8 Best Day Trips from Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a city with a history dating back to 122 BC, so it is not surprising that its streets are home to an important architectural, artistic and cultural heritage. Moreover, this town is in a privileged location in the south of France, surrounded by vineyards and charming villages.

During your stay you can take some excursions from the city to Valensole to contemplate its lavender fields, discover the villages perched on the Luberon, marvel at the natural landscapes of Cassis, stroll through Arles and the Camargue National Park, among other destinations, which I will tell you about below.

Among the best day trips from Aix-en-Provence you can incorporate the tour of Valensole, a picturesque French village, where you will enjoy beautiful natural landscapes. If you book an excursion to the Verdon Natural Park, the adventure will start in the city center from where you will depart to Valensole by car with a local guide who will take you to know the best of this town. It is a route of about an hour's drive.

You will stroll freely through the valley of the Durance River and cross the Valensole Plateau, where the road winds through the lavender fields, offering you a dreamlike setting. Among the stops you will make during this excursion are the following:

• Local producers' workshop, to learn about lavender honey, lavandin and lavender essential oils, among others.
• The village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, where you can buy souvenirs and have lunch in one of the local restaurants.
• The village of Sainte Croix du Verdon, where you will have the opportunity to swim in a crystal clear lake and sunbathe.

Details of interest

• Price: the price of this excursion usually starts at 149 € per person.
• Duration: the activity lasts approximately 9 hours and a half hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages: you will discover beautiful natural landscapes and picturesque villages on the outskirts of Aix-en-Provence.
• Disadvantages: it does not include any food or drink.

If you book an excursion to Cassis you will contemplate the dazzling landscapes of the Côte d'Azur, stroll through the beautiful town of Cassis, visit its harbor and, in addition, you will have the opportunity to sail on a cruise along the coves of the town.

A tour, lasting approximately four hours in groups of no more than eight people, in which a local guide will show you the most popular areas of the region such as the Corniche des Crêtes coastal road, the Cape Canaille cliff or the Port of Cassis, which is surrounded by colorful houses.

Details of interest

• Price: the cost of the excursion starts at 74 € per person.
• Duration: usually the duration of the activity is 4 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus and boat.
• Advantages: this experience by land and sea (if you choose) will allow you to know the small fishing village of Cassis.
• Disadvantages: not suitable for people with limited mobility.

Another must is to book an excursion to the villages of the Luberon, a beautiful natural region composed of picturesque villages dating back to the Middle Ages and whose landscapes will provide you with incredible scenery for photography.

You will travel from Aix-en-Provence to the Luberon on a route of about 1 hour and 30 minutes by car. You will visit the Luberon Natural Park and discover little by little the villages and towns perched on the cliffs. Some of the localities where you will stop will be:

• Lourmarin village, where you will see the Castle of Lourmarin with its medieval style and a history dating back to the 15th and 16th century.
• Town of Bonnieux, with vineyards, many restaurants and a privileged view of the Luberon valley.
• Town of Roussillon, characterized by its ocher trails and houses with orange-colored facades.
• Town of Gordes, noted for its breathtaking panoramic views and medieval scenery.

You will also stroll through the town of Fontaine de Vaucluse, which will capture your attention with its medieval essence and emerald green water spring. And, if there is still time, the guide will take you to L'Isle sur la Sorgue, to see a series of waterwheels and the Sorgue River.

Details of interest

• Price: the average price of the excursion is 87 € per person.
• Duration: this is an activity that lasts approximately 6 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages: you will visit the incarnated villages in the Luberon massif and enjoy all its natural charm.
• Disadvantages: may not be suitable for people with limited mobility.

Did you know that Provence was the inspiration for many of Van Gogh's works? That's right, and if you book a Van Gogh tour from Aix-en-Provence you will visit the towns and places that were the source of his inspiration:

• Saint Rémy: a picturesque town where you can admire Roman monuments such as Saint-Paul-de-Mausole or visit the psychiatric hospital where Van Gogh was interned.
• Les Baux: medieval village in Provence with cobblestone streets and the interesting ruins of a castle. Do not miss the sound and light show of Les Carrières de Lumières.
• Arles: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was home to Vincent Van Gogh for years, where he painted some of his most famous pictures.

An excursion, lasting approximately eight and a half hours, in which you will discover with a professional guide the picturesque countryside of French Provence as well as all the details of Van Gogh's life in groups of no more than eight people.

Interesting details

• Price: the average price of the tour is 135 € per person.
• Duration: this is an activity that lasts approximately 8 hours and a half.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned minibus.
• Advantages: you will visit Arles, Saint Remy and Les Baux.
• Disadvantages: not accessible for people with limited mobility.

Apart from the best tours in Aix-en-Provence, you will also find some day trips departing from the city to the town of Arles where you will discover with a guide an important architectural sample dating back to the Roman Empire.

To start the activity, you will meet your guide at a pre-arranged place in the center of Aix-en-Provence. You will then drive to the so-called city of the Roman Empire, Arles. There, you will stroll through the streets and have free time to visit the interior of a couple of monuments. These are:

• The Cathedral of St. Trophime, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Sands of Arles, this is the ancient gladiator amphitheater or Roman Colosseum, which today is used for bullfights.

