Things to do in

Aix-en-Provence

Depart from Aix-en-Provence, drive along the scenic roads winding across the fields of flowers. Arrive on the wide Plateau of Valensole with its 800 square meters plateau, it specializes in the cultivation of lavandin, a hybrid lavender plant as well as cereals. It's nicknamed 'The Granary of the Region.' You will have many photo stops by the lavender fields in bloom and enjoy the breathtaking sights and scents. Stop at a farmer/ producer's place and learn everything about the cultivation, distillation and the properties of pure lavender and lavandin.  Have an opportunity to purchase pure lavender and lavandin essential oils, olive oil and lavender honey directly from them.

Discover Aix en Provence, medieval city of art. Start with a walking tour of the historic center with your guide to see the cathedral, town hall, fountains, and Provençal market. Here, you will have a tasting of local specialties and free time at leisure on the famous Corso Mirabeau and the shopping area for an hour. Then drive to Cassis, a charming port considered the little “Saint Tropez” of Provence. Lunch at leisure in the village and have free time again to relax on the beach or board a 45 minute mini cruise on the main creeks of Cassis listed by UNESCO for its white cliff and turquoise waters (not included). Drive along Cassis National Park and stop at the edge to enjoy a panoramic view of Cassis Bay from the Cape Canaille, the highest cliff in Europe.

Visit the most beautiful medieval hilltop villages in the southern Luberon. Discover the charms of Lourmarin, Bonnieux, Roussillon, and Gordes on a 6-hour tour. Stop in Lourmarin for some free time, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful villages in France, and noted for its Renaissance castle.Take a photo in Bonnieux, a picture-perfect Provençal village that features a 12th-century church surrounded by ancient cedars. Continue to Roussillon via the Roman-era Pont Julien. Roussillon, perched atop an ochre-colored cliff, is a favorite of painters, and a magical place where combinations of oxides give the ochre an infinite variety of colors. Gordes offers an extraordinary vision of a stone village erected on a massive rock. Its fortress castle and church dominate the houses of the village, which were built with stones taken from the rock on which they sit.

Discover the delicious wines of Bandol and Cassis, and the stunning landscapes that surround this little area of Provence that borders the Mediterranean Sea. With your wine guide, learn about the French wine classification system, and the local grape varieties of the region. Next, enjoy a private visit to the vat and aging rooms, followed by a tasting of the refreshing rosés and deep reds from the wine region of Bandol. On your way to the second winery, marvel at the stunning scenic views of vines and olive trees that line the coast. Then, taste the elegant white and delicate rosé wines from the region of Cassis, widely praised by connoisseurs across the globe. Afterwards, enjoy a quick stop in the charming little port of Cassis and pick up a souvenir of your trip.

Enjoy a drive to Cassis, a charming port town, on this full-day excursion. Take in panoramic views of Cassis Bay and Cape Canaille, Europe's highest cliff. First, you will explore the village at your leisure or take a 45-minute mini-cruise of the main creeks of Cassis (not included in the tour price). Next, travel to Marseille and visit the Notre Dame de la Garde basilica for sweeping views of the city and its main monuments. Drive along the old harbor to the district of Panier, the oldest area of Marseille, a village in the city. On Tuesdays, you can walk around this former fishermen village with your guide to explorer narrow streets and soak up the atmosphere. This tour includes free time to visit the Marseille Cathedral, fort Saint-John and Mucem building at your own pace (except on Tuesdays).

Go on a black truffle hunt on the gorgeous property of a Provençal truffle plantation in the Luberon, just 40 minutes from Aix en Provence TGV train station and 1 hour from Marseille Airport. Meet a real truffle hunter and learn how this elusive, edible “black gold” is cultivated and how the truffle dogs are trained. With the help of your guide, you will soon find some truffles to try. Learn about the art of growing truffle trees, training truffle dogs, and finding truffles. Then celebrate your find with a glass of champagne while your hosts teach you how to clean, store, and cook with truffles. Sample some truffle hors d'oeuvres and be sure to ask your hosts to taste the olive and truffle oil produced on the farm. Many delicious products are also available for you to take back home as a unique souvenir. Take a tour of the vineyards, olive tree plantation and bees hives, and fully immerse yourself in the gourmet paradise of the Luberon.

Enjoy a half-day wine tour in the scenic landscape of Sainte-Victoire Mountain, inspiration for the famous post impressionist artist Paul Cézanne, who painted many pictures of the mountain between 1880 and 1883. The Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire vineyards are located east of Aix-en-Provence, and like all vineyards in Provence, are considered some of the most natural in France, due to the drying effects of the Mistral wind. The poor and shallow soils, formed by limestone and argillaceous sandstone, help to produce high-quality vineyards. Learn about the characteristics of the terroir, and explore the wine making process while visiting the cellars of 2 separate wine estates. Meet the winemakers, and taste AOC Côtes de Provence wines in 3 colors - tasty, full-bodied reds of excellent structure, subtle elegant rosés, and whites of distinction.

Spend the day among the purple-blue sea of the lavender fields of Provence, which bloom stunning shades of lilac and mauve from June through August. Start your day in the beautiful city of Aix-en-Provence, fondly known as the “city of art and water.” Located approximately 19 miles (30 kilometers) from Marseille, Aix dates back to Roman times and has a wide promenade called the “Cours Mirabeau” that is lined with plane trees. Discover the cafés that were once frequented by Cezanne, Camus, and Zola. Go to one of the numerous markets that take place in the city center every day, and admire the shimmering palette of fragrances and colors. After some free time for lunch on your own, continue along the picturesque roads lined with golden wheat and blue lavender fields. Your driver will stop for plenty of photo opportunties en route to Valensole, with free time to explore this traditional Provencal village on arrival. They will also give useful information about the uses of lavender essential oil, and the lavender crop in Provence in general.

Enjoy a scenic full-day tour of the picturesque Verdon Canyon, departing from Aix-en-Provence by air-conditioned minibus. Meet your guide at the Tourist Information Center of Aix, and set off on a lovely drive through the dramatic splendor of the Grand Canyon du Verdon. Stop en route at Manosque for a guided tour of the L' Occitane factory, famous for its cosmetics using local flowers and plants. Cross the Valensole plateau, which is especially spectacular when the lavender fields are in full bloom (mid June to mid July). Head to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, famous for its earthenware workshops, and enjoy some free time for lunch on your own. Continue to the Verdon Gorges of the Verdon River for breathtaking views of the lake of Sainte-Croix. Stop for some free time on the beach before driving back to Aix-en-Provence via the enchanting village of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon.

Enjoy a half-day tour exploring the glitzy French Riviera, based on your own itinerary and traveling in luxury minivans. Along with up to 8 participants, choose your departure point on the French Riviera from Italie, Monaco, Eze, Nice, Antibes, Saint Paul de Vence, Cannes, St. Tropez, Marseille, Aix en Provence, or the Côte d'Azur countryside. Discover the hidden gems of Saint Tropez, explore the fashionable city of Nice, or walk the red carpet at Cannes. Explore the playground of the jet set and former arsitocracy, and see luxury marinas, yachts and casinos, as well as enchanting hillside towns. You can choose your point of departure, return time and selected destinations. Simply provide a detailed description at the time of booking by leaving a note in the comments field. Or consult with the experts at Liven Up to plan your perfect day out.