On this insider’s walking tour of France, walk in the footsteps of Cezanne through through the Luberon forest and rustic towns and amble through lush fields and gardens. Your journey will immerse you in the papal riches of Avignon, the ochre hues of Verdon, Gordes and Roussillon, and the stunning views from Cap Ferrat on the French Riviera. You may not have a year in Provence, but spend 10 days and you may never want to leave.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Cannes

Your vacation begins with an overnight flight to France.

Day 2 - Cannes

Touch down in Nice. Here you’ll meet your Go Ahead representative, then transfer by motorcoach to the elite resort town of Cannes and check in to your hotel. Become acquainted with your fellow walking enthusiasts at this evening’s included dinner. (B in flight, D)

Day 3 - Avignon

En route to Avignon, discover the fresh air and flowering vistas of Provence during this morning’s invigorationg two-hour walk in Ste. Baume. Medievel travelers followed these same paths in their pilgrimages to pray at the shrine of Mary Magdalene. Then travel to Aix-en-Provence, where you’ll follow in the footsteps of painter Paul Cézanne during a guided tour of the city, including the painter’s studio. In his paintings of the surrounding countryside, Cézanne immortalized this charming town. (B)

Day 4 - Avignon

Visit Avignon to stroll through the medieval city this morning on a tour led by your tour director.  Follow your morning walk with an in-depth visit to the Papal Palace with a professional guide. In the 14th century, Pope Clement V chose to reign as pope from his native France, rather than from Rome. Visit the opulent palace that he and his successors inhabited and view the relics of grandeur they enjoyed during the 75-year era when Avignon was the seat of the papacy. This afternoon, savor our included Provençal Lunch, which includes a taste of the region’s cuisine and a visit to the Pont du Gard. Built in 19 B.C. during the days of the Roman empire, this aqueduct endures as an architectural and artistic marvel. (B, L)

Day 5 - Avignon

This morning, visit the perfectly preserved hilltop town of Gordes. With its imposing Château de Gordes, the 12th-century village overlooks the Imergue Valley. Continue on to Roussillon, considered to be one of France’s most picturesque villages. Today’s hour-long walk takes you into and through the town’s open-air ochre mines. Although mining has ceased, the colorful red rock continues to draw visitors to its unique cliffside vistas. Later, pass through three scenic Luberon towns, Bonnieux, Lacoste and Ménerbes, before reaching Fontaine de Vaucluse, a waterfall that emanates from deep inside a rocky hillside. Savor the rustic flavors of Southern France with an optional Chateauneuf du Pape dinner and wine tasting tonight. (B)

$85 USD

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Dinner and Wine Tasting Savor the region's vintage wines during a wine tasting at a local wine cellar then enjoy Provençal cuisine at a nearby restaurant for dinner. Please note: This optional requires advance booking and payment at least 20 days prior to departure.

Day 6 - Les Gorges du Verdon

Drive through the countryside to the rustic Luberon region, setting for Peter Mayle’s book A Year in Provence. Your hour-and-a-half walk in the Luberon Forest takes you through groves of oak and cedar with views of the surrounding mountain villages. En route to Gorges du Verdon, visit the town of Grasse, the heart of France’s perfume industry. Surrounded by fields of jasmine, roses, violets and lavender, Grasse produces a high percentage of the world’s bottled fragrances. Make a visit to the Fragonard Perfume Factory to see the process in action. Then stop in the medieval village of Moustiers Ste. Marie, known throughout Europe since the 17th century for its blue-and-white ceramics, before tonight's included dinner. (B, D)

Day 7 - Les Gorges du Verdon

This morning, your tour director leads you on an orientation of the town of Gréoux-les-Bains. Known for the recuperative waters of its thermal caves, Gréoux-les-Bains offers a range of medieval relics, including the ruins of the castle of the Templars. Next, a botanical guide will lead a walking tour of the town and the surrounding countryside. Stop in Moustiers with time for lunch before driving past the dramatic canyons of the Gorges du Verdon area, known as the "Grand Canyon of France." (B)

Day 8 - Nice

Reach Nice later today, and begin exploring this charming Riviera city on your own. This evening, experience all the glamour of Monaco on our optional Monaco by Night excursion, featuring dinner and a visit to the Monte-Carlo Casino. (B)

$115 USD

Monaco by Night This evening excursion shows you the jewel of the French Riviera at its best, featuring castles, cafes and cabarets all lit up under the setting sun.

Day 9 - Nice

Today’s 1.5-hour walk introduces you to Cap Ferrat, a peninsula that runs between Nice and the principality of Monaco. The cliffside path takes you around the edge of the peninsula, with memorable views of the Mediterranean. This afternoon, join our optional excursion to St. Paul-de-Vence, a popular enclave for artists. (B, D)

$45 USD

St. Paul-de-Vence Journey to the rustic hill town for a guided tour of St. Paul-de-Vence, a popular enclave for artists.

Day 10 - Nice

Transfer to Nice’s airport for your flight home, or join our Paris tour extension. (B)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter France, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States. No visa is required for U.S. citizens. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must contact the French consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to France. Travelers should be in good physical health. (For more information, see our “Walking on Tour” section.) It is always advisable to check with your doctor or health-care provider for the latest updates and travel requirements.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in and depart from Nice. (Passengers traveling on the tour extension will depart from Paris). Included transportation on “Walking through Provence” is by private motorcoach. In your free time, you’ll find that all of the cities and towns in Provence and the French Riviera are easily walkable.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort while walking and exploring the sites is essential for your tour. Shorts are comfortable to walk in, but bear in mind that they might deny you access to churches and religious sites. Hiking boots or sturdy, comfortable athletic shoes are recommended. You might also bring a change of footwear in case of weather changes, damage or formality. A plastic water bottle is handy for staying hydrated on your walking tours. Insect repellent, bandages, lip balm, a sunhat, sunglasses, sunblock, a collapsible walking stick and a flashlight are also a good idea. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear.

Currency

The euro is the currency you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in France rather than in the United States, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We advise that you take bank/ATM cards, credit cards and traveler’s checks, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks, as needed. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges. Please note: With the conversion to the euro, it has been increasingly difficult to exchange traveler’s checks outside of Europe’s major cities—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity.

We recommend €2 per person per day for your driver and €4 to €6 per person for your tour director. If applicable, we also recommend €1 per local guide.

Tips may only be paid in cash.