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Avignon, the Rhône & Provence

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20252026
7 days From £1,649 £1,549 per person
4.3 stars(138 reviews)
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Tour idyllic Provençal villages, view Roman influences by the Rhône, and experience excellent local gastronomy while staying in the charming city of Avignon.

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Save £100pp on Europe & British Isles 2025 holidays, when you book by 31st May 2025.

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Mobility Rating 2

2025 Tour code: AVB25

About the tour

A destination that's inspired artists such as Vincent van Gogh, this beautiful part of France oozes history, charm and culture.

Explore Provence from the papal city of Avignon and uncover the idyllic villages of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Gordes. Take a cruise along the Rhône and learn about its influence on the sights and tastes of the area before exploring Roman Arles and the Pont du Gard.

A gourmet food tour of Avignon and a Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine tasting provides an ideal way to discover the exceptional flavours of Provence.

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Unforgettable experiences

Experiencing the gastronomy of Avignon
Experiencing the gastronomy of Avignon
Stay in this historic city that was home to Popes in the Middle Ages. Sample Avignon’s foodie secrets with a knowledgeable guide and visit a nougaterie.
Savouring a Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine tasting
Savouring a Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine tasting
Indulge in a tasting of three varieties of Châteauneuf-du-Pape – one of the most coveted wines in the world – on a visit to a cellier to learn about the wine’s heritage.
Enjoying a tranquil Rhône cruise to Arles
Enjoying a tranquil Rhône cruise to Arles
Embark on a relaxing cruise down the river to Arles, an ancient city with UNESCO-listed Roman remains and the former home of Vincent van Gogh.
Exploring idyllic Provençal towns and villages
Exploring idyllic Provençal towns and villages
Travel to the hidden gem of Uzès, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue – dubbed the ‘Venice of Provence’ – and the picture-perfect hilltop settlement of Gordes.
Uncovering Roman Provence
Uncovering Roman Provence
Visit the iconic and well-preserved Pont du Gard – a three-tiered aqueduct from the first-century AD that once helped transport water more than 30 miles from Uzès to Nîmes.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - London to Avignon: Through France to Provence

Your holiday begins at London St Pancras this morning as you meet the Tour Manager and travelling group. Boarding the Eurostar service to Paris in Plus Class, we enjoy a light meal in our seats on the way to the French capital. Here, we change to First Class seats on the high-speed TGV, arriving in the historic Provençal city of Avignon in the early evening having weaved through the verdant fields and hills alongside the expansive Rhône from Lyon.

Lying just outside the city walls, near the station, our hotel has wonderful facilities to aid relaxation after an enjoyable day of exploration. This evening, we enjoy our first dinner together in the hotel restaurant.

Please Note - For departures 03/05, 14/06, 09/08, 16/08, 30/08 and 06/09 we will stay at the Hotel L'Horloge in Avignon. 

Includes
  • Dinner
  • Eurostar light meal
Day 2 - The art and history of Arles

In late morning after a leisurely breakfast, we board a boat for a relaxing cruise down the Rhône. Enjoying lunch on board, we sail through picturesque landscapes and past the impressive château at Tarascon that stands squarely on the riverbank.

Arriving in Arles, there's free time to explore this historic town at leisure. Blending Roman and medieval architecture, the narrow lanes of Arles are bursting with history, from the UNESCO-listed Roman arena that would have seated 20,000 people to its evocative Place de la République with its obelisk and Romanesque cathedral. The legacy of one of Arles' most famous residents, artist Vincent van Gogh, is visible in many parts of the old town. The post-impressionist lived in and painted many parts of Arles and his work is celebrated at the Van Gogh Foundation.

Alternatively, visit the Place du Forum and bask in the scene which inspired van Gogh's renowned piece 'Café Terrace at Night'. This quaint tree-covered square has many places in which to eat or savour a drink before catching the train back to Avignon for a free evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 - Avignon: The City of Popes

A relaxed breakfast precedes a walking tour of the sights of Avignon, accompanied by an expert guide.

Along the way, we see the 12th-century Pont St Bénezet, the bridge that featured in popular children's song Sur le Pont d'Avignon. All but four of its arches were washed away by a devastating flood in 1668, and the surviving arches are today an iconic symbol of the city. We also stop by the Palais des Papes (the Papal Palace), which was the seat of the papacy during the 14th century after Pope Clement V moved his court to Avignon. Forming the largest medieval Gothic palace in Europe, this incredible palace dominates the skyline in a manner befitting its importance. With the rest of the day at leisure, you could stroll through the city's tree-lined avenues or wander through the Jardin des Doms, with great views of the Rhône.

Avignon has an abundance of restaurants and bars, including on the Place de l'Horloge, Place des Corps Saints and Place Pie, all offering enticing places to eat or drink.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 – The beautiful villages of Provence

After breakfast, we visit a nougaterie. Breathe in the scent of honey and toasted almonds on a tour of the workshop, learning about the history of nougat before sampling some ourselves.

