8 Best Day Trips from Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a city with a history dating back to 122 BC, so it is not surprising that its streets are home to a rich architectural, artistic and cultural heritage. It is also in a privileged location in the south of France, surrounded by vineyards and charming villages.

During your stay, you can take some excursions from the city to Valensole to admire its lavender fields, discover the villages perched on the Luberon, marvel at the natural landscapes of Cassis, stroll through Arles and the Camargue National Park, among other destinations, which I will tell you about below.

Some of the best day trips from Aix-en-Provence include a trip to Valensole, a picturesque French village, where you can enjoy beautiful natural scenery. If you book a trip to the Parc Naturel du Verdon, the adventure starts in the city centre and you will drive to Valensole with a local guide who will take you to see the best of the town. The route is approximately one hour long.

You'll wander freely through the valley of the river Durance and cross the Valensole Plateau, where the road meanders through lavender fields, providing you with a dreamlike backdrop. Stops along the way include the following:

• Local producers' workshop, to learn about lavender honey, lavandin and lavender essential oils, among others.
• The village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, where you can buy souvenirs and have lunch in one of the local restaurants.
• The village of Sainte Croix du Verdon, where you will have the opportunity to swim in a crystal clear lake and sunbathe.

Details of interest

• Price: the price of this excursion usually starts at €149 per person.
• Duration: the activity lasts approximately 9.5 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages: you will discover beautiful natural landscapes and picturesque villages on the outskirts of Aix-en-Provence.
• Disadvantages: no food or drink included.

If you book an excursion to Cassis, you will be able to admire the stunning landscapes of the Côte d'Azur, stroll through the beautiful town of Cassis, discover its harbour and also have the chance to sail on a cruise around the town's coves.

The tour lasts approximately four hours in groups of no more than eight people and a local guide will show you the most popular areas of the region, such as the Corniche des Crêtes coastal road, the Cape Canaille cliffs and the Cassis harbour, which is surrounded by colourful houses.

Details of interest

• Price: the cost of the excursion starts from 74 € per person.
• Duration: the activity usually lasts 4 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus and boat.
• Advantages: this experience by land and sea (if you choose) will allow you to get to know the small fishing village of Cassis.
• Disadvantages: not suitable for people with limited mobility.

Another must-do is to book a trip to the villages of the Luberon, a beautiful natural region made up of picturesque villages dating back to the Middle Ages and whose landscapes will provide you with incredible sc enery for photographs.

You will travel from Aix-en-Provence to the Luberon on a route of around 1 hour and 30 minutes by car. You will visit the Luberon Natural Park and gradually discover the villages and towns perched on the cliffs. Some of the localities you will stop at are:

• Village of Lourmarin, where you will see the Castle of Lourmarin with its medieval style and a history dating back to the 15th and 16th century.
• Town of Bonnieux, with vineyards, many restaurants and a privileged view of the Luberon valley.
• Thetown of Roussillon, characterised by its ochre paths and houses with orange-coloured facades.
• Thetown of Gordes, known for its breathtaking panoramic views and medieval scenery.

You will also stroll through the village of Fontaine de Vaucluse, which will capture your attention with its medieval atmosphere and emerald green water spring. And, if there is still time, your guide will take you to L'Isle sur la Sorgue, to see a series of waterwheels and the Sorgue river.

Details of interest

• Price: the average price of the tour is €87 per person.
• Duration: this activity lasts approximately 6 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages: you will visit the incarnated villages in the Luberon massif and enjoy all its natural charm.
• Disadvantages: may not be suitable for people with limited mobility.

Did you know that Provence was the inspiration for many of Van Gogh's works? That's right, and if you book a Van Gogh tour from Aix-en-Provence you will visit the towns and places that were the source of his inspiration:

• Saint Rémy: a picturesque town where you can admire Roman monuments such as Saint-Paul-de-Mausole or visit the psychiatric hospital where Van Gogh was interned.
• Les Baux: a medieval village in Provence with cobbled streets and the interesting ruins of a castle. Don't miss the sound and light show of Les Carrières de Lumières.
• Arles: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was home to Vincent Van Gogh for years, where he painted some of his most famous pictures.

An excursion, lasting approximately eight and a half hours, where you will discover with a professional guide the picturesque countryside of the French Provence as well as all the details of Van Gogh's life in groups of no more than eight people.

Interesting details

• Price: the average price of the tour is €135 per person.
• Duration: this is an activity that lasts approximately 8.5 hours.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned minibus.
• Advantages: you will visit Arles, Saint Remy and Les Baux.
• Disadvantages: not accessible for people with limited mobility.

Apart from the best tours in Aix-en-Provence, you will also find some day trips departing from the city to the town of Arles where you will discover with a guide an important architectural site dating back to the Roman Empire.

To start the activity, you will meet your guide at a pre-arranged location in the centre of Aix-en-Provence. You will then drive to the so-called city of the Roman Empire, Arles. There, you will stroll through the streets and have free time to visit the interior of a couple of monuments. These are:

• The Cathedral of St Trophime, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Sands of Arles, this is the ancient gladiator amphitheatre or Roman Coliseum, which today is used for bullfights.

