FRANCE
6 DAYS
6 DAYS
Wild Horses, Camargue National Park
Palais des Papes, Avignon
Papal Wine & Roman Lavender
Pont du Gard & the Camargue
UPDATED TOUR
As rich in Roman monuments as it is in medieval villages and scenic beauty, the French region of Provence and its surrounds is a treasure trove for sightseers and nature-lovers. On this packaged tour based in historic Uzès, we discover cities such as Roman-era Nîmes, Avignon and Arles, marvel at the magnificent Pont du Gard aqueduct, enjoy olive oil tastings and cruise the stunning Camargue nature park.
This tour showcases some of France’s best medieval villages and ancient Roman remains, along with the majestic cities of Avignon, Orange and Nîmes, wonderful local markets and fantastic food and drink, plus a unique visit to Carrieres des Lumieres, a true feast for all the senses.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrival We make our way to our hotel in the beautiful medieval market town of Uzès. Day 2 Avignon, Orange & Châteauneuf-du-Pape This morning, we head to the city of Avignon, set on the banks of the Rhône with dramatic views of its 800-year-old medieval ramparts surrounding the magnificent Palais des Papes. The famous Pont d’Avignon, of nursery rhyme fame, sits majestically halfway across the Rhône, and the city teems with cobbled streets, quaint boutiques and leafy squares. We could take a self-guided tour of the Palais des Papes or take things at a slower pace with a cruise on the Rhône, admiring the majestic city as we sail. In the afternoon we travel to the roman city of Orange before continuing to a winery in Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a tour and tasting. Day 3 Uzès Driver’s Day Off Today we can relax by the hotel swimming pool or take a stroll into the medieval town of Uzès, where the market traditionally takes place on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, on the picturesque Place aux Herbes. Day 4 Carrieres des Lumieres & Les Baux-de-Provence This morning, we drive to St Remy de Provence for free time in the beautiful narrow charming streets followed by a visit to the unique art installations of Carrieres Lumieres set close to the village of Les Baux-de-Provence. We will experience firsthand the spectacular digital, immersive and contemporary exhibitions which are set against impressive blocks of ‘Baux’ stone in Val d’Enfer, a place filled with mystery. Afterwards, we have lunch and free time in Les Baux-de-Provence. Perched on a natural plateau, this ancient village, one of the most beautiful in France, with its narrow streets, museums and churches tells the story of its centuries-old heritage and traditions. Please note that visit to the village of Les Baux requires a walk uphill to the village as the centre is not coach accessible. Day 5 Pont du Gard & Nîmes Today we visit the ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard, an amazing feat of engineering built more than 2,000 years ago to take water to the city of Nîmes. We might choose to visit the museum and visitor centre, which provides an interactive insight into how the aqueduct was made, before continuing to the city of Nîmes. Founded around a spring fed by the Pont du Gard, here we can visit the beautiful Jardins de la Fontaine, the Roman amphitheatre (the best-preserved arena in France) and the Maison Carrée – a Roman temple built around 19BC and still standing today, where we can enjoy a film on the history of the city. We can also browse the many shops, cafés and boutiques that line the ancient streets. Day 6 Departure After breakfast, we begin our journey home.
Day 1 Arrival We arrive at our hotel in time for dinner. Day 2 Pont du Gard & Nîmes
We enjoy a scenic drive this morning to visit the Pont du Gard, a UNESCO-listed, three-level aqueduct built by the Romans in the 1st century. We walk around the lower remains of this masterpiece and visit the museum to learn how it was built and used. Next, we continue to nearby Nîmes, a charming city famous for its Roman relics. We have time free for lunch here and to view highlights like the astonishingly well-preserved Maison Carrée temple and Roman amphitheatre, Today we can relax by the hotel swimming pool or take a stroll into the medieval town of Uzès, where the market traditionally takes place on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, on the picturesque Place aux Herbes. Day 4 Arles & the Camargue Today we head to the beautiful city of Arles. We have the morning at leisure to perhaps view its Roman amphitheatre and trace the steps of its one-time resident, Vincent Van Gogh, to see some of the scenes he painted. After free time for lunch here, we travel to the Camargue Natural Park, a wildlife-rich delta of plains and salt marshes. We take a narrated 90-minute Camargue paddleboat cruise to spot its horses, bulls, flamingos and egrets, during which we visit a horse and bull farm. Day 5 Avignon & Les-Baux-de-Provence We spend the morning in medieval Avignon, with free time to explore, stroll and have lunch. Highlights include the city’s 12th century Pont d’Avignon - celebrated in the famous French song - and the vast Place du Palais fronting the Palais des Papes, the seat of medieval popes. After leaving to visit the gorgeous rocktop village of Les-Baux-de-Provence, we make an afternoon visit to Moulin Castelas, a boutique olive oil estate where we enjoy a mill tour, tastings and gift of a bottle of olive oil. Please note that visit to the village of Les Baux requires a walk uphill to the village as the centre is not coach accessible. Day 6 Departure After breakfast, we make our way home. dating from around 100 AD. Day 3 Uzès Driver’s Day Off
INCLUSIONS • Return short sea crossing
INCLUSIONS • Return short sea crossing
Albatross Approved Rating: ✓ Visited ✓ Inspected ✓ Graded
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