Arriving in the beautiful Provençal village of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue at lunchtime, we have time at leisure to explore the 'Venice of Provence' and its tightly knit cluster of sun-baked pastel-coloured buildings. Surrounded by the gently babbling Sorgue river, this island village is also known as the 'antiques capital of Provence'. Our next stop is Gordes. Built on the foothills of the Vaucluse mountains, this is one of the most well-known hilltop villages in the region. Gordes is a labyrinth of beautiful cobblestone alleys, or 'calades', flanked by rustic buildings that evoke a bygone time. At the heart of the village is its 10th-century château that was renovated during the Renaissance. We have free time in Gordes to wander through its delightful streets and bask in its remarkable views.

We return to Avignon in the early evening for time to relax or head out and dine independently.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 - A gastronomic tour of Avignon

Like many French cities, Avignon has a vibrant culinary scene. After breakfast at our hotel this morning, we join a knowledgeable guide who shows us round the places only a local would know as we learn to understand Avignon through its cuisine. We are introduced to artisan producers before visiting many of the different stalls at the city's renowned food market, Les Halles. On this tasty tour, we sample local olives and delicacies such as sacristain (an almond pastry), Camargue salt toffee, and callison (soft, melon-flavoured sweets).

The afternoon provides time to explore independently. You could opt to pay to enter the Palais des Papes for a tour of this spectacular palace, its fabulous decorations and the pontifical gardens. For a peaceful stroll, maybe head to the pretty cobblestone street of Rue des Teinturiers (Street of Dyers) with its graceful stream and waterwheels.

When the time is right, head to one of Avignon's beautiful squares for a meal and perhaps a glass of revered local wine.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 6 - The Pont du Gard and Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine tasting

An excursion to a remarkable piece of Roman engineering follows breakfast today as we visit the iconic Pont du Gard.

Constructed in the first century AD, this three-tiered bridge was part of the aqueduct used to transport water to the Roman city of Nîmes. Standing 160ft over the Gardon river, the arched Pont du Gard is UNESCO-listed due in part to the exceptional state of preservation and is considered one of the greatest remaining structures of the Roman Empire. The water that fed the aqueduct came from springs near Uzès, and it is to this gorgeous medieval town known as the 'French Tuscany' that we move next.

There is free time in Uzès before a highlight of the holiday. Attending a cellier, we enjoy a presentation and tasting of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, one of the most celebrated wines in the world. After hearing about the wine's heritage and the importance of the Rhône to the terroir, we are treated to a tasting of four varieties of wine. We return to Avignon in time for our final dinner together at our hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 - Homeward bound

Avignon, with its sun-baked architecture and fantastic history, was the ideal base from which to experience the delights of Provence and the Rhône on this beautiful holiday. The Roman influences and artistic culture of Arles were explored after a serene cruise along one of France's most scenic rivers, while the ancient Port du Gard and idyllic Provençal villages were also uncovered. The region's famed gastronomy was experienced during a walking tour of Avignon, a visit to a nougaterie and a tasting at a Châteauneuf-du-Pape cellier.

Leaving Avignon after breakfast, we board the direct train to Paris. In the French capital, we switch to the Eurostar service, enjoying a light meal at our seats in Plus Class. Arriving back at London St Pancras this evening, we say farewell to our Tour Manager and our discovery of Avignon and the Rhône.

Includes
  • Breakfast
  • Eurostar light meal

Additional information

Classic collection

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Hotel de l'Horloge, Avignon

Hôtel de l'Horloge, Avignon

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Novotel Avignon Centre, Avignon

Novotel Avignon Centre, Avignon

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Train

Eurostar

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Upgrades

London Hotels
UK rail connections
Door to door luggage service

Reviews

4.3 stars4.3 / 5 · 138 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (61)
  2. 4 stars
    (54)
  3. 3 stars
    (22)
  4. 2 stars
    (1)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Denis Maycock

5 stars

Submitted 30/Apr

Everything was well planned and was great value. Great Rail Journeys are always relaxing and stimulating.

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Judy

5 stars

Submitted 29/Apr

A wonderful trip to Avignon and surrounding areas. Excellent choice of excursions with a good balance of free time. Jane, our Tour Manager, was outstanding and ensured we were looked after both individually and as a group. Worth paying the extra for the train upgrade. Novotel was very nice with a huge choice at breakfast. Highly recommend this trip

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C & G

5 stars

Submitted 25 Oct 2024

Really lovely area. Avignon a beautiful city, lots to explore. And surrounding area lovely too. Trip down Rhone to Arles beautiful

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Susan

5 stars

Submitted 26 Sep 2024

Brilliant, great organisation, lovely locations.

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Tricia

5 stars

Submitted 23 Sep 2024

Very well organised, lots of lovely places to visit. Hotel very central and we had a fantastic rep!

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GH and SH

5 stars

Submitted 20 Sep 2024

GRJ were great throughout, especially our tour guide who went above and beyond to give us the best of experiences. Provence is beautiful with its limestone buildings, forests, mountains, gorges, wineries and Roman heritage. I wouldn’t hesitate to go back and I’d book with GRJ. Train travel in France is so easy and adds to the feeling of being in France Profund.

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GH and SH
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