Gourmet South of France: Aix-en-Provence, Marseille & Nice - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Aix-en-Provence, Guided Walking Tour 

Day 2: Provençal Cooking Class in Aix-en-Provence

The southeastern French region of Provence is one of the most scenic in the country. It's the land of the Riveria, medieval villages, lavender fields, and endless olive groves and vineyards. But Provence is as much a way of life as it is a point on a map. Today you'll experience Provence's culture and rich way of life on a food tour and cooking class in one of the most beautiful towns in all of France, Aix-en-Provence.

On this day-long cooking adventure, you'll browse the various food markets of Aix's Old Town and meet local purveyors. Enjoy learning about fresh regional produce, like Herbes de Provence, olive oil, truffles, figs, honey, and more. Then, you'll bring these ingredients to the home of your host to prepare a feast using local recipes. On the way back to the country house, which follows a route that passes through the scenic Montaiguet Forest, you'll stop at a local château to select some regional wine to pair with your meal.

Upon arriving at the country home, take a stroll around the property and search for wild aromatic herbs. Then it will be time to start the cooking class, and you and a group of culinary enthusiasts will actively participate in the preparation of various recipes. Finally, after approximately two hours of cooking, it's time to sit down at the long convivial table and enjoy your gastronomic creations! Later in the afternoon, return to Aix for the evening.

Day 3: Avignon & Hilltop Villages of the Luberon Region

After breakfast, travel about an hour northwest of Aix-en-Provence to the medieval city of Avignon. You'll find centuries' worth of fascinating history here, as this is where Pope Clemente V moved his court in the 14th century. For several decades after that, it was the seat of the Catholic popes.

Day 4: Discover Marseille, Explore

Today you'll depart Aix for the historic Mediterranean city of Marseille. "Historic" might even be an understatement—with 2,600 years of history, this is France's oldest city, founded on the site of the ancient Greek colony of Massalia around 600 BCE.

Get settled into your hotel, then start your explorations in Marseille's most impressive and historic neighborhoods, like the colorful district of Le Panier. This is the "old Marseille," where the city was founded. It's a working-class enclave on the central port and is the picture of Mediterranean beauty, with old plazas, ancient churches, and brightly colored facades on tenement buildings. You'll also find street art on the walls in the form of colorful frescoes. 

Other must-visit areas include the waterfront, the hilltop basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, and the Roman monastic foundation of Saint-Victor Abbey. You can also follow a walkway to Fort Saint-Jean, a fortification dominating the port that was built in 1660 by Louis XIV. Be sure to pay a visit to the fascinating Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations (MUCEM), which features permanent exhibits devoted to the history of these regional societies from ancient times to the present day. You'll want to end the excursion in Vieux Port, in the heart of the city, where you can finish the day by enjoying a good pastis or beer as the sun goes down.

Day 5: Cassis & Bandol Rosé Wine Tour

On the coast of France's southeastern Provence region, you'll find two charming Mediterranean villages: Cassis and Bandol. Besides the old-world charm, these villages are known for their breathtaking natural beauty.

Cassis sits on the edge of Calanques National Park, which boasts hidden coves and large limestone sea cliffs. Bandol is known for its crescent white-sand beach, which appeals to sunseekers of all stripes. Both areas, however, are deservedly famous for their hundreds of acres of vineyards that produce stellar wines. On a full-day wine tour of these two villages, you'll get to sample some of the best.

Provence, in general, is renowned for its fine rosé wines, but Cassis is more famous for whites and Bandol for reds and rosés. You'll visit some of the most famous wineries in this region today and enjoy tastings overlooking beautiful terraced vineyards and the Mediterranean Sea. The tastings also include tours of the facilities for some insight into the production process. Plus, there's a stop at Cap Canaille, which overlooks Cassis from the east, for even more jaw-dropping views. The excursion ends with a leisurely lunch back in the postcard-worthy fishing village of Cassis before returning to Marseille in the afternoon.

Day 6: Explore Rural Provence, Transfer to Nice

Today you'll leave behind the busy streets of Marseille and set out with your private driver to explore the hinterland of Provence along the Mediterranean coast. Surrounded by quiet countryside and unspoiled nature, you can truly appreciate the stunning landscapes of the French Riviera.

You'll start the day at Château de Berne, one of the most beautiful vineyards on the French Riviera. Here you have the option of enjoying a wine tasting before embarking on a tour of the history and architecture of the spectacular castle. For lunch, you can choose to splurge on a decadent three-course truffle menu or visit a traditional local restaurant for typical Provençal fare. 

Continue to the unusual village of Villecroze, perched at the bottom of the Provençal Alps and in a landscape of rugged cliffs and lush forests. From there, you head to Sillans-la-Cascade to discover its famous 138-foot (42 m) waterfall that adds a special charm to the surrounding village.

After a morning spent in the wilds of nature, continue north up the coast to sophisticated Nice, your destination for the night. Nice sits at the northern end of the French Riviera, near the border with Italy. Nicknamed Nissa La Bella ("Nice the Beautiful") for its artistic spirit, grand plazas, and crescent-shaped pebble beaches, Nice is inarguably the French Riviera's most popular city. The narrow cobblestone streets of its colorful old town, Vieille Ville,  are lined with pastel-colored buildings and a plethora of shops selling everything from soap to wine. After checking into your hotel, enjoy a relaxing evening stroll along the shore on the famous Promenade des Anglais, then head to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner. 

Day 7: Nice Gourmet Foodie Tour, Explore Monaco, Monte Carlo & Eze 

Savor the sights and sounds of Nice's open-air markets with a guided walking tour that embarks in the morning and culminates around noon. Your local expert guide will lead you through a gastronomic odyssey that will surprise and delight your palate with delicious flavors, both familiar and exotic. Much of this adventure is an off-the-beaten-path tour that follows the narrow streets of Nice's colorful old town, Vieille Ville. All the while, your guide will introduce you to purveyors and market vendors who will treat you like a local while offering sweet and savory symbolic treats as they explain the history of Nice and its gastronomy.

After lunch, you'll travel 12 miles (20 km) along the coast to the city-state of Monaco for a guided tour of one of the world's smallest countries. Visit the famous Monte Carlo district with its legendary casino and see Prince Rainier's car collection, then continue to the Rocher de Monaco (Rock of Monaco). This is the location of the town's oldest neighborhood, the medieval Old Town. From here, the views of the sunny coast are unparalleled. Learn about this community's history and anecdotes about the dynasty which has reigned there for decades. 

Proceed to the medieval village of Eze, which perches high above the Mediterranean Sea. Thanks to its location and history, it's a popular destination with painters and artists. Explore the famous Chapelle Sainte-Croix and the ruins of the ancient castle, which allude to the city's strategic location on the coast. After a stroll through the town's peaceful gardens, you'll be driven back to Nice for the evening. 

Day 8: Train to Paris, Departure

Enjoy a final leisurely breakfast in the Riviera sunshine before transferring to the train station to catch the six-hour direct TGV train back to Paris and your onward journey. Bon voyage!

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