Avignon and Portraits of Provence

Following breakfast, we enjoy a guided walking tour of Avignon including Les Halles market and passing by the Palais des Papes, seat of the Catholic popes from 1309 to 1377, also the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Pont Saint-Bénézet of legend and song. Later this morning we depart on an excursion to the attractive town of L’Isle sur la Sorgue, known as the Little Venice of Provence, and continue to L’Abbaye de Sénanque, a beautiful example of Romanesque Cistercian Architecture, which is surrounded by fragrant lavender fields (at their peak in June).

Explore the ancient Roman aqueduct bridge of Pont du Gard and visit Nîmes for views of the ancient Roman temple Maison Carrée and the stunning Mediterranean garden, bridges and water features in the 17th century Jardins de la Fontaine. We continue to Château de la Gardine, where we will be greeted by a member of the Brunel family, before a tour and wine tasting.

This morning we journey to Arles on the River Rhône by boat for free time to discover the city and landscapes that inspired the works of Vincent Van Gogh, including the famous amphitheatre. We then transfer to Les Baux de Provence, considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in France, and continue to St-Rémy-de-Provence where we visit the impressive 11th century monastery Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, surrounded by cloisters and gardens filled with lavender balls, elegant Cypress trees and charred sunflowers.

After breakfast we head for the Luberon National Park to visit two unusual sites, both connected with the ochre mining industry. The Colorado Provençal at Rustel is a former quarry of great geological and historical interest, with an easy walk through a unique landscape, while at the Mines de Broux we venture 650m underground through a labyrinth of former ochre mines.

After breakfast we head for the Camargue National Park to witness its extraordinary natural Avignon beauty. Along the route we stop in the picturesque seaside towns of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and Le Grau-du-Roi, before heading to the salt marshes of Aigues Mortes to enjoy a brief train ride and maybe a glimpse of wild pink flamingos. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning we take the train to Lille or Paris Gare de Lyon (if Paris a coach transfer is included to Gare du Nord) and continue by Eurostar to London St Pancras.