7 Days Sample Itinerary from

Avignon to Aix en Provence Itinerary

Day 1/2 Avignon

Avignon is famous as the town to which the Popes fled when leaving the corruption of Rome in the 14th Century. The palace they built, 'Le Palais des Papes,' is the world's largest Gothic cathedral. Still an imposing building, over the centuries it was largely emptied, and its vast stone rooms are filled with little more than old frescos. The walls surrounding the town were erected by the Popes in the 14th Century to keep the plague and invaders out during the turbulent middle ages, when Avignon belonged to the papacy and not the French crown.
Its early history is much older than the popes, however. Avignon occupies a strategic location for several reasons - it is at the confluence of two once-mighty rivers: the Rhône, and Durance. Both were important routes of trade and communication even in prehistoric times. In addition, there is a long island in the Rhône that made it possible to ferry people and goods across, and later bridge the river, more easily than in other places.

Explore the beautiful town of Avignon with its impressive medieval fortress, Papal Palace, Pont de Bezenet and top-notch museums, as well as many pretty tree-lined squares bustling with cafés and restaurants offering mouth-watering Provençal cuisine. Overnight in Avignon.

Day 2 Orange
From Avignon discover some of the most famous monuments of the region, including the Roman Amphitheatre in Orange, and the Pont du Gard, as well as the Wine Museum at the Domaine Brotte in world-renowned Chateauneuf du Pape. Overnight in Avignon.

Day 3 Arles
Set off for a visit to the famous Luberon. The “Golden Triangle” of Luberon includes such villages as Gordes, one of  the most beautiful village in France,” as well as Roussillon, noted for the ochre coloring of its houses. On the way south to Arles, visit Les Baux-de-Provence, set in a spectacular position in the Alpilles Mountains. Surrounded by dramatic rocks and cliffs, this place is said to have inspired Dante in his vivid descriptions of Purgatory in the Inferno. Overnight in Arles.

Day 4 Camargue National Park
Take a local bus or car from Arles into the Camargue region and the village of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, located right on the edge of the Camargue National Reserve. From here there are many options for walks in the reserve to spot birds and other wildlife in this unique habitat, including the famous flamingos. Hire a bike or go horseback riding, on one of the famous Camargue stallions. Overnight in Arles.

Day 5 Arles
Take some more time to explore Arles. Arles, is a small, quiet and art-oriented town, with a Roman amphitheater and other Roman artifacts as well as endless little curiosities, ancient and modern. The town has many exhibitions and galleries and is a great walking place. Worth visiting are the ancient theatre and amphitheater. Take the bus (or car) to Aix-en-Provence.

Day 6 Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence is home and inspiration to the painter Cézanne. It is a classy town, with leafy boulevards and public squares that are lined up with 17th and 18th Century mansions. Explore the city of Aix, with its many museums, galleries and mansions, and a vibrant artistic and cultural scene.

Day 7 Aix-en Provence

For a great day out, take the bus or car to the nearby Saint Victoire Massif mountain range — home to Provence´s very own volcano. Explore its many hiking paths, absorb the beautiful views, and the local bird and wildlife.

Provence is legendary: exquisite cuisine, world-renowned wines, medieval palaces, picturesque villages flanked by fields of lavender.

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