Living in France: A Stay in Provence

Depart on an overnight flight to Marseille, where you'll be met and assisted with the transfer to your centrally located apartment/hotel in the university town of Aix-en-Provence. You'll receive a welcome package containing general information about the town, its environs and a map of Aix. Your resident director will be available throughout the program to help with logistics during your free time and make recommendations about sightseeing, restaurants, and independent activities. In the evening, meet fellow travelers to celebrate the start of your Provençal stay with a welcome reception and dinner at a local restaurant. (R,D)

After a continental breakfast at the hotel, meet a local expert for an engaging introduction to Aix-en-Provence and the history and cultural heritage of Provence. Then head out on a walking tour, visiting important sites as well as shops and pharmacies that you might use during your stay. After lunch together at a popular local restaurant, the remainder of the day is yours to get better acquainted with Aix. (B,L)

Enjoy a full free day to explore the city on your own, perhaps starting with a stroll beneath the plane trees along the famous Cours Mirabeau. Those who chose the Culinary track will set off on a food-themed tour of town, seeing where locals shop, browsing the produce market, and enjoying tastings along the way. End the outing with a picnic lunch. (B)

• Optional Culinary Track 1 of 4: Food tour and picnic

Embark on a day trip to the fabled Luberon, a picturesque mountain region blanketed with lavender fields and vineyards and dotted with timeless villages. Stroll through the antique markets at Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and linger for lunch on your own. Visit the Lavender Museum, housed in a charming dry-stone farmhouse, and examine the herb's significance from the 16th century to the present day. Continue to Roussillon, where the buildings are a colorful array of yellows, oranges, browns, and reds, pigments drawn from the ancient ochre deposits in the region's earth. Take in views of the hilltop village of Gordes and the surrounding landscape before returning to Aix-en-Provence.

Today is yours to immerse yourself in the daily rituals of life in Provence. You might meet new friends for a café au lait and a croissant, relax with a book in park, or take a walk in a neighborhood you haven't discovered yet.

If you selected the French Language track, you’ll begin the day with a tour of your language school to meet the staff and begin French lessons.

Gather this evening for dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

• Optional French Language Track 1 of 9: School tour and French language class

Those who chose the Language track begin the day with a morning French class. Meet fellow travelers for lunch at a local bistro. If you enrolled in the Art and Culture track, join a guided visit to the Musée Granet, one of the most acclaimed art museums in the south of France. For those who did not opt for a track, the day is yours to pursue your own interests. (L)

• Optional French Language Track 2 of 9: French class
• Optional Art and Culture Track 1 of 5: Musée Granet tour

Participants in the Art and Culture track will take a day trip to the remarkable abbeys and castles of Provence. Head to the town of La Roque-d’Anthéron in the Bouches-du-Rhône region to visit Silvacane Abbey, a 12th-century Cistercian monastery. Return by way of the Luberon, stopping in the charming town of Lourmarin, the burial place of writer Albert Camus. Visit the town’s castle and enjoy lunch at leisure in the village of Lourmarin. Otherwise, take advantage of another free day to soak up the ambiance of Aix-en-Provence.

• Optional Art and Culture Track 2 of 5: Silvacane Abbey and Lourmarin Castle excursion

Language students head to school for another morning French lesson today. After the remainder of the day at leisure, join fellow travelers in the early evening for a presentation on the art of Provence by a local expert, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

• Optional French Language Track 3 of 9: French lesson

Start the day with a French class for those pursuing the Language track. If you have opted for the Culinary track, enjoy an afternoon lesson in the basics of French cuisine. Attend an engaging lecture, and then roll up your sleeves for a cooking class, and concocting typical Provençal dishes with a local chef. Then savor the meal you've prepared. For all others, the day is yours to explore on your own. (D for Culinary track participants)

• Optional French Language Track 4 of 9: French lesson
• Optional Culinary Track 2 of 4: Cooking class and dinner

