What is it everyone thinks of when they hear the word Provence? Rolling hills topped with quaint villages, olive trees, fields of lavender and lots of sun. This is all true. The geology is quite dynamic. Rugged gorges, rocky crags and bluffs, and ancient glacial valleys invaded by the sea have dictated how man could use the land. Medieval villages were built on top of rocky buttes for natural defenses and plants that have acclimated to the Mediterranean's dry warm climate are cultivated.
The region is perfectly suited for growing perfume flowers and has made the town of Grasse the perfume capitol of the world since the 1700s. Even today the town produces a majority of the natural fragrances in France including Jasmine and Lavender. On the Eastern side of Provence you will find the town of Avignon, once the seat of the pope and several anti-popes. It may sound sinister but it's really more about politics than religion.
From the mountains, down along the coast you will find the classic French Riviera towns of Nice, Saint Tropez and others. These places, with their Mediterranean climate and blue waters, draw the rich and famous from all over the world. You will enjoy their laid back lifestyle, Mediterranean cuisine and narrow medieval streets.
With miles of rugged coast, innumerable scenic vistas, glorious hikes and fascinating villages and towns, you won't find yourself short of things to do. In the winter it is a short drive to the southern Alps and some of the finest skiing in the world. In the summer, water sports and summer festivals take the stage. When you come to Provence and the Côte d'Azur you won't want to leave!
We pride ourselves on providing a unique experience for every one of our guests. After all, it is one of the reasons you choose a private guide over a public tour bus. With a private guide you get something unheard of on a public tour...flexibility and our undivided attention. You can consider us your friends who live in France, friends who just so happen to have the time and inclination to show you around this great country.
Provence and the Cote d'Azur offer such a wide range of activities that you will need to focus your travels... unless you are here for an extended stay. This is also a region where you can pick nearly any interest and create a complete itinerary around it.
From Paris you can be in Marseille in 3 hours by train. For those in the Provence region for an extended stay we recommend beginning in Avignon and travelling along the coast to Nice via St. Tropez, Grasse and St. Paul de Vence.
At A Guide in France we do not use standardized itineraries; therefore, we often dine casually, on-the-fly. If you have any restaurant preferences, please let us know during the itinerary-building process and we will plan accordingly.
Meals: we usually dine separately from our guests but will join you if asked. Either way, we will always assist you with the menus and ordering.
Pricing for Travel Partner extended-length guide services*
  • 1 to 2 people = €350/day up to 12 hours
  • 3 to 4 people = €450/day up to 12 hours

Price does not include food, fuel, autoroute tolls, train tickets or entrance fees. Drinks and snacks are provided.

*3 days or more. For quotes on day tours, contact us.
To get started, contact us anytime. Ask questions, tell us where you want to go and what you want to see. We're always glad to help and we look forward to showing you beyond the Eiffel Tower.
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