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Lavender & Light: Provence, France

June 17-23, 2027
Lavender & Light: Provence, France image

Small-Group Women-Only Trip to the South of France with Bold Spirit Travel

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Trip Overview

Join our expert Bold Spirit tour leader on this unforgettable women-only, small-group adventure to the South of France.

Your base for this adventure is a conveniently located hotel in the historical center of Aix-en-Provence, where you’ll explore vibrant markets and relax at sun-dappled cafes.

Your week-long French vacay includes visits to the following destinations:

  • Historic Aix-en-Provence (your base)

  • Bustling Marseille and its basilica

  • Cassis, its idyllic harbor, and the red cliffs

  • Roman ruins in Arles & wine tasting

  • The lavender fields of Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque

  • Lavender Museum in Cabrières-d'Avignon

  • Charming St Rémy and its market

  • Baux de Provence’s light show

This Bold Spirit adventure is about embracing the good things in life: friendship, creativity, relaxation, and connecting with nature, savoring delicious Provençal cuisine and wines.

Journey Highlights

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At a Glance

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Trip Overview

Day 1: Arrival and Welcome in Aix-en-Provence

Day 1: Arrival and Welcome in Aix-en-Provence image

Begin Your Adventure in Aix-en-Provence

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Arrival in Aix-en-Provence

Your journey begins in the enchanting town of Aix-en-Provence, a place where history, culture, and natural beauty unite. Take some time to relax and settle in, as this will be your home away from home for the entire week.

With its historic architecture, splashing fountains, and lively markets, it’s easy to adore Aix. As the birthplace of the great artist Paul Cézanne, Aix is also a haven for art lovers and history buffs alike.

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Group Orientation

Gather with the rest of the group for a welcome drink and an orientation. Meet your fellow travelers and learn about what’s coming up in the week ahead.

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Welcome Dinner

After orientation, we’ll head out for a welcome dinner where you can dig into your first delicious French meal and start connecting with your new travel buddies.
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Meals: Dinner

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Hotel: Boutique hotel with rooftop bar in the center of Aix-en-Provence

Day 2: Wine Estate Picnic and Arles

Day 2: Wine Estate Picnic and Arles image

Roman Ruins, Wine Tasting, and Cezanne’s Workshop

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Breakfast at the Hotel

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Guided Tour of Arles

This morning you are off to the charming town of Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for Roman monuments, such as the arena, the Roman theater, and the cryptoporticus (subterranean galleries), dating back to the 1st century B.C. A local guide will lead you through the historic streets, sharing fascinating stories of Arles' rich past.
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Wine Tasting at Mas de Valeriole

After soaking in the sights of Arles, it’s time to head to Mas de Valériole, a family wine estate located in the Camargue region of Provence. You'll be taken for a stroll in the vineyard, followed by a private tasting of the rich varietals of the region.
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Picnic Lunch at Mas de Valeriole

After wine tasting, enjoy a relaxed picnic lunch prepared by the estate’s owner, Hélène, featuring fresh produce from her garden, including rice from their fields, all paired with wines.
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Visit to Cezanne’s Workshop

In the afternoon, we will make our way back to Aix-en-Provence and stop along the way at Cezanne’s Workshop (the post-Impressionist painter) for a guided tour.
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Evening at Leisure in Aix-en-Provence

Maybe you just want to linger in a cafe and watch Aix life roll by. You do you. Dinner on your own this evening.
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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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Hotel: Boutique hotel with rooftop bar in the center of Aix-en-Provence

Day 3: Delicious Provence

Day 3: Delicious Provence image

Aix Saturday Market and Foodie Walking Tour

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Breakfast at the Hotel

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Visit to Aix-en-Provence Saturday Market

Kick off the day with a visit to the lively Saturday market in Aix, filled with local goodies like cheese, wine, soaps, linens, and other treats. It’s the perfect spot to pick up souvenirs or snacks.
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Foodie Walking Tour in Aix

Meet up with your guide for a foodie walking tour in the historical center of Aix. Taste some of the region’s best local specialties and enjoy the flavors of Provence.

