Top 5 Provence Historical Tours: A Detailed Review

Provence, a southeastern region of France, it’s almost known far and wide for its lavender fields, picturesque villages, and incredibly rich history. When considering planning a trip, opting for a guided historical tour is one great way to soak in everything that this amazing area offers. So, with various options to explore Provence’s historical sites, it can be tough to decide which tour is the best choice, right? That said, to lend a hand, here’s a peek at the top 5 historical tours in Provence, loaded with insights and handy recommendations.

Avignon and the Popes’ Palace Tour

Avignon, a amazing city located on the Rhone River, became the focal point of Christendom during the 14th century when it became the home to the papacy, rather than Rome. Touring Avignon usually involves focusing quite a bit on the Palais des Papes, or what many know as the Popes’ Palace, that remains one of Europe’s amazing medieval fortresses. Tours around the Popes’ Palace tend to cover way more than its artistic aspects, or construction, diving slightly deeper into the political, or spiritual influence that the popes wielded here. That is something to know for sure! You may get to hear how the Avignon papacy added some layers of drama in Christianity during this period, because hey, not everyday you get to see the holy leader change real estate like that, know what I mean? Beyond this palace, you might walk around the historic center of Avignon, or that’s a world heritage site, or discover cool spots, too like the Pont d’Avignon and more tiny cobblestone lanes that are actually hiding gems waiting to be found.

Tour Highlights: Guided visits in the Popes’ Palace, exploration of Avignon’s historic center, that is seeing the Pont d’Avignon. Read our full review: Avignon and the Popes’ Palace Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Avignon Tour Booking)

Roman Provence: Arles, Nîmes, and Pont du Gard

Roman Provence showcases rather how this part of France holds a ton of ancient Roman history, and so what remains today bears witness to this past civilization. Tours often cover multiple must see places, beginning usually in Arles, you know, a town that simply blooms with Roman heritage. The Arles Amphitheatre, it’s almost known for holding gladiator showdowns, or even public gatherings way back, now usually hosts performances that really link what was then to our current happenings, basically bridging eras in really fantastic way. You’re likely to see what the ancient Romans found enjoyable. The journey carries on over to Nîmes, in which the Maison Carrée that acts almost like a stunning Roman temple, standing almost perfect and tall in really solid condition; nearby, or the Nîmes Arena draws glances since, it used to throw gladiator games, with some dramatic displays back during Roman control. Just a tiny bit farther, is that the Pont du Gard, not only, is it an incredible display of Roman water works, also it almost shows just how genius the Romans were when building things, by getting that lovely aqueduct right above the Gardon River.

Tour Highlights: Guided exploration of Arles Amphitheatre, Maison Carrée, Nîmes Arena, or perhaps the Pont du Gard. Read our full review: Roman Provence Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Roman Provence Booking)

Luberon Villages Historical Tour

Luberon, is that it stands proudly, displaying one attractive set filled with tiny charming villages set beautifully in the midst of Provence. As the starting point, Gordes, a sight standing atop of a hill giving killer views. Its beauty just grabs peoples’ souls. Next is Roussillon, really popping out thanks to ochre hued rocks. Feel what makes its nature trail super unique as well as something to check out, right? A tour typically highlights the story behind these places. Take for example, the Château de Lourmarin which can take people on a great spin around different building styles also styles as well as some ages in that place, is that right? Next, Sénanque Abbey, typically is an iconic picture especially while those famous lavender blossom season comes around. All of that, shows everyone those classic provençal vibes everyone should take something from.

Tour Highlights: Tours within the Gordes, Roussillon, and Sénanque Abbey sites. Read our full review: Luberon Villages Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Luberon Villages Booking)

Marseille History Tour

Marseille, that remains one of the older cities, has really turned to be a real hotpot for things popping around Mediterranean locations and honestly overflows past many eras of historical memories. Starting with Vieux Port, or some call the Old Port, that is simply loaded up due to the fact that it’s had some naval activity right back during some super previous epochs going onto all types of commercial dealings occurring there to those just checking them from today too it’s almost something special. When considering just touring around you likely get the old bits right starting out including key old hubs like Musée d’Histoire de Marseille, actually this hub gives everyone great trips down some serious time warps for how Marseille turned into something unique now due to several epochs involved together which created this gem to check out today. Then of course, Notre-Dame de la Garde simply crowns over a very striking cliff giving awesome overlooks when taking glimpses out into both sea meets land scapes adding just layers for the eyes indeed.

Tour Highlights: Going to places that many name Notre-Dame de la Garde along with Old Port plus exploring Museo d’Histoire de Marseille instead. Read our full review: Marseille History Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Marseille Tour Booking)

Aix-en-Provence and Cézanne’s Footsteps Tour

Aix-en-Provence happens to often get spoken about as what may appear similar like a birthplace about famed painter Cézanne turning so some fans like taking these city excursions looking back into moments also scenery possibly triggering some masterpieces due such figures for a very good while, seriously! Cours Mirabeau happens showing quite vast roads flanked via trees lining those sides that act truly well when taking breezy jogs particularly if it is nice enough outdoors, well just check then since usually its jam packed out. What often pulls at them might be spots involving painter’s history whether it might seem, something just inside artist family houses (that is actually museums presently). Plus closeby scenery exactly located during spots showing Cézanne usually gained inspiration from locations that also add flavor regarding such visits generally that really spice sightseeing!

Tour Highlights: Walk Cours Mirabeau. Find what connects with the history on Paul Cézanne also locations that fueled many brilliant ideas from him as too. Read our full review: Aix-en-Provence and Cézanne’s Footsteps Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Aix Booking)