9 Days in the South of France

Tournesol Travel specializes in private, customized travel experiences based on the individual interests, pace and schedule of our customers. Below an example of such an itinerary.

Day 1 | Villefranche-sur-mer

Upon landing in the Nice-Côte d’Azur airport, your private driver will meet you outside baggage claims and transfer you to your hotel in Villefranche-sur-Mer.

The Welcome Hotel is ideally located by the sea, in the center of the old town of Villefranche, set on a bay reputed as one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Many artists stayed there, including the famed dancer Isadora Duncan (in the 1920’s) and Jean Cocteau, who spent “the best of his lifetime” there, and left to the owning family some drawings that are still displayed in the hotel.

Your room has a balcony overlooking the bay. Villefranche-sur-Mer is considered the most authentic Niçois fishing village on the French Riviera.

On the day of your arrival, you may just feel lazy and whimsical, enjoy the beaches, take a nap, sit at a café or at one of the many wonderful restaurants and take in the beautiful scenery and entertaining scene.

Day 2 | Villefranche-sur-mer & Nice

You will awaken to the famed sunlight and blue skies of the Côte d’Azur, to the exquisite color of the Mediterranean Sea, and the scents of the South of France Flora. Relax on the beach, soak in the calm and crystal clear waters, or, explore the marine world beneath the Mediterranean surface on a snorkeling outing.

You are so close to Nice. The Old Town of Nice is only 2 and a half miles from Villefranche and makes for a beautiful one-hour walk (or a quick taxi ride). Lose yourself in the steeply cobbled Old Town, a Medieval area honeycombed with tiny piazzas, fountains and winding streets that abruptly change to stairways. Dollhouse-size residences date back to the 14th and 15th centuries.

Stroll through the charming Cours Saleya street market and stop for lunch on the Place Masséna, by its hypnotic tilework and illuminated fountains. Nice is home to both the Chagall and Matisse Museums, which reflects the love affair the two artists had with the French Riviera.

In the "golden hour" late afternoon sun, jump in an taxi for the 6-mile drive up the panoramic road with incredible views across the Mediterranean, to the enchanting “village perché,” of Eze, which dates back to the middle ages and clings impressively to the mountainside above the Sea.

Day 3 | Villefranche-sur-mer & Antibes Juan les Pins

From Villefranche, take a short train ride that hugs the coastline to Antibes-Juan les Pins, (35 minutes). Stroll the "Vieille Ville" (Old Town), a Medieval area full of cobblestone streets embellished with fountains, a harbor full of mega yachts, crêperies and shops selling gelato mixed with fresh fruit. In the Old Town, you'll also discover Fort Carré, and the iconic Picasso Museum.

Take the spectacular coastal paths, at the southern end of Cap d'Antibes. This 2-hour walk will transport you into another world, with pathways and steps in the steeper parts, easy enough with comfortable shoes. You will find yourself looking over Nice and the Baie des Anges and only hear the sea, the wind, and Seagulls.

At sunset, lounge on a private one-hour catamaran cruise and sail along the Côte d'Azur, cruising past lavish seafront villages, marinas filled with luxury yachts and traditional fishing boats.

Day 4 | Villefranche-sur-mer to Marseille

It is time to venture further West and relocate to Provence. The TGV - France’s high-speed train - will take you from Nice to Marseille in under two hours. Upon arrival in Marseille, Laurent, our favorite guide, will be there to  meet you. Laurent was born and raised in Provence and knows every secret and off-the-beaten path spots. His intimate knowledge of the history, geography, art and culture of the area will enhance your adventure.

Laurent will start by taking you to the seaside village of Cassis, one of the French Mediterranean most beloved coastal gems. Soak up stunning views along the picturesque Corniche des Crêtes road. From the high point of Cape Canaille, stop for a photo opp overlooking the Gulf of Cassis before heading down into the hills toward the adorable harbor of Cassis. Experience the exquisite charm of a quaint Provencal fishing village first-hand. Stroll along its harbor, check out its picturesque cafés and pick the one that enchants you the most for a leisurely lunch and maybe a couple of glasses of local Rosé wine.

Save the best for last: a boat ride through the famous Calanques, which are miniature fjords and inlets carved out of white cliffs set against the deep turquoise waters. They remain one of the greatest natural wonders of the Côte d’Azur, not well known by foreign tourists.

