European Experiences in the South of France

Experiences in the South of France

European Experiences offers four different trips in the beautiful South of France, four very different destinations, offering unique landscapes and discoveries.

In 2006 we hosted our first trips in the Luberon, an area within the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.  Today, twenty years later, we’ve welcomed 80 groups to the Luberon, but we’ve also expanded to offer trips in other areas of France, Italy, England, Scotland, Portugal, Germany, Austria, and Morocco.

But we continue to have a special focus on the South of France, since two members of our team have a strong, personal connection to this area. Jennifer Dugdale has lived in Aix-en-Provence for 25 years. My family has a second home in village of Bonnieux in the Luberon, and I’ve been spending about four months a year in the Luberon for over 20 years. We’ve both been able to draw on our knowledge and local connections in designing and leading these trips this region that we love.

You could join us on all four trips and have four very different experiences!

What is the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of France?

The French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) covers over 12,100 square miles with a wide variety of landscapes, including the Alps and other mountains, extensive farmland and vineyards, and over 600 miles of coastline on the Mediterranean Sea. Prehistoric people settled here, and later the Greeks and Romans.

The region includes some large cities: Marseille, Nice, Toulon, Aix-en-Provence, and Avignon.  But it also encompasses hundreds of small villages, often perched on hillsides and with medieval origins. With its Mediterranean climate, the area boasts over 300 days of sunshine a year, making it a popular destination for travelers from around the world.

European Experiences trips in the South of France

In this post I want to describe our four Experiences in the South of France, the special opportunities for our travelers, and some practical tips for travel in this region.

The Luberon Experience

Our village of Bonnieux, in the Luberon

The Luberon is an incredibly beautiful valley surrounded by low mountains and views in every direction. We’ve been hosting European Experiences groups here for 20 years. The authentic perched village of Bonnieux, dating back to medieval times, is the perfect base to experience the countryside.

Our Luberon Experience trips are usually in May and September/October, what we think are the best times of year. Our week includes visits to charming perched villages, colorful outdoor markets, a family winery, and a lavender distillery; walks in the countryside; a day trip to the neighboring area of Les Alpilles; and memorable meals in a variety of settings.  This trip was named one of National Geographic Traveler’s 50 best tours in the world.

Our groups meet and depart from the Avignon TGV station, about 45 minutes from Bonnieux.  Many of our travelers spend time in Avignon before or after our week.

Click here to learn more about The Luberon Experience

The Mediterranean Provence Experience

A nature walk on The Mediterranean Provence Experience

This popular week is based in the waterfront port of Bandol in the protected, lesser-known western area of the French Riviera. The landscape features a mix of natural Provençal forests, rocky cliffs, coastal paths, discreet sandy coves, and the azur blue sea.

Our week includes day trips to Marseille and Toulon, visits to coastal villages and vineyards, boat trips to enjoy the spectacular scenery (including a trip to a nearby island), meals of fresh and seasonal foods, and much more.

Our groups meet and depart from the Aix-en-Provence TGV station, just 15 minutes from the Marseille-Provence airport. Many travelers spend time in Aix-en-Provence before or after our week.

Click here to learn more about The Mediterranean Provence Experience

The Undiscovered French Riviera Experience

The beautiful Mediterranean Sea near Le Lavandou

New in 2026!  This Experience week focuses on the idyllic Mediterranean coast between Toulon and Nice, based in the waterfront village of Le Lavandou. The region is nestled amongst a series of tiny bays with crystal blue water, far from the mega-yachts of glitzy Cannes and Nice, and far from any metropolis.

We enjoy colorful seaside villages, pretty Provence markets, family-owned restaurants cooking fish and Mediterranean cuisine, and a sunny micro-climate with lush vegetation. Our day trip to the island of Porquerolles in the Golden Isles is definitely a highlight.

The groups meet and depart from the train station in the town of Hyères, easily reached by train from Marseille or Nice.

Click here to learn more about The Undiscovered French Riviera Experience

The Riviera Hillsides Experience 

The hilltop village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence in the Riviera hillsides

This Experience week is based in a typical village near Grasse, in the scenic foothills behind the famous French Riviera, offering a very different ambiance from the glitzy beaches of the Riviera. The backcountry of the Côte d’Azur, between the sea and the Alps, is bathed in sunshine and carpeted in olive groves. Grasse is considered the perfume capital of the world, and the protected micro-climate favors temperate plant species and flowers of all kinds, important for the perfume industry. Many noted artists settled in this area, drawn by the light and the landscape.

Our week includes visits to perched villages and lush gardens, a perfume/fragrance workshop, a special day focused on art and artists, an excursion by boat to an offshore island, food-related experiences and much more.

The groups meet and depart from the Nice-Ville station, with an optional drop-off at the Nice airport on the last day.  Many travelers spend time in Nice before or after our week.

Click here to learn more about The Riviera Hillsides Experience

What to Expect on a European Experiences Seven-Night Trip

Happy travelers on The Mediterranean Provence Experience

Like all our seven-night trips, these trips in the South of France include:

• A compatible group of like-minded travelers, usually 10-14 people
• A beautiful destination, surrounded by spectacular scenery
• One base for the week in a centrally located village or small town
• Comfortable accommodations in a small, well-located hotel with a strong local flavor and welcoming hosts
• A variety of special experiences, unique to the area and local culture
• The opportunity to get to know local people
• A focus most days within 30 minutes of our base
• One or two longer day trips in the surrounding region
• Memorable meals in a variety of environments, showcasing regional specialties
• Free time to pursue your own interests
• An outstanding value with personalized service
• Helpful, knowledgeable and enthusiastic leaders
• Flexibility and fun

Learn more about our European Experiences approach here.

Getting to the South of France

This area offers excellent transportation connections, by air and by train.

Many travelers fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) and take the high-speed TGV train south to Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, or Marseille. It’s a journey of less than four hours from CDG to Marseille, less if you begin your journey in the center of Paris.  Another train line runs along the coast to Nice; less than three hours from Marseille to Nice.

The Marseille-Provence airport (MRS) is situated between Marseille and Aix-en-Provence and offers flights to many destinations in Europe and north Africa. From major airports like Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and London, there are connections to North America.

The Nice airport (NCE) has expanded its direct flights between the USA and Canada over the past few years. There are now direct flights between Nice and Montreal, JFK, Boston, Philadelphia, Newark, Washington Dulles, Atlanta, and Los Angeles; some flights are offered only in the warmer months.

Join us for Experiences in the South of France in 2026 or 2027

The colorful village of Roussillon in the Luberon, famous for ochre

Some other tours race through Provence in a one-week trip, hitting the highlights and spending hours in transit.  Our approach of basing for one week in one place allows our travelers to truly immerse themselves in an area and enjoy a relaxed vacation.  Imagine yourself lingering in a cafe, enjoying a walk on the beach or in the countryside, browsing in a colorful market. The South of France is an area where you need to relax and savor the good life!

Join us in the South of France this year or next!

2026 Trips:

The Luberon Experience:  all four 2026 trips (May and September) are full, but we do run a waiting list.

The Undiscovered French Riviera Experience:  June 5 – 12 (one opening)

The Mediterranean Provence Experience:  September 4 – 11 (six openings)

2027 Trips (just announced):

The Luberon Experience:  May 1 – 8; May 8 – 15; September 4 – 11; September 11 – 18 (Women’s Week)

The Mediterranean Provence Experience:  May 14 – 21

The Riviera Hillsides Experience:  May 22 – 29

The Undiscovered French Riviera Experience:  June 4 – 11

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Enjoy other blog posts featuring our trips in the South of France: