Private tours in Provence

Full day - Sightseeing tours in Provence - Shore excursions from Marseilles, Toulon and La Seyne ports
 

Let you drive, comfortably installed in our luxury car with your private licensed guide or English speaking driver, and discover Provence at your own pace and according to your interests.
We have designed especially for you tours that show the main spots of the region: half day private shore excursions or full day private shore excursions from Marseilles, Toulon or La Seyne Ports.

Our expertise also enables us to plan, design and organize tailor-made tours to suit every interest, destination, duration and budget. You can choose your own route, you just have to contact us.

Here are some suggestions for private full day or half days tours  that can be realized from Aix en Provence, Marseilles, Toulon and surrounding areas.

• Aix en Provence and Cassis, charming fishing village

  Former Capital of Provence and birthplace of the famous impressionist Paul Cézanne, Aix en Provence invites you to travel in time through its architecture like a stage set.

  Much of the old town, Vieil Aix, is pedestrian only, made for strolling through its labyrinth of narrow streets. They lead you to the 17th century Town Hall, the Archbishop’s Palace and St Sauveur Cathedral and its delightful Romanesque cloister (interior : 2 steps to access). You can also appreciate a typical southern atmosphere at the market witch transforms places into real color-changing pictures. All stalls are a reflection of Provencal cuisine : natural, fresh, varied and fragrant...

  You will continue with Cassis, an unspoiled fishing village dominated by a 14th century castle and surrounded by white limestone cliffs, umbrella pines and vineyards descending directly into the sea. Pastel houses and colorful wooden fishing boats curve around the little port.

  Take your time to do a little shopping or take a boat trip (not included) to marvel at the crystalline azure coves called Calanques and its smooth white cliffs.

  

  

  

  

  

• Avignon and wine tasting at Chateauneuf du Pape 

  After visiting the prestigious Palace of the Popes in Avignon, the Bridge of Avignon and the ramparts still intact which encircle the town, discover the typical small streets which still bear the name of the old corporation who occupied the city in the Middle Ages such as the street of the Dyers, fully paved, witness of the silk activities with its paddle wheels on the Sorgue river.

  Free time for lunch.

  The culture of the vine, introduced by the Greeks in the ancient times, has grown in the Rhône Valley with the arrival of the Popes in Avignon in the Middle Ages.

  The Côte du Rhone wines, occupy today a major place among the best AOC (certified French quality control) of the French production.

  Before leaving, a stop in a vineyard at Châteauneuf du Pape, one of the most famous appellation, makes you discover all the flavors of this exceptional wine.

  

  

  

  

• Arles, St Rémy and les Baux de Provence

  This part of Provence, very early occupied by Julius Caesar’s Roman colonies, is a land steeped by history. The numerous monuments attest of this brilliant civilization.
  Your first stop will be in Arles. The city has a rich past: the former settlement of the Roman dates from 46BC. A walking tour to the Antic Theatre and the Roman Amphitheatre will show you the power and the richness of the city in these times.
  Also, the St Trophime Church is famous for its rich sculptures and facade depicting the “Final Judgement” (12th C).
  Arles is also the city elected by the painter Van Gogh. Fascinated by the sunshine of the south, his paintings would now include more vibrant swirls of color and the brightness of Provençal sunshine. He painted here more than 300 works before moving to Saint Rémy, your next stop.
  The city is also the birth place of Nostradamus, the famous scientist whose prophecies are known worldwide. It is also the place where the Felibrige Family, one of the Provence Landlords, has been created. See the medieval and renaissance Saint Remy before having your lunch in a typical Bistrot (optional).
  In early afternoon, you will arrive in Les Baux de Provence, perched on a spur of rock. The village is a listed heritage site that has won its title of “One of the most beautiful villages in France”. The narrow streets lead you to the citadel, through an exceptional decor. This could be the opportunity for shopping local handcrafts, olive oil or figurines for the Christmas crib.

  

  

• Camargue : Wildlife and Khnight Templars

  The Camargue, an island of 200.000 acres between the two arms of the Rhône River, is one of the largest and the richest biologic nature reserve in Western Europe.
  You will be driven at the core of the great wilderness of Camargue, through a palette of diverse landscapes containing and supporting thousands of birds like the magnificent red flamingos, free horses and wild bulls.
  In the heart of the regional park, a property aims to discover traditions and nature.
  Horses and bulls of the herd roam free on the 300 acres of marsh of the domain. A train ride or a walk on a path about 1,5 miles will allow you to approach as close as horses, bulls, raccoons, red flamingoes, egret an herons...
  Possibility of horse ride by the Vaccares pond (not included).
  In the afternoon, you will reach the City of Aigues Mortes. Built on request of Louis IX (Holy King Louis), this fortified city was the port of departure of the Knights and Templars for the Crusades in the 13th Century. Guided tour of the city that has kept intact its fortifications walls and its defense towers.
  
  This tour is particularly suitable for families and assures you a total change of scenery.

  

  

  

  

  

• Stunning « Côte Bleue » and Martigues, a small Venice  

  It takes only minutes to drive from the Port of Marseille to the Estaque Hills district. There you can see bright limestone cliffs covered with bushes which feed the famous goats from Le Rove that produce great fresh cheese called “Brousse”. Behind the hills can be found the charming village of Niolon. We take a short walk through the narrow and winding paths until we reach the tiny fishing port. You get a breathtaking view of Marseille and it is amazing to enjoy such a remote place at the doorstep of the second largest city in France.

  Driving further West we arrive at the preserved port of Méjean, another undisturbed village that all amateur photographers will love! Heading towards Cape Couronne we can see the remains of old quarries that provided most of the building stones to Marseille town center in the XIXe century.

