Off the beaten track in the South of France

Marseille

Day 1: Arrival into Marseille

Welcome to Marseille, a wonderful city where your journey through France's Occitanie region begins! It has a vibrant history and is a melting pot of many cultures. Enjoy the first day of your trip at leisure: take a stroll to explore famous monuments, including the Cité Radieuse and the Notre-Dame de la Garde, before relaxing at your hotel for the evening.

Marseille

Day 2: Cooking & cruising in Marseille

After breakfast you'll take a tour of Marseille, walking around various markets in search of local snacks and gifts to take home with you. You'll then have the pleasure of partaking in a personalized cooking class centered around Mediterranean cuisine. This class can be held in either Marseille or Aix-en-Provence (a 40-minute drive out of the city), depending on your preferences.

Afterwards, embark on your Marseille Calanques cruise, a stunning overwater experience during which you'll get to admire majestic rugged cliffs and crystal-clear waters. Go in search of the six stunning creeks tucked away between Cassis and Marseille, each one with their own unique tale to tell!

Return to your hotel in the evening, and get some rest before journeying on to Arles in the morning.

Marseille - Arles - Nîmes

Day 3: Travel to Arles & Nîmes

Wake up and have breakfast at your hotel in Marseille. Afterwards, you'll check out and begin your journey to Arles!

Arles is the gateway to the Camargue and is known for its Roman monuments, such as the ancient amphitheater and baths; in fact, it has the most Roman monuments after Rome and is home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It also hosts a number of chic boutiques, where you'll get to enjoy some retail therapy after soaking up all that history.

In the afternoon, you'll depart for Nîmes: this town was built during the antiquity period and features beautifully-preserved monuments and sites, such as the Maison Carrée, the Tour Magne watchtower, and the leafy Jardin de La Fontaine. Spend a while amidst its unparalleled charms, before enjoying an evening of rest at your hotel.

Nîmes - Uzes - Nîmes

Day 4: Sightseeing in Uzès

Leaving Nîmes behind for the day, you'll travel to Uzès in the morning. This city is incredibly rich in art and history, as it was constructed by the Romans, and has many a story to tell!

Spend the day happily wandering along cobbled streets and soaking up the ambience at the Place aux Herbes. Admire all the history that hides behind the town's private mansions, wonderful gardens, and antique craftsmanship. You'll even pay a visit to the Haribo Museum for a dose of foodie fun, discovering the brandy's candy-making process and history, before returning to Nîmes for the evening.

Nîmes - Aigues Mortes - Montpellier

Day 5: Explore the heart of the Camargue

Say goodbye to Nîmes and begin your journey to Montpellier. Along the way you'll stop in medieval Aigues-Mortes, in the coastal Camargue region. Explore the majestic towers and 13th-century fortress, with breathtaking views of the salt lagoons and flamingos.

Next, create unforgettable memories as you take off on a half-day jeep safari to discover the wonders of the Petite Camargue. Mythical wild landscapes await, inhabited by bulls and horses. Drive through swamps, along channels and rice fields, before arriving back at the ramparts of Aigues-Mortes. Your adventurous excursion ends with a visit of a manade (herd of bulls and horses) and a chance to meet their Guardians - the Camargue's traditional cowboys!

It'll then be time to continue your transfer to Montpellier, where you'll reach your hotel and relax for the evening.

Montpellier

Day 6: Soak up beautiful Montpellier

Wake up to breakfast at your hotel, before starting your day in the center of Montpellier. On your walk through its narrow streets, unravel all of its secrets, monuments, and sites such as the Place de la Comédie, the Opera House, the Place Royale du Peyrou, and much more! If you like, a Montpellier street art tour can be organized instead.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Fabre Museum - one of the most important museums in Europe, taking you on a journey of art through the centuries. The museum presents more than 700 paintings, sculptures and drawings, including many works by great Flemish, Dutch, Italian, Spanish and French masters, from Veronese and Zurbarán to Delacroix, Courbet and Bazille.

Montpellier - Sète - Montpellier

Day 7: Coastal adventures in Sète & Bouzigues

In the morning, you'll venture out from Montpellier to Sète, which emerges like an island between the Etang de Thau lagoon and the Mediterranean Sea. An important fishing port and seaport where cruise ships rub shoulders with marvelous sailing boats, Sète invites you to stroll around and discover its laid-back atmosphere.

In the afternoon, enjoy a seafood tasting aperitif on the edge of the lagoon, in the small nearby port town of Bouzigues - a gourmet treasure that's entirely devoted to shellfish farming, with a privileged view of the lagoon and Sète in the distance. Your sunny aperitif will feature local products such as oysters, mussels, and Picpoul de Pinet wine.

Montpellier - Carcassonne - Toulouse

Day 8: Visit the fortified city of Carcassonne

Today, you'll travel to the iconic Cité de Carcassonne for a day filled with history! This fortress is one of the most beautiful ensembles of military architecture in all of Europe; you will instantly witness its beauty and power as you approach it.

Today's visit will grant you access to the fortress' ramparts, from where you can enjoy an exceptional view of the plains. Many festivals take place in Carcassonne's open-air theater - classical concerts, choreographies, contemporary music, and the fireworks of the 14th of July, to name a few!

After spending the day amidst the city's historic draws, you'll travel on to Toulouse for an overnight stay.

Toulouse

Day 9: Sightseeing in Toulouse

Good morning, Toulouse! Today, your guide will meet you and take you sightseeing around one of France's most magical cities.

Start by visiting the Basilique Saint-Sernin, the largest Romanesque basilica in France and a masterpiece of brick and stone art, restored in the 20th century. Take your time as you soak up its architecture, the crypts, and beautiful marble structures.

Next, you'll take a tour of the Couvent des Jacobins. This massive set of red-brick buildings is a medieval gem. Immerse yourself in the air of peace and harmony that fills its cloister, which features marble pillars and a soothing garden.

End your day with a visit to the Halle de la Machine, a quirky suburban museum where you can ride on the back of a giant Minotaur and explore fun interactive exhibitions.

Toulouse

Day 10: Say goodbye to France!

This morning, finish off your stay in Toulouse with an exploration of the Cité de l'Espace. Unravel the secrets of space, marvel at actual spacecrafts, embark on out-of-this-world odysseys at the IMAX theater, and enjoy a variety of fascinating shows at the planetarium.

Then, at a suitable time, you will transfer to the airport for your departure flight home. Safe travels and be sure to visit this wonderful part of France again!