France

The Best of Southern France: Provence and the Cote d'Azur

Program No. 21096RJ
Discover open-air markets, medieval villages, Roman monuments and renowned museums as you walk and learn about the unique cultural heritage of the French Riviera.

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At a Glance

From the green hills, sunbaked villages and lavender fields of Provence to the brilliant azure waters and billowing white sails of the French Riviera, absorb the colors — not to mention the sights, sounds and flavors — of Southern France on this journey that combines field trips led by top-notch Road Scholar experts with plenty of time for independent discoveries.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Walking up to 3 miles per day; cobblestone streets, uneven and hilly terrain.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Explore Provence’s lively open-air markets, medieval villages and natural environments.
  • Discover the famed medieval city of Avignon and the historic city of Nice on expert-led excursions.
  • Enjoy independent time to experience this beautiful and unique region on your own.

General Notes

Program includes independent time to explore the city and several meals on your own. Group Leaders will provide directions for self-directed excursions. Suggestions for free-time activities provided in preparatory materials. Give us a call to combine this learning adventure with select dates of "The Best of Northern France: Paris and Normandy" (#21095) for even more learning in France!
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Bill Snowden
Bill Snowden was a geography master at Harrow school, a boy's boarding school that counts Lord Byron and Winston Churchill among its former pupils. In 2014, he retired from teaching to devote more of his time to travel and leading travel adventurers. Since 1984, Bill has worked during spring and summer breaks as a group leader. He is fluent in French and Spanish, providing him the opportunity to lead educational travel programs across Europe, most notably in France and Spain.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Bill Snowden
Bill Snowden View biography
Bill Snowden was a geography master at Harrow school, a boy's boarding school that counts Lord Byron and Winston Churchill among its former pupils. In 2014, he retired from teaching to devote more of his time to travel and leading travel adventurers. Since 1984, Bill has worked during spring and summer breaks as a group leader. He is fluent in French and Spanish, providing him the opportunity to lead educational travel programs across Europe, most notably in France and Spain.
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Meals
13 Meals
7 Breakfasts
2 Lunches
4 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Salt
Lodging
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Display
Oct 24, 2024 - Nov 01, 2024
  • Oct 24, 2024 - Nov 01, 2024
  • May 16, 2024 - May 24, 2024 (Avignon to Nice)
  • Jun 06, 2024 - Jun 14, 2024 (Avignon to Nice)
  • Sep 05, 2024 - Sep 13, 2024 (Avignon to Nice)
  • Sep 12, 2024 - Sep 20, 2024 (Avignon to Nice)
  • Sep 26, 2024 - Oct 04, 2024 (Avignon to Nice)
  • Oct 03, 2024 - Oct 11, 2024 (Avignon to Nice)
  • Oct 17, 2024 - Oct 25, 2024 (Avignon to Nice)
  • Oct 24, 2024 - Nov 01, 2024 (Avignon to Nice)
  • Apr 10, 2025 - Apr 18, 2025 (Avignon to Nice)
  • Apr 17, 2025 - Apr 25, 2025 (Avignon to Nice)
  • May 01, 2025 - May 09, 2025 (Avignon to Nice)
  • May 15, 2025 - May 23, 2025 (Avignon to Nice)
  • Jun 05, 2025 - Jun 13, 2025 (Avignon to Nice)
  • Sep 04, 2025 - Sep 12, 2025 (Avignon to Nice)
  • Sep 11, 2025 - Sep 19, 2025 (Avignon to Nice)
  • Sep 18, 2025 - Sep 26, 2025 (Avignon to Nice)
  • Sep 25, 2025 - Oct 03, 2025 (Avignon to Nice)
  • Oct 02, 2025 - Oct 10, 2025 (Avignon to Nice)
  • Oct 16, 2025 - Oct 24, 2025 (Avignon to Nice)
  • Oct 23, 2025 - Oct 31, 2025 (Avignon to Nice)
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.
4 nights
Avignon
The Novotel Avignon Centre is located close to the train station in the heart of the city center, and within walking distance to the Pope's Palace, Pont d' Avignon and Avignon Opera House.
3 nights
Nice
Located in downtown Nice, the Splendid Hotel has been managed by the same family for four generations and is a short walk from the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais.





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