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GUIDED TOURS BY MINIBUS
FROM AIX
EN PROVENCE
Departure from Aix-en-Provence
Tourist Office and hotels
EVERY tour is guided in French AND in English by a professional guide.
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The Lavender Road
Tour available in June & July only

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LAVENDER ROAD #1
Wed: June 24, July 01 and 08, 2009
Vaucluse Plateau/ Luberon/
Pays de Sault
Departure: 9:15am / Return around 7:00pm.
Price: $101.00 per person
Through the Luberon Regional Nature Park along the picturesque and
winding Combe of Lourmarin, arrival in Pays de Sault where lavender and
lavandin are cultivated and distilled. Stop in Sault (time free for
lunch). In the afternoon, a discovery itinerary through the hill top villages of
Monieux, St Saturnin-les-Apt (panorama), Saignon. Back to
Aix through the Plateau of Claparèdes with its numerous "bories" (typical
dry-stoned houses) among the lavender fields.
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LAVENDER ROAD #2
Sun: June 28, July 05 and 12, 2009
Valensole Plateau/
Moustiers-Ste-Marie /Sainte Croix
Departure: 9:00am -
Return around 6:30pm
Price: $100.00 per person
Following first the valley of the Durance River, arrival on the Plateau of
Valensole specialised in the cultivation of "lavandin", where small roads are
winding among the fields of flowers. Stop in the village of Moustiers-Ste-Marie,
so famous for its earthen ware workshops (free time for lunch). In the
afternoon, on to the breath taking opening of the Grand Canyon of the River
Verdon and Sainte Croix Lake.
Reserve
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MONDAY
THE HILL TOP VILLAGES : Bonnieux, Lacoste, Ménerbes, Oppède-le-Vieux.
All irresistibly charming villages,
sentinels of Time gone by. Bonnieux, a former papal estate; Lacoste with the
castle of the Marquis de Sade; the " impregnable " Ménerbes, standing on its
" stone ship ". The romantic Oppède-le-Vieux.
Available Every Monday :
From February 9 to November
16,
2009
Departure: 1:30pm /
Return around 7:30pm
PRICE : $84.00 PER PERSON
Reserve
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TUESDAY
MARSEILLE
A whistle stop tour to discover this
large but little known city: the Town Hall, (crossing the port aboard the " César "
ferry-boat), the ancient district of "Le Panier", La Major Cathedral and the Old
Major Church, the Pharo Palace, the little port Vallon des Auffes, the beach,
the Prado Avenue, Borély Park and Castle, Castellane, Rue de Rome, the
Préfecture, the Law Courts, Notre Dame de La Garde Basilica (panorama), La
Canebière, Longchamp Palace, la Porte d’Aix and its triumphal arch.
Available Every Tuesday:
From February 10 to November 10, 2009
Departure: 1:30pm / Return around 7:00pm
PRICE : $77.00 PER PERSON
Reserve
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WEDNESDAY
LES BAUX DE PROVENCE
Arrival in the
exceptional village Les Baux through the spectacular Val d'Enfer. The
narrow streets and the ruins of the castle will remind you of the proud lords
and troubadours of the Middle Ages while admiring a breathtaking scenery.
Guided visit, free time and return to Aix along small roads, through the
enchanting scenery of Les Alpilles.
Available Every
Wednesday:
From February 11
to April 15, 2009
From October 14 to
November 11, 2009
Departure: 01:30
pm / Return around 6:15pm
PRICE : $86.00 PER PERSON
Entrance fees
(optional) not included.
Reserve
ST REMY DE PROVENCE:
Provencal market/AVIGNON
Available Every Wednesday:
From April 22 to June 17
and
from July 15 to October 07, 2009
Departure 9:00am /
Return around 7:00pm
PRICE : $100.00 PER PERSON
Entrance fees not included.
Reserve
Arrival in
Saint Remy De Provence and free time in the open Provencal market. After
lunch (on your own), departure for Avignon : still surrounded by its
medieval ramparts, the city was the stay of the Popes in the 14th century,
visit of the impressive Palace of the Popes, the Notre Dame des Dom's garden
(panorama on the famous "Pont D'Avignon"). Back to Aix in the late
afternoon.
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THURSDAY
THE GOURMET TOUR
An itinerary through countryside
roads to meet the local producers of wine, olive oil, regional specialties,
essential oils...Visits, all followed by tastings of the vineyard and cellar of
Chateau Val Joanis or La Dorgonne, of a distillery and olive oil mill.
Available Every Thursday:
From June 4 to July 30 and
from September 03 to 24
Departure: 9:00am / Return around
1:00pm
Price: $103.00 per person
Tastings Included
Reserve
LES BAUX DE
PROVENCE/ THE CAMARGUE : the bird sanctuary and Les Saintes Maries de la mer.
Along small roads, through the enchanting scenery of Les Alpilles, arrival in
the exceptional village Les Baux (panorama from Le Val d’Enfer). The narrow
streets and the ruins of the castle will remind you of the proud lords and
troubadours of the Middle Ages while admiring a breathtaking scenery. On to
Arles the "gateway to Camargue" and free time for lunch. Departure for the
Nature Reserve Park of Camargue : wide spaces where bulls and horses roam, Route
de Cacharel with its many pink flamingos, Les-Saintes-Maries-de-La-Mer and its
famous legend (visit of the church, free time, possibility of swimming). In the
late afternoon, stop at the Bird sanctuary of Pont de Gau for a discovery, on
foot, in between marshes and reeds, of the main birds of Camargue. Return to
Aix.
