Best of Aix en Provence & Marseille
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Port
Marseille (Provence), France
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$169.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 8 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Picturesque southeastern France inspired masterpieces by Cézanne, Van Gogh, Renoir, Matisse, and Picasso. Discover its beauty on this full-day tour.
Travel to Aix-en-Provence -- a university and spa town and the cultural and political center of Provence and a frequent subject in the paintings of Paul Cézanne.
From the Cours Mirabeau, an idyllic, tree-lined boulevard adorned with beautiful fountains and many outdoor cafés, walk through the city’s romantic streets, lined with stately 17th- and 18th-century mansions.
View a fountain adorned with sculptures of four dolphins residing at the center of the 17th-century Four Dolphins Square, and visit the Mazarin Quarter, laid out in 1646.
Your guide will show you around the Old Town, home to the Saint-Sauveur d’Aix Cathedral. This stunning 12th-century National Monument incorporates both Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The cathedral features more than 200 statues and other notable works of art.
Lunch is served at a local restaurant; then you will have some free time to browse among the stalls at the nearby markets, art galleries, boutiques, and antique shops. Try the region’s sweet Calisson d’Aix -- a diamond-shaped candy made of almonds, honey, and preserved melon -- delicious.
From Aix, you will reboard the motorcoach and head back towards Marseille, with some delightful stops along the way. You will drive along the Corniche du President J.F. Kennedy -- a scenic coastal with stunning views, craggy cliffs, and beaches.
Watch for the extravagant neo-Byzantine Cathédrale de la Major and the bustling Old Port, where working fishermen mingle with the younger crowd frequenting the fashionable bars and theaters. Stop at the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica, a neo-Byzantine church atop the highest point in the city. Don’t miss the colorful mosaics decorating the interior cupolas.
Relax on your return ride to the ship.
Notes:
Flash photography and video are not permitted inside the cathedral in Aix or inside the basilica in Marseille. Walking is required. Terrain includes even and uneven surfaces, cobblestones, inclines, and 160 steps at Notre Dame de la Garde. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Use of an audio headset (included) will enhance your tour experience.