Arles, Saint Rémy & Les Baux Day Trip from Aix (private)

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Highlights

  • Explore 3 stunning Gems of Provence

  • Admire the Roman triumphal arch and Mausoleum

  • Breathtaking view of the surrounding Provence Countryside

  • Local Tour Guide, Expert of Provence

  • Tour can be Customized to suit your Interests

Summary

Visit Arles and some of the most beautiful villages of Provence on this private full day trip from Aix en Provence. Discover the Roman City of Arles & follow the footsteps of Van Gogh. Admire the villages of St Rémy & Les Baux de Provence.

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?

Meet your Guide at your Accommodation in Aix en Provence

Depart from Aix en Provence
Discover the roman City of Arles
Explore beautiful Saint Remy de Provence
Free time for lunch in Saint Remy de Provence
Discover the medieval village of Les Baux de Provence
Optional Visit of the "Carrieres des Lumieres"
Drop off at your accommodation in Aix en Provence

In the morning, we will come and pick you up at your centrally located accommodation in Aix en Provence. We can also pick up from a centrally located meeting point if you are staying in a rental accommodation. Meet your English speaking driver/guide who will go over the itinerary and program of the day with you. Then board your premium A/C vehicle and begin your private tour led by a local guide.

Program & Itinerary

Experience a private full day guided tour to the town of Arles and the authentic Provence villages of Saint-Remy and Les Baux de Provence from Aix en Provence. Explore 3 stunning gems on this full day tour to Arles, listed by Unesco as a World Heritage Site because of the number of Roman Monuments, the village of Saint-Rémy de Provence, where Van Gogh lived for a year and the village of Les Baux de Provence, an outstanding medieval village.

Arles Town Visit

Upon arrival in Arles, it is possible to choose from different types of walking tours of this charming small town. Discover the Historic city of Arles, a fortified town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Participate in a walking tour of the historic center to visit the most emblematic monuments of the town including the Amphitheater, the Antique Theater or Saint Trophime church.

The Roman City & Sites

If History and Culture are of interest, then this option is the one you should choose. Arles underwent an urban revolution following the foundation of the Roman Colony of Arelate in 46 BP. Most of the Roman monuments that can be visited in Arles date back to the 1st Century. The Roman Amphitheater was built at the end of the 1st Century to the North of the town.

It is part of a general extension of Arles and was built at the same period of time as the baths. It is larger than the one located in Nîmes and could welcome up to 25.000 spectators. Antique Games will be held within until the fall of the Roman Empire.

The building of the Antique Theatre was requested by Emperor Auguste. It could welcome up to 10.000 spectators at a time. Only part of the Theater remains but it is still one of the most well preserved in France.

Used as a Theater until the beginning of the 5th century, it was then used as a quarry for the construction of the paleo-christian church of Saint Stephen. In the 17th century the famous Venus of Arles was discovered during early archeological digs.

The Roman Forum

Located at the intersection of the Cardo (north-south axis) and the Decumanus (east-west axis), the Roman Forum of Arles is made up of a great square of which only two fragments still exist. What is interesting about the Forum in Arles are the foundations as it is built on a cryptoporticus, which is a covered corridor or passageway.

The cryptoporticus were known to be used as storage areas in other towns but the one in Arles is, however, too damp for prolonged storage and may have served as a barracks for public slaves.

On the Footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh

If you are attracted to painting and wish to learn a bit more about the life of Van Gogh in Arles, then this option is perfect. During his stay in Arles between February 1888 and May 1889, Vincent Van Gogh executed about 300 paintings and drawings. The places in the city where the artist set up his easel are marked with panels representing his paintings. 

During this tour, your guide will take through the town of Arles on the footsteps of Van Gogh to show you the setting of where some of the most famous paintings of the artist were done. To enhance this tour, it is also possible to purchase the tickets to the Arles Van Gogh Foundation during the booking process.

Saint-Rémy de Provence

Along the way, before reaching the small village of St Remy, enjoy a photo stop on the Plateau des Antiques to admire the Roman triumphal arch and Mausoleum. Visit Saint-Paul de Mausole where Van Gogh stayed a year. This lunatic asylum is where the artist voluntarily admitted himself after his breakdown in December 1888 that resulted in the self mutilation of his left ear. It is during his stay here that he will achieve some of his most famous paintings including the starry night.

Arrive in Saint Remy de Provence, one of the prettiest villages of the area. The village is known to be a summer hot spot for chic parisians, yet it is still possible to find some quiet areas within the village, as there are many small squares scattered all over.  After the visit, free time for personal discovery and lunch. For your information, there is a beautiful Provence Market on Wednesdays.

Les Baux de Provence

Drive to the Alpilles mountain region that is famous for its vineyards and olive trees. Reach the medieval hilltop village of les Baux-de-Provence built on a rocky spur and from where you will have a breathtaking view of the surrounding Provence Countryside. Enjoy some free time to stroll and explore the narrow streets, Art galleries and the remains of a 10th century fortress.

Visit the Carrières de Lumières, a unique light and sound show in Europe located in an ancient limestone quarry (entrance ticket can be purchased during the booking process) where the natural 14 meter high limestone walls act like giant screens.

In the historic site of Les Baux de Provence in the heart of the Alpilles, the former quarries dug out by the hands of man since the Roman era today offer the visitor a magical world of entrancing images and music.

From these quarries was extracted the white limestone used to build Les Baux and its citadel. In the 19th century, industrial development increased the demand for building stone and Les Baux exploited a large number of quarries, including the Grands Fonds, today the Carrières de Lumières.

After the visit of Les Baux de Provence village, we will return to Aix en Provence and that will be the end of our services.

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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 departure time

  • Currency is in Euro.

  • Infant seats available

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
Operator Website

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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...

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