Aix to Avignon & Luberon Villages Day Trip (private)

Highlights

  • Avignon & the Luberon region

  • Visit the Pope's Palace in Avignon

  • Visit the village of Gordes

  • Lourmarin & Roussillon villages

  • Tour can be customized to suit your interests

Summary

Visit historical Avignon including Pope's Palace followed by Villages of the Luberon of Provence on this private tour from Aix. Taste local Luberon wines, see the Luberon lavender fields during the blooming season, visit Gordes, Lourmarin.

Tour info

Duration
8 hours
Group Size
8
Pricing (From)
Adult: (1-99 years)
€795.00
Commentary
Meeting Point
Dropoff location

Why take this tour?

8:45am - Meet your Guide at Train Station, Hotel or your Accommodation in Aix en Provence

9am : Departs from Aix en Provence 
Guided walking tour of Avignon
Discover the Pope's Palace on your own
Free time for lunch in Avignon
Discover the beautiful village of Gordes
Photo stop at Senanque Abbey
Walk along the Ochre Trail in Roussillon
Enjoy a last stop in the beautiful Lourmarin village
Return to Aix en Provence

Enjoy a private full day trip from Aix en Provence to visit the town of Avignon and some of the most beautiful villages of the Luberon region. On this small group private full day tour our expert English speaking driver guides will have you discover the city of the popes and the beautiful hilltop villages of Provence.

Meet your English speaking local guide

In the morning, we will come and pick you up at your centrally located accommodation in Aix en Provence. Meet your guide who will go over the itinerary and program of the day with you. Then, board your comfortable premium A/C vehicle and depart for your full day private tour.

Reach the town of Avignon

Leaving Aix en Provence on this full day tour, drive along the Rhône river and enter Avignon, the majestic city of the Popes. Upon arrival, visit Avignon with your guide to discover all the famous landmarks that this town has to offer on a walking tour.

Climbing up to the top of the fortified medieval city walls, discover Avignon stretching in all its beauty along the Rhône river. Discover the rich historical past of Avignon where the papacy established itself in the early 14th century.

Visit of the Pope's Palace

Begin your day tour from Aix with Avignon & the visit of the Palace & Gardens of the Popes. The City of Avignon and Avignon Tourism board now invite visitors to experience a unique discovery of the largest Gothic Palace in the world.

Your entrance ticket includes the brand new Histopad that uses augmented reality and 3-D technology that will enhance your experience. Visit and discover 9 of the major rooms of the monument in their original splendor of the 14th century thanks to the Histopad. Original floors, ceilings, furnishings are all revealed as you take a leap back in time.

Of course all the detailed explanations can be done in your chosen language and the most important artistic features are commented with detailed explanations especially in the Chamber of the Stag and the Saint Martial and Saint John Chapels. The Histopad is also ideal if you are traveling with children as families are invited on a Treasure Hunt that takes place throughout the visit.

Stroll through Avignon after your visit. Your tour guide will certainly take some time to evoke the Papal history of this stunning Provençal town. Enjoy some free time for personal discovery. It will be possible to have lunch in the town of Avignon or you can also ask your guide to get away from it all and have lunch in a local hilltop village such as Gordes.

Gordes and Senanque Abbey

After lunch, it will be time to head out to the village of Gordes, classified as one of the most beautiful villages of France. Facing the Luberon mountain range, the village is composed of small paved streets, known as 'calades', where it feels so nice to get lost in.

To mostly appreciate this unique village, magic operates in spring and autumn as summer is very crowded by a number of visitors. After some time in the village, your Provence day excursion will take you to the Cistercien abbey of Senanque for a photo stop. In July, the Abbey is surrounded by magnificent Lavender fields.

Roussillon & The Ochre Trail

Your tour from Aix en Provence continues with the villages of Lourmarin and Roussillon that are next on your program. Roussillon is a typical hilltop village located just above a rock formation called the “Provencal Colorado“. Here, you will have some time for personal discovery that will allow you to stroll down the village or walk along the “ochre path", a 30 minute walk.

The Ochre Trail

Discover one of the main highlights of the village of Roussillon, the Ochre Trail, an easy walking trail that takes place in what used to be an Ochre Quarry. Extracted during the 18th century the mining has now stopped but the location is quite stunning. The natural Ochre pigments mixed with the sand of the cliffs constitute a mineral landscape made up of Iron Oxide that creates colors ranging from bright yellow to violet.

Lourmarin Village

Lourmarin village is yet another famous Provence village and is known to be an artist’s village. Located in a gorgeous setting that is surrounded by olive and almond trees, the village has attracted numerous artists and writers such Henri Bosco and Albert Camus.

Again, enjoy some time in the village where options include the visit of its ancient castle. The village was the source of inspiration for Peter Mayle's book “A year in Provence”.

What’s included?

  • Hotel pick up and drop off

  • English-speaking driver/guide

  • Travel in recent & comfortable minivan

  • Bottled water in the minivan

  • Entrance fees to monuments, museums, attractions

  • Personal insurance and expenses

  • Meals and drinks

  • Gratuities for the driver/guide

Things to know

Before you book

  • Price is per group, not per person.

  • This product is on request.

  • Tour requires minimum 2 passengers (adults) to operate.

  • Tour is operated in English, other languages on request.

  • Not wheelchair accessible.

Before you go

  • Please be ready 10 minutes before arrival time

  • Small group option, maximum 8 persons

  • Currency is in Euro.

Covid Policy

  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • COVID-19 vaccination required for guides

Cancellation Policy

    Operator strictly adheres to its cancellation policy and will make no exceptions to the policy. If Guest chooses to cancel his or her reservation, Operator must receive written notice of said cancellation in writing via certified mail, fax or e-mail sent to [email protected] (with confirmation of receipt from Operator), and Guest shall be subject to the following cancellation fee schedule: Ophorus requires full payment by credit card, internet payment (through our website) or wire transfer (Wire transfer fees at the charge of the Guest) to make a reservation. We accept payment by AMEX, Visa and Master Card. There is no charge or service fee for processing credit card payments except with American Express +3%. For any cancellation, the following fees will be deducted from the refund: Up to 48 hours prior to departure: no cancellation fees except the booking fees. 48 hours prior to departure and less > no refund. No show - no refund.

Redemption information

    If any hotel or predetermined meeting place changes, notify Orphorus immediately.  Otherwise be at location 10 minutes prior to pick up time.


    Your voucher will be collected or scanned on redemption

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...