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Christmas in Provence Tour

Experience the Provençal Christmas cheer & cuisine

December 7 – 17, 2024
10 nights / 11 days

Limited to 5 guests
5,650€ EUROS per person SINGLE occupancy
800€ discount for double occupancy
*Prices converted to USD three months prior to tour date

Join a Christmas in Provence tour to explore southern France during the festive time of Noël. There’s no better time to feel the spirit of community, experience the folklore traditions, and savor the flavors of local specialties. This tour combines Provençal & Santon markets, a mix of city, small town and village atmosphere, as well as many opportunities to actively engage in the art de vivre during the Christmas period. Enjoy group activities as well as time to explore (shop) at your leisure. This tour starts in Nice and ends in Avignon.

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Provence village shop decorated for Christmas festivities on winter Provence tour

Tour Notes

This tour starts in Nice and ends in Avignon. It usually works out best to get your airfare for arrival at the Nice airport and departure at either Marseille airport or Paris airport (most take the train up to Paris after the tour). 

Physical ability should allow you to walk at least 2 hours without difficulty (multiple tours that are two hours in length). We walk to all the evening restaurants as well.

While December remains quite mild in the south of France (averaging 45° – 55°), mornings and evenings can be chilly.  The Mistral wind may decide to blow some days so a hat & scarf will be your friend.  

Itinerary

NOTE: This is a working itinerary; the final itinerary will be posted and provided to guests closer to the tour date.

Day 1 (Saturday, December 7)
Joyeuses Fetes or Happy Holidays

Today is arrival day…Nice airport. Transfers from airport to Nice center hotel (multiple arrival times are possible). This evening we meet as a group to enjoy our first dinner together. With the long journey to France, we’ll make it an earlier dinner.

Dinner included

Day 2 (Sunday, December 8)
French shop Christmas display

Breakfast at your leisure (included in tour package) and then off we go to beautiful Saint Paul de Vence for a Sunday stroll and lunch. Upon arrival back in Nice, you have the option of visiting the Marc Chagall museum…or choose to roam around Nice at your leisure. Dinner reservations this evening as a group.

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

Day 3 (Monday, December 9)
Christmas in Provenc

This morning we’ll be greeted by a Nice local with her food & wine tour company. She’ll be guiding us on a foodie and historical tour of the Old Nice. With our tummies now satisfied with Southern France delights, we make are way to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild to be entertained and amazed at such an endeavor that was undertaken. Time back at the B&B to freshen up before our special dinner outing (legendary Negresco hotel)…just a 10 minute walk from our hotel.

Breakfast, light lunch with foodie tour & dinner included

Day 4 (Tuesday, December 10)
fountain in Aix

We say goodbye to Nice and journey to Aix. It’s about a 2 hour drive and once we arrive we’ll drop off our luggage and then walk to an 18th century mansion for a tea time lunch. At 2 pm we meet our Aix city guide who will reveal the secrets and hidden treasures of this enchanting city. Enjoy free time after the guided tour for shopping or a maybe a museum visit. Group dinner outing in the city center.

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

Day 5 (Wednesday, December 11)
Marseille tours

Today’s adventure takes us to Marseille for the oldest Santon fair. After marveling at these figurines and the detailed artisan work, we embark on a Tuk Tuk tour. This is a unique way to see Marseille and reach the limestone creeks and turquoise waters. The last two years we’ve had good weather and enjoyed a gourmet sandwiches in one of the Calanques . Should the weather be bad we’ll substitute with the Cosquer Museum (prehistoric cave discovery near Marseille). Departure from Marseille around 3pm for our drive to chef Gille’s house for a Provencal cooking class.  

Breakfast, lunch & cooking lesson dinner included

Day 6 (Thursday, December 12)
freshly dug truffles

It’s market day in Aix and you have free time to explore the Christmas market, textile market, flea market and flower market! Lunch is at your leisure. 1:30 we depart for our truffle hunt in the countryside of Aix. After a little work with the dogs, we treat our tastebuds to the amazing aromas of truffles savored in different ways…with all you want champagne to make it even more indulgent. Return to Aix and the rest of the evening at your leisure.

