The sun-washed Luberon and Verdon regions of Provence are a walker's paradise, filled with vineyards, orchards, herb-covered hills and ancient Roman ruins. 
Provence delights the senses with its fragrant smells of lavender, rosemary and sage along with its luminous light that has inspired artists, musicians and writers. Come along -discover with us this wonderful region of France, escorted by Rose Tomassini.
Our program :
- 1 night Nice
- 2 nights Castellane
- 5 nights Aix-en-Provence
Our Itinerary :
May 7 Nice
Meet up with our group escort, Rose Tomassini and other members of the group.
May 8 Nice - Castellane
After breakfast we travel from Nice up into the region of the 'Alpes de Haute Provence' and
charming market town of Castellane. Situated on the 'Route Napoleon' and at the eastern
end of the great Verdon Gorge the surrounding scenery creates a terrific backdrop.
Enroute to Castellane we will stop to visit a little village hugged within a loop of the
Var River. We enter the village of Entrevaux by crossing the drawbridge (over the
river providing a natural moat) and through the “Porte Royale” gate. The Town was
fortified by order of Louis XIV's masterful military engineer “Vauban”. This along with
the totally pedestrian streets, tall, narrow houses, ancient fountains in the little public
squares and fascinating zigzag ramps to the citadel - all set in this rugged region,
gives us the experience of an authentic fairytale escape into another world and time.
We will spend 2 nights in Castellane, and as the Chef is so wonderful we will have
our Welcome Dinner here.
May 9 Castellane
Today we have a guided walk in the Verdon Gorge. We enter the great canyon at le 'couloir
Samson' and after crossing a beautiful stone bridge we walk up into a beech forest to a natural
Viewpoint on the rim of the canyon called the 'Belvedere de Rancoupmas' for a stunning view.
May 10 Castellane - Moustlers Ste. Marie - Aix-en-Provence
After breakfast today we leave Castellane. Our route to Aix-en-Provence
takes us along the stunning 'crete sublime' to give you a full-length view of
the 21 mile long canyon gorge. We will have our lunch break in the village
of Moustiers Ste. Marie. This village seems to clamber over the rocks that
cling to the hillside at the exit of the Verdon Gorge. Originally named
Monsterium it was so named after the monastery founded here in the 5th
century. Ater lunch we carry on to Aix-en-Provence
We settle into “Aix” for 5 wonderful nights !
“Aix” is a delightful old Roman Spa town. today a vibrant university town that
shows off its history, culture, and character in a very hospitible way.
Higgly-piggly streets, old golden hued stone buildings, cafes and fountains
everywhere make this a wonderful base for our five night stay.
May 11 Aix-en-Provence - Cassis - Aix-en-Provence
Cassis a little fishing village with shops and restaurants lining the quay.- a snug
harbour with sailboats from around the world. We will hire a boat to tour
the fascinating coastline where the 'Calanques' - long fingers of limestone
reach out into the azure Mediterranean. On the way back we will drive the
'Crete' road showing off magnificent views of the Mediterranean.
May 12 Aix-en-Provence - Aries - Les Baux - Ste. Remy - Glanum - Aix-en-Provence
Today we are off to visit some of Provence's most interesting and historic towns:
Magnificent Arles, the medieval fortress of Les Baux, Ste Remy (where Van Gogh painted
“The Irises”, and the ancient Roman site of Glanum.
May 13 Aix-en-Provence - Lourmarin - Aix-en-Provence
Today, we travel up onto the Luberon plateau where we find the villages that were secret
until Peter Mayle's book, “A Year in Provence”. As we enter this beautiful region we first come
across Lourmarin, considered one of the most beautiful villages of Provence. After our visit here
we will continue on a little further to begin our guided walk which will take us through a fascin-
ating landscape offering forest, open hills with wild rosemary and meadows with lavender and
rock walls where people lived as troglodytes in ancient times.
May 14 Aix-en-Provence
A free day to explore Aix-en-Provence, and its 'Market Day'! We would be remiss if we didn't save a day to just
be “provençal” - walk the old streets, sit at a café along the Cours Mirabeau and watch the
people going by.
May 15 Aix-en-Provence - Depart for Home or Extend your hoilday to include Exploring Seaside Villages of France and Spain plus Barcelona.
After breakfast our Provence program is over. Aix-en-Provence is about 30 kms from Marseille airport.
There is very frequent shuttle service right from Aix-en-Provence to Marseille at a cost of 10.00
Euros per person. Interested in extending your holiday in France or Spain?
Join Debbie Lloyd as she travels to the Seaside Villages of France and Spain plus Barcelona to begin Canadian Woman Traveller's newest program.
Note - As a fully licensed travel agency, we are happy to arrange flights from anywhere in the world
to meet up with this program.
The city of Aix-en-Provence was first known as Aquae Sextiae
(the water of Sextius). Sextius Calvinius was the Roman proconsul
who founded the city in 124 BC after finding the hot springs here. Even
now, 'Aix' is referred to as the “City of 101 Fountains” The city's
old-time elegance reflects its former role as regional capital.
“a complacently conservative and stunningly beautiful place that
considers culture the sustenance of life.”
The medieval quarter and the Cours Mirabeau, a majestic tree lined avenue
in the heart of the city, (a verdant tunnel of foliage protects against the
Provençal sun. Aix's life revolves around this very area) are just steps from
our hotel. Lining the north side of the street are cafés (namely the Café des
Deux Garçons, once an important meeting place for artists and writers such as
Frederic Mistral, 1901 Nobel prize winner and founder of 'Le Félibrige' society
whose aim it was to preserve the history, culture and language of Provence).
COST: $2889.00 (CAD) per person based on twin sharing
Single supplement :
$ 884.00 (CAD)
Includes :
- 8 nights accommodation
with private facilities
-1 night Nice
-2 nights Castellane
-5 nights Aix-en-Provence
- Full breakfast each day
- Welcome dinner in Castellane
- All transportation in itinerary :
- to Castellane
- Entrevaux
- Verdon Gorge
- Aix-en-Provence
- Cassis
- the Luberon
- Le Tholonet
- 2 Guided 8-km country walks:
Verdon Gorge, The Luberon
- All Taxes
