The Lavender Road

Tour available in June & July only

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.

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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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

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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

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

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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

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

AND

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

AND

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