Marseille Trip Overview
We begin the tour with a short drive from Avignon (also available from Aix-en-Provence or Marseille) to the famous Roman aqueduct – Le Pont du Gard, spanning the Gardon river, an impressive 160ft high bridge from the 1st century regarded as one of France’s most important structures from the Roman period. Next the medieval village of Villeneuve Les Avignon for a walking tour to explore the interesting and unique village and on to visit La Chartreuse de Villeneuve Les Avignon that dates from the first half of the 14th century. Commissioned by Pope Innocent VI it is a magnificent building that connects with and helps to tell the story of the Pope’s of Avignon. Time for a short lunch break before we head to the famous wine growing region of Châteauneuf du Pape and visit the middle-age castle and village and wine tasting at one of the most highly regarded wineries of the region. Time permitting one last surprise stop at one of the best chocolate makers in the region before the drive back.
Additional Info
Duration: 8 hours
Starts: Marseille, France
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Marseille Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur, France
We begin the tour with a short drive from Avignon (also available from Aix-en-Provence or Marseille) to the famous Roman aqueduct – Le Pont du Gard, spanning the Gardon river, an impressive 160ft high bridge from the 1st century regarded as one of France’s most important structures from the Roman period. Next the medieval village of Villeneuve Les Avignon for a walking tour to explore the interesting and unique village and on to visit La Chartreuse de Villeneuve Les Avignon that dates from the first half of the 14th century. Commissioned by Pope Innocent VI it is a magnificent building that connects with and helps to tell the story of the Pope’s of Avignon. Time for a short lunch break before we head to the famous wine growing region of Châteauneuf du Pape and visit the middle-age castle and village and wine tasting at one of the most highly regarded wineries of the region. Time permitting one last surprise stop at one of the best chocolate makers in the region before the drive back.
Stop At: 400 route du Pont du Gard La Bégude, 30210 Vers-Pont-du-Gard France
Explore the Roman aqueduct from the 1st century AD
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Villeneuve-les-Avignon, Villeneuve-les-Avignon, Gard, Occitanie
Medieval Villeneuve-lès-Avignon lies on the Rhône river beneath the imposing hilltop Fort St.-André, with its well-preserved 14th-century battlements. The Chartreuse de Villeneuve lez Avignon convent has peaceful cloisters and an arts center. Saturday market Marché et Brocante sells antiques and food, while delis and al fresco Provençal bistros dot cobbled streets. This is a walking tour to discover the old town and a visit to La Chartreuse.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Chateau Fortia, Route de Bedarrides, 84230 Chateauneuf-du-Pape France
Visit the winery that created the AOC Appellation that created the official wine standard used the world over. Sample some of the finest wine of the Châteauneuf du Pape region.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Chartreuse de Villeneuve lez Avignon, 58 rue de la Republique, 30400 Villeneuve-les-Avignon France
La Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction owes its beginnings to Pope Innocent VI. After his election in 1352, the then cardinal donated his lands & private residence he owned at Villeneuve lez Avignon. Originally planned for twelve monks, the monastery was granted numerous privileges. The decoration of its private chapel was entrusted to Matteo Giovannetti, who had painted the frescoes in the Palace of the Popes. Pope Innocent VI had close ties with the monastery and, at his request, he was buried there when he died in 1362. His mausoleum, a monument which was removed after the Revolution, was returned to the church in 1959. The work begun by Innocent VI was carried on by his nephew, Pierre Selva de Montirac, Cardinal of Pampelona, who finished the St John Cloister in 1372. Its three cloisters made it the biggest Carthusian monastery in France. At the time of the French Revolution, it was divided into lots and sold, its library & works of art scattered, the monastery was severely damaged.
Duration: 1 hour