You will then head to the Camargue National Park, where you will be amazed by the flamingos that this natural region is home to. You will also have the opportunity to see the famous white horses and even take a ride on one of them along the beach.

Interesting details

• Price: the price of this excursion from Aix-en-Provence starts at 950 € per person.
• Duration: the duration of the guided activity is about 8 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages: You'll see important architectural examples of the Roman Empire and protected natural areas with incredible fauna.
• Disadvantages: entrance fees to the attractions are not included.

If you want to enjoy lush landscapes, you can book a trip to the Verdon Natural Park. You will be accompanied by a guide and discover interesting destinations such as the famous Gorges du Verdon. Once you reach the Verdon National Park, you will cross the Valensoleque plateau, which during the months of June and July offers an amazing floral scenery, thanks to the lavender fields.

Afterwards, your guide will take you to the picturesque village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, located on the shores of Lake Sainte Croix and known for its pottery workshops. You can buy souvenirs, have lunch in a local restaurant, visit the pottery museum, the archaeological museum, the Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir chapel, among others.

Finally, you will visit the Gorges du Verdon river, which is very close to the village, as it is located at the mouth of the river. You can swim in the turquoise blue waters and admire the breathtaking scenery. If you wish, you can even take part in sporting activities such as kayaking, rafting, climbing, among others.

Interesting details

• Price: the price of this activity starts at 149 € per person.
• Duration: this type of excursion lasts around 9 and a half hours.
• Means of transport: minivan.
• Advantages: You will see an amazing protected natural area and visit picturesque villages.
• Disadvantages: Meals and drinks are not included.

Exploring the city of Avignon from Aix-en-Provence is an adventure that will give you an unforgettable experience. You will discover historical monuments and incredible natural and urban landscapes. All this in the company of a driver-guide, who will tell you the history of the whole place.

The itinerary of this trip usually includes some stops at other destinations along the way, which, like Avignon, are of great tourist and cultural interest.

• Les Baux-de-Provence: a fortified village nestled on a rocky plateau where you can enjoy its medieval scene. If you have time, visit the castle of Les Baux-de-Provence.
• Pont du Gard: a Roman aqueduct listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, whose history dates back to the 1st century A.D. You can admire this imposing architectural work and take some photographs.
• Avignon: in this walled city you will find monuments, squares, fountains and impressive ruins such as the Pont d'Avignon. You will also see Le Palais des Papes, considered to be the largest Gothic-style palace in Europe.
• Châteauneuf-du-Pape: in this French commune you will visit one of the local vineyards such as Les Caves Saint Charles, Chateau de la Gardine, among others. Whichever winery you visit, you will have a wine tasting and, in turn, learn a bit about the history of the place and the local wine production.

Interesting details

• Price: the price of the excursion starts at 120 € per person.
• Duration: the activity usually takes approximately 9 hours and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages: includes entrance to the Pont du Gard.
• Disadvantages: not available for children under 4 years old.

The French Riviera is home to coastal cities such as Cannes, Nice and Monaco, which you can discover by joining an excursion from Aix-en-Provence. You will explore these towns in the company of a guide and discover their rich heritage and privileged landscapes.

• Cannes: you will walk along the Boulevard de la Croisette, a pedestrian promenade along the bay. You can also visit the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes, built especially for the Cannes Film Festival.
• Nice: you can visit the old town with its narrow streets, picturesque façades, historic religious buildings such as the Saint-Nicolas Cathedral and the flower, fruit and handicraft markets.
• Monaco: a town with a beautiful bay lined with yachts, luxurious casinos and a lively nightlife. You will visit the Prince's Palace, whose history dates back to 1191 and is now the official residence of the Prince of Monaco; the Monaco Cathedral, inaugurated in 1903 and the city's main Catholic place of worship; and the Monte Carlo Casino, considered one of the city's major tourist attractions.

Interesting details

• Price: this type of excursion is priced at around 162 € per person.
• Duration: generally the maximum duration of this activity is 10 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages: you will discover the rich historical and cultural heritage preserved in some of the towns of the French Riviera.
• Disadvantages: meals, drinks and entrance fees to the attractions are not included.

During your stay in the city of Aix-en-Provence it is recommended that you take a trip to the nearby villages (Luberon, Cassis, Arles, Avignon, Verdon, among other French towns), where you will discover beautiful landscapes and unique natural spaces. Some of them are even recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.

Moreover, these day trips from Aix-en-Provence will give you the opportunity to discover the cultural and architectural heritage of the destinations you visit. You will also get to taste fresh produce grown in each locality.

As you will have seen, hiking is one of the best things to do in Aix-en-Provence When embarking on an excursion from Aix-en-Provence to nearby villages, it is important to consider some basic tips, which will enhance the experience.

For example:

• Wear comfortable shoes, so that you avoid getting tired during the walking tours in the villages visited.
• Dress appropriately for the season, i.e. coats and waterproofs in winter, light and short clothes in summer.
• Always have extra cash on hand, as most tours do not usually include food and drink. You will be able to buy what you want during the tour.
• Book your participation in the tour in advance, as tickets for these experiences tend to sell out quickly, especially in high season.