Journeys: Stories of Provence
Itinerary
Arrive at any time. Please make your own way to the joining hotel. We recommend arriving a day or two early to fully explore this world-renowned city.
Check-in time at hotel is approximately 3:00pm.
- Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group: Your opportunity to meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Set out on a morning walking tour alongside a local guide to learn Avignon's history, visiting the majestic cathedral and the iconic, stone-arched Pont d'Avignon, its broken span still reaching partway across the Rhône. Share a lunch at a local restaurant on the bustling Place de l'Horloge, watching town life pass by beneath shade trees. In the afternoon, explore the massive Gothic halls and quiet courtyards of the Palais des Papes. Stroll back to your hotel for a relaxing evening free to wander quiet lanes or stop at a cozy neighbourhood cafe.
- Guided Walking Tour & Cathedral Visit: Begin your morning stepping into the heart of Avignon’s medieval history alongside a local guide. Thread through winding cobblestone lanes and past ancient stone ramparts toward Avignon Cathedral (Notre-Dame des Doms). Marvel at the gleaming golden statue of the Virgin Mary crowning its bell tower before stepping inside to appreciate its serene Romanesque architecture. Afterward, head downhill to the historic Pont d'Avignon (Pont Saint-Bénézet). Walking onto this celebrated 12th-century structure offers sweeping, unobstructed views across the Rhône River and the city's fortified walls.
- Self-Guided Visit of the Palais des Papes: Explore the Palais des Papes’ vast Grand Halls at your own pace, including the Grand Tinel feast hall. Using the interactive HistoPad tablet, augmented reality transforms bare stone walls into lavish 14th-century scenes filled with tapestries, furnishings, and grand papal banquets.
Catch a morning train from Avignon to Arles, stepping out into a city shaped by its Roman roots and artistic spirit. Walk to the Frank Gehry-designed tower at the LUMA museum, moving through its contemporary arts campus. Continue to the Arles Amphitheatre, imagining gladiatorial games inside its ancient stone arches. Next, join a local guide through Arles Old Town, stopping for coffee at the Van Gogh Café, its yellow facade still recognizable from the painter's own canvas. Tonight, head to a local court to try your hand at pétanque–a classic French lawn game while sipping pastis, an anise-flavoured apéritif.
- Local Train: Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
- LUMA Arles & Frank Gehry Tower: Enjoy a self-guided tour of LUMA Arles, a 27-acre creative arts campus transformed from a historic 19th-century railway yard in Arles, France. Its iconic centerpiece is the 56-meter-tall Frank Gehry Tower, a striking structure clad in 11,000 stainless steel panels designed to catch the unique light of Provence. The design draws inspiration from the region's rugged limestone cliffs, Roman ruins, and the swirling brushstrokes of Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night.
- Guided Visit to Arles Amphitheatre: Built by the Romans in 90 AD, the magnificent two-tiered Arles Amphitheatre once held over 20,000 spectators for thrilling gladiatorial combat. Today, this astonishingly preserved ancient structure remains at the heart of Provençal life, seamlessly bridging history and modern culture by continuing to host live performances, traditional spectacles, and regional festivals.
- Arles Old Town and Van Gogh Cafe: Stroll through the enchanting medieval streets of Arles' Old Town, where centuries of southern French history come alive around every cobblestone corner. Follow directly in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh as your Expedition Leader guides you to the vibrant Place du Forum and the famous Van Gogh Café (Café la Nuit). Immortalized in his iconic 1888 masterpiece Café Terrace at Night, this historic square offers the rare opportunity to step inside a living canvas and feel the unique light and atmosphere that inspired one of history's greatest artists.
- Play Pétanque Like a Local: Pétanque is a central ritual of French art de vivre (the art of living). Originating in Provence in 1907, the name comes from the Provençal phrase pèstanca, meaning "feet planted". Players stand inside a drawn circle and throw hollow steel boules, aiming to land as close as possible to a small wooden target ball called the cochonnet (the "piglet"). In village squares across France, playing pétanque under plane trees—often accompanied by a glass of pastis or local wine—is a cherished social tradition that brings generations together to relax and converse. Having an Expedition Leader demonstrate the game offers guests a hands-on, authentic taste of local leisure culture.
Drive through rolling hills to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence for its famed weekly market. Thread through stalls filled with fragrant soaps, woven baskets, cured meats, and sun-ripened olives, chatting with local vendors as you browse. Afterward, transfer to the hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence. Join a local guide to wander through narrow medieval stone alleyways, pausing for pictures and browsing artisan boutiques perched high above limestone cliffs, before returning to Arles for the evening.
- Visit the Marché de Saint Rémy: Explore the famous outdoor market of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence alongside your Expedition Leader. Thread through lively, shade-dappled squares filled with stalls displaying regional treasures—from fragrant lavender and fresh goat cheeses to sun-ripened olives and handcrafted textiles. This immersive walk offers an authentic taste of daily Provençal life and rich culinary traditions.
