Timeless Provence

Riviera Travel’s escorted "Timeless Provence" holiday unfolds over seven nights based in Aix-en-Provence, allowing a leisurely pace to take in a variety of landscapes and historical sites. The week begins with Aix, the city known for its countless fountains and links to Paul Cézanne, leading on to explorations of the nature-rich Camargue where pink flamingos and local ‘cowboys’ tend their horses.

The itinerary continues northwards through the Luberon Mountains, a mix of olive groves and lavender fields punctuated by hilltop villages that have attracted writers and artists alike. A highlight is Avignon, whose Papal Palace rises solidly and frankly from rock, alongside a visit to the impressive Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard. The final full day takes in Cassis, a fishing port watched over by a formidable fortress, with an afternoon boat trip revealing the limestone cliffs of the Calanques.

Each step of the tour threads through stories of art, history, and natural beauty, with the occasional fountain providing a soundtrack as resonant as the countryside itself. It ends with a return from Aix, leaving a few open hours for last-minute strolls or museum visits.