Laurent will then drop you off at your luxurious Relais-Chateau located just outside of Aix en Provence

Day 5 | Aix en Provence

A day of rest to lose yourself at the Château immense park after much traveling. The park, vineyards and surrounding woods invite you to take dreamy strolls, dive into the swimming pool, cherish the Provence sun, enjoy a great wine on the terrace, read in the shade of the bald cypress, discover rare species, taste the freshness of vegetables from the kitchen garden, let yourself be captivated by festive nights, and starry skies.

Chef Quentin’s restaurant is a destination in itself so today, do what the French love to do: indulge in a long, beautiful "Déjeuner" on the terrasse, or in the park, and walk it off the rest of the day - or take a nap! - and savor drinks, or taste wines and light appetizers in the evening as night falls.

A day like this is just as quintessentially French as it gets... and utterly idyllic.

Day 6 | Aix en Provence to Avignon

Laurent’s delightful wife Sarah will pick you up at 8:30 AM this morning so you can get to the popular Provençal market of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence on the earlier side... before it gets crazy! Saint-Rémy is a fashionable small town in the Alpilles associated with Van Gogh who painted some of his most memorable works there, including Starry Night. Ask Sara to take you by the church Van Gogh painted in Starry Night.

Les Baux de Provence, one of the most visited villages in France, sits atop a rocky outcrop that is crowned with a ruined castle. The whole day is just a marvel of beauty all around you, with wine tasting breaks to make it even more delicious. You will end the day in Avignon, where Sara will drop you off at the Hotel d’Europe, a magnificent 16th century manor house, in a refined, chic and elegant environment, a few steps from the Palais des Papes and the bridge that gave its name to France’s most popular nursery rhyme (“Sur le Pont d’Avignon, on y danse on y danse.... “)

Avignon is a city full of life and famous for its historical heritage. Behind the beautifully preserved ramparts lay fairytale winding streets, alive with the sound of music, and adorned with art, pastel-colored patisseries and sunny cafés. Avignon's old town might be the most relaxing place in Provence to sit at a café and pretend to be French.

Day 7 | Avignon

Les Halles, Avignon’s morning market is the perfect place to start your day and an absolute must when visiting Avignon. It is a giant covered market and the heartbeat of Avignon, an authentic facet of life in Provence since 1859, which offers the best of local farmers. Let yourself be seduced by the flavors and scents, chatty vendors and lively crowds. The fish display is a work of art!

The Palais des Papes awaits your visit, the papal residence, once a fortress and a palace became the seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century.

In the afternoon ride e-bikes through the beautiful landscape around Avignon and les Alpilles. Our bike rental partners will supply the bikes, helmets, the maps, good advice and the App with various itineraries to choose from, so you can bask in the landscape far away from cars and tourists, and discover the best way to visit France: cycling on small, peaceful country roads and stop in tiny villages for refreshments along the way or take a detour into a winery…

You can also bike to the legendary village of Chateauneuf du Pape, which gave the famous wine its name. We can arrange wine tastings with a sommelier so you can enrich your knowledge of wine production and grape varietal.

Day 8 | Avignon & Lubéron Villages

You are in for an enthralling discovery journey through the Lubéron region. Notably, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the most celebrated markets in the Vaucluse: le Marché of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, a deep dive in the heart of Provençal culture, lively, colorful and generous. It is one of the oldest markets in France, its origins dating back to the 12th century. Locals gather at cafés and wine bars and charm all visitors.

All along the canal of the Sorgue, choose from the intoxicating scents of Provence for your home, your linens or yourself in order to make the enchantment of Southern France linger through the winters back home!

You will stop at typical medieval villages surrounded by the natural beauty of landscapes described in Peter Mayle's books while driving through lavender fields and olive groves. You will visit Gordes, an 11th-century hilltop village on your way to the village of Goult for lunch. In the afternoon stop in another medieval stone village Roussillon, a sight to behold with its famous ochre cliffs from which come the infinite shades of yellow to ochre to oranges and pink of the façades in this extraordinary village.

Day 9 | Avignon to Nice to USA

Your flight back to the United States leaves Nice this afternoon. The Hotel d’Europe concierge will arrange a taxi to the Avignon TGV train station for the 3-hour train ride to Nice. Your private driver will meet you as you detrain for your transfer to the Nice-Côte d’Azur airport in plenty of time for your flight back home.

After the maze of passport and security checkpoints, you will find yourselves again in a vast French shopping area: enjoy a café crème, one last baguette sandwich and one more glass of Rosé de Provence, or shop for sweet and savory treats, perhaps even Chanel or Hermès items, just in case you didn’t have a chance yet to find gifts to bring home.

Bon Voyage!

Welcome back to the U.S. and begin savoring the memories of a lifetime...

Per-Person pricing estimate: $4,565.00

(flights not included)