Provence, France - Mediterranean Cruises

Enjoy a panoramic drive through Marseille, passing the forts of St Nicholas and St John and admire the beauty of the Basilica.

This panoramic drive will provide an insight into the charms of Marseille city. The Notre-Dame de la Garde is an enormous Basilica perched on a hill overlooking the city with a superb view of the Vieux Port. The 19th-century church is decorated in a Néo-Byzantine style and the interior boasts impressive multi-coloured marble, mosaics and murals.

View Canebiere Street, Marseille’s main avenue and see Vieux Port, the entrance to the old picturesque harbour and guarded by Fort St John and Fort St Nicholas.

Travel along the beautiful Corniche coastal road, overhanging the sea with great views onto the bay of Marseille, the ports and the islands, including spooky Chateau d’If.

Enjoy some free time shopping for souvenirs at the Old Harbour.

Note: To reach the Notre Dame Basilica there are 170 steps to climb. This tour will involve some walking over uneven and cobblestoned streets. Comfortable, flat, walking shoes are recommended.

Admire the stunning scenery for which Provence is renowned, and the beauty of the city of Marseille.

Enjoy a scenic drive to the city of Avignon where towers rise from a sea of pink tiles in this old walled city on the Rhône River. Walk through the narrow, cobbled streets as your guide recounts Avignon’s history and its important role during the Great Schism, when the popes relocated from Rome. View the Pont d’Avignon, made famous by the eponymous children’s song. In the heart of Avignon stands the abandoned fortified Palace of the Popes. Stroll through the deserted galleries, chambers and chapels of the palace. Take a little time during your visit to Avignon to shop for souvenirs and provincial crafts.

You will return to Marseille to visit the Notre-Dame de la Garde. The Basilica sits on a hill overlooking the city of Marseille with a superb view of the Vieux Port. The 19th-century Basilica is decorated in a Néo-Byzantine style and the interior boasts impressive multi-coloured marble, mosaics and murals.

A delightful luncheon will be served in a local restaurant in Avignon during your tour.

Note: This tour includes approximately three hours of walking over some uneven ground and cobblestoned streets. To reach the Notre Dame Basilica there are 170 steps to climb. It is recommended that you wear comfortable walking shoes. Some free time will be given to shop for souvenirs, so please take some local currency.

Explore the fabulous region that cultivated the delicious full bodied wine, Châteauneuf du Pape.

Heading away from Marseille your drive will lead you to the town of Châteauneuf, whose original vineyards were planted on land belonging to the Avignon popes. Under Pope John XXII, wine from Châteauneuf was regularly supplied to the Papal residence. You will have the opportunity to taste the yields of an age-old tradition at a local winery.

A visit to this region would not be complete without admiring Avignon, the city of art and culture. It sprawls along the banks of the Rhone river, surrounded by ramparts and dominated by the massive Dome Rock. The Cathedral and Palace of the Popes stand atop the rock, towering majestically over the rest of the town. Enjoy a guided tour of the city, and some free time to explore the local shops.

A delicious luncheon will be served in a local restaurant in Avignon.

Note: This tour involves approximately 2 hours of walking, over some uneven and cobble stone surfaces and steps. It is recommended you wear flat, comfortable walking shoes.

Discover the hilltop village of La Castellet and the charms of the seaside resort of Bandol.

Visit the delightful village of La Castellet. This remarkable stronghold, formerly owned by the Lords of Les Baux, has well preserved ramparts and a carefully restored 12th century church and a castle dating back to the 11th century.

Enter through one of the two fortified gates, Le Portail and Le Portalet, to begin your guided walking tour around the narrow streets and up to the Castle, which is now home to the town hall. Enjoy some time at leisure, to explore the art and craft workshops.

The small resort of Bandol lies beside a pretty bay and is sheltered by high wooded slopes.
A popular holiday spot long before the days of Brigitte Bardot and St Tropez, the resort is home to sandy beaches and inlets and is surrounded by the natural hillside beauty of pines and willows.

During your visit, enjoy some free time to relax in one of the inviting waterfront cafés or browse the fashionable boutiques.

Note: This tour involves approximately 1 hour of walking with some cobblestoned streets and inclines to negotiate.

Enjoy the wonderful delights of Marseille and a ride aboard the ‘little train’.

Head to the Old Harbour and board the ‘little train’ for a leisurely one hour narrated ride through the city. En route, you will pass St Victor Abbey, a late Roman monastic foundation named after the local soldier and martyr, Saint Victor. Admire the finely manicured city gardens of Pierre Puget and the Cathedral de la Major, a huge and extravagant construction started in the 19th century in Neo-Byzantine style.

Climbing up high to the Basilica Notre Dame de la Garde, you will have time to enjoy a panoramic view from the highest point in the city. Visit the Basilica and marvel at the impressive multi-coloured marble, mosaics and murals.
The little train will wind its way back to the Old Harbour, where you will have some time at leisure to enjoy a spot of retail therapy or sit back relax and enjoy a drink in one of the many cafés.

