Grand Tour of Provence, the French Riviera & Monaco

Arrive in Aix en Provence and check in to the hotel, where we’ll stay for seven nights. Begin your holiday in style with a traditional aperitif called “apero time” in France, accompanied by canapés at your hotel as a warm welcome when you arrive.  

This morning, we take a guided walking tour and see what inspired the city’s favourite son, Paul Cézanne, to produce numerous paintings in and around Aix. Beautiful Aix-en-Provence seamlessly combines Parisian-style chic with village-like gentility. Founded as a spa town by the Romans, it became the capital of Provence during the Middle Ages and evolved into a major educational and artistic hub.

Aix is known as the ‘City of a Thousand Fountains’ and the tranquil sound of running water accompanies us down colourful boulevards, through fine squares and labyrinthine alleyways.  

This afternoon we depart Aix to visit one of Provence’s organic wineries that is committed to producing its wines in an environmentally responsible way. Discover how these crisp, delicately perfumed wines are produced and then enjoy a glass or two with lunch against the delightful backdrop of this charming wine estate.

After lunch, we transfer back to the hotel where the rest of the day is spent at leisure.  

After breakfast we head to the Camargue, the delta of the great Rhône River and a beguiling landscape of flat saltwater marshland teeming with around 400 species of birds – including remarkable pink flamingos. This designated national park is also home to the region’s iconic black bulls and an ancient breed of white horse, some of which you may spot being ridden by the Camargue’s famous ‘cowboys.

We arrive at the small port town of Saintes Maries de la Mer and take a guided boat trip to explore the natural splendour of this wetland environment – don’t forget to bring your binoculars! 

We then make the short trip to extraordinary Arles, a prosperous Roman regional capital from the 1st century AD. You’ll marvel at the city’s impressive UNESCO-listed monuments on a fascinating walking tour, taking in the incredibly well-preserved Roman amphitheatre, the theatre built by the Emperor Augustus and the Forum, once the city’s heart.

There’s free time to spend in Arles, perhaps to seek out locations associated with Vincent Van Gogh, who spent 14 months here from early 1888. It was his most prolific period and, inspired by Arles and the light and beauty of the Provençal countryside, he produced around 300 works, including The Café Terrace at Night, The Sower and, of course, Sunflowers.

This morning, we travel north to the stunning Luberon Mountains.  Its natural beauty has inspired writers and artists throughout the ages.  

The region’s pure natural light has always attracted artists, while the hilltops are crowned by enchanting villages that, at a distance, appear frozen in medieval times, yet are alive with vibrant bistros, rustic restaurants and markets selling fabulous local produce. The landscape in this designated Regional Nature Park changes dramatically from flat plains dotted with olive and peach groves to sloping vineyards and then, higher up, rows of lavender whose fragrance mingles with pine and wild herbs to give the unmistakable aroma of rural Provence.

A free day to spend as you wish in Aix. Wander along Cours Mirabeau, Aix’s elegant main street, and peel off into the maze of lanes to discover tiny squares and a myriad fountain.

Alternatively visit the superb Musée Granet and its collection of works by Cézanne, Degas, Picasso, Matisse and Monet, or the fascinating Museum of Natural History where you can view a collection of dinosaur eggs unearthed on the slopes of nearby Mont Sainte-Victoire. 

Today we visit nearby Avignon, one of Europe’s most historic cities. Its destiny changed early in the 14th century with the exile of the Pope’s court from Rome. Vast wealth poured in to build churches, convents and elegant townhouses, but most of all the incredible Papal Palace. We have time to visit this imposing building which from the outside resembles a citadel rising from living rock flanked by turrets more than 150 feet high. Alternatively, there is the Petit Palais Museum which houses an excellent collection of more than 1,000 paintings.

We also visit the Pont du Gard, an amazing Roman aqueduct, wider than the Thames in London and one of the wonders of the ancient world.  

