Half-Day Provence Day Trip from Marseille or Aix

On this half-day Provence highlights tour, get acquainted with three of the Luberon’s most alluring and well-loved villages. In the company of a local expert and escorted by a private driver, you will enjoy a concise introduction to the charms of Provence. From a meandering market town to a village surrounded by ochre cliffs and quarries, to one of the most picturesque hill-top vistas, this introduction to Provence will leave you with an understanding of why the region has inspired so many for centuries. 

Your Provence introduction will begin when your local expert and driver pick you up at your accommodation in Marseille or Aix-en-Provence. As you leave the city for the country, you will quickly begin to spot some of Provence’s characteristic markers–vast olive groves, rustic stone farmhouses, and Cypress trees jutting up into the sky. As your guide introduces you to the region's history, you will make your way to your first stop, the village of Lourmarin. This endearing town is a perfect introduction to the winding cobblestone streets and shaded public squares for which Provence is renowned. If you wish, you might stop for a quick coffee on one of those squares, surrounded by locals going about their mornings. 

Continuing onwards to the next village, you will notice the terrain begins to change. You will pass by vineyards and olive groves, and perhaps even catch a glimpse of lavender fields in bloom if the season is right. As the winding Provençal roads become steeper, you will begin to ascend into the Luberon massif, where you stop briefly to admire the Pont Julien, a Roman stone arch bridge dating back to 3 BC. 

Your next stop, the village of Roussillon, is unmistakable with its ochre building façades looming over the greenery below. The town came to prominence thanks to the extensive ochre deposits found in the clay of the surrounding ridges, which can be used as a natural pigment in textile fabrication. As you wander the charming downtown with your expert guide, you will learn about the rise and fall of the ochre mining industry in the area as well as about a few of Roussillon’s more famous former inhabitants. 

Hopping back in the car, you will wind your way up to the last and perhaps most recognizable stop on this itinerary. The Luberon is famous for its hilltop villages, and Gordes is perhaps the most emblematic of all. First, stopping just outside of town, you will have an opportunity to photograph Gordes from its best vantage point. You will then have some time to wander around the picturesque streets and passageways of the town center and come to understand why so many artists have sought inspiration here over the years. 

Following this last unforgettable village, your guide and driver will accompany you back to your accommodation in Marseille or Aix. You will end your time together with a deeper perception of the region’s charm and history and, most likely, a lingering desire to return and discover more. 

 

What is a private tour?
Our private tours are limited exclusively to travelers in your party. Private tours give you more flexibility with scheduling (how long you’d like to spend at each stop) and more personalized time with your guide.

Will we see lavender on this tour?
The Provence lavender fields are typically in bloom from the beginning of June to the end of July. In recent years, they have often been cut early due to excessive heat and drought. On this highlights tour, you will certainly catch a glimpse of the fields if they are in bloom, but you will not have time to stop at a lavender farm or distillery. If you wish to do so, please check out our full-day excursion. 

Will this tour stop for lunch?
No, this is a packed half-day tour, and there will not be time to stop for lunch. We advise you to come prepared with snacks. You can also grab a croissant to-go in one of the villages if you get a bit peckish. 

The standard vehicle for this tour can accommodate 6 passengers in addition to your expert.

Yes, absolutely. We can adjust the content to be more appropriate for younger learners.

Provence is characterized by winding cobblestone streets, which are often steep or punctuated by stairs. This tour would not be well-suited for wheelchair users, but can be adapted for those with lower mobility. Please contact us if you are concerned about mobility, and we will be happy to advise.