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Two intensive days discover exceptional wines of the Rhône valley

Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Marseille, France
  • 16 hours (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket

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Overview

Discover the highlights of Avignon’s UNESCO-listed Old Town in just half a day: this private tour offers the perfect introduction to the city. Pick between morning and afternoon departure times, and set off on foot. You’ll discover the Palais des Papes (a centuries-old, fortified papal palace), the Pont d’Avignon (the city’s iconic bridge), Les Halles (its bustling, historical marketplace), and more. As you go, learn the secrets behind the sights from your guide.
  • A private tour offers the most intimate way to discover the city
  • Pick between convenient morning and afternoon tour times
  • Discover Avignon’s key attractions in the space of a single tour
  • See UNESCO-listed sights like the Palais des Papes and Pont d’Avignon

What's Included

  • Coffee and/or Tea
    We always include a break for a coffee, tea or soft drink on all our visits - it's a nice way to relax during our visit
  • Lunch
    Each of the two days enjoy lunch at a delightful family owned local restaurant renowned for the quality of the cuisine and wine paring with each course. Three course lunch with water & coffee.
  • Bottled water
    Chilled bottled water available throughout the day
  • Air-conditioned SUV vehicle
  • Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

All our tours include pick-up from your hotel or villa in Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Arles, St Rémy de Provence, Lourmarin & Gordes. This tour is NOT suitable as a shore excursion to/from the port of Marseille.

Operating hours
.9:00 am

Itinerary

1

Chateauneuf-du-Pape

4 hours • Admission Ticket Free

2

Gigondas

4 hours • Admission Ticket Free

3

Vacqueyras

4 hours • Admission Ticket Free

4

Lirac

4 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Most travelers can participate
  • If you're a solo traveller this tour is bookable at a special rate only via our website
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.8
based on 19 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
We perform checks on reviews

Terrific experience!

Wendy_W, Aug 2023
Christopher was a fantastic guide for our our half day private tour. He was informative and extremely personable and knowledgeable!

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Hi Wendy, thank you so much for sharing your experience and for joining me in Avignon. I hope you and Eloise enjoy the rest of your vacation and hope to see you again in Provence. Cordialement Christopher @oohprovence

Good mix of palace and town

Oliver_E, Jul 2023
Christopher was a great guide. Native English speaker and a lot of info on the market, palace, etc. We had a great time!

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you for your kind words - as always it's always nice to have feed-back, very much appreciated and I'm happy you enjoyed your visit in Avignon. Hope to see you again at some time in the future. Enjoy the rest of your stay in Provence.

Best way to learn about the reach history of Avignon

Arnold_T, Jul 2023
This was a great tour. Christopher was superb, very knowledgeable, friendly, and flexible to your needs. I have been two previous times visiting Avignon; this was the first time on this private tour, and oh my, how many things I learned. Do not hesitate to book this tour if you are interested in learning new things about this amazing city with such rich history. Also Christopher will give you multiple recommendations not only related to Avignon but also to other areas in Provence.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you both for joining me and I’m so pleased you enjoyed the time we spent together. Avignon is a gem of a town with a lot to discover when you look beyond what you first see. It was lovely to meet you and I’m happy to have shared this moment together. Come back next year and enjoy the Festival d’Avignon and the Rencontrés de La Photographie in Arles in July - I know you’d enjoy them both. Best wishes Christopher OohProvence

Do not hesitate - well worth it

Karen_Y, May 2023
Amazing experience with Christopher. Avignon is so rich in history! In a few short hours we listened to stories and explored areas we would have never known about without Christopher’s help. He is engaging and knowledgeable and we would recommend this tour without reservation.

Response from Host, May 2023

Thank you again, it was an absolute pleasure. Avignon is an interesting town and there is as well as the the world famous Palais des Papes, so much more to discover. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your stay in St Rémy and hope you can find time in the future to come back and visit us again. Christopher @OohProvence