After the foodie tour, you might be full enough to skip lunch, or you can use your free time to grab a more formal lunch on your own.

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Afternoon Provençal Shops and Art Center

Your tour leader will introduce you to Provençal shops such as L’Occitane and Soleiado. Alternatively, explore the Caumont Art Center, a beautiful 18th-century mansion with gardens and art exhibits.
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Evening at Leisure

The evening is yours to relax or explore. You can head out to dinner with some of the group or take it easy back at the hotel. The tour leader will have restaurant recommendations.
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Meals: Breakfast, Foodie Walking Tour Tastings

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Hotel: Boutique hotel with rooftop bar in the center of Aix-en-Provence

Day 4: Seaside Escape

Day 4: Seaside Escape image

Explore Marseille, Cassis, and the Calanques by Boat

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Breakfast at the Hotel

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Visit to Savonnerie La Licorne

After breakfast, you'll embark on a scenic drive to Marseille, a vibrant port city known for its rich history, architecture, and Mediterranean charm.

Your first stop focuses on the unique local tradition of soap-making with a visit to Savonnerie La Licorne, one of the oldest soap producers in the region. Here, you’ll learn about the famous olive oil-based Marseille soap (Savon de Marseille), an authentic product with centuries of history and a great gift to take home with you.

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Visit to Notre-Dame de la Garde

Our next stop is the iconic Notre-Dame de la Garde, a basilica perched high on a hilltop overlooking the city. The spectacular panoramic views offer sweeping vistas of the Mediterranean coastline, the Old Port, and the city's historic neighborhoods. Take a moment to admire the imposing gold statue of the Virgin Mary at the top of the basilica which has long been the symbol of protection for sailors.
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Free time in Cassis

Then, our private driver will take us to the charming town of Cassis by the Mediterranean, just a short drive from Marseille. You’ll have some free time to explore Cassis and have lunch on your own.
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Private Boat Tour of the Calanques

Weather permitting, we’ll embark on a 45-minute private boat tour of the Calanques, a series of rugged inlets with turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs. These protected natural wonders are best explored by boat, allowing you to access hidden coves and get a different perspective on the coastline.
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Evening at Leisure in Aix-en-Provence

After your boat tour, we will return to Aix-en-Provence where you will have the evening to explore on your own. Whether you prefer a casual bistro or a more upscale dining experience, Aix offers a variety of restaurants serving fresh, local ingredients and regional specialties.
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Meals: Breakfast

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Hotel: Boutique hotel with rooftop bar in the center of Aix-en-Provence

Day 5: Joie de Vivre in St Rémy

Day 5: Joie de Vivre in St Rémy image

St Rémy Market, Van Gogh Monastery, and Art Show

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Breakfast at the Hotel

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Visit to St. Paul de Mausole Monastery

Visit the historic St. Paul de Mausole Monastery, where Vincent van Gogh spent a year of his life and found an immense source of inspiration for some of his most famous works.

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Lavender Wand Workshop

A hands-on workshop this morning teaches you how to create your own lavender wand, a fragrant talisman steeped in history and tradition.

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St. Rémy-de-Provence Market

Enjoy some free time at the St. Rémy-de-Provence market, one of the most delightful markets you’ll ever encounter. This bustling bazaar is a feast for your senses—freshly picked fruit and veggies, fragrant herbs, local cheeses, golden honey, and all kinds of artisanal goodies.

For lunch, you’re on your own in St. Rémy. The town is full of cheerful cafés and delightful bistros, so take your pick. Whether you’re craving a crisp salad, a fresh sandwich, or a classic Provençal dish, you’ll find something to satisfy your appetite.

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Carrière des Lumières Immersive Art Show

This afternoon includes a special experience at Carrière des Lumières in Les Baux-de-Provence—prepare to be wowed! Step inside a former quarry that has been transformed into an immersive art show where Masterpieces by Van Gogh, Monet, Chagall, and other iconic artists come to life with light, sound, and color.

