Eté 2027: La Provence
Marseille et Aix-en-Provence
4-14 juillet 2027
This tour is offered in French language only.
NOTE: THIS WEBPAGE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING UPDATED. IT WILL BE READY BY SAT, SEPT 12TH. MERCI POUR VOTRE PATIENCE!
Our Provençale immersion combines French-language seminars, cultural visits, excursions, and plenty of free time to experience the city at your own pace. Together with our seminar leader, we’ll look beyond the postcard image of Provence to explore the history, politics, people, traditions, and challenges that have shaped this extraordinary part of the country in particular and France as a whole. There will be plenty of time to enjoy Provence the way the locals do: strolling along the waterfront in Marseille, lingering over a café avec vue sur la mer, exploring the markets and shops in Aix, and discovering the charming hill towns that give Provence its unique reputation.
Marseille: les repas au bord de la Méditerranée
dimanche 04 juillet Bienvenue à Marseille! Arrive in Marseille at your leisure and settle into your hotel. In the early evening, we’ll gather for a welcome cocktail and introductions, followed by our first group dinner in the heart of le vieux port. DINNER
Le jardin des vestiges, Marseille
lundi 05 juillet Marseille: les origines greques et romaines To take advantage of the fraîcheur du matin, we’ll set out early to discover the city itself, with a guided exploration of Marseille’s historic center. From the Old Port and historic neighborhoods to the traces of ancient Massalia, we’ll begin putting Marseille’s history into context. After lunch together, we’ll spend a comfortable afternoon in our air-conditioned hotel, as our seminar leader takes us back to the very beginning: founded by the Greeks more than 2,600 years ago, “Massalia” has always been a crossroads of Mediterranean peoples and cultures. LUNCH
mardi 06 juillet: Les enjeux de la France après les élections [l’esthétique: le patrimoine] What is happening in French politics today? France will have just elected a new president after a bruising political campaign. Our second seminar will give us a window into contemporary French political life and the many tumultuous issues confronting the country today. We’ll then connect the discussion to the institutions themselves, with a visit focusing on European and public affairs in Marseille, at the office of the European Parlement located in the city. MEALS AT LEISURE
Cassis, petit port plein de charme
mercredi 07 juillet: Journee libre ou excursion a Cassis [l’éducation et l’enseignement] Choose your own adventure today: stay in Marseille and enjoy a leisurely day, or join us for an excursion to Cassis, one of the charming little port towns of the Mediterranean coast. We’ll have time to explore the harbor and enjoy a boat ride to the breathtaking Calanques. After lunch on your own, we’re invited to the Clos Sainte-Magdeleine vignoble, where we’ll be treated to a dégustation de vin overlooking the sea. Simply sublime. MEALS AT LEISURE
jeudi 08 juillet: Marseille: ville d’accueil Marseille has been a city of immigration for more than two millennia. Greeks, Romans, Italians, Armenians, North Africans, pieds-noirs, and more recent arrivals from around the world have all contributed to the city’s remarkable cultural mix. Our morning seminar will explore this complex history and place it within the broader story of immigration in France. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the MuCEM—the Museum of the Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean. Set dramatically beside the sea, this museum offers an ideal setting in which to continue our exploration of the cultures and peoples of the Mediterranean world. MEALS AT LEISURE
vendredi 09 juillet: Journée libre ou la Côte Bleue [l’esthétique: le patrimoine] All aboard le train bleu! Settle in for one of the most beautiful rail journeys in Provence. This local train line hugs the Mediterranean coast going west out of the city, passing rocky cliffs, hidden coves, fishing villages, singular beaches, and spectacular sea views along the way. We’ll stop to explore a couple of the charming coastal villages before continuing our journey to Martigues, la Venice Provençale, along this remarkably unspoiled stretch of Provence, so dear to the Marseillais. We’ll have lunch in Martigues and explore the Félix Zeim museum, which showcases the artist’s luminous Mediterranean landscapes alongside works by other painters drawn to Martigues and its distinctive light. LUNCH INCL. IN EXCURSION
Vu du train: Carry-le-Rouet
samedi 10 juillet: Le parler et l’esprit marseillais : accent de Marseille et mythes [le pluriculturalisme] What makes Marseille… Marseille? In today’s seminar, we’ll delve into the world of Marseille’s distinctive accent, expressions, humor, legends, and popular culture. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the world of Marcel Pagnol, perhaps Marseille’s most beloved literary and cinematic ambassador, with a visit to the Château de la Buzine, the château he so lovingly described in his book Le Château de ma mère. We’ll say goodbye to our teacher this evening at a special dîner d’adieu. DINNER
“Le chateau de ma mere”….en vrai!