Note: Guests are advised not to leave belongings on the ‘little train’ when disembarking at the Basilica Notre Dame de la Garde, as the vehicles may change. To enter the Notre Dame Basilica there are 170 steps to negotiate; for those guests wishing to just enjoy the views it is not necessary to climb these steps. Flat, comfortable shoes are recommended.

Enjoy the best of Marseille from the comfort of your coach, and spend a little time relaxing on the beach.

A scenic drive will take you along the Old Harbour to the Corniche. Enjoy the stunning views of the craggy coves and little beaches tucked away along the coastline, spot the spooky Château d’If, the city’s penal colony in a bygone era.

Winding your way round one of Europe’s oldest cities, admire the Cathedral de la Major, a huge and extravagant construction started in the 19th century in Neo-Byzantine style. View the gilded statue of the Virgin and Child housed over the bell tower of the Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde, perched high above the city of Marseille.

A stop will be made along the seaside promenade, near the Prado beaches. Relax and enjoy the warm sea breezes, take a quick dip, or stroll the promenade and stop for a drink in one of the many beach-front cafés.

Note: There will be around two hours of free time at the promenade and walking is at guests’ discretion. Please remember swimwear and a towel if wishing to swim during free time. Euro currency is required for local purchases. Before you book this excursion, you must refer to the ‘Beach / Water Related’ paragraph under the Guide to Symbols in this brochure.

The cultural capital of Provence is a city of wide boulevards, majestic trees and gracious city squares.

Upon arrival in Aix-en-Provence, your guide will take you on a walking tour of the old capital. Aix owes much to the nobles who built their fine houses and endowed the city with imposing public buildings from the 16th century onwards. Cours Mirabeau lies at the heart of Aix, aristocratic façades of old mansions line the avenue, with wrought iron balconies and finely carved doorways. Here you can admire some of the finest examples of the ‘healing’ fountains for which Aix is renowned.

Explore the old quarter and the beautiful Saint Sauveur Cathedral, which is exceptionally rich in works of art, and is noted for its Merovingian baptistery and grandiose organ.

Enjoy some free time on your own to discover the city further or indulge yourself in a spot of shopping in Aix-en-Provence’s many fabulous boutiques.

Note: The drive to Aix-en-Provence takes approximately 45 minutes each way. Flat comfortable shoes are recommended. This tour involves approximately 1½ hours of walking over some uneven and cobblestoned ground, including steps.

The breathtaking scenery could have come straight from a canvas. Enjoy the region renowned for inspiring Vincent Van Gogh.

Enjoy stunning scenery on your drive to Arles, dotted over the landscape are picturesque vineyards and orchards, helping to create the perfect painting. Arles was supposedly founded by Julius Caesar in 46 BC. The scenic town and countryside has long attracted artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, whose year long residency in the area inspired him to paint over 250 canvases. Take a guided walking tour of the city and visit the Roman amphitheatre, which once seated 20,000 spectators. There is so much to see in this city - the 5th century St. Trophime Church with its graceful 12th century gate, the 17th century Town Hall and Republic Square with its Roman obelisk.

After a little free time for shopping you will travel to one of France’s best preserved villages. Located on a bare rock surrounded by vertical ravines and dominated by a castle ruin, Les Baux de Provence is an extraordinary place to visit. Spend a little time wandering the cobbled streets lined with workshops and craft stores. During your visit luncheon will be served at a local restaurant.

Note: Guests are advised there is approximately two and a half hours of walking over some uneven ground and cobbled streets. To reach Les Baux de Provence it will be necessary to negotiate a steep slope. It is recommended you wear comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy the best of Marseille from the comfort of your coach, and spend a little free time at Le Vieux Port.

Marseille was founded in the 6th century BC by Greek settlers from Phocea, and was named ‘Massalia’. Today it is the second largest city in France, and is home to the country’s largest commercial port. Sit back, relax and enjoy your drive as you pass by the shopping district, and have your cameras at the ready, as a stop will be made outside Longchamp Palace and the beautiful fountain.

Winding your way round one of Europe’s oldest cities, admire the Cathedral de la Major, a huge and extravagant construction started in the 19th century in Neo-Byzantine style. View the gilded statue of the Virgin and Child housed over the bell tower of the Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde, perched high above the city of Marseille.

A scenic drive will take you along the promenade to the Corniche. Admire the stunning views of the craggy coves and little beaches tucked away along the coastline, spot the spooky Château d’If, the city’s penal colony in a bygone era. Enjoy a little free time at ‘Le Vieux Port’ and watch the world go by from one of the many cafés or shop for souvenirs.

Note: Guests are advised to carry local currency should you wish to shop for souvenirs or purchase any refreshments. There is approximately 30 minutes of free time at the Old Port.