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Online Program

Adventures Online: A Journey Through the Many Faces of Provence

Program No. 24177RJ
Immerse yourself in the art and history of Provence from the comfort of your own home as local experts share their knowledge during virtual field trips and online presentations.

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At a Glance

Delight in the art de vivre — the art of living — during an online immersion into the best of Provence! From the masterpieces of great artists like Cezanne and Van Gogh to the architecture of the Aix en Provence Cathedral, get a first-hand look at some of the region’s greatest treasures as local experts share their vast knowledge during virtual field trips and presentations. Trace Provencal history from Roman and Medieval times until today, with online field trips to Roman theaters and arenas, the Aix en Provence Cathedral and Aigues Morte, where you’ll learn about King Saint Louis and the Crusades. Explore the varied landscapes of Provence and learn about the lives of famous artists that were inspired by the region. Throughout this educational adventure, enjoy exclusive access to our local experts, take part in informative Q&A sessions and bond with other Road Scholars like you.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Discover why so many artists were inspired by Provence as you learn about the life and works of Cezanne, Van Gogh, Chagall, Matisse, Renoir, Monet and more.
  • Trace the history of Roman influence in Provence during virtual field trips to the Gallo Roman wonders of Southern France, including Roman theaters in Orange and Arles, the arena in Nimes, and the Pont Du Gard.
  • Learn about the “art of living” during a virtual field trip to villages of the area to explore wines and lavender, local crafts, architecture, literature and famous landscapes in Gordes, Lourmarin, Lacoste and beyond.

General Notes

You’ll enjoy 2-3 hours of daily instruction, discussion and/or field trips, which includes sufficient breaks throughout the program. This online program is through Zoom, an easy-to-use web video service that includes closed captioning. All you need is an Internet connection and your computer. We’ll provide a how-to guide to make sure you’ll have a hassle-free experience. This session is offered live only and will not be available on demand. Please review the daily itinerary for start and end times to ensure you won’t miss a minute of this live experience. All times are listed in the EASTERN time zone. If you live in a different time zone, please adjust your schedule accordingly.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Van Gogh in Arles
by Alfred Nemeczek
A study of Van Gogh in the stunning setting of Arles in Provence, the place of his death.
Two Towns in Provence
by M. F. K. Fisher
Celebrated food writer M.F.K. Fisher contrasts village life in Aix-en-Provence with bustling Marseilles, evoking both with anecdote and loving description.
Cezanne and Provence: The Painter in His Culture
by Nina Maria Athanassoglou-Kallmyer
Cezanne departed from Paris in 1886 to permanently resettle in his native Aix-en-Provence. This book explores the importance of this place for the artist as well as the regionalist politics of his day.
The Popes of Avignon: A Century in Exile
by Edwin Mullins
Grounded in the architecture and papal legacy in Avignon and the surrounding area, this engaging history sets the 70-year period of papal exile in the south of France against the context of Europe's turbulent transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.
The Food & Wine of France: Eating & Drinking from Champagne to Provence
by Edward Behr
Behr seeks out the best of French food, in encounters from Champagne to Provence, to tell the stories of French artisans and chefs who work at the highest level. He shares what he learns from these experts on French traditions and how to best enjoy this food.
The Markets of Provence: Food, Antiques, Crafts, and More
by Marjorie Williams
An in-depth pocket guide to 30 of the best markets in Provence. Dive into the heart of Provencal culture and navigate the markets like a local with maps, tips, and handy phrases.
Four Queens, the Provencal Sisters who Ruled Europe
by Nancy Goldstone
Transporting you back to back to the apogee of independent Provençal power in the Middle Ages, Goldstone captures the drama of 13th-century Europe in this history of the four daughters of the count of Provence -- future queens of France, England, Germany and Sicily.
Provence A-Z
by Peter Mayle
A companion to all things Provencal, from bouillabaisse to lavender and vinaigre, by the British expatriate and Francophile Peter Mayle.
A Year in Provence
by Peter Mayle
The original best-selling tale of an ex-pat settling down in Provence, told with warmth and a great deal of humor. It offers a wonderful inside look at the charms and quirks of the people and the countryside in the south of France.
The Yellow House
by Martin Gayford
Gayford chronicles the turbulent three months and texture of the daily lives of Van Gogh and Gauguin in Arles, where they worked side by side in 1888. With 60 B&W reproductions.
Waiting for Godot
by Samuel Beckett
One of the classics of English literature, this famous play is set in Provence. Two characters await a third, Godot, who never arrives.
Lonely Planet French Phrasebook
by Marie-Helene Girard, Anny Monet
This handy phrasebook focuses on pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.
Provence: Food, Wine, Culture and Landscape
by Lars Boesgaard
A stunning portrait of an alluring, sun-drenched region. Whet your appetite for Provence with over 700 jaw-dropping images of the food, landscape, and local people.





Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.