes, overlooking the rivers Sorgue and Calavon. The top of the village is crowned by a sturdy chateau built between the 11th and 16th centuries. One of the most beautiful villages in France and completely made with dry stones.

Visit Roussillon (Optional):
You can also upgrade to visit Roussillon. The tour will be extended by one and half hours to 6:30pm. Drive through the Luberon regional park region full of charm, known for its beautiful countryside and picturesque hill-top villages including Roussillon which is famous for its red and yellow ochre cliffs and unusual natural landscape.

Orange, Les Baux de Provence and Arles by Minivan

Commences: Avignon, France
Duration: 10 hours

 

Visit Orange and start with a panoramic tour to discover the Roman Triumphal Arch, a symbol of the Roman imperial glory, and then visit the Antic Theatre (entrance included) one of the best preserved theatres in the Roman Empire with its stage wall intact.

Driving tour in the vineyards between Orange and Chateauneuf-du-Pape and stop for a wine tasting in a cellar. You will try the most prestigious red wine in the Rhone valley and visit the winery founded in Chateauneuf-du-Pape 100 years ago. In a traditional shop, you will find a wide range of wines and provencal specialties to buy.

Stop at the Antiques of Saint Remy de Provence (Triumphal Arch and funeral monument) among olive trees, landscape painted several times by Van Gogh.

Visit Les Baux de Provence, a village set upon a rock at 245 meters high and in the spectacular historical center, see the museum of santons, the Hotel des Porcelets, beautiful 16th century houses, the St Vincent Church.

Lastly, a walking tour of Arles, with it's rich architectural heritage, the famous Roman amphitheater and theatre, the Romanesque Cathedral and the famous places painted by Van Gogh, including La maison jaune, Le café la nuit and Le jardin de l'hotel Dieu.

Free time for lunch and market in Fontvieille (on Mondays), Orange (on Thursdays) and Arles (on Saturdays). The order of visit will then change accordingly.

Orange and Chateauneuf du Pape by Minivan

Commences: Avignon, France
Duration: Varies

 

Take a panoramic tour through Provence to Orange and Chateauneuf-du-Pape on a half-day trip from Avignon. You'll see the Roman monuments of Orange and enjoy a wine tasting in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. A small group tour is the perfect way to get to out-of-the-way places, traveling by minivan holding a maximum of eight passengers.

In Orange you'll tour the famous Arch of Triumph, symbol of Roman glory, and visit the best preserved Roman theater in existence.

You'll then take a wine tour through the vineyards between Orange and Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and stop for panoramic views of the Rhone River valley from the castle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Finally, you'll enjoy a wine tasting in a cellar in Chateauneuf-du-Pape and shop for souvenirs, wines and Provencal specialties in a traditional shop.

The village of Nimes

Commences: Avignon, France
Duration: 5.5 hrs

 

On this Roman Sites and Historical Places tour you will visit the villages of Nimes and Uzes as well as the famous Pont du Gard.

Today, your first stop is the great city of Nimes, known for its arts and prestigious Roman past. See the antique buildings including  a visit inside the ampitheatre, the Maison Carree (one of the best preserved temples in the Roman world), the Augustus's gate and the Castellum.

Continue to the charming city of Uzes, set in the garrigues countryside. A ducal seat, a bishopric and consular seat, Uzes has preserved its lay-out as a medieval stronghold, embellished in the 17th and 18th centuries. See the Place aux Herbes (picturesque square), the episcopal palace, the ducal palace, the Fenestrelle tower and the Cathedral. Outside of Uzes is the catchment area of the Roman aqueduct (Pont du Gard) that brought spring water to Nimes.

Visit of the famous Pont du Gard , amazing vestige of a 1st century Roman aqueduct and protected by the UNESCO.

Lavender and Villages in Luberon by Minivan

Commences: Avignon, France
Duration: 5 hours

 

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).

Take a photo stop in 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. (Closed in January).

Please note: The Lavender fields are in bloom from approximately middle of June to middle of August.

Saint Remy, Les Baux and Arles by Minivan

Commences: Avignon, France
Duration: 5 hours

 

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 Café, 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 Café la Nuit" and "Le Jardin de l'hotel Dieu".

Saint Remy, Les Baux and Pont du Gard by Minivan

Commences: Avignon, France
Duration: 5 hrs

 

Journey to Saint Remy de Provence for stop at the Antiques (Triumphal Arch and funeral monument) located in a field of olive trees; a landscape painted several times by Van Gogh.

Visit Les Baux de Provence, village located upon a rock at 245 meters high, with its historical center: the Museum of Santons, the Hotel des Porcelets, beautiful houses of the 16th century, the St. Vincent Church, pretty Romanesque buildings.

Visit of the famous site le Pont du Gard dated from the first century AC and classified by UNESCO. It is an absolutely amazing and well preserved part of the Roman aqueduct of Nîmes.

Dinner Cruise on the Rhone River

Commences: Avignon, France
Duration: 2 hours

 

Enjoy a three course French dinner as you cruise along the Rhone River aboard the Mireio for fantastic views of Avignon.

Your boat  will hoist anchor and head for the famous Saint Benezet bridge, the Popes' Palace, Rocher des Doms, and the Avignon boat basin. The Mireio lights up the shores with its powerful projectors.

You will cruise up to the Avignon dam, then turn around to head up the Villeneuve side on the Rhone, past the Philippe le Bel Tower, Saint Andre Fort and the Locks.

While enjoying the dishes of our chef, you can take in a completely different view of these sites.

With dinner you will be served a quarter liter of both red and white wine, as well as a welcome glass of champagne.

Rhone Valley Wine Tasting - Chateaux and Domaines by Minivan

Commences: Avignon, France
Duration: 4 hours

 

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.

Popes Palace, Avignon

Commences: Avignon, France
Duration: Flexible

 

The Palace of the Popes stands as the mighty symbol of the church's influence throughout the western Christian world in the 14th century. Construction was started in 1335 and completed in less than twenty years under the leadership of two builder popes, Benedict XII and his successor Clement VI.

The Popes' Palace is the biggest Gothic palace in all of Europe (15,000 square meters of floor space, which is the equivalent of 4 Gothic cathedrals). See over 20 rooms, scenes of historic events, in particular the popes' private chambers and the frescoes painted by the Italian artist Matteo Giovannetti.

The Pont d'Avignon (Pont St Benezet) was the first construction over the Rhone river, between Lyon and the Mediterranean sea in the 12th century. The bridge had 22 arches and covered approximately 900 meters linking Villeneuve les Avignon to Avignon. The bridge collapsed in the 17th century and the king did not want to pay for restoring the bridge. Today, the bridge has 4 arches, and is still so famous for the French song "Sur le Pont d'Avignon"

Please note:

There is no guide or transport included. Your ticket allows fast track entry to the above attractions.

Choose a half day minivan tour (8 persons maximum) with French and English speaking driver from the following tours:

·         Lavender and villages in Luberon (Gordes, Roussillon and Lavender Museum) on Tuesday morning, Friday morning or Wednesday afternoon

·         Stone Monuments (St Remy de Provence, Les Baux de Provence and Pont du Gard) on Wednesday morning, Tuesday afternoon or Friday afternoon

·         Van Gogh in Provence (St Remy de Provence, Les Baux de Provence and Arles) on Monday morning, Saturday morning orThursday afternoon

·         Culture and Wine (Orange and Chateauneuf du Pape) on Thursday morning, Monday afternoon or Saturday afternoon