French
Art, Heritage and Culture
From
Paris to Provence
This
itinerary captures the essence of French culture and heritage: a delectable blend
of art, ancient architecture, cuisine Provençale and wine... from Paris
to Provence.
In
Giverny,
home of the famous painter, Claude Monet, you can wander through the colorful
gardens that inspired the artist and were instrumental in defining the new direction
in fine art called Impressionism. In Paris,
must-see visits to the Musée
d'Orsay and l'Orangerie
expand your appreciation of this movement and the many artists who belonged to
it.
Climbing
to the top of the Pont d'Avignon,
with notes of the old nursery rhyme dancing in your head, is a very popular excursion,
but there is a lot more to do in and around this medieval walled city. The most
notable, of course, is to tour the Palais des Papes (the Palace of the Popes,
a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Seven popes actually lived there instead of in
Rome during almost the entire 14th century. A short drive from there is the Pont
du Gard, a three-level Roman aqueduct, one of the few examples of this
type of architecture still standing in France today. As a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, it is another must-see and a fascinating reminder of ancient times.
On
to pure relaxation and simple enjoyment of the countryside with a tour of tiny
villages perched on rocky hillsides, local markets and visits to nearby wineries.
Be sure to try the dry rosés of Tavel and Côtes du Mont
Ventoux, as well as the full-bodied reds of Châteauneuf du Pape near
Avignon.
Next
stop is Arles
(another UNESCO World Heritage Site) with more Roman edifices: a coliseum and
an amphitheater still used for various fiestas and lyric performances. Vincent
Van Gogh spent four years of his life in Arles. He was quite miserable there and
ended up as a patient in the St. Rémy asylum several times. But
this is where he produced some of his most memorable art, and his memory lingers
in the streets and around the cafes he frequented.
A
cooking class demonstrating Cuisine Provençale can be on the program in
Arles. Savoring aromas from the countryside wafting from your dinner plate while
sipping a cool local wine is heaven for the nose and the taste buds!
Paul
Cézanne, another grand master of French Impressionism, (Post-Impressionism,
technically speaking) is waiting for you in his home town of Aix-en-Provence
a few miles down the road. There, you can immerse yourself in the surroundings
and scenery that were the inspiration for his amazing art. Houses, hills, valleys,
quarries, the sea and many other places that he observed and committed to canvas
are still there for you to absorb. Even his studio has been kept intact since
his death some 100 years ago. His easel, coats, hats and other objects are still
there for the many visitors to see. What a thrill!
So
many exciting places on this itinerary, so much cultural heritage!
There
are many more possibilities on this tour route: Auvers-sur-Oise,
Le Luberon, Les Baux de Provence, etc. Let us know where and when you want to
go. With the help of expert local providers,
we
will create a custom program that fits your requirements.
Please
note. This is a "suggested" custom tour itinerary, which can be
changed to suit your interests. The tour price will depend on the number of participants,
dates, type of hotels and other variables.
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