- Guided Tour of Les Baux: Embark on a guided walk through Les Baux-de-Provence, a medieval fortress village perched on jagged limestone cliffs. Explore ancient cobblestone lanes and castle ruins while enjoying breathtaking, panoramic views across the valley's olive groves and Alpilles mountains.
Head south into the wild wetlands of the Camargue. Board an open-air train through the Salines d'Aigues-Mortes, where the salt basins glow rose-pink from the minerals that colour the marsh, and learn how sea salt has been harvested here for generations. Continue to the coastal village of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer for an orientation walk with your Expedition Leader, feeling the Mediterranean sea breeze along the promenade. Head back to Arles, where the remainder of your afternoon and evening are free to spend as you wish.
- Pink Waters of Aigues-Mortes: Board an open-air train to venture across the sweeping Camargue salt marshes, where centuries of Mediterranean salt-harvesting tradition meet a striking natural phenomenon. As you travel alongside vibrant, rose-tinted salt basins, learn how local salt masters (sauniers) have cultivated this "white gold" since antiquity, creating a unique coastal sanctuary for native wildlife like flamingos and other birds.
- Expedition Leader Led Orientation Walk: Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is the vibrant capital of the Camargue region in southern France, where the Rhône Delta meets the Mediterranean Sea. An orientation walk led by an Expedition Leader introduces the town's unique blend of seaside culture, sacred history, and local traditions. During the walk, visitors explore the narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses, view the seaside promenade, and discover the fortified 9th-century Church of the Saintes Maries ⛪.
Transfer to Aix-en-Provence, a town known for its moss-covered fountains and leafy boulevards. Dive straight into a Provençal market, weaving past stalls laden with antiques, textiles, fresh flowers, and seasonal produce. Take some free time for lunch before joining a guided walking tour through the historic centre. Spend the rest of the day at your own pace, perhaps finding hidden courtyards, relaxing at an outdoor terrace, or visiting Paul Cézanne's studio (Atelier de Cézanne) on your own.
- Morning Market in Aix-en-Provence: Join your Expedition Leader for a walk through the Provençal market (marché). This is far more than a place to shop—it is the social and sensory heartbeat of daily life in southern France. In Aix-en-Provence, the market spills across interconnected historic squares, each offering its own distinct atmosphere under the shade of ancient plane trees. Strolling through these open-air stalls alongside local residents offers an authentic glimpse into the region's culinary heritage and traditional art de vivre (art of living).
- Free Time: Free time for lunch on your own in town.
- Guided Walking Tour of Aix-en-Provence: Walk through Aix-en-Provence with a local guide to trace Paul Cézanne’s post-Impressionist legacy. Discover the golden limestone landmarks that shaped his vision—from his childhood home on the Cours Mirabeau and the Café Les Deux Garçons to the Cathedral of Saint-Sauveur—while immersing yourself in today’s vibrant culture, spanning bustling open-air markets and historic café terraces.
Begin the morning with a guided visit to a traditional Fabrique de Calissons, learning how Aix's signature sweet is crafted from ground almonds and candied melon. Break for lunch on your own, then enjoy a free afternoon to follow your interests, perhaps visiting local art galleries, shopping for regional ceramics, or lingering over coffee in a quiet square. Tonight, gather with your group for an optional final dinner.
- Fabrique de Calissons Guided Visit: Step into the fragrant world of Aix-en-Provence’s legendary calissons (traditional confectioneries) on a guided stroll through serene gardens and historic workshops. Discover how local artisans craft these diamond-shaped delicacies by blending sweet almonds, candied melons, and orange peel, concluding with an indulgent tasting of Provence’s sweetest tradition.
- Free Time: Spend a relaxing free afternoon strolling down the plane-tree-shaded Cours Mirabeau, or sipping coffee at a historic café terrace, or exploring the fountain-filled squares of the Old Town.
Depart at any time. We recommend staying a few extra days to experience all this city has to offer.
Trip Inclusions
- Tour alongside a local guide to learn Avignon's history.
- Learn about modern art at the LUMA tower.
- Roman history and Van Gogh’s cafe.
- Ride an open-air train through the salt basins and pink waters of Aigues-MortesAigues-Mortes.
- Morning market in Aix-en-Provence.
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Play Pétanque Like a Local, Arles
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group
- Your Foodie Moment: Morning Market in Aix-en-Provence, Aix-en-Provence
- Walking tour alongside a local guide to learn Avignon's history
- Catch a morning train from Avignon to Arles
- LUMA museum, Arles Amphitheatre
- Stop at the Van Gogh Café
- Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and its famed weekly market
- Hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence
- Aix-en-Provence, a town known for its moss-covered fountains and leafy boulevards
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Private vehicle, train, walking
- National Geographic Expedition Leader throughout
- Hotels – 7 nts
- 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
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Dates & Pricing
The Great Adventurers Club
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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