dimanche 11 juillet*: De la mer au cœur de la Provence ! Today, we’ll travel inland and relocate to Aix-en-Provence. We’ll take a leisurely stroll around the town to acclimate ourselves, then we’ll give you time off to find the restaurant of your choice for lunch. Afterwards, a visit to the impressive Musée Granet and a ramble down the Cours Mirabeau to browse the stalls of the marché artisanal before returning to our hotel for a welcome splash in the pool and a late-afternoon apéro a la Provençale on the shaded pool. MEALS AT LEISURE
lundi 12 juillet: Journée libre ou Le Pont du Gard-les Baux de Provence-le Mas de la Dame [l’esthétique: le patrimoine] Enjoy your time in Aix today, or venture with us beyond Aix for a memorable day exploring some of the most evocative landscapes and landmarks of Provence. We begin at the magnificent Pont du Gard, the spectacular Roman aqueduct that has spanned the Gard River for nearly 2,000 years. We’ll motor on to the hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence, perched dramatically above the Alpilles. Stroll through its narrow medieval streets, browse the little shops and galleries, and enjoy the sweeping views across the Provençal countryside. We’ll then discover the exceptional Carrières des Lumières, located in an ancient grotto, the birthplace of the immersive digital art experience that has since been replicated around the world. On our way back to Aix, we make a special stop at Le Mas de la Dame, where we will discover another side of Provence through a tasting at this charming Provençal estate owned and operated by women.
Ah, les dégustations de vins donnent toujours le sourire!
mardi 13 juillet: Journée libre, entièrement [l’esthétique: le patrimoine] Our final full day is completely free in Aix. Return to a favorite neighborhood, take a quick trip to Avignon, browse the shops, visit a museum, linger at a café, or simply meander and explore the historic streets in the vieil Aix. In the evening, we’ll come together for a farewell dinner to celebrate our time together and share all that we have discovered. DÎNER DE CLÔTURE
mercredi 14 juillet: Au Revoir la Provence, ou : l’aventure continue !
Departure if you must, is always bittersweet, and we encourage you to stay longer in France if you can. There are so many options in the wonderful countryside in Provence, as its towns are full of history and authenticity, to say nothing of their sheer beauty and natural wonders. Rent a car, or take one of the many side trips which the Tourist Office organizes to tour the region.
mercredi 14 juillet*: One-day extension to the Luberon If you would like to extend your stay by one night, we’ll head by coach into the heart of the Luberon, visiting some of Provence’s most iconic landscapes and villages: the Abbey of Sénanque, with its splendid lavender garden; Roussillon, famed for its dramatic ochre cliffs and our stop for lunch; and stunning Gordes, spectacularly cascading down the hillside. If time permits, we’ll stop by Les Infermières vineyard, owned by British filmmaker Ridley Scott, for a taste of his Provence and a glance at some of his riveting movies. We’ll return to Aix for one last night, and you can take a TGV right to CDG the next day, or fly out from the easily-accessible Marseille airport nearby, or stay in the area for another delightful day or two. Adieussiàs! LUNCH
jeudi 15 juillet: Departure for those who have joined the extension tour.
* extra cost
Phrases in brackets = Themes relative to the curriculum of advance testing
* = meals at leisure; ♥ = additional cost
But don’t take our word for it! Listen to what your colleagues have to say below: