Autumn cultural trip to the South of France
The trip is fully booked. It is possible to register for the waiting list.
NB! The price of the trip also includes Tallinn-Nice-Tallinn flight tickets.
There is so much to discover in Southern France and more! I will take you on a journey to places that I have developed a connection with over time - whether it is the Thoronet Abbey surrounded by olive groves, Aix-en-Provence, supposedly the sunniest city in France, where the sun shines more than 300 days a year, the Gorges du Verdon canyon, where it is extremely pleasant to ride a water bike again and again, or the cozy Picasso Museum with a magnificent mysterious courtyard and a view of the Mediterranean Sea. There are many more such wonderful and meaningful places. Everyone will probably find their favorite places when traveling, but I know one thing: whoever comes to Southern France once will fall in love with this region. During the journey, I will also make sure that the taste buds are pampered, perhaps by giving them the opportunity to try some new Mediterranean dish or treat and taste wines that are not always available on Estonian store shelves.
Overview - short & sweet
Purpose: Cultural tour of Southern France
Dates: 24.09-01.10.2026
Activity: Cultural and wine tour
Transport: direct flights Tallinn-Nice-Tallinn included in the price of the trip, we have a 9-seater minibus on site
Accommodation type: Various three-star hotels (5 nights) and city villa (2 nights)
Adventure guide: Triin Arjus (Organiser of adventure tours in France)
Technical difficulty level: 1/5 (does not require sport-specific technical skills)
Physical difficulty: 1/5 (not physically demanding)
Group size: min 8, max 9 (including guide)
Early bird (until March 1) — €2250
Regular rate (March 2 - June 1) — €2475
Late bird (June 2 - August 20) — €2723
NB! Elamus+ community members get a 5–10% discount. Read more and check your discount eligibility. community members page.
Travel cost
Price includes
Flight tickets Tallinn-Nice-Tallinn with checked baggage (23 kg)
On-site transportation in a comfortable 9-seater minibus
Fuel, tolls and parking fees
All overnight stays in hotels and city villas (double rooms)
Breakfasts in hotels and city villas
Travel arrangements and on-site guidance
A French-speaking adventure guide will conduct the tour
Photo material from the trip after the trip
Picasso Museum admission ticket
Local guide and visitor ticket to Pont du Gard
Local guide introducing Arles and entrances to the ruins of the amphitheater and ancient theater
Visit to Lourmarin Castle
Visit to Cézanne's studio
Visit to Thoronet Abbey
Wine estate visit with tasting and snacks
Pedalo rental in the canyon
Visit to the Red Ochre Mountains
Visit to the Exotic Garden of Èze
Local guide introducing Nice
Public transport tickets in Nice and on the Nice-Èze-Nizza route
Dinner on the second and third days
Price does not include
Travel insurance
Personal travel equipment
Lunch and dinner except on the second and third evening (possibility to cook together in the city villa)
Drinks, snacks and additional meals
Unscheduled museums (if you want to see something extra)
Registration for the trip
Before registering, please read travel conditions. To secure your place on the trip, a deposit (20%) must be paid within 3 business days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by email; if there are less than 30 days left until the trip, the total cost (100%) must be paid. Read more: frequently asked questions ja package tour information sheet.
Schedule and activities
September 24 – Welcome & Orientation Evening by the Mediterranean
Direct evening flight to Nice. Tallinn-Nice 15.10-17.35
From Nice airport we take a pre-booked minibus, which takes us about an hour to our first place to stay, which is a beach hotel by the Mediterranean. Hopefully we can catch the last rays of the evening sun by the sea and the brave ones can test the water temperature. Followed by dinner.
SEPTEMBER 25 – THORONET MONASTERY, WINE ESTATE VISIT AND TASTING, SILLANS FALLS AND PICTURESQUE COTIgnac
After breakfast, we will drive to see the 12th-13th century Thoronet Abbey, one of three Cistercian monasteries in the Provence region. Tour of the abbey with an English or French audio guide.
After the monastery, we visit a nearby wine estate, where we taste five Provençal wines with local snacks. The wine break with snacks also turns out to be a light lunch for the second day.
In the late afternoon we head to the highest waterfall in the region – Cascade de Sillans – 43 meters. From there we continue to the picturesque village of Cotignac, which is listed as one of the 184 most beautiful villages in France. In the village itself we take a look at the natural grottoes, where people lived in ancient times. There is also free time to explore the local small shops or have a refreshing coffee/cocktail.
Overnight stay and dinner near Villecroze in a family hotel
SEPTEMBER 26 – Gorges du VERDon and waterbikes, LOURMARin Castle, Short hike among the ochre-colored sandstone cliffs
The third day is the most sporty day. After breakfast, we head to the largest canyon in Europe – Gorges du Verdon – where we will take an hour-long scenic water tour. Our means of transportation in the canyon are water bikes.
After the sporting experience, we head to the Luberon region. We'll rest our bodies in the characteristic Provençal village of Lourmarin. And so that we can visit a castle on a nice cultural trip to France, we'll take a look at the Renaissance castle of Lourmarin.
In the evening, we head towards the picturesque reddish and ochre-colored sand cliffs of the Luberon region, where we take a refreshing hour-long walk.
Late in the evening we arrive at the Sorgues River, considered the most beautiful river in Provence. We have dinner and spend the night in a small village by the river.
September 27 – Sorgues Riverside Paper Museum, Pont du Gard Aqueduct and Gallo-Roman Ruins in Arles
We spend the morning listening to the sound of the Sorgue River and walking through the tiny local paper museum.
Further highlights of the day are the Gallo-Roman ruins, which we encounter both at the Pont du Gard and on the Arles excursion.
Pont du Gard is a Roman aqueduct from the 1st century, which is the only 3-story aqueduct still preserved today, and is also the highest aqueduct in the world. Guided visit, which allows you to climb to the highest floor to explore. Near the southern aqueduct.
Arles, where we head in the second half of the day, unfolds before us with many surviving Roman-era buildings, be it the forum, the amphitheater, or the Baths of Constantine. The city is introduced by a local guide (entrance to both the amphitheater and the ruins of the ancient theater).
Dinner in Arles. Overnight stay in a small, cozy villa, located an hour's bus ride from Arles.
September 28 – AIx-En-Provence, Cézanne's painting studio
After breakfast at the villa, we head to explore Aix-en-Provence, affectionately known as the city of 1000 fountains. It is a city founded by the Romans and also the former city of the Counts of Provence. Aix-en-Provence is also the city of the painter Paul Cézanne and the cultural center of the region.
In the morning, we will visit Cézanne's painting studio with a larger group and a guide, which has been under reconstruction for years and was reopened to the public in 2025. Shared snack/lunch in Aix. In the afternoon, free time to explore the city's various culinary shops and local brands and/or enjoy an aperitif on one of the outdoor terraces.
If desired, cooking dinner together in the small villa in the evening.
September 29 – Esterel Massif, Antibes and Picasso Museum
We return to the Mediterranean. Before visiting the small seaside town of Antibes, founded by the Greeks, we take a break to stretch our legs at the Esterel Mountains to take pictures of the red mountain range against the turquoise Mediterranean Sea.
In Antibes, we will strengthen our bodies and take a walk along the seashore, through the narrow city streets, and visit the Picasso Museum in the historic Grimaldi Castle, getting to know the Mediterranean period of the great artist's work. In the evening, we will head to Nice. We will drop off our things at the hotel. Dinner together and free time in the city.
September 30 - Nice and èze
In the morning, we will explore Nice with a local guide. The guide will introduce us to the best parts of the city – Promenade des Anglais, Cours Saleya, Colline du Château park, Place Massena, the old town, etc.
Lunch in Nice.
In the afternoon, we will travel by local transport to Èze, where we will visit an exotic garden with stunning sea views and, if possible, visit a branch of the Fragonard Perfume Museum.
In the evening, return to Nice by local transport. Dinner and overnight stay in Nice.
October 1st – FREE TIME in Nice and Back Home!
On the last day, everyone has the opportunity to explore Nice on their own. Free time until lunch in Nice, which can be spent sunbathing and swimming by the sea, admiring art in a museum, choosing souvenirs and gifts for home, etc. There will be no joint lunch on the last day.
In the afternoon we head to the airport by tram. Direct flight Nice-Tallinn 18.15-22.30
Home late at night!
NB! There may be minor changes to the schedule and planned activities - for example, due to weather and conditions or the wishes of passengers.
Travel documents and footnotes
The participant is responsible for the validity and condition of their travel documents. For this trip you will need:
ID card/passport;
travel insurance.
Visiting all planned attractions is not guaranteed. We will do our best to visit as many of the planned places as possible, but we are flexible and take into account the group's wishes, the weather, and possible (good) plans that arise on the spot.
Read more also travel conditions and frequently asked questionsor ask the adventure guide for more information.
"Triin is without a doubt the best tour operator I have ever had. The whole process from booking to departure went very smoothly. A big plus when visiting France is when the tour guide speaks the language so well that the French themselves compliment him. This trip evoked and represented all the positive emotions that people have. "
