Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Saintes-Marie-de-la-Mer - Eygalières - Vallon-Pont-d'Arc - Uzès
100% customisable for you
Your holiday in the luxuriant south of France starts today. Head to the airport and whizz through security before settling into the airport lounge for some nibbles and refreshments as you await take off. Flight time to Marseille is two hours, just enough time to practice some handy French phrases before touchdown. On arrival, collect your hire car and travel an hour and half to the charming coastal town of Saintes-Marie-de-la-Mer. Check in for three nights in a beautiful hotel surrounded by nature and spend the rest of today settling into your new French environs before tucking into a delicious meal at the hotel’s restaurant this evening.
The next two days are all about reconnecting with Mother Nature and discovering the wild beauty of this coastal region. The Camargue capital of Saintes-Marie-de-la-Mer is bordered by the azure waters of the Mediterranean to the south and sweeping marshes and ponds inhabited by varied birdlife to the north. Out of this vast flat landscape rises the 12th-centrury Romanesque bell tower of the Church of the Saintes Maries de la Mer, one of the most beautiful sites in the village. In the surrounding area you can discover some traditional huts where horse-breeding and rice cultivation are still practiced. Over the next two days you’ll have the opportunity to head into the wilderness in an all-terrain 4x4 vehicle in the company of a knowledgeable driver-guide. This is a great way to get up close to some of the area’s wildlife, including bulls and flamingos. We could also arrange for you to discover the Camargue on a guided horseback ride.
It’s time to swap the coast for the mountains. After a hearty fresh breakfast at your hotel this morning, hop back into your hire car and travel an hour and a half to Eygalières, a picturesque village at the foot of the low-lying Chaîne des Alpilles mountains. Settle in for three nights in a traditional farmhouse nestled in classic Mediterranean flora. Spend the rest of today enjoying your new surroundings. You’re within easy walking distance of the centre of Eygalières, so we recommend heading out for an aperitif in one of the beautiful terraced restaurants in town before dinner this evening.
Today is all about discovering the wild natural beauty of the Alpilles, a collection of small mountains covered in scrubland and surrounded by countryside, vineyards and pine and oak forests. You’ll be heading out on an electric bike with an experienced local guide, so no need to worry about any hills. Let the motor do the hard work and focus on savouring the wilderness that surrounds you. The rest of the afternoon and evening is yours to spend at leisure. If you still have some steam left in the tank, we’d recommend doing a spot of sightseeing in Eygalières. The Chapel of the Penitents and the Clock Tower are particularly beautiful. Make sure to climb up to the top of the Clock Tower to enjoy views across the Alpilles and the Durance Valley. The wider surrounds of Eygalières are also home to several sites worth visiting, including the chapel of Saint-Sixte, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Les Baux-de-Provence and the mill of Alphonse Daudet in Fontvieille.
After all that nature yesterday it’s high time for a spot of culture. Today you’ll be armed with entrance tickets to the Carrières des Lumières, a former quarry that has been tastefully transformed into an exhibition space with art-based multimedia shows. Masterpieces from the world of art are projected onto the huge walls, pillars and floors, while lights and music elevate the immersive atmosphere. As for this afternoon, we can arrange for you to head to an artisanal soap factory to learn the art of soap making or you can continue exploring the region at your own leisure.
It’s time to bid farewell to Eygalières and continue north into the heart of the sweeping Provence countryside. Your next destination is Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, a charming village and gateway to the Ardèche Gorges, a two-hour drive away. Settle in for three nights in a traditional farmhouse surrounded by nature. The rest of today is then yours to play with. We recommend simply kicking back and soaking in the tranquility of your new home before tucking into a delicious meal this evening.
The next two days are yours to spend discovering the scenic and cultural delights of Vallon-Pont-d’Arc and its surroundings. You’re in striking distance of the Gorges de l’Ardèche, a series of gorges set around a beautiful river colloquially known as the ‘European Grand Canyon’. This is a particularly popular spot for relaxed water sports, such as canoeing and standup paddleboarding. For a change of pace, spend some time discovering the historic centre of Vallon-Pont-d’Arc. Here you can admire an old feudal castle, as well as the traditional tapestries of Aubusson. There is also a market every Thursday morning where local producers flog their finest handicrafts. Other activities our team can arrange include a visit to a traditional sheepfold and a guided hike in the Monts d’Ardèche.
After a delicious fresh breakfast at the farmhouse this morning, jump back into your hire car and travel to your final destination: the old fortified town of Uzès, an hour’s drive away. Check in for one night in a beautiful hotel located in a grand property in the centre of town. Spend the rest of today soaking in the sites of the city: the Fenestrelle tower (the bell tower of the Saint Théodorit d'Uzès cathedral), and the Duchy, a ducal castle built almost a millennium ago. Head back to the hotel this evening for one last indulgent French meal before heading home tomorrow.
Sadly, the time has come to pack your bags for the final time and embark on the journey home. After a hearty breakfast this morning, head back to the airport in Marseilles, just under two hours away. After dropping off your hire car, whizz through security and enjoy some down time in the airport lounge before your two-hour flight back to the UK.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
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