Marseille Cruise Excursion : Avignon & Provence wines

Visit the Charming small town of Avignon followed by a Provence Wine Tour in the Chateauneuf du Pape Appellation. Visit vineyards and taste delicious red wines. English speaking driver/guide, expert in Chateauneuf du Pape wines.

• Discover the Magic of Provence Cities
• Admire the famous Saint Benezet Bridge
• Discover Chateauneuf du Pape village and its ancient castle
• Admire Notre Dames des Doms cathedral

Embark on a vibrant Shore Excursion from Marseille to visit Avignon and the Châteauneuf du Pape wine producing region. Let our Expert local guides introduce you to one of the most prominent wine regions of the Cotes du Rhone.

Pick up at your Cruise Ship in Marseille 

Today we will come and pick you up at your Cruise Ship in Marseille Port of Call. Meet your English speaking driver/guide who will go over the itinerary and program of this private shore excursion. Then, board your air conditioned vehicle and begin to make your way to the town of Avignon.
Program & Itinerary :

Pick up at your Cruise Ship in Marseille

Visit Avignon with your guide Optional visit of Pope's Palace & Gardens Free time for lunch in a local restaurant (at own expense) Chateauneuf du Pape Wine tour

Return to Cruise Ship in Marseille

Avignon town visit

Begin your full day tour from Marseille in the beautiful Provence region by the visit of Avignon, known as the city of the popes. This stunning small town of France was built close to the Rhône River where enjoyable boat rides can be taken.

Upon arrival, you will enjoy a guided walking tour of Avignon around the Unesco world heritage listed historic city center with your guide. During the tour you will discover the Pope's palace, a unesco listed site, Pont St Bénezet, Notre Dame des Dom’s cathedral, Saint Peter's church and Horloge square. Your guide will certainly take some time to evoke the Papal history of this stunning town of Provence.

After the visit, 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 tour guide to get away from it all and have lunch in a local hilltop village such as les baux de provence. After lunch, reach the Châteauneuf du Pape wine region.

Châteauneuf du Pape Wine tour

The Châteauneuf du Pape Appellation was one of 6 to be labeled as the first AOC wines of France in 1936. The vineyards planted by the Romans were extended and developed by the Pope's residing in Avignon during the 14th century. As you reach this famous wine producing region, discover the village and its ancient castle that was the summer residence of the Pope's during their stay in the area.

Here, you will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the valley. Then, you will have some free time to roam around and enjoy a wine tour of Chateauneuf du Pape wines in the old 14th century pope cellars. Depending on your wishes, it will be possible to taste more wines in the local wineries that your guide can point to. Here, both red and white wines are produced.

Chateauneuf du Pape wines have the specificity of having a possible thirteen grape varieties that can be used in the blend with Grenache & Syrah being the most used. The lesser produced white wines can include any of the seven authorized grape varieties such as Roussanne or Greanche Blanc.

After the wine tasting tour, we will take you back to Marseille and that will be the end of our services. Please note that this experience requires a minimum number of travelers to take place. If the tour is canceled because the minimum isn't met you'll be offered a different date or a full refund.

• Palais des Papes, Place du Palais, Avignon, France
• Pont d’Avignon, Boulevard de la Ligne, Avignon, France
• Notre Dame des Doms d'Avignon, Place du Palais, Avignon, France
• Château de Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Château des Papes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France

Ophorus requires full payment to guarantee your booking. In case of registration one month or less before shore excursion date, payment is expected immediately. We accept payment by credit cards (Visa, Master card, American Express), There is no charge or service fee for processing credit card payments but booking process does incur a booking fee. For any cancellation, the following fees will be deducted from the refund:  Up to 48 hours prior to departure (Paris Time Zone) > no cancellation fees except the booking fees  48 hours prior to departure and less > no refund  No refund will be made in case the boat is unable to dock in the port of Call. All private shore excursions must clearly specify the name of the ship and the local port of call. Ophorus will not be held responsible if the wrong port of call has been notified during reservation process. All private shore excursions departing from Bordeaux must specify local port of call: “Bordeaux city port of call” or “Bassens port of call“ or “Le Verdon port of call”. No insurance for cancellation or assistance is included in the prices mentioned for private shore excursions. Each customer has to check that he or she has the appropriate documents for their journey; a passport (with visa if necessary) or a valid ID card. No refund will be granted in case of lack or loss of ID documents. Eating, drinking and smoking on board the minivans are strictly forbidden (law of September, 17th, 1977). All passengers are insured during the excursions while in the vans. The responsibility of Ophorus is limited to our insurance contract clauses. 

<div>If you want to share your tour with others, you can put it on <a href="https://www.cruisecritic.com/">Cruise Critic</a>. Most of the time this gives good results. You must do this yourself as we are not accepted on their site as a professional business. We accept split payment transactions by credit card.</div>