South of France tour: Alpilles and lavender fields

Welcome to France and the start of your South of France tour. On arrival in Marseille, your driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel, allowing you to settle in and ease into your France travel at a comfortable pace.

Later, set out on a guided walking tour beginning at the Old Port. Follow the waterfront past small fishing harbors and hidden coves, taking in the fresh sea air as the city unfolds around you.

Continue through quiet parks and up narrow streets toward Notre Dame de la Garde, where sweeping views reward the climb, before returning through Marseille’s lively central districts.

Explore the coastline on an easy e-bike ride from Marseille to Calanques National Park, following a scenic coastal route.

Pause along the way for a swim in crystal clear coves, enjoy a relaxed local meal, and even try a friendly game of pétanque.

Ride past key highlights including Vallon des Auffes, Prado Beach, and the fishing village of Les Goudes, soaking up the atmosphere of the South of France at a comfortable pace.

Travel from vibrant Marseille to Arles, one of the best places to visit in France, known for its rich history and Provençal charm.

On arrival, explore the city’s remarkable Roman heritage, including the impressive Roman Amphitheatre that still stands at its heart. Wander through atmospheric streets once painted by Van Gogh, pause in sunlit squares, and take in the rhythm of daily life in this characterful town.

After a short transfer, arrive in Fontvieille, a picturesque village known for its warm stone architecture and connection to Alphonse Daudet’s Lettres de mon Moulin. Walk up to the historic Moulin de Daudet for wide views over the Alpilles and the Château de Montauban.

Continue your South of France tour along quiet paths through limestone landscapes, olive groves, and pine and oak forests. The trail gradually climbs toward Les Baux de Provence, one of the most beautiful villages in France, where narrow streets, clustered houses, and sweeping views create a memorable arrival.

Continue your France itinerary with time to explore the hilltop village of Les Baux de Provence. Wander its car-free lanes lined with Renaissance façades and elegant hôtels particuliers, and discover its many listed historic monuments. Climb to the Citadelle ruins and visit the château for sweeping views across the surrounding landscape.

Step inside the Carrières de Lumières for an immersive art experience, where masterpieces are projected onto vast quarry walls. For a slower pace, follow walking paths through the Alpilles toward Maussane, at the heart of a renowned olive-growing region, and enjoy a tasting at the historic Cornille mill.

Set out from Les Baux de Provence into the rugged limestone hills of the Alpilles, following scenic paths with wide views across southern France. The route winds through open landscapes, offering a sense of space and quiet as you walk.

Arrive in Saint Rémy de Provence, one of the region’s most renowned villages and once home to Van Gogh. Take time to explore its lively squares, fountains, medieval buildings, and cobblestone streets framed by remnants of 14th-century walls.

Along the way, visit the Roman site of Glanum, where well-preserved ruins offer a striking glimpse into Provence’s ancient past.

Enjoy a flexible day in Saint Rémy de Provence as part of your South of France tour, with time to explore at your own pace.

Visit the Saint Paul de Mausole Monastery, where Van Gogh spent a prolific year creating works such as Starry Night and his Self Portrait. Continue to the ancient site of Glanum, discovering its Arc de Triomphe and the Mausolée des Antiques.

You can choose between two gentle walks depending on your mood. Follow a relaxed route through olive groves and vineyards that once inspired Van Gogh, or take a scenic climb to the Plateau de la Caume for wide views, returning via the peaceful Lake Peirou.

Travel by short transfer to the historic village of Eygalières, a quieter setting that captures the essence of Provence. Take time to stroll its narrow streets, visit the lively market, and follow a gentle path into the surrounding Alpilles hills, where wide views open across the landscape.

Continue to Avignon, one of Provence’s most notable cities. Explore the impressive Palais des Papes, walk to the famous Pont d’Avignon, and experience the energy of its medieval streets and squares.

Spend the morning exploring the lavender landscapes around Avignon on a half-day guided tour. Travel along scenic Provençal roads, stopping for photos among fields in full bloom, where shades of blue and purple stretch across the countryside.

Enjoy free time in the village of Roussillon, known for its striking ochre cliffs and warm colored façades. Continue to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking Gordes, one of the most beautiful villages in France, and make a final stop at Sénanque Abbey, set among lavender fields during the flowering season.

Enjoy a relaxed final morning on your South of France tour, with time to take in the last views of sunlit vineyards and stone villages. Your private driver will collect you from your accommodation and transfer you smoothly to Avignon TGV station.

As your journey comes to a close, reflect on the days spent among the Alpilles and lavender fields, where the landscapes, flavors, and rhythm of southern France have shaped a truly authentic experience.