Breakfast, Gourmet Truffle tastings included

Day 7 (Friday, December 13)
Christmas decor on French building

Time to say goodbye to the city and see more of the countryside of Provence. Our next lodging (for the last 4 nights) is in the charming small town of Saint Remy de Provence. Before arriving at our boutique hotel, we stop at a traditional soap making factory to learn the history behind the Marseille Soap as well as the methods of making it the traditional way. You even get a chance to stamp your own soap to take home. Next we go to Arles for not only seeing a few Roman monuments but also to see an amazing Provencal creche. The details in this exhibition never cease to amaze the young and older. A little rest time at your boutique hotel in Saint Remy and then dinner together.

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

Day 8 (Saturday, December 14)
Christmas in Provencal village

Emily takes you to her hometown today to see a Christmas folklore tradition. The ladies and gentlemen will be in their best attire and the Provencal flute and drums will be playing their tunes. Dancing, flag throwing, a Christmas market. On to Avignon to check out their Christmas market and a little historical tour taking you back to Medieval times. This evening Saint Remy has its Christmas market going on.  After a full day of Provencal Christmas cheer we’ll toast to the day over a gourmet dinner together in town.  

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

Day 9 (Sunday, December 15)
Luberon

A Sunday countryside drive and village strolls in the Luberon region at Gordes, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.  Lunch near Gordes at cozy farmhouse restaurant (the fireplace will be going).  Mid-afternoon you’ll put your glass blowing talents to the test…each of you will go home with your Christmas ball.  Free evening in Saint Remy.  

Breakfast & lunch included

Day 10 (Monday, December 16)
santons

It’s our last day to enjoy the gifts of Provence. We’ll explore Van Gogh’s world near Saint Remy where he stayed for a year. Then we cross over the Alpilles Mountains to Les Baux de Provence. The popular multi-media show in the former rock quarry (Carrières de Lumières) is up next and then time in the village for a bite to eat. Last but not least on the Provencal Christmas tour is your chance to be Santon maker. We have a santon atelier to learn the art of making these little figurines that you have seen for the last 10 days.

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

Day 11 (Tuesday, December 17)

Breakfast and then transfer to Avignon TGV for your next adventure.

Activities & Sites Included

  • Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild near Nice 
  • Guided historic and food tour in Nice 
  • Guided historic tour of Aix 
  • Cooking class in Aix 
  • Tuk Tuk tour in Marseille 
  • Truffle hunt 
  • Carrières de Lumières sound & light show 
  • Saint Paul de Mausole (Van Gogh Asylum) 
  • Olive oil and wine tasting 
  • Craft workshop (santons) 
  • Soap factory tour

Places Visited

  • Nice
  • Saint Paul de Vence
  • Aix
  • Marseille
  • Saint Remy
  • Arles
  • Cavaillon
  • Avignon
  • Gordes
  • Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
  • Roussillon
  • Les Baux

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.

Vincent Van Gogh

(Photo: Fontaine de Vaucluse in winter by Emily Durand.)

Includes

  • All transportation – pick-up at Nice airport & drop-off at Avignon TGV train station 
  • 10 nights lodging (3 nights at Villa Victoria in Nice, 3 nights at Boutique Hotel Cezanne in Aix, and 4 nights at Le Petit Hotel in Saint Remy). All rooms are in superior category. 
  • All breakfasts 
  • 8 lunches and 8 dinners 
  • Emily as your private chauffeur & guide for the full tour 
  • Transportation in comfortable Mercedes van

Does Not Include

  • Meals mentioned in itinerary as not included (1 lunch & 2 dinners) 
  • Before and/or after dinner drinks (wine is included during the meals)
five star review

  • Provence Over 10 Days – April 2019

    ""We had found Emily Durand on the web and had a wonderful time corresponding with her while preparing a detailed itinerary based upon our interests and requirements. She was very prompt and very precise in her responses which we liked very much.She was even more pleasant in person and we throughly enjoyed spending ten days with her in Provence. She knew the area very well including hotels/B and Bs, restaurants ( my wife is vegetarian but that was no problem for Emily!), parking and gettin..."

