France
Provence: The Art of Living
Program No. 3729RJ
Alongside experts, immerse yourself in the heritage, architecture, culture and artistry of Provence, enjoying unique access to some of the region’s most fascinating landmarks.
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13 days
12 nights
23 meals
11B 7L 5D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
2
Arrive Marseille, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Aix-en-Provence
3
Aix-en-Provence, French Language Workshop
Aix-en-Provence
4
Marseille, Old Port, Le Panier, Cassis
Aix-en-Provence
5
Cézanne, Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence
6
Roussillon, Loumarin, Silvacane Abbey
Aix-en-Provence
7
Free Time, French Life, Granet Museum
Aix-en-Provence
At a Glance
Open markets of regional produce, lively sidewalk cafés, the old stone and tile of hilltop villages, the rugged virility of Marseille, the feminine charms of Aix — the many facets of Provence have made it a coveted destination for centuries. Discover its simple elegance through an insider’s view of the places, people, architecture, food, wine and décor, all imbued with a seductive philosophy of life that has inspired writers and expatriates worldwide. Come to understand the special provençal relationship with the present and past, the seasons and the earth, the family and its traditions.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Walking 3-5 miles each day on cobblestone and irregular terrain.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Explore the palace of the popes in Avignon.
- Gain rare access to one of the oldest family ranches in the Camargue, France’s national wildlife reserve near Arles.
- Enjoy a taste of local life in Aix-en-Provence. Peruse the stalls overflowing with fresh flowers and produce on market day and sit down to dinner with locals.
Suggested Reading List
(14 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Provence: The Art of Living
Program Number: 3729
Lonely Planet French Phrasebook
This handy phrasebook focuses on pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.
The Popes of Avignon: A Century in Exile
Grounded in the architecture and papal legacy in Avignon and the surrounding area, this engaging history sets the 70-year period of papal exile in the south of France against the context of Europe's turbulent transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.
A Year in Provence
The original best-selling tale of an ex-pat settling down in Provence, told with warmth and a great deal of humor. It offers a wonderful inside look at the charms and quirks of the people and the countryside in the south of France.
Waiting for Godot
One of the classics of English literature, this famous play is set in Provence. Two characters await a third, Godot, who never arrives.
Two Towns in Provence
Celebrated food writer M.F.K. Fisher contrasts village life in Aix-en-Provence with bustling Marseilles, evoking both with anecdote and loving description.
The Yellow House
Gayford chronicles the turbulent three months and texture of the daily lives of Van Gogh and Gauguin in Arles, where they worked side by side in 1888. With 60 B&W reproductions.
Made in Marseille: Food and Flavors from France's Mediterranean Seaport
An enticing portrait of a historically mischievous town, followed by a robust collection of recipes.
Van Gogh in Arles
A study of Van Gogh in the stunning setting of Arles in Provence.
The Markets of Provence: Food, Antiques, Crafts, and More
An in-depth pocket guide to 30 of the best markets in Provence. Dive into the heart of Provencal culture and navigate the markets like a local with maps, tips, and handy phrases.
Cezanne and Provence: The Painter in His Culture
Cezanne departed from Paris in 1886 to permanently resettle in his native Aix-en-Provence. This book explores the importance of this place for the artist as well as the regionalist politics of his day.
Provence: Food, Wine, Culture and Landscape
A stunning portrait of an alluring, sun-drenched region. Whet your appetite for Provence with over 700 jaw-dropping images of the food, landscape, and local people.
Four Queens, the Provencal Sisters who Ruled Europe
Transporting you back to back to the apogee of independent Provençal power in the Middle Ages, Goldstone captures the drama of 13th-century Europe in this history of the four daughters of the count of Provence -- future queens of France, England, Germany and Sicily.
Provence A-Z
A companion to all things Provencal, from bouillabaisse to lavender and vinaigre, by the British expatriate and Francophile Peter Mayle.
The Food & Wine of France: Eating & Drinking from Champagne to Provence
Behr seeks out the best of French food, in encounters from Champagne to Provence, to tell the stories of French artisans and chefs who work at the highest level. He shares what he learns from these experts on French traditions and how to best enjoy this food.
