stasjc/jctravel

Travel diaries & recommendations

JCtravel

Travel diaries & recommendations

MARSEILLE & LUBERON REGION

Day 1: Aix-en-Provence

• Arrive in Aix-en-Provence
  • 30 miles north of Marseille by car, or train
  • For car, use the day-long parking at “Parking Rotonde” garage
• View temporary Modern/Contemporary exhibitions at Hôtel de Caumont
  • Excellent lunch & desert menu at the restaurant
• Stop by Book in Bar
  • Right acrtoss the street
  • Excellent variety of books in English
• Walk around Aix-en-Provence
  • Visit Aix Cathedral
  • Great souvenir shopping on the streets
• Drive to Fondation Vasarely

Day 2: Marseille

• Explore the Old Port
  • Stop under "Miroir Ombrière" by Norman Foster for selfies
• Attend the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations 5 minutes from the Old Port
• Visit the Marseille Cathedral 5 minutes from the museum
• Hop around Le Panier Marseille’s oldest quarter
• Climb to see the views from Notre Dame de la Garde

Day 3: Les Baux-de-Provence & Arles

• Drive to Les Baux-de-Provence 50 miles from Marseille
• Visit Chateau-Fortress des Baux & the village spend 1-2 hours exploring
• See current art projections at Carrières de Lumières
• Drive to Arles 15 miles from Les Baux
• Visit the main square—depicted in Van Gogh’s Cafe Terrace at Night
• wish-list:
  • Luma Foundation
  • Chapelle de la Madeleine
  • Hotel du Cloitre
  • Galerie Huit Arles
  • Musee Reattu
  • L'Arlatan Hotel
  • Le Galoubet
  • Foundation Vincent Van Gogh
  • Maison Rucher
  • La marchande des 4 saisons
  • Monstre
  • Le Collateral
  • Simone & Paulette

Day 4: Island of Parquerolles

• Drive to Hyeres 50 miles from Marseille
• Take a shuttle boat to the island 30 min from the shore
• Rent a bike
• Bike to Fondation Carmignac
  • Explore their great Modern/Contemporary collection
  • Taste the local rosé grown on the grounds
• Bike further to find a secluded beach

Day 5: Perched villages of Luberon

• Drive to Senanque Abbey
  • 60 miles from Marseille
  • go in June/July to see the iconic lavender field
  • you can only visit the abbey as part of a guided tour
• Drive to Gordes & take the tour around the town
• Take a scenic route through Joucas to reach Rousillon
• Stop by for some wine tasting
• Drive to Bonnieux & climb to see the Eglise Haute
• Drive to La Coste
• Climb to explore Château de Lacoste
• Get a refreshment at Cafe de France