Visit the most beautiful medieval hilltop villages in the southern Luberon. Discover the charms of Lourmarin, Bonnieux, Roussillon, and Gordes on a 6-hour tour. Stop in Lourmarin for some free time, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful villages in France, and noted for its Renaissance castle.Take a photo in Bonnieux, a picture-perfect Provençal village that features a 12th-century church surrounded by ancient cedars. Continue to Roussillon via the Roman-era Pont Julien. Roussillon, perched atop an ochre-colored cliff, is a favorite of painters, and a magical place where combinations of oxides give the ochre an infinite variety of colors. Gordes offers an extraordinary vision of a stone village erected on a massive rock. Its fortress castle and church dominate the houses of the village, which were built with stones taken from the rock on which they sit.

Travel from Aix-en-Provence to Luberon valley on a full-day tour of the area's charming and unique villages. Make your way to L'Isle sur la Sorgue, and wander through the open-air provincial market, and along the canals, taking time to stop in the various antique shops (on Sunday only). Enjoy the exceptional hilltop village of Gordes (it has a market on Tuesday) and stop to snap photos at a panoramic viewpoint. Afterward (from mid-June to mid-July only) stop for photos of the blooming lavender fields at Senanque Abbey. Drive to the village of Fontaine de Vaucluse before continuing to the colorful village of Roussillon (it has a market on Thursday) and its ochre cliffs. Make your way back through the picturesque and winding Combe of Lourmarin. Stop in Lourmarin, one of the most beautiful villages in France, famous for its Renaissance castle (market on friday). Here you can enjoy some free time before returning to Aix-en-Provence. The order of the stops can change according to market days.

Embark on an immersive journey through Provence, exploring the charming villages of the Luberon region and the traditional vineyards located east of Aix-en-Provence. Learn about local heritage and taste delicious wines as you take in views of Mount Sainte-Victorie. Take a scenic drive along Cézanne road, on the way to the Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire vineyards, situated at the foot of the Sainte-Victoire Mountain. Visit two fascinating wineries to sample tasty, full-bodied red wines and subtle, elegant rosés. Spend free time in the village of Lourmarin famous and see its Renaissance-style castle. Enjoy a photo stop in Bonnieux before moving on to the colorful village of Roussillon which, with houses painted in ochre shades. Explore the hilltop village of Gordes, then return to Aix by early evening.

Tour the enchanting hilltop villages and colorful landscapes of the Luberon region of southern France on a full-day tour. Enjoy roundtrip transportation from Marseille, then have plenty of free time to explore traditional markets, antique shops, and historic monuments in different towns. Depart from the meeting point and discover a unique Luberon market, depending on the day of your tour. Experience the aromas and flavors of traditional Provençal products. On Tuesdays, spend time in the dry-stone-built village of Gordes and explore its market. On other days, stop in Gordes for a panoramic photo stop. On Thursdays, see the village of Roussillon and its colorful houses, with an iconic market. On Fridays, enjoy free time in Lourmarin, famous for its Renaissance castle, and visit the market. On Saturdays, discover the market in the city of Apt, famous for the candied-fruits production. On Sundays only, visit the market that takes place in L'Isle sur Sorgue. From mid-June to mid-July, make a photo stop at Sénanque Abbey, with its lavender fields in bloom. Drive to Fontaine de Vaucluse and the Sorgue resurgence before heading back to Marseille.

Meet your driver at the bottom of the ship in Marseille cruise terminal and hop-on your air-conditioned minivan. Enjoy this excursion to the famous Luberon area. Drive to your first stop Lourmarin, where you will have the chance to wander during your free time. In this charming village, you will have a look at the famous Renaissance castle, considered a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture style (traditional open air market every Friday morning). Continue to the hilltop village of Bonnieux through the picturesque and winding route called the Combe of Lourmarin, which crosses the Luberon's mountain from south to north. Have free time in the village overlooking the Luberon hill range. Continue toward the colorful village of Roussillon and its ochre cliffs, you will be impressed by all the different ochre color use to paint the buildings and houses of the village. Great place for photographers. (traditional open air market every Thursday morning). Free time for lunch on your own. The last stop will be in Gordes, which ranks among the most beautiful villages in France, where you will do a photo stop at the panoramic point of view facing this surprising perched village. Enjoy the breathtaking view from there.