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Evening at Leisure in Aix-en-Provence

The evening is yours. Dinner on your own.

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Meals: Breakfast

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Hotel: Boutique hotel with rooftop bar in the center of Aix-en-Provence

Day 6: Lavender Fields Forever

Day 6: Lavender Fields Forever image

Gordes Market, Lavender Museum, and Sénanque Abbey

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Breakfast at the Hotel

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Free Time in Gordes Market

Enjoy a bit of free time in Gordes to look around its market.
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Group Lunch in Gordes

We’ll stay a while longer in Gordes to share a group lunch together before heading off to Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque.
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Visit to Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque

At Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, enjoy a historical guided tour in English, followed by some time to poke around the boutique.
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Visit to Lavender Museum in Cabrières-d'Avignon

Our next stop is the Lavender Museum in Cabrières-d'Avignon. Learn all about how lavender is grown and distilled into wonderful products as you take an aromatic journey around this lovely stone farmhouse turned museum and store. Lavender fields extend all around the farm.

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Farewell Dinner in Aix

This evening, we have a special dinner planned at one of the town’s top restaurants. This is the time to toast to the adventures of the week, the memories you’ve made, and the new friends you’ve met along the way.

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Hotel: Boutique hotel with rooftop bar in the center of Aix-en-Provence

Day 7: Farewell and Departure

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Say Au Revoir and Depart from Aix

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Breakfast at the Hotel

After breakfast at the hotel, it’s time to say farewell to all your Bold Spirit friends before you catch a cab to the Marseille airport or take the high-speed train from Aix to Paris to see more of France…there is still so much more to see in this amazing country.
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Departure Transfers

Your tour leader will help you set up a transfer to the airport or train station with the hotel front desk.
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Meals: Breakfast

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Map

1. Aix-en-Provence (Base & Hotel)

3 Rue de la Masse, 13100 Aix-en-Provence, France

2. Arles (Roman Ruins)

Arènes d'Arles, 1 Rond-Point des Arènes, 13200 Arles, France

3. Mas de Valériole (Wine Estate, Camargue)

Mas de Valériole, Route de Fiélouse, 13200 Arles, France

4. Cézanne’s Workshop (Atelier de Cézanne)

9 Avenue Paul Cézanne, 13100 Aix-en-Provence, France

5. Marseille (Notre-Dame de la Garde & Savonnerie La Licorne)

Rue Fort du Sanctuaire, 13281 Marseille, France

6. Cassis (Calanques Boat Tour)

Port de Cassis, 13260 Cassis, France

7. Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (St. Paul de Mausole Monastery & Market)

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, 13210, France

8. Carrières des Lumières (Les Baux-de-Provence)

Route de Maillane, 13520 Les Baux-de-Provence, France

9. Gordes (Market & Village)

84220 Gordes, France

10. Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque

Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, 84220 Gordes, France

11. Lavender Museum (Musée de la Lavande, Cabrières-d'Avignon)

276 Route de Gordes, 84220 Cabrières-d'Avignon, France

What's Included

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What's included

Seven days and six nights at a beautiful hotel in Aix-en-Provence

An English-speaking Bold Spirit tour leader accompanying you every step of the way

All meals as indicated in the detailed itinerary

Private land transfers for the Bold Spirit group throughout the entire adventure

A small group experience—no more than 10 Bold Spirit women travelers

Local expert bilingual guides in each destination

All equipment needed for activities

A private session over Zoom to meet the other guests and get you ready for this Bold Spirit adventure (1 month or so before the trip)

A packing list

A WhatsApp group to connect with your travel buddies

What's not included

Round-trip airfare

Cost for additional activities

Taxis to the airport or train station on arrival and departure

Meals not outlined in the detailed itinerary

Alcoholic beverages, unless otherwise specified (most meals include wine)

Personal expenses, such as souvenirs

Travel insurance

Early hotel check-in

Room service/minibar

Laundry

Tips for guides and drivers

Pricing