9 Days of Sunshine, Culture & Cuisine
From the Mediterranean coastline to the hilltop villages and vineyards of inland Provence, this journey showcases the many faces of
Southern France. Guests will discover historic Marseille, the colorful markets of Provence, Marcel Pagnol’s beloved countryside,
Roman heritage, Van Gogh landscapes, the wild Camargue, celebrated vineyards and some of the region’s most beautiful villages.
Travel with an expert local guide who will bring Provence to life, sharing stories and anecdotes about the region’s history, art, villages and traditions along the way — from Van Gogh’s Arles to Pagnol’s beloved hills.
Interested in joining us? Contact the Alliance Française San Diego to learn more.
May 29 – June 7, 2027 — 9 nights / 10 days
4 nights in Sanary-sur-Mer | 5 nights in Aix-en-Provence
Day 1
Welcome to Provence! Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to Sanary-sur-Mer, your home for the first four nights. After check-in, enjoy time at leisure to settle in and discover the picturesque harbor, lined with traditional fishing boats, cafés and colorful Provençal façades.
Overnight in Sanary-sur-Mer
Day 2
Depart for Marseille, France’s oldest city, for a panoramic guided tour featuring the iconic Notre-Dame de la Garde, perched high above the city, and the magnificent Palais Longchamp. Continue with a guided walking tour of Le Panier, Marseille’s oldest quarter, where narrow winding streets, colorful façades and artisan workshops reflect the city’s rich Mediterranean heritage. Return to Sanary-sur-Mer in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Sanary-sur-Mer
Day 3
Travel to Aubagne, Pagnol's birthplace, and venture into the surrounding hills and countryside that inspired My Father's Glory and My Mother's Castle. Follow in Pagnol's footsteps through pine-covered hills, rocky paths, traditional bastides and fragrant Mediterranean vegetation, blending storytelling and literary history with a gentle walk.
Overnight in Sanary-sur-Mer
Day 4
Depart for Cassis, a charming Mediterranean fishing village nestled between vineyards and dramatic limestone cliffs. Explore its colorful harbor and picturesque streets before boarding a boat to discover the spectacular Calanques National Park. Enjoy this unique protected landscape where towering white limestone cliffs plunge into crystal-clear turquoise waters, creating secluded coves and breathtaking Mediterranean scenery. Enjoy lunch and a leisurely stroll through Cassis before returning to Sanary.
Overnight in Sanary-sur-Mer
Day 5
Discover Sanary-sur-Mer’s celebrated Wednesday Provençal Market, where the streets around the picturesque harbor fill with the colors, scents and flavors of Provence. Browse stalls brimming with seasonal produce, olives, cheeses, flowers, herbs, spices and local specialties, experiencing one of the region’s most cherished traditions.
Continue to Aix-en-Provence, an elegant town renowned for its artistic and literary heritage. The birthplace of painter Paul Cézanne and childhood home of novelist Émile Zola, Aix has long inspired artists and writers with its distinctive Provençal character. After checking in at your hotel, enjoy a guided walking tour of the historic center, exploring the grand Cours Mirabeau, shaded by plane trees, graceful fountains, elegant 17th- and 18th-century mansions and charming squares.
Overnight in Aix-en-Provence
Day 6
Journey into the beautiful Alpilles, a landscape of olive groves, vineyards and limestone hills. Begin in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a charming Provençal town closely associated with Vincent van Gogh, who created some of his most celebrated works here. Then continue to the remarkable archaeological site of Glanum. Continue to the hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence, officially recognized as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France, and the extraordinary Carrières des Lumières, where monumental projections transform a former limestone quarry into an immersive art experience.
Overnight in Aix-en-Provence
Day 7
Depart for Arles, where more than two thousand years of history meet the artistic legacy of Vincent van Gogh. On a guided walking tour, discover the city's Roman heritage (a UNESCO World Heritage Sites), and hear the story of Van Gogh's stay in Arles. Continue into the Camargue — a unique landscape of wetlands, lagoons and open countryside — visit the ornithological park to observe the region's famous pink flamingos, then continue to the quaint town of the Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer with time to explore before returning to Aix. Camargue is a regional park and nature reserve, listed as a Ramsar site (Wetland of International Importance).
Overnight in Aix-en-Provence
Day 8
Begin in Avignon, the medieval City of the Popes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the historic center and visit the imposing Palace of the Popes. Continue through the vineyards to Châteauneuf-du-Pape for an introduction to France's first AOC wine appellation, and a wine tasting. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Pont du Gard, one of the finest examples of Roman engineering in France and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Aix-en-Provence in the evening.
Overnight in Aix-en-Provence
Day 9
Breakfast at the hotel followed by check-out, then a private transfer to the airport for your return flight. Bon voyage — et à bientôt!
Sanary-sur-Mer — 4 nights (May 29 – June 2)
Aix-en-Provence — 4 nights (June 2 – June 6)
Total: 8 nights / 9 days