Highlights of Paris and Exquisite Road Trip in Provence

At your arrival at the airport, your private driver welcomes you and drives you to your accommodation in central Paris.

Drop off your luggage and check-in. 

In the afternoon, you have a "rendezvous" with the Iron Lady: Eiffel Tower Summit Ticket (timed entry tickets, no guide).

No one could imagine Paris today without it. But Gustave Eiffel only constructed this elegant, 320m-tall signature spire as a temporary exhibit for the 1889 World's Fair. Luckily, the art nouveau tower's popularity assured its survival. Lifts ascend to the tower's three floors; change lifts on the 2nd floor for the final ascent to the top. Energetic visitors can climb as far as to the 2nd floor via the south pillar's 704 stairs (no pre-booking required).

Rest of the day at leisure. 

This morning, after a typical and delicious French breakfast, you meet your guide at your hotel. Together, you will travel via the metro and reach Versailles to discover the mysteries of the court of Versailles.

This is no ordinary excursion to the Château of Versailles; murder is afoot! If the magnificent castle walls could speak, they would tell many dark and daring tales; of murders, of poisoned wine chalices, of scandals and betrayal. We invite you to discover these strange stories that History has tried to bury and keep secret. Your guide takes you to the heart of the royal court to learn about those who lived every day in constant vigilance and slept every night with one eye open. Hear the hair-raising tales of the Great Poisoning, the Necklace Affair, and more. Discover which part of the castle was built over a cemetery, and see where the ghost of Marie-Antoinette is said to walk at night. After your visit, your guide leaves you to visit the gardens at your leisure, to discover the fountain show or musical garden show when running. Take your time and return to Paris at your convenience using your return train ticket when you are ready.

In the late afternoon, experience the mysteries of the Louvre during an After-hours intimate tour.

Break the typical tourist mold by joining an intimate tour with a certified guide and passionate art expert by your side.

Enjoy this morning at leisure to relax and stroll through the capital city.

This afternoon, you meet your guide for a delicious food tour in the beautiful Canal Saint Martin district.

If the best way to your heart is through your stomach, then the best way to discover the heart of Paris is through its food. This delicious foodie odyssey through a picturesque local neighborhood and upcoming Paris gastronomy epicenter opens your senses to a whole new world of French culture. It's packed with inspiring locales and tastings along the way, with a personable expert to fill you in on each mouth-watering product.

Where do Parisians go to find the best cheese, charcuterie, wine, bread, and pastries? Well, the guide knows a few top merchants waiting to tantalize your taste buds! After exploring the North Marais & Temple district, stroll along the picturesque Canal Saint-Martin, where your foodie fantasy finishes in a fromagerie for a mouth-watering cheese and wine pairing.

After a last stroll in the capital city, take a high-speed train to the beautiful city of Avignon in the heart of Provence. 

Go to the rental car agency in the station and pick up your rental car. 

Drive to your hotel in Saint Rémy de Provence and drop off your luggage before checking, or simply dropping off your bags. 

Spend the rest of the day visiting St Remy en Provence and the surrounds by electric bike with your family. First walk to the rental agency in St Remy and pick up your electric bikes to enjoy an E-biking excursion in the Alpilles: this excursion allows you to visit the region on cycle paths and small roads, without caring about noise, pollution or parking. You are free to choose the circuit you want. The itineraries are carefully chosen to facilitate the discovery of many sights and attractions punctuating the territory through trails and bike paths rather than main roads. A road book is also provided on site to help you with the itineraries and directions.

Among the possible visits from St Remy is the Saint-Paul de Mausole monastery where Van Gogh created 150 paintings in a year. Vincent Van Gogh lived in Arles during 1888-89.

After breakfast, meet your driver-guide in the lobby of your hotel for a full day tour of Avignon and the hilltop villages of the Luberon. There are centuries of history here, as this is where Pope Clemente V moved his court in the 14th century. For several decades thereafter, it was the seat of the Catholic popes.

Spend the morning exploring the city on a guided walking tour. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Le Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) and the Pont Saint-Bénézet medieval bridge, subject of the famous 15th-century song “Sur le Pont d’Avignon”. You also visit Avignon Cathedral, Doms Garden, Saint Pierre Basilica, and the Place de l'Horloge, Avignon's main square. 

From here embark for the surrounding Luberon region, an area known for its countryside vineyards, orchards, and postcard-worthy hilltop villages. Travel at a leisurely pace as your guide takes you to the village of l'Isle Sur la Sorgue, famous for its outdoor weekend markets, antique stores, and old wooden waterwheels churning over the Sorgue River, which bisects the town. There are few better spots to enjoy a relaxing lunch than here in town, which is exactly what you do. 

After lunch, head to Gordes. This is arguably the most beautiful of all the hilltop villages in the Luberon. The skyline of Gordes is dominated by its fortified castle, and from its winding cobbled streets you can look out to wide views over the valley and surrounding hills.

Today is at leisure to explore the surroundings at your own pace. Take this opportunity to admire Les Baux de Provence (just a few kilometers from Saint Remy), a medieval village labelled as "one of the most beautiful villages in France". This immense and superb stone fortress is without doubt one of the must-sees on your Provençal trail!

Taste olive oil from a mill in Les Baux de Provence.  You will admire one of the most beautiful olive groves in Provence, where oil, cracked olives and black olives are entitled to the A.O.C. label. The unusual feature of this appellation is that it is made from a blend of several varieties of olives. It is the subtle blend of these varieties, a secret jealously guarded by each producer that gives the oils a whole palette of different flavors.

Visit the Quarries of Lights (Les Carrières de Lumières): this extraordinary site was once a bauxite quarry in the bowels of the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Val d'Enfer (Valley of Hell) that inspired such great artists as Dante, Gounod and Cocteau. Today the quarry is the backdrop to a breathtaking light and song show that projects multiple images and famous artists’ paintings - around 2000 of them during the 30-minute performance - on its ceiling, floor and huge rock walls, some of them as high as those of Notre Dame de Paris.

Early in the morning, head further south (approx. 80 km/1 hour) and discover the slow-paced lifestyle and sultry Provençal charm of Aix-en-Provence that make this city an appealing destination. 

Once there, you meet your guide and enjoy a gourmet and historical walking tour of the city. Discover this charming Provencal town and relish the various scents and flavors of the region. Let your senses be amazed with the colors and smells of the local products. Be tempted by some Calissons, (the sweetest candy of all time and created right-here in Aix), appreciate green or black tapenade on some fresh bread, taste a piece of cheese or a glass of wine from one of the local wine appellations. The tour is a discovery of local and authentic Provençal food.

After your gastronomic walking tour, take the afternoon to explore the Calanques National Park and the village of Cassis. If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing bright turquoise water lapping against rocky cliffs, the Calanques National Park will be your heaven. The entire park is 8,500 hectares and spans between Marseille, Cassis and La Ciotat. There are endless trails and places to explore, so no matter your fitness level, it’s a great place to soak up some sun, go for a swim, and take in the amazing views of the Mediterranean with your family.

Check in at your new hotel in Aix where you will spend the evening.

Today, you head to Marseille - Provence airport (approx. 25 km/30 min) and drop off your car at the agency.

You take your international flight back to your destination.