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Toulon

Bandol, Visit and Free time

Bandol has been founded in 1595 and built around a small military fort. A pleasant resort town nestled near a pretty bay. It is one of the Provence's most internationally recognized wine regions. Enjoy a stroll through the serene port, lined with palm trees before having a pause in the cobbled streets. Spend your free time at leisure, exploring the promenade, popping into a café or boutique and soaking up the quaint Provencal atmosphere

Wine Estate, Visit and Wine Tasting

Bandol is bordered by wine estates, about 50 of them, work the vineyards and the famous Mourvèdre grape which give the singularity of the Bandol wine. It is one of Provence’s most internationally recognized wine regions. This region was the first Roman settlement in France, called “Provincia Nostra”, by the Romans; this is where the name Provence comes from.

Explore one of the Domains located in the region of the Côtes de Provence AOC, the largest wine region, which covers over 85 communes in the eastern region of Provence.

Enjoy a wine tasting before starting the 45-minute drive back to the pier.

Discover why the Abbey of Thoronet is considered among the most outstanding and historic abbeys of France during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Toulon, Haut Var, Provencal Hills, Thoronet Abbey

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 75-minute drive to the Thoronet Abbey, the oldest of the Cisternan sisters of Provence. Nested in a middle of an exquisite oak forest in the scenic Haut Var area and surrounded by Provencal hills, the Thoronet Abbey provides a starkly beautiful conform to St. Benoit's monastic ideal. Its extreme sobriety, the purity of its lines, and simplicity of the volumes make the Thoronet Abbey a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture.

Guided Walking Tour

Upon arrival, take a guided, approximately 90-minute walking tour of the Thoronet Abbey. Along the way, discover why it's considered to be among the most outstanding abbeys of France. It was built in 1146 by the Cistercian Order, so the chants of the monks could 'rise up to the skies'. The acoustics inside the Thoronet Abbey rank amongst the Top 10 in the world, and, to this day, scientists are still trying to understand how the stone architecture can make such a perfect and pure sound. In fact, all of the abbey's guides are singers, too.

Free Time

Following your walking tour, some free time is made available to explore the Thoronet Abbey and its surrounds at your leisure. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 75-minute drive back to the pier.

Explore one of the region's most picturesque villages and sample some of the wines of Provence on this excursion to the medieval village of Le Castellet. The village retains its fortified look with sections of the ancient ramparts still intact and the streets are cobblestone with quaint little houses.

Your guide will be welcoming you upon your arrival in Toulon,

From the pier, board your coach for a scenic 45 minute-drive past villages, vineyards, and olive groves to the charming hilltop village of Le Castellet.

Le Castellet

On arrival, enter the village through a fortified gate and embark on a guided walking tour that takes you past the 16th-century chateau, Romanesque church, and meticulously restored stone houses that line the village squares.

Enjoy some free time to browse the local handicraft shops and art galleries.

Domaine de Souviou Winery

Re-board your coach and drive to Domaine de Souviou Winery, whose history dates back 1,000 years. Nestled in a well-protected valley by the Sainte Baume Massif, the estate today encompasses roughly 126 acres (51 hectare), including the famous "caves," or cellars where the wine is stored.

Enjoy a tour culminating in the winery's special tasting room, where you can sample local wines and olive oil.

After the wine tasting and some free time to browse the boutique of the Domain, re-board your coach for the approximate 45-minute return to the pier.

Explore the charming, Old World villages of the lovely Var region during this panoramic, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Toulon, Var, La Cadière d'Azur, Le Beausset, Paul Ricard Circuit, Signes Village, Chapel, Church

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 45-minute ride towards La Cadière d'Azur, Le Beausset, and past the famous Paul Ricard circuit before reaching the village of Signes. Surrounded by the verdant countryside, olive groves and fruit orchards, the serene village of Signes is situated approximately 18.6 miles (about 30 kilometres) north of Toulon. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour along the old streets of this charming village. Stop by the historic Chapel at the Place Saint-Jean with its pictures, votive tablets, penitents' garments, and an 18th-century fountain. At the Church of Saint-Pierre, marvel at its 16th-century belfry and an exquisite wooden altar.

La Confiserie Fouque, Guided Walking Tour and Candy Tasting

Your walking tour continues with a stop at La Confiserie Fouque, a famous regional confectioner producing excellent nougats and syrups. This house, founded by Baptistin Fouque in 1864, always manufactures the nougat according to proprietary artisanal and traditional methods. This Provençal candy, hand-made in centuries-old cauldrons, is prepared exclusively for year-end celebrations. Following a guided walking tour of La Confiserie Fouque, proceed for a tasting of the white-and-black nougats, which are available for sale at the shop.

