Semi-guided tour in Provence

Located in southern France, Arles is often called “Little Rome” because it is home to one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world. The city is also known as the City of Van Gogh, as the artist spent his later years living and painting here.

Before being admitted to a sanatorium, Vincent van Gogh completed many of his greatest masterpieces in Arles, including Café Terrace at Night, Starry Night Over the Rhône, The Courtyard of the Hospital at Arles, and The Bedroom in Arles.

One of the city’s most famous landmarks, the Café de Van Gogh, also known as the “Café Terrace at Night,” was heavily damaged during wartime but later restored by locals according to Van Gogh’s painting. The settings depicted in Café Terrace at Night and The Café Terrace in the Evening correspond to the indoor and outdoor scenes of today’s Le Café Van Gogh in Arles.

Interestingly, Van Gogh deliberately altered the real colors of the café to express his emotions while painting, so the hues in the artwork differ from reality. If you take a nighttime stroll along the Rhône River under the stars, you might just glimpse the same view that inspired the genius artist back in 1888.

The air in Marseille carries the scent of the sea — fishing boats fill the bustling harbor, and on the distant hillside stands a magnificent church offering panoramic views of the entire city and its sparkling coastline.

With your France Rail Pass (included in the itinerary), you can enjoy a 15% discount on the Marseille City Pass, which provides free entry to 14 museums and unlimited use of public transportation — a great way to explore the city’s cultural and maritime charm.

You don’t have to travel all the way to Scandinavia to see breathtaking fjords — southern France has its own version! The Calanques of Marseille, stretching for nearly 20 kilometers between Marseille and Cassis, are dramatic limestone cliffs plunging into turquoise waters.

To explore the area, you can take a boat tour to admire the fjord-like inlets from the sea, or travel by bus from central Marseille to the end of the line, where you’ll find the entrance to Sugiton Calanque. A scenic trail leads to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the glittering Mediterranean — a truly unforgettable sight.

The Calanques are perfect for swimming, hiking, and rock climbing. Formed by striking white limestone, these cliffs are a favorite destination for France’s top climbers. If you’re an adventure lover, this is the perfect place to test your skills while soaking up the natural beauty of Provence’s rugged coastline.

Nestled between the mountains and the sea, Menton sits gracefully on the border between France and Italy. Blessed with over 300 days of sunshine each year, this charming seaside town is known for its mild climate and picturesque setting — a true gem of the French Riviera.

Thanks to its warm weather, Menton is ideal for growing citrus fruits, especially lemons, which have become the town’s symbol. Every February, during the harvest season, Menton bursts into celebration with its world-famous Lemon Festival (Fête du Citron). The festival features giant sculptures and parade floats made entirely of lemons and oranges, filling the streets with a cheerful yellow glow and a sweet, tangy fragrance that lingers in the air. It’s a joyful spectacle that leaves a lasting impression on every visitor.

Even outside the festival season, Menton remains irresistibly charming. Without the crowds, the town reveals a quieter, more relaxed side — perfect for leisurely strolls through its colorful old streets and along the sun-kissed coastline. With its elegant villas, serene beaches, and vibrant facades, Menton truly embodies the sunny, laid-back spirit of the southern French Riviera.

Welcome to Antibes, the charming Picasso town of the French Riviera! Located just a 10-minute train ride from Cannes, Antibes enjoys a mild climate year-round — warm in winter and pleasantly cool in summer. This beautiful coastal town is part of the famed Côte d’Azur, and many wealthy travelers choose to stay here to escape the bustle of nearby Cannes and Nice, finding tranquility in its refined seaside atmosphere.

One of Antibes’ highlights is the Picasso Museum (Musée Picasso), a must-visit for art lovers. While Picasso is often associated with Barcelona and Paris, Antibes also played a significant role in his artistic journey. In 1946, Picasso was invited to live and work in what was then Château Grimaldi, creating numerous ceramic works and paintings during his stay. One of his most famous masterpieces from this period, “La Joie de Vivre” (The Joy of Life), was painted right here.

The old town of Antibes is equally enchanting — its narrow cobblestone streets, lively markets, and pastel-colored houses capture the essence of southern France. Along the coast, you’ll often see artists sketching and painting the stunning Mediterranean scenery.

Interestingly, Antibes was once a Greek settlement, and traces of Roman ruins can still be found throughout the area, adding yet another layer of history to this beautiful seaside town.

Welcome to the Principality of Monaco, a dazzlingly glamorous microstate covering just 475 acres, yet overflowing with luxury, charm, and excitement. This tiny sovereign nation captivates visitors with its elegance and energy — from the Prince’s Palace and the Old Town to the world-famous Oceanographic Museum and the legendary Monte-Carlo Casino, where you can even try your luck at the tables.

For a fun and unique experience, take the mini tourist train that follows the same route as the Formula 1 Grand Prix. The ride lasts about 30 minutes, circling Monaco’s main sights and offering spectacular views along the way.

When the Monaco Grand Prix takes place, the entire country transforms into a racetrack — roads close to regular traffic, and the roar of engines fills the air in one of the world’s most thrilling sporting events.

Monaco also carries a touch of Hollywood romance. Grace Kelly, the Oscar-winning actress, famously married Prince Rainier III, becoming Princess Grace of Monaco. Even today, the principality holds events to honor and remember its beloved princess.

As you gaze out over Monaco’s glittering harbor, you’ll see it packed with luxury yachts of every size — from sleek boats to massive superyachts. It’s said that half of them belong to casino visitors, while the rest are owned by Monaco’s wealthy residents — a fitting reflection of this tiny nation’s grand style and enduring allure.

Perched high on a cliff more than 400 meters above the Mediterranean Sea, the medieval village of Èze (also known as the “Eagle’s Nest Village”) looks as if it has been plucked straight from a postcard. With its stone-built houses, narrow winding lanes, and breathtaking sea views, Èze has rightfully earned its title as “one of the most beautiful villages in France.”

This enchanting hilltop town boasts over 2,000 years of history, filled with legends and stories that echo through its cobbled streets. As you wander through the village, every corner reveals a new charm — art galleries tucked behind stone arches, perfumeries filling the air with Provençal scents, and stairways leading to stunning viewpoints.

At the very top of the village lies the Jardin Exotique d’Èze (Exotic Garden), home to a fascinating collection of cacti and succulents from around the world. From here, visitors can enjoy one of the most spectacular panoramic views of the French Riviera — the glittering coastline stretching endlessly beneath the azure sky. Admission is €6, and the view alone is worth every cent.

Giverny – The Sanctuary of Impressionism
Located in Normandy on France’s western coast, Giverny is a quintessential rural village surrounded by tranquil hills and picturesque scenery. This charming place became world-famous as the home of Claude Monet, who spent his later years here and created his iconic series of water lily and garden paintings. Through Monet’s masterpieces, the world came to know the poetic beauty of Giverny — a destination that continues to attract Impressionist art lovers from all over the globe.

To reach Giverny from Paris, take a train to Vernon, then transfer to a local bus to the village.

By simply taking a train, you can reach a suburb of Paris where Van Gogh spent the final 70 days of his life. It was here that he created masterpieces such as Wheatfield with Crows, Portrait of Dr. Gachet, and The Church at Auvers. After stepping off the train, visitors can follow the signs to find the very streets, churches, and fields that inspired these paintings. At Château d’Auvers, Van Gogh’s life is brought to life through films, reconstructed living quarters, and the places where he dined, guiding visitors back to the era in which the Impressionist master lived and created.