Escorted Motorhome Tour
PICTURESQUE PROVENCE
Impressions “Picturesque Provence” tour 2018
Train de l’Ardèche
Touring Information
Start: Avignon
End: Tournon-sur-Rhône
Tour days: 14
Non-Driving days: 7
Average daily milage: 52 miles
Max. daily mileage: 98 miles
Total mileage: 365 miles
Calais-Avignon: 622 miles
Pets allowed
Minimum number of units: 4 motorhomes
Highlights
- Visit of the L’OCCITANE beauty product factory and museum
- Wine tasting at a vineyard in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Grand Canyon de Verdun one of the most beautiful river valleys in Europe
The Escorted Motorhome Tour
The picturesque Provence is a land of striking natural beauty and great diversity – with lavender meadows, oceans of vineyards and olive groves and the largest canyons in Europe and on the other hand lively cities and adorable villages with twisted narrow cobblestone streets.
On our tour you can visit the historic city of Avignon, with its stunning papal palace and famous bridge, and also the town of Arles, steeped in history and one of the best places in the Provence to experience the region’s Roman heritage. We will also see many smaller villages including the hilltop “wedding cake” town of Gordes, justifiably listed as one of the most beautiful villages of France. We also have the opportunity to see other UNESCO listed world heritage sites like Pont du Gard, the highest and best-preserved Roman aqueduct bridge as well as the fascinating replica of the Chauvet – Pont-d’Arc cave. The tour is also timed in a way that we visit many towns during their market days, including the market in Arles, the largest in Provence. We will also have a wine tasting at a vineyard in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. At the end of the tour, there is the possibility to go on an historic train ride through the Doux river valley.
Day 1 and Day 2: Avignon
We will start our tour in the beautiful town of Avignon with the great Pope Palace. On the first evening we will have a group dinner in a lovely restaurant in order to get to know each other. Depending on your arrival time, you can start exploring Avignon during the afternoon. The second day can be used to explore Avignon further, for a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage site Pont du Gard or visit Nîmes with its many Roman sites.
Day 3: Avignon – Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
On the way to Saint-Rémy-en-Provence you can visit the Château de Tarascon idyllically located next to the river Rhône, or you have another opportunity to visit Nîmes.
Day 4: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is a jet set town during summer, but quiet and charming when we travel. The town was home to the prophecy-maker Nostradamus and the Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh and is the summer home of Princess Caroline of Monaco. The roman ruins of Glanum, which are well worth a visit, are a mere stone’s throw away from the town centre.
Day 5: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence – Arles
Before we continue our journey walk into town and stroll over the weekly market, offering many local products. On your way to Arles you can cross the hills of the Alpilles and visit the medieval city of Baux de Provence. Remember to stock up on olive oil, at one of the olive mills in Maussane-les-Alpilles.
Day 6: Arles
Arles has a lot to offer. Visit the roman Amphitheatre, Saint-Trophime church or one of the excellent Mediterranean restaurants, or just take a walk through the old town. You could also use the day for a trip to the Camargue and visit the towns of Aigues Mortes, Saintes Maries de la Mer or drive through the nature park and see the flamingos and wild horses.
Day 7: Arles – Moustiers Sainte-Marie
Arles has the largest market in Provence and gives you another chance to buy local products of all kinds before the longer drive to the Verdon region. On your way you could stop in Aix-en-Provence or continue along the scenic routes to Moustiers Sainte-Marie.
Day 8: Moustiers Sainte-Marie
Moustiers Sainte-Marie has a rich history in ceramic craftsmanship and the faïence is renowned for its fine decoration. Use the day to drive through the Grand Canyon de Verdon, the largest river canyon in Europe. Drive along the winding roads and enjoy the spectacular views. Alternatively you can visit the town of Sainte-Croix with its beautiful lake.
Day 9: Moustiers Sainte-Marie – Manosque
Today you can drive through the lavender fields of the plateau de Valensole to Manosque. Here we will visit a beauty products factory to see how lavender and other Mediterranean aromatic and medicinal plants are used in fragrances and skincare products.
Day 10: Manosque – Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Today is market day. Visit either the market in Apt before leaving or leave early and travel to Gordes, the beautiful “wedding cake” town and stroll over the market there. There are many places to see nearby, like the ochre cliffs of Roussillon, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse or the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque. In the evening we will stay at a vineyard near Chateauneuf-du-Pape, where we will have a wine tasting.
Day 11: Chateauneuf-du-Pape – Vallon-Pont-d’Arc
Today we will drive through the Ardèche valley to Vallon-Pont-d’Arc. There are plenty of places to stop and admire the river and the rock formations. If it gets too hot, you can visit one of the Ardèche caves, where you can discover huge halls and amazing water basins, which are unique in Europe.