  • May 2016 Private Garden Tour

    ""It was such a very special holiday for me. I just adored every moment and Emily made it so very special.Emily, thank you for being so accommodating with my challenging itinerary. Thank for being so knowledgeable and adding a layer of history and local insight that no guidebook could deliver. And finally, thank you for being so warm and engaging. It really felt like I was traveling with a dear friend. I could never have imagined it could be so good."Jane from Australia "

  • June 2018 2-day custom tour

    ""It was our pleasure having you as our tour guide to discover part of Provence we haven’t been before. I definitely will recommend you to my friends who are interested in traveling to Provence.We wish you have a successful business and happy wonderful life in Provence."Wanvimon, Thailand"

  • July Lavender Tour 2021

    ""A traveler is always faced with this secret dilemma…..once you have experienced the perfect tour, in the perfect place, arranged  by the perfect host, do you tell the world or do you try and keep it a secret just a while longer?Such is my dilemma having just returned from that 'perfect' week in Provence. I have decided to be magnanimous and share.  After all, the world needs as much 'perfect' as it can find right now.Emily’s Private Provence could just as easily be named Emily’s Perf..."

  • May 2018 3-day private tour

    ""Dear Emily,The moment you returned my inquiry, your response was swift, professional and warm, a cut above and refreshingly reliable!You provided us with a jeweled itinerary, nuggets of different rich landscapes, the unknown history which made the 'to do' landmarks interesting and fun. The hiking to discover the history, the flora, was an absolute highlight, cycling along the canal, your organizing of epicurean dinners. Not to mention the accommodation you recommended, an insight int..."

  • Wedding in Provence, 2018

    ""I used Emily through Your Private Provence to help me plan my small wedding/elopement and tours for my family while we were in the area.The experience went so smoothly in the amazing hands of Emily. She offered several options from vendors for the ceremony, restaurant choices, lodging, and tours throughout the Provence region. She thought of details for the wedding and the tours that would not have even crossed my mind! She was always in touch and responded promptly.She took into con..."

  • 2019 Lavender Tour

    ""2019 Lavender Tour This tour exceeded all of my expectations! The small group size made it easy for us to get to know each other and each day was such a treat! Emily shared not only her love and knowledge of her adopted country but afforded us a glimpse into life in Provence. She introduced us to local chefs, farmers, and artisans and each was colorful and engaging and passionate about their chosen profession and excited to share with us. We visited beautiful villages and ate marvelous local..."

  • A Week in Provence – October 2017

    ""As we contemplated our first visit to Provence to identify a village that we might return to for an extended stay, we wanted to slow travel through several small villages with nearby vineyards.Prior to our trip, Emily created a customized itinerary to best meet our interests and needs.  To start our week together, Emily met us at the train station and then proceeded to comfortably drive us through the 2-lane backroads of Provence helping us to discover the magical villages of Provence, t..."

  • 4-Day Private Tour, May 2021

    ""Despite being a frequent traveler, I am not a usual writer of reviews. But this case, deserves one. My wife and myself just spent 5 days in French Provence. This trip was our first to this gorgeous part of France. We were suggested various tour operators. Finally chose the person I will describe for the speed and care she devoted during the pre-engagement phase, very different from the others.If you are looking to visit the region and wanting a guide that really knows the place and its i..."

  • July Lavender & Photography Tour 2021

    ""I have recently returned from the Provence Lavender Photography Tour with Emily Durand of Your Private Provence and Raina Stinson of Raina Stinson Photography.  I highly recommend this tour!  Simply put, Emily and Raina guided our small group on a remarkable journey of discovery.  We visited lavender fields, explored medieval villages, gazed at the moon and stars.  We feasted on fresh produce and French bread from the village markets as well as gourmet fare at restaurants with breathtaking v..."
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