Then you will head to the Camargue National Park, where you will be amazed by the flamingos that this natural region is home to. You will also have the opportunity to see the famous white horses and even take a ride on one of them along the beach.

Details of interest

• Price: the value of this excursion from Aix-en-Provence starts at 950 € per person.
• Duration: the duration of the guided activity is about 8 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages: you will see important architectural samples of the Roman Empire and protected natural areas with an incredible fauna.
• Disadvantages: entrance fees to the attractions are not included.

If you want to enjoy lush landscapes, you can book an excursion to the Verdon Natural Park. You will be accompanied by a guide and you will discover interesting destinations such as the famous Gorges du Verdon. Once you reach the Verdon National Park, you will cross the Valensoleque plateau, which during the months of June and July offers an amazing floral scenery, thanks to the lavender fields.

Afterwards, the guide will take you to the picturesque village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, located on the shores of Lake Sainte Croix and known for its pottery workshops. You can buy souvenirs, eat in a local restaurant, visit the pottery museum, the archaeological museum, the Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir chapel, among others.

Finally, you will visit the Gorges of the Verdon River, which is very close to the village, as it is located at the mouth of the river. You can swim in the turquoise blue waters and contemplate the breathtaking scenery. If you wish, you can even enjoy sports activities such as kayaking, rafting, climbing, among others.

Details of interest

• Price: the price of this activity starts at 149 € per person.
• Duration: this type of excursion is about 9 hours and a half.
• Means of transport: minivan.
• Advantages: you will contemplate an amazing protected natural area and visit picturesque villages.
• Disadvantages: meals and drinks are not included.

Exploring the city of Avignon from Aix-en-Provence is an adventure that will give you an unforgettable experience. You will discover historical monuments and incredible natural and urban landscapes. All this in the company of a driver-guide, who will tell you the history of the whole place.

The itinerary of this getaway usually incorporates some stops in other destinations along the way, since, like Avignon, they are of great tourist and cultural interest.

• Les Baux-de-Provence: a fortified village nestled on a rocky plateau where you can enjoy its medieval scene. If you have time, visit the Castle of Les Baux-de-Provence.
• Pont du Gard: a Roman aqueduct declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whose history dates back to the first century A.D. You can contemplate this imposing architectural work and take some pictures.
• Avignon: in this walled city you will find monuments, squares, fountains and impressive ruins such as the Pont d'Avignon. In addition, you will see Le Palais des Papes, considered the largest gothic style palace in Europe.
• Châteauneuf-du-Pape: in this French commune you will visit one of the local vineyards such as Les Caves Saint Charles, Chateau de la Gardine, among others. Whichever winery you visit, you will have a wine tasting and, at the same time, learn a little about the history of the place and the local wine production.

Details of interest

• Price: the price of the excursion starts at 120 € per person.
• Duration: the activity usually takes 9 hours and 30 minutes approximately.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages: includes the entrance to the Pont du Gard.
• Disadvantages: not available for children under 4 years old.

The French Riviera is home to coastal cities such as Cannes, Nice or Monaco that you can discover if you join an excursion from Aix-en-Provence. You will explore these places accompanied by a guide and discover their rich heritage and privileged landscapes.

• Cannes: you will walk along the Boulevard de la Croisette, a pedestrian promenade along the bay. You can also visit the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes, built especially to celebrate the Cannes Film Festival.
• Nice: you can visit the old town with its narrow streets, picturesque facades, historic religious buildings such as the Saint-Nicolas Cathedral and the flower, fruit and handicraft markets.
• Monaco: a town with a beautiful bay lined with yachts, luxurious casinos and a lively nightlife. You will visit the Prince's Palace, whose history dates back to 1191 and is currently the official residence of the Prince of Monaco; the Monaco Cathedral, inaugurated in 1903 and the city's main Catholic place of worship; and the Monte Carlo Casino, considered one of the city's major tourist attractions.

Details of interest

• Price: this type of excursion costs about 162 € per person.
• Duration: generally the maximum duration of this activity is 10 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages: you will discover the rich historical and cultural heritage preserved in some of the towns of the French Riviera.
• Disadvantages: meals, drinks and entrance fees to the attractions are not included.

During your stay in the city of Aix-en-Provence it is recommended that you take a trip to the nearby villages (Luberon, Cassis, Arles, Avignon, Verdon, among other French towns), as you will discover beautiful landscapes and unique natural spaces. Some of them are even recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.

Moreover, through these day trips from Aix-en-Provence you will have the opportunity to get to know the cultural and architectural heritage of the destinations visited. You will also taste fresh products grown in each locality.

As you may have noticed, hiking is one of the best things to do in Aix-en-Provence When embarking on an excursion from Aix-en-Provence to the nearby villages, it is important that you consider some basic tips, which will enhance the experience.

For example:

• Wear comfortable shoes, so that you avoid getting tired during the walking tours in the villages visited.
• Wear clothes appropriate to the weather season, i.e. coats and raincoats in winter, light and short clothes in summer.
• Always have extra money available, as most tours do not usually include meals or drinks. You will be able to buy whatever you wish during the tour.
• Book your participation in the tour in advance, as tickets for these experiences tend to sell out quickly, especially in high season.