Great destination, the specific tour guide matters

Kristofer_S, Apr 2023
The Palace of the Popes was incredible and well worth seeing. Our particular tour guide, however, was not well prepared (perhaps because he was not a French native), took us to things like Les Halles food market that we were not interested in, and made anti-Pope comments during each room of the Palace.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Hi Kristofer, firstly thank you for joining me with your family on our tour in Avignon this week. I was slightly taken aback reading your comments as you seemed to be enjoying the time we spent together, given the slightly late start due to your train arrival and an early finish as you requested for lunch. The key elements of this tour start at Les Halles d'Avignon because this gives an interesting facet of the authentic flavours of Provence from the industrialisation period to Peter Mayle and 'A Year in Provence'. So too the setting of Place Pie from the mid-1500's when the aristocrats Parpaille was executed as a heretic and how this area has evolved over the last almost 500 year's is, we feel very much more of the history of Avignon. The second key element of this walking tour is to discover Rue des Teinturiers and the flourishing textile industry that thrived here from the 14th to 19th century. From the Maison du IV de Chiffre gothic house, the Grey Penitents Chapel, the bell tower from 1226 right up to present day Avignon Festival, all tell an important part of the story of Avignon - and it's that too that we hope to capture for our guests. Finally of course, the magnificent Palais des Papes, as you so rightly point out. Here it is never our intention to give an in-depth historical tour - the Palais guides offer that, we don't. The histopad visual presentation supplied by the Palais does that job exceedingly well and in conversation, what I hope to do is engage with our guests and hopefully see beyond the history as presented and try to understand the privilege and wealth that was attributed to the Pope's in Avignon during that time as well as the political elements that had to have existed as history tells us. None of this is nor should be interpreted as 'anti-Pope', on the contrary, I use my experience, hopefully to challenge and raise a few questions. I'm sorry if that was misunderstood. What is equally fascinating about the Palais is its history after the Popes left Avignon up to and through the French Revolution to the opening to the public in the early 1900's - and in conversation it is some of that which hopefully interests our visitors beyond what is immediately visible. Finally, this is a tour that really does need a full four hours to do it justice and unfortunately as you had another tour booked later on, we were slightly constrained in trying to do it in three. I should also add that I am a French national, but sorry you didn't feel the tour was well prepared. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your stay in Lyon, and hope to see you back in Provence, some time in the future when time permits. Thank you for your feedback and your generosity. Have a good trip back to Chicago. cordialement, Christopher

Excellent

Jacqueline_K, Sep 2022
Christopher Curtis with OohProvence was our guide for old Town Avignon. He was an excellent, knowledgeable, guide and went above and beyond for us during our tour. Christopher helped us understand the historical significance of not only Avignon but several other villages in the Provence region. He also gave us several great restaurant recommendations both in Avignon and in Aix-en-Provence. His experience, knowledge, and easy manner was fantastic. My sister and I only wish we had booked him for all our tours. We highly recommend him.

Response from Host, Sep 2022

Thank you so much, we appreciate very much your kind words. I personally was extremely happy to meet you both and share my experience of Avignon, Arles & Aix-en-Provence. I hope that you will find time again in the future to return and visit us. Very best wishes, Christopher

Classic old town Avignon

julia_n, Jul 2022
Outstanding tour by Christopher. Very knowledgeable about the local history. Unique tour of Palais du Papes. We would highly recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Jul 2022

Thank you for joining me on our tour of Avignon and I’m so pleased you enjoyed the time we spent together. Enjoy your river cruise and hope to see you again in the South of France. Cordialement Christopher

Excellent

Svetlana_L, Jun 2022
Our guide was very good and knowledgeable very good we are very happy with him, thank you so much will recommend to our friends

Response from Host, Jun 2022

Thank you both so much, it was a pleasure meeting you and I’m happy you enjoyed our tour together. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.

Highly Recommend!

Kathy_A, May 2022
Christopher’s tour was so informative and we enjoyed the Halles Market which was a special bonus! Christopher had an in-depth knowledge of everywhere we toured and he made it fun as well as rewarding. Thank you for a wonderful tour! Highly recommend!

Response from Host, May 2022

Thank you for visiting and taking time out to explore Avignon with me. It was a pleasure to show you the better known and the secret gems of this very interesting town. It was lovely meeting you both and hope to see you again on your next visit to Provence. Cordialement, Christopher OohProvence

A day to remember in Avignon!

David_S, Jul 2021
My husband and I loved our entire day with Christopher guiding us through the streets of Avignon and Palais des Papes. His enjoyment of doing what he loves made our experience even more special. We loved having the extra history and information that Chris imparted and his relaxed pace and personable style endeared us to him and the area.

Response from Host, Jul 2021

Hi Debbie and David, thank you so much for your kind words - it was an absolute pleasure. I was so happy to be able to share a little bit of Provence with you both. I hope you enjoy the rest of your vacation and I look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Thank you, Christopher OohProvence

Classic old town Avignon from the Romans to the Pope's - half day private tour

Alan_M, Sep 2019
Wonderful tour led by Christopher Curtis! Knowledgeable, respectful, caring, nice and fun! Just right. We learned a lot and had a great experience. Thank you! Alan Mulally and family

Response from Host, Sep 2019

Thank you Alan for your kind words - it was a great pleasure to meet you and your family and I'm pleased you enjoyed your visit and the tour in Avignon. Thank you again and hope to see you again when you next visit us in Provence! Christopher

From $1,545.50

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

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