Overview

Inhabited since prehistoric times, Provence has been ruled by the Greeks, Romans, the Franks and the Holy Roman Empire.

In the beginning there was Provence. Long before France existed, around 600 B.C., there was a prosperous Mediterranean seaport known as Massilia (Marseille today). The Greek colony of Massilia eventually came under Roman rule, and it was the Romans who gave this region the name by which it has been known for much of the time since then. In the second century, "Gallia Narbonensis",  the Roman province covering the south of France from the Pyrenees to the Alps, was so important, and sufficiently close to Rome that it was known in everyday speech as "Provincia", "the province" or as we know it, Provence.
Roman civilisation flourished in this part of southern France that was not too dissimilar to Latium, the region around Rome; the richness of this region in Classical times can still be seen today, and the area round the lower Rhone valley has fine classical remains, including the amphitheatre at Orange, the Pont du Gard aqueduct, the arena at Arles, the remarkable Roman remains at Nimes, just outside modern-day Provence, and many more sites.

Our tours combine guided tours and self learning visits to any number of sites, depending upon the itinerary, bringing to life the Roman influence on this diverse and beautiful part of France.

Accommodation

Hotel Le Petit Manoir

2 Star

+

Le Petit Manoir is located in Avignon on the west bank and is easily accessible for the city and surrounding area for visits/data collection. It is a family run hotel and is ideal for older groups. Rooms are for 2-4 persons with teachers in twin/single rooms. Meals are half board with a packed lunch. Facilities include a bar, restaurant and garden with swimming pool outside.

La Manadiere

2 Star

This hotel is designed for groups and offers accommodation in a large bourgeoise house situated between Nimes and Arles. Student rooms are multi-bedded with teachers accommodated in twin/single rooms; all have private facilities. There is a good restaurant, meeting/study rooms, a games room and small swimming pool for guests.

Sample Itinerary

• Day 1

  Depart from school for overnight journey to France.
• Day 2

  Arrive at the accommodation in time to settle in and for dinner. Depending upon time of travel, a local visit/activity may be possible.
• Days 3-6

  Morning and afternoon visits or day excursion according to the itinerary

  Evening activities may include a meal out, disco, bowing, water theme park, swimming etc
• Day 7

  Local visit/activity in the morning. Lunch.

  Afternoon travel back to the UK
• Day 8

  Arrive back at school.

  This is a suggested itinerary only and can be of any length, combined in a variety of ways and be tailored to include the excursions and visits that you require. Any quotation will INCLUDE excursion and entry fees as stated in the itinerary. We will provide a guide price for any additional visits/activities

Excursions

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN A TOUR:

• Transport to the South of France by executive coach and ferry crossing.
• Course tailor made in consultation with group leader
• All course materials
• Hotel or holiday centre accommodation, full board and multi bed rooms for students and twin/single rooms for teachers.
• Meals are full board with packed or cold lunch   
• Visits to antiquities included.
• One full day trip included.

SELECT FROM:-

Day trip from: Avignon and Pont du Gard, St Remy de Provence and Les Baux, Nimes
Visits from: Aigues Mortes, Camargue, Arles, Les Baux, Perrier La Source, Rousillon, Le Thor, Fontaine de Vaucluse
Activities from: Ice skating, Reptilium, bowling, Aquarium, Local market, aqua park, cinema, museum and local chateau guided tour.

EXCURSION OPTIONS

THE CAMARGUE.

The delta of the River Rhone, known as the Camargue, is one of the most important wetlands in Europe. Along the outer fringes are long sandy beaches and dune complexes while behind these there are salt marshes teeming with wildlife and plants. Maintaining the balance between the natural habitats and the need for human activity such as farming and industry has meant that conflict can arise. The day can include the Camargue visitor centre, the resort of Saintes Maries de la Mer, a visit to a salt works or a boat trip on the Petit Rhone.

ARLES.

Arles is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arles sits on a low hill where the River Rhone and a major tributary divide en route to the sea. The town dates from the 7^th century and was a major Gallo-Roman city.  The major Roman sites such as the Arena and the Theatre are unique in that they are integrated into the buildings and houses of the town rather than elsewhere such as Orange.

NIMES.

Nimes is located at the heart of southern Europe, close to the Mediterranean Sea. It’s on the border of Provence and Languedoc and is an historic city well worth a visit, not only for the antiquities but also to soak up the atmosphere of this lovely regional centre that is all things Roman and denim!

AIGUES MORTES.

Aigues-Motres or “dead waters” is a striking Medieval town sitting on the flat marshes of the Camargue. Originally a 13^th century military town with a port, it has become cut off from the sea but still looks much as it did in the Middle Ages, surrounded as it is by its wall, towers and fortified gates.

AVIGNON.

Avignon is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Avignon is ancient, full of history, life, youth and art music and activity. Visit the Palais des Papes, Pont d’Avignon, wander the narrow streets. This visit can be combined with a visit to the Magnificent Roman aqueduct at Pont du Gard and/or a vineyard. An adventure park with high ropes is also possible as part of the return journey, although there is not enough time to do all the excursions in one day!

ST REMY DE PROVENCE.

The village of St. Rémy is pretty and picturesque, and the old Gallo-Roman interior is circled by the remnants of the circular 14th-century wall and the protective circle of buildings. Located on the plains at the northern edge of the Alpilles, 20 km south of Avignon, this is where Van Gogh painted Starry Night, Nostradamus was born and Dr Albert Schweitzer was prisoner.
The ancient site of Glanum is located only 1 km south of St Rémy at the gap into the Alpilles mountains. The site dates from the 7th century BC, beginning around a spring in this narrow gap in the mountains. From the original town of the pre-Roman (and pre-Celtic) Glanics, this has been a spiritual-religious site up to the Roman town with its temples.

LES BAUX.

The village of the Baux de Provence is situated in the heart of the Alpilles on a rocky plateau 245m high. A brilliant view of Arles, the Camargue and the Alpilles can be seen from the look-out points! This immense and superb stone fortress is without doubt one of the "must-sees" on the Provencal tourist trail!
The village is officially classified and labelled as "one of the most beautiful villages in France".
You cannot miss the "Citadelle des Baux" at the summit of the village. Les Baux covers 7 hectares and visitors can discover the main ruins of its dramatic past: the keep, Saracen towers, chapel, old war weapons... the history of Provence unfolds before your eyes amongst the rocks and stones.

ROUSSILLON.

Rousillon has been inhabited since Neolithic times, then later by the Romans who have also left their traces. The village has many traditional and brightly coloured houses, constructed almost 300 years ago, together with tourist and souvenir shops and galleries, as befitting one of the most beautiful villages in France. In addition to the lovely village the other memorable feature is the ochre mines with their range of white-orange-red-purple rocks in curiously shaped formations. After visiting the village and the mines, it is also possible to visit an old ochre processing plant.

THOUZON CAVES.

Thouzon cave is a natural underground cave dating back to the Cretaceous period, when dinosaurs roamed around. The guided tour (40 minutes) will lead you along a narrow path which is in fact the fossilised bed of what was once an underground river. You will be amazed at the sight of the very thin stalactites. The cave is two hundred and thirty metres long and was discovered by chance in 1902 by quarry workers. It is the only natural cave in the Vaucluse open to the public.

FONTANE DE VAUCLUSE.

Fontaine de Vaucluse is the source of the River Sorgue which rises to the surface from a collapsed cavern. The depth is unknown – a robot submarine went to a depth of 315m in 1985 but the full depth has not been determined. There is an interesting Geological museum and a paper mill operated by water wheel that can be visited. This is a popular village in the Luberon and provides the opportunity for some souvenir shopping too!