Duration
6 days / 5 nights
Group
4–12 persons
Availability
All year round
Guide
All languages
Description
Follow in the footsteps of four great painters who found light, inspiration and genius in the South of France. From Van Gogh's starry nights in Arles to Cézanne's Mont Sainte-Victoire, from Matisse's luminous chapels in Vence to Dufy's joyful colours of the Riviera, this 6-day tour is a true journey through art history and timeless landscapes.
Strengths:
- Lavender fields of Valensole
- Sénanque Abbey
- Roussillon and the Ochre Trail
- Essential oil tasting
- Soap-making workshop
- Perched village of Les Gordes
Route
Day 1 – In the footsteps of Van Gogh in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
"I believe that the future of art lies in the South," Van Gogh wrote to his brother. With this in mind, head to Avignon and then on to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a small Provençal town surrounded by the Alpilles mountains.
First visit to the Saint-Paul de Mausole monastery, where Van Gogh stayed for a year for treatment. Here you will find a faithful reconstruction of his room and the gardens that inspired many of his most moving works. Outside, the Provençal countryside still reflects the artist's brushstrokes, with olive groves, cypress trees and fields of lavender.
Next, stroll through the charming streets of Saint-Rémy, with free time to explore the local shops or enjoy a coffee in a sunny square. On the way back, stop at the Roman ruins of Glanum. Return and overnight stay in Avignon.
Day 2 – Arles: Van Gogh's Colours & Roman Heritage
After breakfast, depart for Arles, Van Gogh's adopted city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A guided walking tour will take you through the historic centre, starting with the Place du Forum and the famous Café Van Gogh, immortalised in Café Terrace at Night.
Continue on to the Arènes d'Arles, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres, and the Théâtre Antique, witnesses to the city's classical grandeur. Nearby are the banks of the Rhône, where Van Gogh painted Starry Night over the Rhône.
Free time for lunch, then opportunity to visit the Saturday market or the Vincent Van Gogh Foundation in Arles, dedicated to his artistic legacy. Return to Avignon in the evening and overnight stay.
Day 3 – Cézanne's Aix-en-Provence
Departure for Aix-en-Provence, the elegant birthplace of Paul Cézanne. The guided tour begins at the Cézanne Studio, preserved as the artist left it, with easels, still life objects and unfinished canvases. Stroll along the Cours Mirabeau, shaded by plane trees and lined with fountains, to see places that were emblematic of Cézanne's life: his birthplace, the École de Dessin where he studied, and his favourite cafés.
In the afternoon, visit Jas de Bouffan, Cézanne's family estate, where he painted murals and studied the changing light in the gardens. Free time in Aix for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4 – Cézanne's landscapes: Mont Sainte-Victoire
A day devoted to Cézanne's obsessive landscapes. Departure for the ochre quarries of Bibémus, where he worked in solitude, and discovery of the rock formations featured in his cubist works.
Continue through vineyards and villages at the foot of Mont Sainte-Victoire, stopping at panoramic viewpoints where the mountain rises against the Provençal sky (the view that Cézanne painted more than 80 times).
A short country walk to visit the same places as the artist, followed by an outdoor picnic before returning to Aix. Free evening and overnight stay.
Day 5 – Matisse and the light of Vence & Nice
Departure for the French Riviera. First stop in Vence, where Henri Matisse designed the Chapel of the Rosary. Inside, admire the stained glass windows that illuminate the chapel with blue, green and yellow light (a spiritual masterpiece considered by Matisse to be his most accomplished work).
After lunch, continue to Nice, where Matisse lived for several decades. At the Matisse Museum, housed in a 17th-century Genoese villa, discover paintings, cut-outs, drawings and personal objects tracing his artistic evolution.
Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais and through the lively old town, with free time to enjoy a glass of local rosé or sample Provençal cuisine. Overnight stay in Nice.
Day 6 – Dufy and the joy of the Riviera
A day dedicated to Raoul Dufy, painter of joy and colour. Morning visit to the Nice Museum of Fine Arts, home to several of his works alongside Impressionists and Fauves. Departure for Cagnes-sur-Mer, a fishing village where Dufy painted vibrant seascapes and regattas. Free time to explore the medieval quarter of Haut-de-Cagnes or stroll along the seafront.
The tour ends with a panoramic tour of the Baie des Anges, where the Mediterranean light sparkles like in the paintings of Matisse and Dufy. Return to Nice in the evening.
Departure date
Flexible, at your convenience
Number of passengers
Minimum 2 persons
What is included:
- Accommodation
- French-speaking and multilingual guide
- Transport
- Full board
No cancellation fees up to 30 days before departure
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