PROVENCE PRIVATE TOURS (from Grimaldi Château)

1-The Contrasts of Mount Sainte-Victoire: Aix en Provence , city tour & walking tour, visit the workshops of Cezanne. Then we will take you to the surroundings: complete tour around the mountain immortalized by Cézanne. Many stops in the Aix countryside: Bimont dam, Vauvenargues (Picasso’s castle, outside view), Les Porte pass (631m), Pourrières, Puyloubier, Le Cengle plateau, Saint Antonin and, in Cézanne’s footsteps: Bibémus quarries, the Cézanne’s route: Le Tholonet, Château Noir (outside view), the Trois Sautets Bridge, the family property Jas de Bouffan (outside view).

2-Cassis & Marseille day tour : Arrival in Cassis, a little seaport, in the past. Free time and to discover this fishing port lined with cafes and restaurants at the foot of Cap Canaille. Then, cruise in the calanques (45 mn), white limestone cliff diving in the deep waters of the Mediterranean sea- Visit Marseille, the oldest city in France, first harbour of France in the Mediterranean sea- We will take you for a typical Marseille dish” Bouillabaisse” on the harbour : sightseeing to discover le Prado. La Corniche, Notre Dame de la Garde with a bysantine-roman style and perched upon a rock at 162 meter high. Then, discover the Old harbour, created by the Greeks. Free time.
Drop off at your hotel at 6.00 pm.

3-Provencal markets, lavender & sunflowers fields of Luberon : ( this tour is available only in JUNE, JULY & August ) We will drive you to LUBERON and visit the village of Gordes or Roussillon , to the provençal markets, then on to the lavender route & fields in the capital “Sault” . Free time in the markets- Sunflowers in bloom as well during these months. (Full day tours 9am to 6PM)

4-Prestigious Gourmet tour / cooking course + wine tasting : gathering on the markets of Aix, discovering local products, choosing by comparing and then purchase with your Chef. Transfer to the Luberon cooking site in a beautiful XVIIIth. Century castle. 3H cooking lesson with your Chef, and then lunch with a glass of wine. By 3PM Transfer to the beautiful Château Val Joanis in Pertuis , visit of the “chais”, the cellars and gardens. Then , the sommelier will introduce you to the AOC Côtes du Luberon wines, château & reserve. Wine tasting & olive oil tasting.

5-Wine tour of Provence : Châteauneuf du Pape, Tavel, Lirac, stop in a beautiful castle for lunch in the middle of the vineyards, tasting and visits of cellars.

6-Roman Provence : In the footsteps of the Romans, from Pont du gard to UZES, Orange , Vaisons la romaine, and finishing the tour by a stop at Châteauneuf du Pape for wine tasting.

7-Arles, les Baux and Camargue : Along small roads, through the enchanting scenery of Les Alpilles, arrival in the exceptional village
Les Baux (panorama from Le Val d’Enfer). The narrow streets and the ruins of the castle will remind you of the proud lords and troubadours of the Middle Ages while admiring a breathtaking scenery. On to Arles the "gateway to Camargue" and free time for lunch (2 hours). Departure for the Nature Reserve Park of Camargue: wide spaces where bulls and horses roam, Route de Cacharel with its many pink flamingos, Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and its famous legend (visit of the church, free time, possibility of swimming). In the late afternoon, stop at the Bird sanctuary of Pont de Gau for a discovery, on foot, in between marshes and reeds of the main birds of Camargue OR horse riding. Return to Aix.

8-Avignon and villages of Luberon : Visit the famous Palais of the Popes, walking tour through one of the most charming city of Provence, Avignon. We will have a look at the famous Benezet bridge. Then, on to St. Remy of Provence, & Ilse sur Sorgue ( famous for antiquities stores) , visit of the beautiful villages of Oppéde le vieux, Roussillon, Gordes.

9-Abbeys of Provence : Montmajour abbey, Avignon, Senanque abbey

10-Antiques buying on Sundays tour : On Sundays, several villages in Provence has great antique flea markets, Isle sur Sorgue, St. Remy, Avignon. Your private guide is also a specialist in antiquities and has his own store, he will appreciate for you the objects but also negociate the prices and help you for any customs duties or clearance. No commission is taken by your guide on merchandises;

11-Canyon of Verdon : After crossing a peaceful countryside, arrival in an immense and open horizon: the limestone plateaus of Haute Provence, deeply dug by the magnificent Gorges of the Verdon River. On to the Verdon Grand Canyon along Corniche Sublime (many stops at viewpoints). A grandiose setting and impressive ravines. Back along the North Bank (Point Sublime), and stop in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, famous for its earthenware.

12-The French Riviera : Nice & Monaco : One day tour to the French Riviera, city tour of Nice, & Monaco, stop in EZE, visit a perfume factory.

13-Prehistoric caves of Ardeche : The Chauvet cave and its magnificent paintings and engravings were discovered in December 1994 and brought public attention to the Ardèche. Visit of Aven d⊃1;Orgnac in Orgnac l⊃1;Aven : the underground network that is opened to the general public covers 3 hectares (7.5 acres) and represents about one tenth of the total area known today.
The Regional Museum of Prehistory at Orgnac offers a coherent history of the area of the Ardeche as inhabited by prehistoric man from the Middle Paleolithic till the Iron Age. Films, covering various themes about prehistory, may be viewed in the audiovisual room with seating for 100- Continue to L'Aven-Grotte de Marzal in Saint Remèze which was described in 1892 by E.A.Martel, a master pot-holer, as a naturel marvel. the site was completed by the addition of the first prehistoric zoo in France

14-Garden tours of Provence :Visit of the Jardins des Lavandes : lavender farm located in Sault, the lavender capital where you will have the possibility to discover large lavender fields in blossom and to taste the lavender sirup. Visit of the Renaissance castle of Lourmarin : beautiful medieval and Renaissance architecture, entirely furnished. Lunch on your own. Visit of the private estate of St Etienne du Grès (Martin Rager). Continue to Eygalières for the visit of the Gardens of l⊃1;Alchimiste (4.00 pm) in the beautiful Renaissance property of Mas de la Brune.

Other services available under request : Helicopter tours of Provence/ Heli gourmet tours ( To Relais & Châteaux restaurants of Provence) and helicopter transfers from Nice / Marseille to Aix en Provence Painting classes in Aix en Provence Visit of Santons Cooking lessons / wine tasting

RATES FOR PROVENCE PRIVATE TOURS
From the château Grimaldi –Pick up & return
These rates are for private tours 1-8 persons , including an English speaking driver guide, transport by minivan luxe, air conditionned, tolls, parkings, gas, insurance. The cost is the same for a private tour for 2 or 8 persons sharing the tour. Lunch is not included unless **noted below .