BestPrivateTours.com - Marseille, Aix-en-Provence & Avignon

OVERVIEW

Located on the southeast coast of France, Marseille is France's largest city on the Mediterranean coast and largest commercial port. It is the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, as well as the capital of the Bouches-du-Rhône department.

Aix en Provence is the old capital of the region and today one of the most visited towns especially for the beauty of its elegant mansions, beautiful fountains and squares.

Avignon is a UNESCO world heritage located in the Rhone Valley, it attracts lots of people especially for the visit of the Pope's palace dating back to the 14th century.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

We offer you a private customized tour of the most spectacular sights of Marseille, Aix en Provence and Avignon with our comfortable and air conditioned Sedan/Van departing from the port of Marseille or your hotel. You will have a fluent English speaking Driver who will escort you through the discovery of these charming cities.

Your first visit will be in Marseille: you will enjoy a view on the so called "Vieux Port", then a stop at the sumptuous 19th century cathedral, see a fantastic panorama from the highest point of the city, the charming district of "Panier" and the Great Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde.

In the late morning you will reach Aix en Provence and enjoy a stroll through the heart of the town, in the pedestrian old streets to discover the façades of the baroque ochre coloured private mansions.

The city also offers a wide variety of fountains. Aix is the "city of water, city of art".

You will visit the cathedral, see the town hall, the Corn Exchange and enjoy some leisure time sitting down in one of the numerous Cafes of the town.

Free time for lunch.

In the afternoon you will reach Avignon. The highlight of the city is the Pope's palace, the biggest gothic palace in the world. It gives an idea of the grand life under the seven French popes who built a miniature Vatican during their rule here. You can visit 25 rooms of it, including the ceremonial rooms, chapels, cloister, private papal apartments with priceless frescoes, and others.

The second main attraction is the St Bénezet bridge. This legendary bridge is a a very important symbol of the history of Avignon: in the Middle Ages, it was part of one of the most important pilgrimage routes between Italy and Spain. It would become essential to the pontifical court, which settled in Avignon in the 14th century.

The bridge was at that time the most direct link between the many residences that the cardinals had built, and the Popes' Palace situated inside Avignon's city walls.

Return to Marseille.