Head into the fruit and vegetable markets if you wish this morning and spend the rest of the day pursuing your interests. Travelers on the Art and Culture track will delve into the world of one of Aix's most famous sons with a visit to Paul Cézanne's studio and home. Take in views of the iconic Mont Saint Victoire, one of the artist's favorite subjects. Travel is by local transport. Gather in the evening for dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

• Optional Art and Culture Track 3 of 5 Paul Cézanne's studio visit

Set out on a group excursion to Avignon, perched on the banks of the Rhône River. Tour the remarkable Palace of the Popes, a World Heritage site comprised of two building with very different styles. The austere Old Palace was built by the dour Pope Benedict XII and the New Palace was built by the jovial Pope Clement VI and decorated in accordance with his personality.

After lunch in Avignon, continue to another World Heritage site: the extraordinary Roman Aqueduct Pont du Gard, built in the first century over the Gardon River. (L)

French lessons continue this morning for those enrolled in the Language track. Everyone is invited to meet for lunch at a local restaurant. In the late afternoon, spend some time in the Smithsonian Journeys Travelers Corner to exchange experiences. (L)

• Optional French Language Track 5 of 9: French lesson

Language students attend another morning French class. If you chose the Culinary track, meet up this afternoon to make a traditional three-course meal featuring popular French and Provençal specialties. Afterward, sit down to enjoy the meal you’ve created. Travelers not taking part in the enrichment tracks will have the day free.

• Optional French Language Track 6 of 9: French lesson
• Optional Culinary Track 3 of 4: Cooking class and dinner

Enjoy an unscheduled day in Aix, or, if you are on the Art and Culture Track, take a day trip to Arles. Explore the city's historic and cultural landmarks including the Roman Amphitheater, the Musée d’Arles, and the Romanesque Cathedral of Ste. Trôphime.​ Meander along cobbled streets immortalized by van Gogh and stop for lunch on your own.

• Optional Art and Culture Track 4 of 5: Arles excursion

Language students head to school for a French lesson in the morning. The balance of the day is free of planned activities. In the evening, gather for dinner at a popular local restaurant. (D)

• Optional French Language Track 7 of 9: French lesson

French language instruction continues this morning. For all others, the day is at leisure to explore on your own.

• Optional French Language Track 8 of 9: French lesson

The entire day is free of planned activities. Let your interests be your guide and explore Aix and the surrounding region your own. Your Smithsonian Journeys resident director will be able to assist with planning independent activities.

Set out on a full-day excursion to Marseille. See the city’s attractions and marvel at the panoramic views from the hilltop Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica. Tour the oldest quarter of Marseille known as Le Panier and spend time people-watching with an espresso or a glass of wine at one of the outdoor cafes. Gather for lunch at a harbor-side restaurant. (L)

Students attend their morning French lesson. Those enrolled in the Art and Culture track will embark on a tour of the city's many fountains and private courtyards. Aix-en-Provence is renowned for its many fountains, and each has a story to tell. Venture into the courtyards of private mansions and along the Cours Mirabeau to take a closer look.

This evening, meet up in the Smithsonian Journeys Travelers Corner at a local cafe to share stories from your time in Aix.

• Optional French Language Track 9 of 10: French lesson
• Optional Art and Culture Track 5 of 5: Aix fountain and courtyard tour

Attend your final French lesson this morning. Culinary track participants gather with a local expert to learn how best to pair French cheese and wine—enjoying tastings of each during the lesson. Those not enrolled in either track have another free day immersed in Provence.

• Optional French Language Track 10 of 10: French lesson
• Optional Culinary Track 4 of 4: Cheese and wine pairing lesson

Your final morning and afternoon in Aix-en-Provence are free of planned activities so you can pay a last visit to your favorite spots or discover a new part of the town. Tonight, gather with fellow Smithsonian Journeys Travelers to toast your time in Provence at a festive farewell reception and dinner at one of Aix’s popular restaurants. (R,D)

After an early breakfast, depart the hotel and transfer to Marseille Provence International Airport for your return flight. (B)

Note: Itinerary sequence and/or scheduled events may change due to operational considerations. All excursions involve an element of walking, standing and climbing steps.