  Approaching from the outskirts of Martigues, it is hard to imagine what treasures stand in the historical centre. Heavy industrial factories are gathered on the banks of the pond. Soon it appears that the town has maintained its distinctive charm. It is described as the “Venice of Provence” owing to its canals, colourful narrow streets and nice monuments. After the visit, depending on weather and timing, we might stop to birdwatch at the Bolmon pond before going back to our departure point.

  (Half day tour from Marseilles)

  

  

  

  

• Bay of Saint Tropez (from Toulon only—Except July and August) 

  Saint Tropez, known worldwide for its yachts, luxury and glitter. But in reality, if we forget this, we discover a charming little fishing village, narrow streets where it is very nice to walk around to discover interesting medieval monuments. The true spirit of Saint Tropez is revealed once the flood of tourists disappeared, after the summer season. (off-season opportunity to visit a pipe factory in Cogolin or do a wine tasting.)

  On the way back, the panoramic road, through the Maures hills, makes you discover no less than 5,000 acres of chestnut forests.

  

  

  

  

• Perched villages in the Luberon Mountain 

   The Luberon is a massive of the Alps range. Thanks to the presence of many villages, castles and historic monuments, it seduces lovers of natural and cultural visits.

   Your first stop will be the village of Gordes. Perched high on the foothills of the Vaucluse Mountains, it is one of the most beautiful village of the Luberon.

  To get to the Castle, housing paintings of artist Pol Mara, the maze of cobbled streets leaves no visitor indifferent.

  Not far from Gordes, is Borie Village, a unique example of village built in dry stone (optional visit).

  In Roussillon, also called “the Delphi red” by Jean Villar, the “ocher trail” is like a painter’s palette. At the heart of the village perched on a rocky promontory, the color of the earth is also on the facades of the houses. Rank among the “most beautiful villages in France”, this magical site is a picturesque labyrinth of narrow streets and small places.

  In the afternoon, visit Lacoste or Bonnieux, in the heart of Luberon.

  One is housing the ruins of the Marquis de Sade’s castle, the other is a typical perched village overlooking the Calavon valley.

  If time, and depending the place you are staying, a last stop in Lourmarin, quiet village with its elegant Renaissance castle.

  

  

  

  

• Marseille, a walk through 2600 years and Cassis 

  Marseille was founded by the Phoenicians 2600 years ago.
  This itinerary begins by a panoramic from the balcony of Notre Dame de la Garde, the Neo-Byzantine basilica atop the highest hill in Marseille which has a panoramic view of the Bay of Marseille and the Mediterranean beyond.
  We then join the Jardin des Vestiges, which is an archaeological site of Marseille's ancient Greek then Roman port, and continue our visit strolling through the oldest part of the city: the Old Port and the Quartier du Panier.
  We finish with the new monuments created for the event “Marseille, European Capital of Culture” in 2013 like MUCEM and Fort Saint Jean.

  We finish the day in Cassis, an unspoiled fishing village dominated by a 14th century castle and surrounded by white limestone cliffs, umbrella pines and vineyards descending directly into the sea. Pastel houses and colorful wooden fishing boats curve around the little port.
  Take your time to do a little shopping or take a boat trip (not included) to marvel at the crystalline azure coves called Calanques and its smooth white cliffs.

  

  

  

  

  

• The fishing port of Sanary, the feudal village of Le Castellet and wine tasting 

  You will discover a typical fishermen village, Sanary sur Mer, with its old wooden boats called “sharp boat”, colorful houses and shady streets. Every morning on the harbor, a picturesque market, with local producers, will invite you to stroll around. The old city center is pleasant and pedestrian and shopping streets are welcoming and lively, especially in summer of course.

  At the foot of the medieval village of Le Castellet, extends the Bandol vineyards.
  Discover this fortified village built around its medieval castle, remarkable for its cobbled streets lined with old buildings housing small shops where you will find local handicrafts.
  By late morning, you will discover the wines of Bandol (wine tasting not included). In a natural amphitheater, the vineyard develops itself in terraces on about 1500 hectares.

  After the tasting, departing for lunch (not included) in Cassis.
  This charming fishing village, dominated by its 14th century castle is surrounded by white limestone cliffs, pines and vineyards going down directly to the sea. You will have the opportunity to taste one of the first AOC vineyard which was attributed to Cassis in 1936 in a Domain of exception.
  The village houses with colorful facades curl around the small harbor.
  Take your time to do a little shopping or a boat trip (not included) to enjoy the beautiful coves and crystal clear waters called Calanques surrounded by white cliffs.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• The Thoronet Abbey and the troglodyte village of Cotignac 

  Enjoy a complete escape on our outstanding day out with beautiful sites retaining true historical Provençal cachet. Quality gastronomy and fine wine tasting.

  Oldest of the three Cistercian sisters of Provence, the Thoronet abbey is a jewel of the Romanesque art.
  Nested in a middle of an oak forest, it provides a stark beauty conform to St Benoit’s monastic ideal. Its extreme sobriety, the purity of its lines and the simplicity of the volumes make the abbey a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture.
  At the end of morning, you will enjoy a tasting of the Cotes de Provence (optional) then departure for Cotignac, a village of character nested at the foot of a cliff of tuff. After the lunch (not included), walk through the streets of the village to discover its cave dwellings.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
   

• Lavender tour : Provence like a postcard. (from mid June to end of July).​

  The cultivation of lavender is an ancestral know-how. Indeed, since ancient times, in the Greek and Roman civilizations, lavender is already cited for its current uses.

  There is no specific route, just follow your guide who will show you the most beautiful lavender fields depending on flowering. This will be the opportunity to many stops photo and a visit of a distillery.

  

  

PROVENCE PREMIUM TRANSPORT - Véronique Flayol - Mob : 00 33 (0)6 12 86 02 34 - CONTACT