Toulon Cruise Excursion Provence Wine Tour (private)

Discover the beauty of Cassis & Bandol wine regions on a private shore excursion from Toulon or La Seyne sur Mer. Explore vineyards, taste local red, white or rosé wines. Travel in a premium vehicle and enjoy scenic coastal views.

• Stop in the charming coastal village of Cassis
• Provence wine tasting sessions in Cassis & Bandol
• Pick up and drop off at Cruise Ship in Toulon

 Embark on a vibrant Shore Excursion from Toulon Port of Call to Visit the City of Marseille!

Meet your English speaking local guide

Today, your meeting point will be directly at your ship in Toulon Cruise Port. Meet your English speaking private guide who will go over the itinerary and program of this private full-day Provence tour with you.

Then board your premium A/C vehicle and begin to make your way to the Cassis wine region where you will partake in a wine tasting session of Provencal wines. As you return, stop in the Bandol wine appellation for another wine tasting session. 
Program & Itinerary :   Pick up at Toulon Cruise Port Terminal

Stop in the charming coastal village of Cassis Provence wine tasting sessions in Cassis & Bandol   Drop off at Toulon Cruise Port Terminal

 Reach the seaside village of Cassis

Well known for its Calanques national park (small limestone inlets) beaches, and beautiful port overlooked by a medieval chateau. Enjoy some free time in the village to have lunch, and stroll around the colorful narrow streets. If time permits, it is possible to take a boat tour to admire the fascinating Calanques.

Cassis was one of the first in the region established as an Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP) in 1936. The village is one of the few local appellations comprising a single, tiny commune. While most nearby appellations were originally cultivated by Greek outposts, Cassis is based on Ligurian origins.

Blessed by 3,000 hours of annual sunshine, cool maritime winds and the freshening effects of the Mistral, the wine region is truly a spot set aside for gorgeous Cassis Whites. This is the only region in Provence to produce a majority of white wines, regulated to contain at least 80% Marsanne. This varietal adds beautiful aromatics and finesse, an elegant profile for the refreshing, high-quality white wines of Cassis.

Clairette is also a common component, adding fresh acidity to balance the body of Marsanne. A touch of red wines and a strong showing of rosé wines are also cultivated in Cassis – blends of Cinsault, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. Enjoy visiting a domain with the tasting of local wines.

Arrive in Bandol and taste more wines

After your exploration of Cassis, your shore trip will continue heading to Bandol. If time permits, your driver guide might make a stop in Le Castellet just for the view. The village of Bandol is a popular coastal town and wine growing region in the western part of the Cote d'Azur. Your visit to Bandol will start by a local wine tasting. 

The Bandol vineyard lies in a natural amphitheater where the vines are planted on terraces over approximately 1,600 hectares. Sheltered by the massif of Sainte Baume to the North culminating at 1,147 metres, the Bandol vineyard descends in terraces towards the sea in a magnificent amphitheater of wooded hills.

Bold red wines

The expression of the terroir comes together in the range of wines produced in the area: red wines, white wines and rosé wines. Bandol is a resolutely red wine, mainly produced from the Mourvèdre variety, known as the king of the appellation. Mourvèdre is the chief grape variety in the blend (50% to 95%). It is harmoniously combined with Grenache and Cinsault, the former bringing generosity to the wine, the latter giving it refinement.

Elegant white wines of Bandol

To penetrate the secret of Bandol, one must also taste its white wines. The wine-growers take delight in surprising wine lovers with this type of wine, produced in very low quantities. Clairette, Ugni Blanc and Bourboulenc are the base of the varietal mix.

Gourmand rosé wines

Bandol rosés are enchanting. Their roundness and generosity make them different from other rosé wines. Mourvèdre, Grenache and Cinsault combine to give, by direct pressing, a well-structured, refined, pale-coloured wine with delicate salmon hues.

After your tour, you will be driven back to your cruise ship and that will be then end of your Toulon shore excursion and the end of our services. 

• Parc national des Calanques, Marseille, France
• Bandol Port & Plage, Avenue du 11 Novembre 1918, Bandol, France
• Port de Cassis, Quai des Moulins, Cassis, 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. 

If you want to share your tour with others, you can put it on Cruise Critic. 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.