France: Cote d’Azur and Provence
May 1-15, 2025
The picturesque Provence/Côte d’Azur region in the south of France is known the world over for its glamorous beaches and seaside boardwalks, medieval hilltop villages, colourful markets, Roman ruins, and sunny Mediterranean lifestyle.
Join Travac Tours as we explore many of the charming villages and towns that have made Provence a mecca for tourists from around the world. This well-paced tour will start in Nice, giving you a chance to soak in the azure complexion of the French Riviera. You will then travel to the fabled city of Avignon, your home for the next 6 nights. It is from Avignon that you will explore the small towns and villages that are the fabric of Provence. Each town will offer a different experience. You will travel into the heart of Provence and savour its natural beauty and captivating 2000 year old history. Your holiday ends in the sea port of Marseille.
Attractively priced, Travac’s Cote D’Azur and Provence program will sell out quickly. Early booking is your best guarantee of space on this vacation!
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Ottawa to Nice
Depart Ottawa by motorcoach for your overnight flights to Nice from Montreal. Dinner and a light breakfast will be served onboard.
Day 2
Arrival in Nice
Upon your arrival in Nice, you will be transferred to your hotel by private motorcoach. Since check in time is later in the afternoon, there will be ample time to orientate yourself to the ambiance of this delightful town.
Overnight in Nice.
Hotel for the next 5 nights: NH Nice (or similar)
Day 3
Nice and Monaco
Today we will embark on a tour of Nice and its neighbouring principality of Monaco. Nestled between the sea and the mountains, this unique country is squeezed into just 200 hectares and has been ruled by the same family for over 700 years. After visiting Monaco’s extraordinary treasures, we will return along the scenic coastal roads with a stop in the enchanting hilltop village of Eze. We will end the day with a panoramic tour of Nice. A welcome dinner is included tonight.
Overnight in Nice (B, D).
Day 4
Free Day/Optional Tour
Today is a free day. Your Tour Director will be organizing an optional tour to Antibes, Cannes, and St Paul de Vance ($)- details to follow.
Overnight in Nice (B).
Day 5
Free Day
Your day will be at your leisure. This delightful town offers an array of opportunities for a relaxing day on the French Riviera.
Overnight in Nice (B).
Day 6
Optional Tour
Today your Tour Director will be organizing an optional tour ($)- details to follow. Overnight in Nice (B).
Day 7
Avignon
This morning you will travel to Avignon which is situated in the very heart of Provence. Avignon was, for a time, the capital of Christendom during the middle ages. Today the city retains a strong link with its past. The Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), the Saint-Benezet bridge (also known as the “Pont d’Avignon”), as well as the ramparts that surround the old town are just a few of the monuments listed by UNESCO as World Heritage sites. Upon arrival, we will visit the Palais des Papes before checking into our hotel. Avignon will be your home for the next six nights and will act as a base for exploring Provence. (B)
Hotel for the next 6 nights: Avignon Grand Hotel (or similar)
Day 8
Arles
No visit to Provence is complete without a visit to Arles. This enchanting town is dotted with Roman ruins and is one of the most popular destinations in Provence. After your city tour, you will have plenty of time to enjoy this charming town before returning to Avignon in mid-afternoon.
Overnight in Avignon (B).
Day 9
St Remy de Provence and Les Baux
Your tour today will take you into the Les Baux region of Provence. Set in the heart of the Alpilles regional country park, Les Baux-de-Provence is a listed heritage site that has won titles such as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”. Your tour of this serine area will also include a visit to an olive farm as well as a visit to St Remy de Provence and the St. Paul Asylum. It was at the St. Paul Asylum that Vincent Van Gogh spent a great deal of time. Expect to arrive back in Avignon in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Avignon (B).
Day 10
Free day
Today your day is at your leisure to explore Avignon. Your Tour Director will have suggestions on how to make the most of your time in this enchanting city.
Overnight in Avignon (B).
Day 11
Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
Our journey today will take us to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. L’Isle sur la Sorgue is one of those places in Provence that one has to see. The river Sorgue surrounds the city as if to hug it. This ancient town is also filled with canals that can be crossed by small bridges that lead into courtyards and small avenues filled with shops and cafes. It is also home to one of the most outstanding outdoor markets in France. On our return to Avignon, we will pass through the village of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. A charming medieval village adjacent to a chasm and turquoise waters that become the source of the Sorgue springs, this geological wonder was once a Roman settlement.
Overnight in Avignon (B).
Day 12
Pont du Gard
This morning will begin with a visit to the iconic Pont du Gard. The Pont du Gard is a bridge, part of the aqueduct of Nîmes, which was built by the Roman Empire between AD 40 and 60 to transport fresh water across the Gardon River. The Pont du Gard is an astonishing 900 feet long and 160 feet high. It was actively used as a source of fresh water by the citizens of Nîmes between the first and sixth centuries AD. After our visit, we head to the medieval commune of Uzès for lunch before continuing on to the famed wine region Chateauneuf du Pape for a tasting.
Overnight in Avignon (B).
Day 13
Aix-en-Provence to Marseille
This morning we will bid farewell to Avignon and make our way to Marseille, visiting Aix en Provence en route. The town of Aix itself dates back to early Roman times and certainly there is still some evidence of the Roman occupation in the region. However, it is art that has made Aix so popular. Aix was home to Cézanne, whose paintings populate many of the finest galleries in the world. It is Cézanne’s images that have drawn artists from around the world to this quaint town. Upon arrival in Marseille, you’ll have a panoramic tour of the city before checking into the hotel. Marseille is the second largest city in France by population, its biggest Mediterranean port and the economic center of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. Founded by the Phocaeans in 600 BC, Marseille is one of the oldest cities in all of Europe. With over a million inhabitants it offers a different flavour from the small villages of Provence.
Overnight in Marseille (B).
Hotel for the next 2 nights: NH Collection Marseille (or similar)
Day 14
Marseille
Today your day is at your leisure to explore Marseille. Your Tour Director will have suggestions on how to make the most of your time. A farewell dinner is included tonight.
Overnight in Marseille (B, D).
Day 15
Return to Canada
Today you will bid farewell to this enchanting part of France for your return flight to Canada. Your Tour Director will keep you informed of your flight details (B).
Itinerary and hotels are subject to change.
*Please note that a visit to Provence entails a fair amount of walking to fully enjoy your holiday experience. You should feel comfortable being able to walk for extended periods of time and must be able to keep up with the group. Like much of Europe, many of the avenues and walkways are made of cobblestone in the South of France- comfortable walking shoes are essential.
Hotel Information
NH Nice or similar
Hotel Address
2-4 Parv. de l'Europe, 06300Nice, France
+33 4 92 00 80 00
Avignon Grand Hôtel or similar
Hotel Address
34 Bd Saint-RochAvignon, France
84000
+33 4 90 80 98 09
NH Collection Marseille or similar
Hotel Address
37 Bd des Dames, 13002Marseille, France
+33 4 96 11 31 20