Itinerary
- Day 1
Marseille
You'll arrive at Marseille Provence Airport and pick up your rental car for the week. After driving to your hotel in Marseille, check in and get settled. Depending on when you land, take a walk down to the Vieux Port and breathe in that Mediterranean feel. The harbor's lined with restaurants, and if you're hungry, bouillabaisse is what Marseille does best here. Grab dinner if you're up for it, then head back to rest up for the Provence driving ahead.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Budget Marseille Valentine), Hotel (B&B HOTEL Aix-en-Provence Le Tholonet)
Optional Activities
- Stroll along Vieux Port (Old Port)
- Try bouillabaisse at a local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Vieux Port (Old Port) 
- Day 2
Avignon - Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Head north from Marseille to Avignon, roughly an hour's drive. Start with the Palais des Papes, this massive Gothic palace that's basically a museum of 25 rooms filled with frescoes and medieval details everywhere. After lunch somewhere in town, drive 20 minutes north to Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Walk through the village streets and visit a local vineyard like Clos du Calvaire where they'll show you how they do things. The wine here is excellent, and the whole region feels like stepping back into wine history.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (site paradis rue colibri), Hotel (B&B HOTEL Aix-en-Provence Le Tholonet)
Included Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Palais des Papes
- Stroll through Châteauneuf-du-Pape village
- Visit Clos du Calvaire winery
Landmarks/POIs Palais des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Clos du Calvaire 
- Day 3
Arles
Drive about an hour from Avignon to Arles, a Roman city on UNESCO's list. Start your walking tour at the Amphitheater, an ancient arena that's been around for 2,000 years and still impresses. Check out the Roman Theater next, then the Thermes de Constantin, which used to be bath complex from way back. After grabbing lunch, follow the Van Gogh Walking Trail around town. You'll see the real locations of his paintings, like where Cafe Terrace at Night was painted and the Yellow House spot. Finish by wandering Place du Forum as evening comes on.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (site paradis rue colibri)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Arles Amphitheater (Les Arènes d'Arles)
- Explore Roman Theater
- Visit Thermes de Constantin
- Follow Van Gogh Walking Trail
- Visit Espace Van Gogh
Landmarks/POIs Arles Amphitheater (Les Arènes d'Arles) Roman Theater Thermes de Constantin Espace Van Gogh Place du Forum 
- Day 4
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Drive to Saint-Remy-de-Provence, nestled in the Alpilles. Park near the center and walk through narrow streets with old stone houses, fountains, and quiet squares everywhere. Local shops here sell everything from art to food. If it's Wednesday, the market's in full swing with produce and crafts. Visit Saint-Paul-de-Mausole Monastery where Van Gogh actually lived and painted The Starry Night. You can see where he set up paintings around town. End the day at Moulin Castelas olive oil mill learning how they press olives the traditional way.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (site paradis rue colibri)
Included Activities
- Stroll through Saint-Rémy-de-Provence historic center
- Visit Saint-Paul-de-Mausole Monastery and gardens
- Follow Van Gogh reproductions trail
- Olive oil tasting at Moulin Castelas
Optional Activities
- Visit Saint-Rémy Market (Wednesdays only)
- Browse local boutiques and artisanal shops
- Visit local cafés
Landmarks/POIs Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Saint-Rémy Market Saint-Paul-de-Mausole Monastery Moulin Castelas 
- Day 5
Gordes - Aix-en-Provence
Travel to Gordes, perched high in the Luberon hills overlooking the valley. Park and wander the tight winding streets filled with galleries and cafes tucked everywhere. Take a short drive to Abbaye Notre-Dame de Senanque, a 12th-century monastery surrounded by lavender fields if you're going during blooming season (May to July). Later, drive south to Aix-en-Provence. Stroll Cours Mirabeau, this elegant boulevard lined with trees and fancy old buildings. Hunt down Place d'Albertas, a hidden square that feels like locals' secret, then see Atelier Cezanne where the painter actually worked. If daylight holds, check out Terrain des Peintres for views of Mont Sainte-Victoire.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (site paradis rue colibri), Hotel (B&B HOTEL Aix-en-Provence Le Tholonet)
Included Activities
- Explore Gordes historic village
- Visit Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque
- Stroll Cours Mirabeau
- Discover Place d'Albertas
- Visit Atelier Cézanne
Optional Activities
- Visit Terrain des Peintres for Mont Sainte-Victoire views
Landmarks/POIs Gordes Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque Cours Mirabeau Place d'Albertas Atelier Cézanne Terrain des Peintres Mont Sainte-Victoire 
- Day 6
Cassis - Marseille
Start at Cassis, a small fishing village with real character. Take a boat through Calanques National Park if weather cooperates, seeing white cliff walls and hidden coves with turquoise water. Back in Cassis, walk the harbor with its colorful boats and waterfront cafes, or relax on the beach if you want downtime. Then drive back to Marseille. Check out the Vieux Port where fishermen unload fresh catch and restaurants cook bouillabaisse how it's meant to be. Visit Fort Saint-Jean for harbor views, then head up to Notre-Dame de la Garde, the basilica perched on the hill. The views over Marseille and the Mediterranean from up there are worth the climb.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Budget Marseille Valentine), Hotel (B&B HOTEL Aix-en-Provence Le Tholonet)
Included Activities
- Boat tour of Calanques National Park
- Stroll through Cassis harbor
- Explore Vieux Port (Old Port) in Marseille
- Visit Fort Saint-Jean
- Visit Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica
Optional Activities
- Relax on Cassis beaches
- Dine at waterfront restaurants in Vieux Port
- Browse boutiques in Cassis harbor
Landmarks/POIs Cassis Calanques National Park Vieux-Port (Old Port) Fort Saint-Jean Notre-Dame de la Garde 
- Day 7
Marseille to Marseille Provence Airport
Check out of your hotel in Marseille. If time allows before departure, grab coffee at a local cafe and take one last walk through the city streets. When you're ready, drive to Marseille Provence Airport. Return your rental car at the car rental drop-off and allow extra time for the return process before heading through security for your flight.
Optional Activities
- Final stroll through Marseille
- Morning coffee at a local café
