Provence & the Riviera
Trip Itinerary
Monday June 29, 2026 to Wednesday July 8, 2026
Paris Add-on: Wednesday July 8, 2026 - Friday July 10 ,2026
Day One
Paris to St. Rémy
After meeting up at Charles de Gaulle airport, we will board our train to Provence! Our first destination is the lovely town of St. Rémy de Provence. Our adorable hotel is just a few minutes’ walk into town, where you will be delighted by the unique shops, excellent restaurants, and loads of small-town charm. After an early dinner of local Provençal specialties and a stroll through the village, we will all be ready for a good night’s sleep!
Day Two
Exploring Provence
After a made-to-order breakfast at the hotel, we’re off to visit some of the most beautiful sights in Provence. Our first stop will be Les Baux de Provence, a small village on a rocky plateau with spectacular views over the region and a limestone quarry that has been repurposed as an art exhibition space. We will also visit one of the most photographed sights in the region, the Cistercian Abbey of Sénanque, with its surrounding lavender fields. Finally, we will head to the picturesque L’Ile-sur-la-Sorgue, where we will browse the shops and stroll along the canal that gives the town its unique charm. We will return in late afternoon to our hotel for relaxation and a swim in the hotel pool before heading out for the Tuesday night artisan market and a delicious dinner in the town center.
Day Three
La Côte d’Azur
This morning’s activities will depend on the group’s interests. For those who prefer a leisurely start to the day, there will be free time to explore the town as well as a market for those who wish to browse. If you’re up for a bit more sightseeing, we can arrange a guided tour of the Roman village of Glanum, located just outside St. Rémy. After lunch at an adorable crêperie, our private driver will take us to Aix-en-Provence, where we will board a train to Nice on the French riviera. After checking into our hotel in Nice, we will go for a stroll on the majestic Promenade des Anglais followed by a relaxing dinner overlooking the Mediterranean sea.
Day Four
Markets and perfume-making
Nice is a feast for the senses, with its Italian-influenced architecture and its famous flower and produce market on the Cours Saleya. We will start our day at the market, followed by a walking tour of Vieux Nice and a traditional Niçois lunch. In the afternoon, we will take a short train ride to Grasse, the heart of the perfume industry, where we will learn about perfume-making and have the chance to make our own perfumes! Our evening plans will depend on the group’s desires. We can hop over to Cannes or Monaco to see a different side of the Côte d’Azur, relax on the beach, or spend a bit more time exploring Nice. Whatever we choose, we’ll never be far from the beauty and magic of the Mediterranean.
Day Five
The city of fountains
This morning we say goodbye to Nice and head to one of the gems of southern France: Aix-en-Provence. Known as the “city of fountains” and called simply “Aix” (pronounced like the letter X) by the locals, this is a beautiful, stylish city with an impressive past. After checking into our hotel, we will wander our way through the picturesque squares and impressive pedestrian boulevards of Aix, sample some of the local treats – like câlissons and pissaladière – and get to know this elegant city before enjoying a sumptuous dinner in a magical setting.
Day Six
Cassis
The Cours Mirabeau market is one of the best known in Provence, so we’ll browse the market before heading out for a day trip to the delightful village of Cassis. After exploring the unique shops and soaking up the coastal vibes, we will embark on a boat tour of the calanques, the dramatic limestone cliffs surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean – truly one of the most breathtaking sights in all of France. Our dinner overlooking the harbor will be a great opportunity to sample the local seafood while reveling in the view and relaxing after a busy day. After dinner, we will return to Aix for our last night before heading to the enchanting city of Arles.
Day Seven
Incomparable Arles
Arles is a city that has everything: friendly people, quaint streets and squares, and noteworthy museums and historic sites. After arriving in Arles, we will do a walking tour of the city to get our bearings and learn about two of its most interesting features: its impressive collection of Roman ruins and its deep connections to the artist Vincent Van Gogh. Depending on the interests of the group, we may formally tour some of the best-known attractions or we may take a more relaxed approach to our day. Either way, you are sure to be charmed by this delightful city.
Day Eight
The Camargue
Today you will have the chance to explore a truly unique region of France, the Camargue. Known for its stunning landscapes, remarkable wildlife, and the picturesque towns of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and Aigues-Mortes, this is a place that feels like nowhere else in France. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for two of the emblematic features of the area – wild white horses and pink flamingoes – and learn about the rich traditional culture of the Camargue and how it continues to thrive in the modern era.
Day Nine
Au Revoir, Provence!
We will spend our final morning soaking up our last moments in Arles before heading to the train station and our train back to Paris Charles-de-Gaulle and our hotel at the airport. After enjoying a drink together and saying a final farewell at the airport hotel, those who are staying on will head to their hotel in the city center while the others relax and prepare for the journey home.
Day Ten
Depart for home
Au revoir! Head home from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Days Ten - Twelve (optional Paris add-on)
Paris, the City of Light
If you don’t want to miss out on Paris while you’re in France, you have the option of adding on a two-day/two-night personalized visit before heading home. Whether you have specific plans in mind, want to visit nearby gems like Giverny, Chartres, or Versailles, or want us to design your itinerary based on your interests, we guarantee it will be an unforgettable experience!
