Arrive at the airport for your flight to Nice, Marseille or Montpellier, or at the station for your Eurostar and TGV journey to Aix-en-Provence. We transfer by coach to stay for seven nights, with breakfast and two dinners, at the four-star Aquabella Hotel.
Beautiful Aix combines Parisian-style chic with village-like gentility. Founded as a spa town by the Romans, it became the capital of Provence during the Middle Ages and evolved into a major educational and artistic hub. Aix is known as the ‘City of a Thousand Fountains’ and the tranquil sound of running water accompanies you down boulevards, through squares and labyrinthine alleyways. During our guided tour this morning, you’ll see what inspired the city’s favourite son, Paul Cézanne, to produce numerous paintings in and around Aix. This afternoon we have our first country walk with a specialist guide, and you have a choice between an easy route and a moderate one. Easy walk Duration:1.5 hours Distance: 3.6 miles Altitude gain: 613 feet Terrain: mainly forest trails and graded tracks Elevation: see the useful information section below We begin at the colossal Bimont dam, which almost blends in with the surrounding limestone hills. The panoramic views extend over the teal lake to the jagged peaks of Mont Sainte-Victoire, immortalised by Cézanne in a series of paintings. As we continue along a ridge overlooking the Cause river, we are treated to more inspiring views. We begin our walk in the picturesque village of Le Tholonet, home to a grand château, an old stone windmill that doubles as an art gallery, and the remains of an ancient Roman aqueduct. Take a moment to soak up the breathtaking views over the vineyards and wildflower-filled fields criss-crossed by rivers. We leave the village passing ‘Cézanne’s mill’, which doubles as an art gallery, then take a tree-laden path for superb views of Mont Sainte-Victoire and continue to the Zola Dam. Designed by Italian-born engineer François Zola, father of novelist Émile Zola, it is a lovely place to wander and admire the scenery before we return to Le Tholonet. Moderate walk Duration: 2.5 hours Distance: 5.1 miles Altitude gain: 818 feet Terrain: mainly forest trails and graded tracks Elevation: see the useful information section below If you wish to discover more of the area, our moderate walk loops past olive orchards and offers different views of Mont Sainte-Victoire. Cézanne is said to have painted this mountain more than 70 times – it’s clear to see why when you take in the gorgeous views and changing colours during the walk! We follow the same path over the Zola Dam and return to Le Tholonet.