Bon Appetit Recommended: Aix en Provence - Cheese & Wine Tasting

4 hours | Marseille (Provence) | M R S - 3 0 0
Average Guest Rating
From
$ 129.95
Medical restriction (See special notes)
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Points of Interest

  • Aix-en-Provence
Shopping Opportunities, Includes snack, Moderate activity

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

The flavors of Provence are on display on a half-day adventure to Aix, a lively university town renowned for its spa, historic landmarks and chic atmosphere.

Board your comfortable motorcoach and relax on a scenic 30-minute drive through the iconic landscapes of southern France to Aix-en-Provence and the quaint old town of Aix, pronounced like the letter "X."

This historic enclave basks in more than 300 days of sunshine a year and is noted for its lively public areas, delectable cuisine served in colorful cafés and a host of landmark attractions, such as a stunning belfry built in 1510 and an astronomical clock situated in front of the Aix City Hall. Many of the art galleries feature works of former resident Paul Cézanne and his contemporaries.

Bring you camera to capture all of the beauty of the capital of the Provence region and its highlights, best explored on a pedestrian tour. Begin in the city center and proceed down the grand Cours Mirabeau, a wide avenue that runs from the Place Charles de Gaulle to the stately statue of King René. Shaded by 200-year-old trees and built on the site of the city's medieval ramparts, this area was the social hub for the French elite in the 1650s. Stroll along this beautiful colonnade admiring the elegant façades of the private mansions, the finely carved doorways and the balconies laden with flowers and enjoy the cooling spray from its romantic, moss-covered fountains.

You'll continue on to the old Mazarin District, founded by Archbishop Michel Mazarin in 1646. This enclave was home to many famed writers and artists, most notably Paul CĂ©zanne. Here you'll find meticulously landscaped walled gardens and the St. Sauveur Cathedral with its mixed architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic and baroque. It has been the subject of countless additions and renovations performed between the 5th and 18th centuries. Look for the remnants of a Roman-era wall and the 15th-century Gothic portal. Some of the city's finest architecture is found in this district as well as the beloved Place des Quatre Dauphins, a famous fountain built in 1667 and noted for its charming water-spouting dolphins.

From here, your guide will escort you to a fromagerie (cheese shop) nestled in a tiny alleyway. Here you'll enjoy a wine and cheese pairing in a relaxed setting, marveling at the variety of the local products. Goat cheese is the most prevalent type of cheese in the area due to its climate and vegetation that supports goats more than sheep or cows. The goats produce only a small amount of milk, but it is very flavorful, and a variety of cheeses are produced. One standout is Banon, a round, small and fragrant goat cheese that is wrapped in chestnut leaves and has a very creamy texture.Savor a variety of types of cheeses and local delicacies along with Provence rosés, which have a bright and crisp characteristic on the palate.

Return to the motorcoach and relax on your drive back to Marseille, where you'll enjoy a little time to sightsee independently before returning to the ship.

Special Notes:

Relevant amount of walking over even & cobblestone street.
This tour is very popular and typically sells out. Alternative tours with similar content may be available, including MRS-305 Aix en Provence - Cheese & Wine in Marseille.
For 305

Medical Restriction:

Not suitable for guests with mobility problems or wheelchair users.

Tour timeline may vary to avoid overcrowding, etc.

Drive to Aix-en-Provence

Transport type:
Air Conditioned Motorcoach
Transport Capacity:
49
Travel time:
00:30
Air conditioned:
Yes
Wheelchair accessible:
No
Restroom available:
No
Shopping available:
No

Guided visit Aix-en-Provence

Time at site:
01:00
Inside visit:
No
Steps:
10
Restroom available:
Yes
Shopping available:
Yes
Photo/video opportunity:
Yes

Cheese and wine tasting at Fromagerie du Passage

Time at site:
01:00
Inside visit:
Yes
Air conditioned:
Yes
Steps:
35
Wheelchair accessible:
No
Shopping available:
Yes
Photo/video opportunity:
Yes

Free time

Time at site:
00:45

Drive back to the Ship

Transport type:
Air Conditioned Motorcoach
Transport Capacity:
49
Travel time:
00:45
Air conditioned:
Yes
Wheelchair accessible:
No
Restroom available:
No
Shopping available:
No