Day 12: Vallon-Pont-d’Arc – Tournon-sur-Rhône
Today you will have another opportunity to visit a market before leaving the campsite. On the way to our next campsite you have the opportunity to stop at the site of the Caverne du Pont d’Arc, a cave with prehistoric wall paintings, or to visit Montélimar to buy some of the world famous Nougat.
Day 13: Tournon-sur-Rhône
Enjoy a relaxing day at the campsite before your return journey.
Day 14: Departure and end of tour
Dates
Touring Season 2023
Sunday 4th June – Saturday 17th June 2021
Prices
What is included:
All services are for a motorhome with 2 people
- Welcome Dinner
- Wine tasting at a vineyard in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Visit of the L’OCCITANE beauty product factory and museum
- 13 nights at campsites / motorhome parks with electricity (where available)
- Assistance of a multi-lingual motorhome guide during the whole tour
- Travel pack containing maps, a detailed road book with directions to the campsites, suggestions for sightseeing and general advice on motorhoming in Europe
- Secured Payment Certificate
Price for tour only: X,XXX EURO
Earlybird discount (for bookings made by 31.12.2022): XXX EURO
In addition to the Earlybird discount, we offer to all customers booking more than one tour during one touring year a 60 EURO discount on the second tour booked!
All prices are for 2 people travelling in their own motorhome (motorhome rental optional)
– Other prices upon request –
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Customer reviews on this tour
Yvonne & Martyn, Picturesque Provence 2018
This was our first time travelling with Michael & Audrey – what a delightful, friendly, knowledgeable couple they are! Every detail of the tour is presented in a friendly organized fashion. The campsites were ideally situated for the many suggested points of interest along the route. Having Michael & Audrey available is a perfect balance, but also everyone on the tour was very friendly.
Looking forward to the Italian Lakes tour later in the year.
Ann & Peter, Picturesque Provence Tour 2017
The campsites were good. Welcome dinner, highlights, the route and information material were excellent, as was the tour guide who offered very good support. We will travel with you again.
Susan & Peter, Picturesque Provence 2023
A good tour, great company, and a wonderful holiday
Susan & Molly, Picturesque Provence 2018
Last year I travelled with MandA Tours to the Rhine. For me, as a single traveler, it is important to be able to rely on your tour guide and Michael is knowledgeable, responsive and always ready to help. The scenery in the Provence was stunning and there was plenty of things to do. I enjoyed the friendliness and compatibility of the group. You always get an excellent holiday with MandA Tours and are always made welcome.
Marion & Ian, Picturesque Provence 2018
The general organisation of the tour was very helpful and we were impressed by Michael, who was always available and understanding of our needs. He knew the region very well and with his language skills was always ready to help. The roadbook was excellent and included all the information about the campsites, directions, points of interest and we liked not having to think and plan for ourselves. The other participants on the tour were a good group of people to mix with
Gordon, Isobel & Judi, Picturesque Provence 2023
Yvonne & Tim, Picturesque Provence 2018
The tour gave us the opportunity to explore the region, and not worry about planning our visit. We enjoyed travelling with a group and making new friends, who were always ready to lend a hand or give good advice when necessary. Michael is absolutely passionate about his tours and puts his heart and soul into making everyone’s trip a special experience.
Thank you Michael & Audrey and we hope to travel with you again soon.
Safe journey home.
Tim + Yvonne
Cathy & Mervyn, Picturesque Provence 2018
This was our second holiday with MandA Tours and we would certainly consider travelling with them again, perhaps next year to Spain.
The booking process was excellent, as was our tour guide, the roadbook and the location of the campsites. We particularly enjoyed not having to plan much ourselves – all the places we went to were very interesting and we would have missed a lot if we had travelled on our own.
Thank you for an enjoyable tour.
David & Maureen, Picturesque Provence 2023
Carolyn, Andrew & Louis, Picturesque Provence Tour 2017
We were interested to improve our knowledge of this area of France, and this we feel we have achieved in a very enjoyable way. You were very attentive and conscious of our desires and needs throughout, providing us with many sightseeing options to choose from.
Thank you for a great holiday, the lovely memories and the introduction to WhatsApp 🙂
Jean & John, Picturesque Provence 2018
The booking process and service before the start of the tour was excellent. As we had travelled with MandA Tours before, we expected Michael to be very knowledge about the region, ready to help at all times and able to speak the language and we were not disappointed! The town of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie was well worth a visit and we would have liked to spend more time there and in the Luberon Region but understand there is only so much that can be put in to a 14-day tour! Maybe we will travel with them again to the Italian Lakes.
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