Arles, St-Rémy & Les Baux Day Trip from Aix – Small Group

Summary Description

Discover Roman heritage and Provençal villages on a full-day small-group tour from Aix-en-Provence. Explore UNESCO-listed Arles, follow Van Gogh’s footsteps in Saint-Rémy, and visit the spectacular hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence.

Highlights

Explore UNESCO-listed Roman monuments in Arles
Follow Van Gogh’s footsteps in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Visit the spectacular hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence
Scenic drive through the Alpilles Natural Park
Small-group experience (maximum 8 guests)

Description

Travel through the heart of Provence on a full-day small-group journey combining history, art, and breathtaking landscapes. Departing from Aix-en-Provence, this experience explores the Roman city of Arles, famous for its UNESCO-listed monuments and its deep connection to Vincent van Gogh.

Continue into the Alpilles mountains to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where Van Gogh created some of his most celebrated works while staying at Saint-Paul-de-Mausole. The day concludes in Les Baux-de-Provence, a spectacular hilltop village overlooking olive groves and limestone cliffs. Designed as a complete introduction to Provence’s cultural heritage, this tour blends ancient history, artistic inspiration, and authentic village atmosphere.

Arles — Roman Provence

Arles is one of southern France’s most historically significant cities, renowned for its exceptionally preserved Roman monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Highlights include the Roman Amphitheatre, built around 90 AD and once capable of hosting over 20,000 spectators, and the Roman Theatre dating from the time of Emperor Augustus.

Walking through Arles reveals layers of Roman and medieval history alongside locations immortalized by Vincent van Gogh during his prolific stay in 1888–1889.

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence — Van Gogh’s Inspiration

Nestled in the Alpilles countryside, Saint-Rémy embodies the peaceful Provençal lifestyle. Nearby stands the Monastery of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, where Van Gogh stayed in 1889 and painted masterpieces including The Starry Night.

Today the town combines Roman ruins, shaded squares, and vibrant markets that reflect authentic southern French life.

Les Baux-de-Provence — A Spectacular Hilltop Village

Perched dramatically on a rocky spur within the Alpilles mountains, Les Baux-de-Provence offers panoramic views across olive groves and valleys. Its medieval streets and fortress ruins make it one of Provence’s most iconic destinations and a highlight of any regional journey.

Small-Group Comfort

Limited to eight guests, the tour allows relaxed exploration with time to walk, photograph, and enjoy each destination. Travel takes place in a premium air-conditioned Mercedes minivan accompanied by an expert English-speaking driver-guide.

Included / Excluded

Transportation in premium air-conditioned minivan
English-speaking driver-guide
Guided commentary throughout the day
Small-group tour (maximum 8 guests)

Lunch and personal expenses
Hotel pickup and drop-off.
Gratuities for the driver/guide.

Start / End Locations

Start Location: Tourist Information Center, 300 Av. Giuseppe Verdi, 13100 Aix-en-Provence, France

End Location: Office de Tourisme d'Aix-en-Provence, Avenue Giuseppe Verdi, Aix-en-Provence, France

Commentary

Guide : English

Important Information

Know Before You Book

Instant confirmation upon booking
Tour involves walking and is not suitable for wheelchairs.
Minimum 2 participants required
Prices are per person

Know Before You Go

Moderate walking required in historic villages
Uneven cobblestone streets and slopes
Comfortable shoes recommended
Sun protection advised in summer

Cancellation

Cancellation Cutoff: 24 hours

Cancellation Notes: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Options and Pricing

per person pricing	RETAIL PRICE
Adult (13 - 99 years)	€150.00
Child (5 - 12 years)	€100.00

Points of interest

Terms and Conditions

All our terms & conditions can be found here: https://www.ophorus.com/terms-sales

Additional Information

This tour is ideal for travelers interested in discovering Provence through its historical and artistic heritage. Combining Roman monuments, Van Gogh locations, and dramatic hilltop landscapes, the experience provides a balanced introduction to the cultural identity of Provence beyond Aix-en-Provence. The itinerary emphasizes exploration and storytelling rather than museum visits, allowing guests to experience each destination at a relaxed pace.

Please note that we do not distribute water bottles anymore to limit our environmental impact. We strongly recommend that you bring a reusable bottle.

FAQ

Why is Arles famous?

Arles is known for its Roman monuments and its connection to Vincent van Gogh, who painted many works there.

Do we visit Van Gogh locations?

Yes, the tour includes locations linked to Van Gogh’s stay in Arles and Saint-Rémy.

Is Les Baux-de-Provence walkable?

Yes, but expect slopes and uneven medieval streets.

Is this mainly a history tour?

It combines history, art, and scenic village discovery for a complete Provence experience.

Operator Website

Operated by:

About operator:

Ophorus Tours is both a licensed Tour Operator, member of Atout France and ETOA, and a Transportation company with headquarters in Bordeaux. We operate since 2005 and conduct Walking Tours, Day Trips, Private Tours, Shore Excursions and multi-regional Tours throughout France.

Our multilingual office staff is made up of France Travel Experts that design unique itineraries for both individuals and groups. Their perfect knowledge of the destination allows them to suggest carefully crafted programs to professionals of the Travel Trade all over the world.

Our in house team of licensed, multilingual Tour Guides are local Experts that can conduct any type of tours including (but not limited to) Cultural & Historical, Food & Wine, Luxury, Battlefields, Active, Family friendly, Faith-based etc...

Basic Information