Palette of Provence

Your Provençal adventure begins at Marseille International Airport or a similar arrival destination, where you will collect your car and drive to your accommodation.  We provide detailed instructions that allow you to reach your apartment with ease.

As you settle into your comfortable home for the week, you’ll have time to unpack, stretch your legs, and breathe in the warm Provençal air. Your apartment has been carefully chosen for its charm and convenience, making it the perfect base to explore the art and traditions of this beautiful corner of France.

Our journey officially begins with a gathering in Pernes-les-Fontaines, a village known for its history and 40 bubbling fountains. Over a leisurely dinner at a traditional Provençal restaurant, you’ll get your first taste of the region’s flavors: seasonal produce, fresh herbs, and a glass of local wine, of course.

This will be the moment where you will meet your fellow travelers and your UnGuide, who will be by your side throughout the week. Between introductions and conversation, your UnGuide will go through all the details of the trip, and you’ll begin to feel the easy rhythm of life in Provence.

In Aix-en-Provence, you’ll step into Cézanne’s studio, left much as it was when he painted here in the late 19th century. It’s an intimate glimpse into the daily life of a master who turned the Provençal landscape into timeless works of art. Afterward, you’ll sit with a local artist who will guide you in an intimate drawing workshop, capturing some of the same views Cézanne loved, encouraging you to put pencil to paper in your own style.

The experience continues outdoors at the Terrain des Peintres (Painter’s Ground), a hillside overlooking the famous Mont Sainte-Victoire where Cézanne often painted. Under your instructor’s guidance, you’ll spend time sketching this iconic mountain, exploring light, shadow, and perspective in the very place that inspired Cézanne’s greatest works.

Follow your UnGuide through the Roman city of Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage site with layers of history and art at every turn. You’ll walk among the impressive amphitheater and ancient ruins that once hosted gladiators, but you’ll also discover the city through Van Gogh’s eyes, as he lived and painted here during one of his most creative periods.

As you explore, stories of Roman emperors, medieval builders, and post-Impressionist painters will come together to bring Arles to life. It’s a city where the past and present meet, where cafés spill into lively squares, and where art continues to leave its mark.

In the countryside just outside Arles, you’ll step into a light-filled studio where a local painter will guide you through a hands-on workshop. Inspired by Van Gogh’s style, you’ll learn techniques that emphasize bold colors and expressive brushstrokes, translating the Provençal landscape into vibrant movement on your canvas.

The atmosphere is relaxed and encouraging, whether you’re a practiced painter or simply curious to give it a try. By the end, you’ll take home not only your own artwork, but also a deeper appreciation of how Van Gogh’s genius was shaped by the light and landscapes of Provence.

The day begins in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a charming town known as the birthplace of Nostradamus. After a relaxed lunch at a local restaurant, your UnGuide will lead a short walking tour through its picturesque streets and squares. The afternoon takes us to Saint Paul de Mausole, the monastery-turned-hospital where Van Gogh spent a year, painting some of his most moving works.

From there, we head to Les Baux-de-Provence, a dramatic hilltop village, to experience the immersive art show at the Carrières de Lumières. Inside this former stone quarry, masterpieces by the world’s greatest painters are projected across massive walls and ceilings, wrapping you in color, music, and light. A magical finale to the day.

Your artistic journey comes full circle with one final drawing session, led once again by the local expert who guided you earlier in the week. With their gentle encouragement, you’ll build on everything you’ve learned—pausing in the quiet of the Provençal countryside to sketch, reflect, and see just how far your eye and hand have come. It’s a peaceful moment to create something that captures your time here and the progress you’ve made.

In the afternoon, creativity takes on another flavor at a nearby vineyard. After a tour and tasting of the estate’s wines, you’ll wander into an on-site art exhibition that showcases how local makers channel this landscape into their work. With a glass in hand and rows of vines stretching out around you, you’ll experience Provence at its most generous—where art, place, and community meet.

We’ll gather one last time in Pernes-les-Fontaines for a farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant. As plates of Provençal specialties are shared and glasses are raised, you’ll celebrate the friendships made and the memories created during your week together.

This closing meal is a moment to savor not just the flavors of the region, but also the journey itself—days filled with art, culture, laughter, and discovery. You’ll leave Provence with a full heart, inspired spirit, and maybe even a sketchbook or canvas to carry home as a reminder of your Grand Tour.

After breakfast, you’ll bid au revoir to Provence. A private driver will bring you from your apartment to Marseille International Airport, marking the start of your journey home or elsewhere. The week may have passed quickly, but you’ll take with you the colors, flavors, and quiet moments that make this place the epitome of the art of living.

Until next time—à bientôt.