Discover the fields of lavender in Pays de Sault on a full-day tour from Aix-en-Provence. Visit the hilltop villages of Saignon and Gordes, and marvel at the scenic views. After meeting your driver-guide at the meeting point in Aix-en-Provence, set off on your tour. Drive through the Luberon Natural Regional Park along the picturesque and winding Combe of Lourmarin. Reach the Plateau of Claparèdes, with its numerous "bories" (typical dry-stoned houses) among the lavender fields. Then, arrive in the hilltop village of Saignon to enjoy a breathtaking panorama. Next, drive to Pays de Sault, famous for its wide lavender fields in bloom. Stop in Sault, “the capital of lavender.” and enjoy some free time to explore and grab lunch (not included) on your own. In the afternoon, discover one of the most beautiful villages in France, Gordes, a village erected on a cliff. Admire the fortified castle and church that dominate the typical houses of the village, which were built with stones from the rock on which they stand. After, return to the tour's starting point. N.B : A la Française reserves the right to modify the programm according to the lavender's blooming stage

Embark on a tour to several villages from Aix-en-Provence. Stop at several picturesque villages and admire the fantastic scenery. Depart from Aix-en-Provence by minivan and first drive to Cassis and Cape Canaille. Spend some free time strolling through the charming fisherman port of Cassis, before stopping to admire the views of the highest seaside cliff in Europe, Cape Canaille. Next, continue north to the Massif du Luberon, known for its many quaint villages. First, discover the village of Lourmarin famous for its Renaissance-style castle. Enjoy a photo stop in Bonnieux, followed by a visit to the colorful village of Roussillon, where the houses are painted with ochre. Stroll in the medieval village of Gordes, a scenic village perched on a steep hilltop. Afterward, be returned to the city center of Aix-en-Provence.

Visit the village of Gordes This morning, head out to the village of Gordes, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Facing the Luberon mountain range, the village is composed of small paved streets, known as calades, where it feels so nice to get lost in. To mostly appreciate this unique village, magic operates in spring and autumn as summer is very crowded by the number of visitors. Admire the Senanque Abbey After the visit of Gordes, it will be time to take you to the beautiful area of Senanque to admire the Cistercian abbey of Senanque where you will take time for a photo stop. In July, the Abbey is surrounded by magnificent Lavender fields. The Abbey is still home to a community of Cistercian monks that follow the rule of Saint Benedict. Cultivation of lavandin, of olive trees, production of honey, visits of the abbey, hospitality and monastic shop permit the monks to live but also to maintain and restore the monument. Free time for lunch After the visit, it will be time to stop in a local village for lunch. Don't hesitate to ask your guide for suggestions. Roussillon & The Ochre Trail Your tour from Aix en Provence continues with the visit of some of the most beautiful villages of the Luberon region. The villages of Lourmarin and Roussillon are next on your program. Roussillon is a typical hilltop village located just above a rock formation called the “Provencal Colorado“. Here, you will have some time for personal discovery that will allow you to stroll down the village or walk along the “ochre path", a 30 minute walk. The Ochre Trail Discover one of the main highlights of the village of Roussillon, the Ochre Trail, an easy walking trail that takes place in what used to be an Ochre Quarry. Extracted during the 18th century, the mining has now stopped but the location is quite stunning. The natural Ochre pigments mixed with the sand of the cliffs constitute a mineral landscape made up of Iron Oxide that creates colors ranging from bright yellow to violet. Before returning to Aix en Provence, finish with the visit of Lourmarin. Lourmarin The village of Lourmarin is quite unique. As you stroll the winding streets, the architecture in the village reveals its many riches: from the Renaissance to the Baroque period, from Classicism to the 19th century, the houses in Lourmarin highlight the incomparable know-how of those builders often little known to the general public. Located in a gorgeous setting that is surrounded by olive and almond trees, the village has attracted numerous artists and writers such Henri Bosco and Albert Camus. Again, enjoy some time in the village where options include the visit of its ancient castle. The village was the source of inspiration for Peter Mayle’s “A year in Provence”. After the visit, it will be time to return to Aix en Provence.

First, you will be taught the rules of the game along with a brief history of the sport. Then, learn how to handle the boule, throw, shoot, score and master the fine art of disputing a point. After, play a competitive game of pétanque (with a glass of rosé in your hand, of course). The hosts will also have some homemade Pastis to sample. A commemorative trophy will be offered to the winning team during an aperitif with Pastis, Rosé and traditional Provencal snacks (anchoiade, tapenade, mushrooms, etc.). If you loose, get ready to kiss Fanny's Ass (just a statue). Play for about three hours with a view of a castle in the South of France. The game will take place either in Lourmarin or Ansouis. Even if you have never played before, you will enjoy the game and the lovely drinks and foods afterward.

Visit the différent small villages of: Lourmarin ( beautiful renaissance castle) Bonnieux (unlimited views of the Luberon valley) Roussillon (the ocre village with orange houses as well as the ocre path if you fancy walking on the trail) Gordes (typical hilltop village with stunning views. This is a photo stop only of that village)Fontaine de Vaucluse L'Isle sur la Sorgue (the antic village called the little Venice of the Luberon with the many waterwheels set on the Sorgue river) A good mix of small villages perched on top of cliffs as well as typical provençal villages - Depending of the day, possibilities to spend time in different markets Lourmarin: Friday Roussillon: Thursday Gordes: Tuesday L'Isle sur la Sorgue: Sundays