Méounes Les Montrieux Village, Guided Walking Tour, Free Time

Next, re-board your coach and head towards Méounes Les Montrieux, a typical village of the Provence Verte with its 'House of the Four Heads'. During a guided stroll through the village, discover the active presence of water. Canals, hammer mills, fountains, and wash houses offer a passage between the houses. Following your tour, some free time is made available for independent shopping and exploration. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately one-hour drive back to the pier.

Aix-en-Provence

Discover the historic landmarks and beauty of Aix-en-Provence on-foot during this scenic and memorable walking tour through the Old town.

Depart the pier for approximately 45 minutes driving inland to Aix-en-Provence, which was once the capital of Provence, an independent county at the time. Nowadays, Aix is a lively university and spa town with a sophisticated atmosphere.

Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour through the romantic streets of Aix, and past its stately 17th- and 18th-century aristocratic mansions. Other sites to be seen include the famous Cours Mirabeau, an idyllic, tree-lined boulevard with beautiful fountains, the statues of King René of Provence and Anjou, as well as many outdoor cafés. In addition, learn about the great 19th-century master painter Paul Cézanne, who was born in Aix in 1839.

At Cours Mirabeau, the main street in downtown, some free time is made available. The Cours Mirabeau is a wide thoroughfare, planted with double rows of plane trees, bordered by fine houses and decorated by fountains. It follows the line of the old city wall, and divides the town into two sections. The new town extends to the South and West and the old town with its narrow irregular streets and its old mansions dating from the 16^th, 17^th and 18^th centuries lies to the North. After your visit return to the pier.

Sanary sur Mer

Leave the pier and drive to Sanary-sur-mer: a typical Provencal small town which takes 25 minutes. Sanary is a pleasant fishing port established in the 16^th century. It is clustered around the medieval watchtower. Sanary is famous for having been a shelter for German and Austrian authors during the Second World War. Its Neo Romanesque church devoted to Saint-Nazaire is one of the attractions like the medieval tower. You will have free time to appreciate the Provencal way of life. Sanary's coastline has a number of small beaches, unlike most small towns on the Mediterranean coast it is an active village all year round. It is also noted as being on the of sunniest places in France. On arrival your guide will provide a short tour of the town and then you will have 30 minutes of free time at leisure.

Bandol

After your visit a short drive will take you to Bandol, founded in 1595 and built around a small military fort. This is also the place where Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau made the first tests of his scuba equipment on the beach at Barry in June 1943. Classified a tourist resort in 1923, Bandol develops its activities in 1941 and obtains the AOC label for its wines. It is one of the Provence's most internationally recognized wine regions. Here, enjoy a short orientation tour and if you choose you can have a nice glass of wine in one of the many restaurants, snacks bar or an ice cream in a café at your own expense.

Follow in the footsteps of famous celebrities, writers, and artists during this scenic, full-day, self-guided sightseeing excursion to Saint Tropez.

Toulon, Countryside Drive, Saint Tropez

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1.5-hour drive to legendary Saint Tropez along a picturesque countryside road. Saint Tropez became famous during the New Wave, a highly-influential French art film movement that emerged in the late-1950s-early-1960s. During that movement, Roger Vadim allegedly discovered French actress Brigitte Bardot here in Saint Tropez. Nowadays, Saint Tropez is a favourite summer destination for international jet setters who flock here for its prize waterfront, where the pink houses seem to glow in the sun facing the luxury yachts.

Old Port, Self-Guided Walking Tour, Luxury Yachts, Boutiques, Art Galleries, Cafés

Upon arrival in Saint Tropez, it's easy to understand why this charming old port city has evolved into a world-renowned enclave of the rich and famous. During your self-guided tour, ample free time is made available to explore this resort town with its luxury yachts, boutiques, art galleries, and cafes at your leisure. Whilst browsing the elegant shoppes, enjoy a delicious lunch at your own expense. At the appointed time and place, meet your guide for the walk back to the coach. Your tour concludes with an approximately 1.5-hour drive back to the pier.

Explore Toulon at your leisure during your full-day (8 Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Toulon at your leisure during your half-day (4 Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Toulon at your leisure during your full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van, and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Toulon at your leisure during your half-day (4 Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.