Discover Provence and the Rhône Valley

Hermitage and Croze-Hermitage

On arrival in Valence, meet your local guide and take the road to the world renowned Hermitage wine area, North of Valence. Grown on the bank of the Rhône river on a very specific terroir, ideally located on a bend along the river and blessed with an ideal year round climate, you will discover wines which are enduringly amongst France’s most prestigious. The history of Hermitage can be clearly traced back to the 17th Century, when it was an official wine in the French courts of King Louis XIII and his successor Louis XIV.

Start the day in Crozes-Hermitage, the largest wine appellation (AOC) in the Northern Rhône, covering approximately 1,500 hectares. It is known for producing high-quality red and white wines. The wines produced in this region are known for their elegance and finesse, with a balance of fruit, tannins, and acidity. The Crozes-Hermitage vineyards are situated on the slopes facing south or southeast with a climate mix of Mediterranean and continental influences. The combination of terroir and climate results in wines that are generally less powerful and complex than those from Hermitage, yet still of high quality and age-worthy.

Some of the producers we will consider for this mornings tastings include Domaine des Remizières, Domaine Belle, Domaine Laurent Habrard or Domaine Combier.

A lunch reservation will be made for you today at a local restaurant in Tain l'Hermitage (to be paid directly).

After lunch, your guide will bring you to the legendary vines of Hermitage to discover the unique hillside position that this appellation holds overlooking the town of Tain-l'Hermitage. A natural continental micro-climate produces hot summers and cold winters. These conditions, combined with the steep, terraced slopes that rise up to 400 meters above the Rhône, make it a challenging but rewarding place to grow grapes, resulting in wines with a unique character and sense of place. The age worthy wines of Hermitage are known for their power, structure, and complexity, making them some of the most prestigious and sought-after wines in the world.

Afterwards, you will push open the door of a local producer where you will have the opportunity to taste some of the best wines of the region including the Hermitage AOC and Crozes Hermitage AOC. Some of the producers we will consider include Paul Jaboulet Aîné, Domaine Chapoutier - a renowned negociant and winery located in Tain Hermitage, Domaine Jean-Louis Chave or Domainee Les Bessards.

As your incredible day in Hermitage comes to an end your guide will return you to your accommodation.

Dinner Reservation at Masion Pic***

A dinner reservation can been arranged for you this evening at 3 Michelin starred Maison Pic.

After checking out of your accommodation, meet your private driver who will transfer you the train station to catch your connecting train.

Rail Journey - Valence to Aix-en-Provence
Comfort Class Tickets

Wine and Art in Sainte-Victoire

On arrival in Aix, meet your private guide and together depart towards the Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire Appellation for a day of wine tastings and arts discoveries. Famously depicted in a series of paintings by Aix-en-Provence born artist Paul Cézanne, Mont Sainte-Victoire is a beautiful mountain ridge that’s popular with hikers and wine enthusiasts alike. Enjoy a scenic drive along the mountain today with the possibility of a short walk if it is of interest.

You will be welcomed today at a producer such as Château Gassier for a tour and tasting. Situated in the heart of the Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire appellation, the estate covers 40 hectares of vines cultivated using organic practices and bordered by the Sainte-Victoire mountain in the North, the Sainte Baume mountains in the South and the Monts Auréliens in the East, together forming a unique backdrop for the vineyards. Château Gassier produces remarkably elegant rosés.

Take in beautiful views of the Aix en Provence valley while enjoying lunch today at a restaurant such as Relais de St Ser (to be paid directly).

This afternoon, enjoy a tour and tasting at another estate such as Château Grand Boise, a huge estate of woods and forests on two sides of a mountain, overlooking the Arc valley. The site has unbeatable and unique views over the whole of the Mount Sainte Victoire and the vines here have been growing since 1610.

You will be returned to your accommodation later this afternoon.

Aix-en-Provence Market

A great way to soak up the flavors of Provençal cuisine is to stroll through the Farmer’s Market this morning. The area around Place des Prêcheurs is covered with stalls where you can buy olive oil, artisanal goat's cheese, Provençal herbs, braided garlic and honey with the flavors of the garrigue. This explosion of colors and aromas will also invite you to immerse yourself in an atmosphere typical of the South of France with its melodious conversations and its sunny terraces where you can sip a glass of pastis.
Note: the Aix-en-Provence market is open everyday from 8:00AM-1:00PM

Provence at Leisure

The day is yours to take advantage of your surroundings. Perhaps wander the streets of Aix, visit Paul Cézanne's studio or venture to the Calanques, narrow inlets framed by steep, limestone cliffs.

Aix-en-Provence

Long-time rival of edgier, more exotic Marseille, the lovely town of Aix-en-Provence is gracious, cultivated, and made all the more cosmopolitan by the presence of some 40,000 university students. In keeping with its aristocratic heritage, Aix quietly exudes well-bred suavity and elegance. The influence and power it once had as the old capital of Provence—fine art, noble architecture, and graceful urban design—remain equally important to the city today.

Under the wise and generous guidance of Good King René in the 15th century, Aix became a center of Renaissance arts and letters. A poet himself and patron of the arts, the king encouraged a veritable army of artists to flourish here. The artists in turn gratefully left a handful of masterpieces, including Nicolas Froment's Triptyque du Buisson Ardent (Burning Bush Triptych) in the Cathédrale St-Sauveur.

Marseille and the Calanques de Cassis

This morning you will be met by your guide in the lobby of your hotel. Set out together to discover Marseille, Cassis and the Calanques de Cassis .

Begin today with a walking tour of Marseille. Your guide will discuss with you the history of the city as you wander through the Old Port district including the fish market. You may also wish to visit the Notre Dame de la Garde basilica.

Next, your guide will take you on a tour of Cassis. This lovely Provençal harbor has been long protected by its high calcareous cliffs favorable to shelter boats. In the Roman period, the city was known for coral trade, but also for its links with Middle East and Northern Africa.

Stop to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in town such as La Villa Madie (to be paid directly).

After lunch, visit the breathtaking Calanques. For millions of years, rain and wind split the calcareous cliffs to create a similar geologic formation as the Norwegian fjords but on the Mediterranean coast. Favourable for walking and snorkeling, the Calanques also host important groups of sea birds and very particular vegetation cover. You will be impressed by the contrast between the blinding white cliffs and the numerous shades of blue, from the lightest turquoise to the deep navy blue. Enjoy a shared cruise around this stunning area.
Note: a private cruise can be arranged for a supplement

At the end of your day of exploration, your guide will return you to your accommodation.

Arles and Les Baux-de-Provence

This morning, after checking out, meet your guide at the hotel and depart towards the Alpilles Natural Regional Park. This area is the heart of Provence: between the Luberon and the Mediterranean Sea. The white limestone rocks in the park stand out against the brilliant blue of the sky - a living area of exceptional beauty. The chain is home to many picturesque Provencal villages.

Enjoy a guided visit to Les Baux-de-Provence and its castle. This Medieval village, perched on a rock 245 meters high, is worth some wandering. You’ll enjoy the tiny twisting streets and many shops, the Santon Museum, beautiful Medieval and Renaissance buildings, and the ruins of the castle.

Afterwards you will be welcomed to a producer in the region such as Chateau Romanin for a wine tasting. On the outskirts of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, on the northern slope of the Alpilles, the domain of Château Romanin has flourished through time, below the ruins of a 13th century Templar castle. Time permitting, enjoy a visit to an olive producer to sample some of the finest French Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Alternatively you may wish to visit the extremely impressive Carrières de Lumières. A former quarry with art-based multimedia shows, projecting images of famous paintings set to music.

Spend the afternoon in Arles with your guide, uncovering the Roman architecture, story of Van Gogh and the area’s history. Visit the two-tiered Roman amphitheater featuring 120 arches and measuring 136m (446ft) in length. Built in 90 AD, the amphitheater was capable of seating over 20,000 spectators, and was built to provide entertainment in the form of chariot races and bloody hand-to-hand battles.

You will be delivered to your accommodation in Avignon in the late afternoon to check in.

Additional Options for Day 6

La Mere Germaine - Superior King

The Hotel Restaurant La Mère Germaine welcomes you to its new, completely redesigned and renovated environment in the heart of the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape . The Michelin starred restaurant offers two shaded terraces, with an exceptional view of the Rhône Valley, the Palais des Papes and the Alpilles drawn in the distance, and welcomes the talented Belgian Chef Christophe Hardiquest.   La Mère Germaine boasts a place of life around an open kitchen and a rotisserie in a warm and colorful dining room with a unique panorama over the vineyards of the appellation. The menu contains dishes  by the young and talented chef Clément Peine as well as a careful selection of wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape and beautiful French terroirs. The rooms and suites are comfortable with luxury amenities.

Southern Rhone Valley

The Southern region of the Rhône Valley has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers. A feature of the cultivation of the region is the use of large pebbles around the bases of the vines to absorb the heat of the sun during the day to keep the vines warm at night. Grenache plays the star role in the Southern Rhône red blends, with Syrah and Mourvèdre playing supporting roles, and the most prestigious appellation is undoubtedly Châteauneuf-du-Pape, though Gigondas and Vacqueyras also hold their own.

Southern Rhone Discovery - Gigondas and Vacqueyras

This morning you will be met by your guide who will bring you to discover the Southern Rhone cru villages, Gigondas and Vacqueyras.

This sub-region has a more Mediterranean climate with milder winters and hot summers. The differing terroirs, together with the rugged landscape which partly protects the valleys from the Mistral, produce microclimates which give rise to a wide diversity of wines. A feature of the cultivation of the region is the use of large pebbles around the bases of the vines to absorb the heat of the sun during the day to keep the vines warm at night when, due to the cloudless skies, there is often a significant drop in temperature. The wines of the Cotes de Rhôneare classified in three groups. At the top level are the 13 “crus”, the Grandes Appellations Locales.

Your guide will bring you to several domaines today for a visit and tasting. Some of the estates we will consider today include:
• Domaine des Bosquets -Gigondas
• Domaine de Mourchon -Séguret
• Domaine Brunely –Vacqueyras, family owned for three generations
• Le Clos De Caveau -Vacqueyras.

At lunchtime, you will be brought to a local restaurant such as Domaine la Garrigueor Bistrot de L'Oustalet in Gigondas(to be paid directly).

During the day, visit arguably the prettiest of all the Mont Ventoux Côtes-du-Rhône wine villages. Gigondas is little more than a cluster of stone houses stacked gracefully up a hillside and a wander through the village will allow you to appreciate the Provencal way of life.

Your guide will return you to your accommodation at the end of the day.

Luberon Discovery

Meet your private guide and set out to explore the fascinating ‘perched’ hilltop villages in The Luberon. Found between the Alpes de Haute Provence and the Vaucluse, the Luberon is a region renowned for its spectacular landscapes of vineyards and lavender, daily markets and outstanding natural produce, all bathed in the pure light of van Gogh and Cezanne. You will be inspired by the beauty of the area and explore hilltop towns with typical stone houses that have become part of the landscape.

Begin the day with a visit to one the many charming villages in the region such as Gordes, ranked as one of the most beautiful villages in France. It is a village steeped in the past and an atmosphere of artistic talent and creativity is found in every building –in particular the medieval castle, the Saint-Firmin church and in the local village galleries.

Continue on towards Roussillon, located at the southern end of the Plateau de Vaucluse. Situated in the heart of one of the biggest ochre deposits in the world, Roussillon is famous for its magnificent red cliffs and ochre quarries. The red, yellow and brown shades of the earth form a striking contrast with the lush green pinetrees and vivid blue of the Provencal sky. Wander through the town and stop for lunch at a quaint restaurant serving traditional dishes (to be paid directly).

This afternoon, you will be welcomed to an estate such as Domaine de Marie for a visit and tasting. The 23 hectares of vineyards of the Domaine de Marie, divided into 4 different terroirs, are carefully cultivated. The microclimates, the diversity of the soils and their exposure to the setting sun are decisive natural assets so that the aromas and peculiarities of each varietal express themselves naturally.

Today you will also have a chance to stop and taste some of the regional products, such as olive oil, produced in the Luberon.

Time permitting and if of interest, visit the town of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, 'the island on the Sorgue', to see the numerous water wheels and try to grab a bargain in the antiques capital of Provence.

You will be returned to your accommodation after your exploration concludes.

Châteauneuf du Pape Wine Touring

Today, you will be met by your private driver-guide as we set out to explore Châteauneuf-du-Pape. You have found yourselves in one of the most revered wine regions in the world.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the vine, has existed on the banks of the Rhone River for over 2000 years and the great variety of soils, grapes and microclimates has made this one of the greatest and most interesting wine areas of France, as well as one of the oldest. In this part of the Rhône region, the vines lie baking in the sun on big, broad terraces or in small valleys with a rich mix of grape varieties.

Meander through the villages beautifully placed at the bottom of the lace-like Dentelles hills, before heading into Châteauneuf. This town was the summer residence of the Popes, during the time that they made their base in Avignon. Avignon itself became too hot, busy and humid in the Middle Ages in the summer, and then of course there was the pull of the already famous wines which the Popes loved.

Some of the wineries we will consider for todays visit and tasting include Domaine du Pegau, Château Fine Roches, Domaine du Vieux Télépgraphe, Domaine de Nalys, Clos St Michel, Domaine de Beaurenard, Domaine du Grand Tinel and Château de la Nerthe.

Lunch will take place within a privileged setting in a restaurant of matchless reputation such as La Mere Germaine. Indeed, the menu abounds in delicious and elaborate dishes freshly prepared by a chef who allies Provençal tradition and simplicity (to be paid directly).

Continue with a third tasting this afternoon before returning to your accommodation at the end of the day.

After checking out today, you will be greeted at your accommodation by your private driver. Bid a fond farewell to Provence as you are transferred to the Avignon train station for your onward travels.

Bon Voyage!