We then return to your hotel in Aix. Tonight, we dine at a renowned local restaurant. Begin the evening with a refreshing aperitif before savouring the exquisite flavours of the gourmet menu Freshly prepared seasonal ingredients promise a truly memorable Provencal feast and our gastronomic experience will be completed with a selection of local wines.   

It’s an invigorating trip by the sea today as we head to the rugged coast and the lovely fishing port of Cassis whose painted cottages, charming little harbour and sandy beach are all overlooked by a mighty medieval fortress. Situated in a spectacular bay, the town has attracted numerous famous visitors over the years – including Virginia Woolf and Sir Winston Churchill, who took painting lessons here in the 1920s.

Choose one of the many waterside restaurants for a lunch of freshly caught fish before taking an afternoon boat trip to see the Massif des Calanques, a rugged coastline of dazzling white cliffs, rock pinnacles and rare seabirds. 

This morning, we drive east to one of the region’s delightful and historic coastal towns, Antibes, previously known by the Greeks as Antipolis. Seafaring has always been a tradition here ever since ancient galleys sought refuge from the Ligurian hordes and Crusaders left for the Holy Land. There’s plenty more to discover here, especially inside the ancient walls of the Old Town, where Graham Greene once walked along the narrow, cobbled lanes.  

This afternoon we make our way towards Grasse, the ‘Perfume Capital of the World’. We’ll tour the historic Fragonard perfumery where we learn about its tradition and history. We’ll also have an exclusive perfume masterclass led by an expert, where we learn about the craft of perfumery, including where the “raw” materials come from and we even create our own personalised Eau de Cologne, which we can take home with us along with a “diploma” signed by the expert! This fantastic olfactive experience is not to be missed.  

We then continue on to our hotel in Nice our base for the next 4 nights. 

This morning, we explore Nice on a guided tour. The city's name originates from its goddess of victory, Nike. This location was originally a Greek settlement before the Romans arrived, and its extensive remains are still visible today.

Aristocrats, artists and celebrities have been attracted to Nice since the second half of the 18th century and it's easy to see why.

Famously arching its way around the Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels) is the iconic palm-lined Promenade des Anglais, backed by fine buildings. One of the highlights is the legendary flower market and its stalls laden with Provençal delicacies. The Place Massena is the heart of old Nice and lined by Venetian-style arches highlighting the city’s Italian heritage.

This afternoon we visit the region’s finest gardens and art collection with a rather special visit to the extraordinary Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. We will enjoy a “privilege” visit to Villa Ephrussi, which includes a guided tour of the villa, where we can see the stupendous yet eclectic world-class collection of medieval and Renaissance works of art. From Sèvres porcelain, Fragonard drawings and exceptional carpets to tapestries and exquisite pieces from the Far East. We’ll then take time to savour our surroundings while enjoying a flute of champagne served with canapes in a unique part of the Villa not normally accessed by the general public.

Later this afternoon, we return to our hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure. 

Today is a free day to enjoy as you wish. Unlock the secrets of the old town and its many fascinating sights.  Take a visit to the Matisse Museum or the Museum of Fine Arts, explore the colourful market, have a leisurely lunch sampling “Niçois” cuisine or just simply people watch by the sea with a glass (or two) of wine.

Today, we explore incomparable Monaco, the perfectly petit country known for its rich and famous residents, but with much more to offer. Our journey along the scenic Basse Corniche showcases towering cliffs of colourful volcanic rocks dipping into the emerald sea, lush valleys, and luxurious yachts.

Entering Monaco, we see elegant palaces and modern buildings framed by azure waters and verdant mountains. Our guided tour delves into the history of the Grimaldi family and highlights the famed Grand Prix circuit.

We'll visit Monte Carlo, its capital, driving around the marina, and then explore the old town, Monaco Ville, dominated by the Renaissance-style Prince’s Palace, known for hosting Napoleon. This area feels like an open-air museum with its charming squares and St. Nicholas Cathedral, the resting place of Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly.

On our way out via the Moyenne Corniche, we’ll stop at Eze, an ancient village perched high atop a limestone cliff above the blue waters.