Available Every Thursday :
From April 2 to October 15,
2009
Departure: 01:30pm /
Return around 7:30pm
PRICE : $86.00 PER PERSON
Entrance fees (optional) not included.
Reserve
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FRIDAY
LOURMARIN PROVENCAL MARKET/ROUSSILLON/GORDES/SENANQUE ABBEY
Arrival in Lourmarin and
the Regional Park of Luberon. Time to wander through the open Provençal
market. Late in the morning, departure for the colourful village of
Roussillon and its ochre cliffs (Visit and free time for lunch). In the
afternoon, visit of the 12th century Cistercian Abbey of Senanque and a last
stop in the beautiful hill top village of Gordes (panorama)
Available Every Friday:
From April 3 to October 16,
2009 (Except Apr. 10)
Departure: 9:00am /
Return around 7:15pm
PRICE : $100.00 PER PERSON
Reserve
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SATURDAY
ARLES
The imposing remains of the former
Roman colony founded in 46 B.C. by Julius Ceaser (the arenas, the Roman theater,
etc). The medieval St. Trophime church, considered as the masterpiece of
Provencal Romanesque architecture. The town where lived and painted Vincent Van
Gogh (Cafe la nuit, the Yellow House, the Van Gogh Bridge).
Available every Saturday:
From April 4 to October 10
Departure: 9:00am / Return around
2:00pm
Price: $86.00 per person
Entrance fees (optional); not
included
AND
LA
COTE BLEUE (SEASIDE) :
l'ESTAQUE / CALANQUE DE NIOLON / CARRY
LE ROUET
Deep
blue is the sea, deep blue is the sky along this part of the Mediterranean
coast, the wilderness of which is still preserved, in many places, from the
summer "madding crowd". Stop by the seaside and short stroll along the coast
where, centuries ago, the Gauls were trading in their villages overlooking the
sea. On to Sausset-les-pins and Carry-le-Rouet (Stop, possibility of swimming).
The breathtaking beauty of the road going down through the wilderness to the
inlet (calanque) of Niolon, formerly a fishing port (Stop), the impregnable view
on the bay of Marseille, the light, will have you share the attractiveness of
several painters (Paul Cézanne, George Braque…) for L'Estaque (Stop. The Church
square, the house once occupied by Cézanne). Return to Aix but not without
having tasted the local specialities "chichis frégis" and "panisses".
Available every Saturday from June
13 to September 12, 2009
Departure : 02.00 pm / Return
around 07:00pm
Price : $77.00 per person
Reserve
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SUNDAY -
The Gorges of the River
verdon / Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
After crossing a peaceful
countryside, arrival in an immense and open horizon: the limestone plateaus
Haute Provence, deeply dug by the magnificent Gorges of the Verdon River. On
to the Verdon Grand Canyon along Corniche Sublime (many stops at
viewpoints). A grandiose setting and impressive ravines. Back along the
North Bank (Point Sublime), and stop in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, famous for
its earthenware.
This tour is available on May
17, June 14, July 19, August 16, September 13 and October 11, 2009
Departure: 8:45am /
Return around 7:30pm
PRICE : $101.00 PER PERSON
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La Sainte Baume / The Mountain Ranges of
Provence
Through Gemenos, up a wild
and winding road, you'll reach the Espigoulier pass (alt 728m). A
wonderful view on: Pic de Bertagne, Marseille, St Cyr, l'Etoile and Sainte
Victoire mountain ranges. Further up in La Sainte Baume, a 45 min
walk through the once sacred forest will lead you to the cave of the patron
saint of Provence, Mary Magdalena. For people fond of nature and
legends.
Available May 24, September 20 and
October 04
Departure: 1:30pm /
Return around 6:30pm
PRICE : $77.00 PER PERSON
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The Medieval Tour: Tarascon/Avignon/Chateauneuf-du-Pape
(the wine fair)
Along small roads, arrival in
Tarascon. Visit of Good King Rene's castle, a powerful fortress
standing by the Rhone defending, in the past, the Country of Provence.
Continuation to Avignon, the city of the Popes in the 14th century.
Charming. Stop and free time for lunch.
The day will go on with the
traditional "Veraison" feast in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. A feast to which
takes place all the local vine growers, celebrating the vine, the maturity
of the grapes and wine. The best opportunity to taste the famous local
wine of Chateauneuf, to appreciate some other specialities and visit the
reconstitution of a medieval village while listening to medieval music.
Available August 09
Departure: 9:00am / Return
around 7:00pm
Price: $94.00
Entrance fees (optional); not
included
AND
Paul Cezanne in Gardanne
A Cezanne Tour in the only
Provencal village painted by Paul Cezanne. The fifteen months the
artist spent in Gardanne were to be essential for his art. The tour,
partly on foot, partly by minibus, will end on Cours Forbin, in the heart of
the village and the Sunday Provencal Market.
Available every Sunday:
from May 31 to September 27
Departure: 9:00am / Return:
12:30pm
Price: $67.00 per person
Reserve
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Reserve
Tours by private car from
Aix en Provence are also available upon request (for 1 to 8 passengers):
info@filfranck.com
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