Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
France – Nice – La Garde-Freinet – Le Puy-Sainte-Reparade – Arles
100% customisable for you
Head to the airport, speed through security and settle in for some snacks in the lounge: your trip to France begins today. Flights to Nice take just over two hours, so sit back, relax and delve into your holiday read as you soar over the Channel.
When you arrive, pick up your trusty hire car and drive to your nearby hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. Check in, freshen up and spend the rest of the day soaking it all in before heading out for your first taste of French fare – our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend some stellar restaurants.
This morning, dive straight into your surroundings as you meet a local guide for an artistic tour of Eze, a Medieval village offering stunning panoramas over the sparkling Mediterranean.
As you wander along cobbled streets, trace the footsteps of the great 20th-century artists inspired by its beauty, uncover Eze’s links to avant-garde art and enjoy incredible views over the French Riviera. You’ll also have the chance to visit Eze’s Exotic Garden, a natural paradise set in the ruins of a Medieval fortress.
Later, head back to your hotel for a chilled afternoon and tasty dinner, washed down with some fine wines – you are in France, after all.
After a tasty breakfast this morning (croissant, anyone?), hop in the car and drive to the?Maeght Foundation, France’s first independent art foundation. Established in 1964, this site is home to one of Europe's largest private collections of 20th-century paintings, sculptures, drawings and graphic works, featuring everything from Bonnard to Chagall.
Alongside an expert guide, learn all about the Maeght family – art dealers and gallery owners with strong connections to the art world – and the foundation’s history and architecture. You can then explore the museum itself, wandering through the sculpture garden, exhibition galleries and Folon Chapel, which served as a refuge for artists.
Later, head back to your hotel, grab your bags and hit the road to La Garde-Freinet, a scenic commune just an hour and a half from Nice. Check into your hotel, which will be home for the next two nights, then relax with a dip in the pool or an indulgent spa treatment.
Today, venture out from La Garde-Freinet’s serene hills to the glitz and glamour of Saint-Tropez, just half an hour away. Despite its reputation as a billionaire’s playground, Saint-Tropez has long been a sanctuary for artists, so spend the day exploring its storied streets at your own pace.
If you’re keen to dive into the city’s artistic connections, stop at a few contemporary art galleries, including Galeries Orlinski, which showcases Richard Orlinski’s colourful animal sculptures, and Galerie Paul Janssen, a traditional gallery complete with 20th- and 21st-century works by a range of artists.
In between arty adventures, be sure to stop for a few hours on Saint-Tropez’s sun-drenched shores before spending an evening at the iconic harbour, lined with cafés, shops and restaurants perfect for a swanky meal.
Swap your trusty hire car for a?private water taxi?as you sail to Porquerolles, an enchanting island bordered by turquoise waters and fine sand coves. Once here, meet your private guide for a tour of the Villa Carmignac, established by the Carmignac Foundation in 2018 to showcase a remarkable collection of contemporary art.
Once a simple farm, the site was transformed into a villa by architect Henri Vidal, before being established as an art gallery by Edouard Carmignac. Today, the Villa Carmignac has been discreetly integrated into the island’s beautiful Mediterranean landscape, and your guide will fill you in on its history, exhibitions and vision as you explore its collections of modern and contemporary works and carefully landscaped gardens.
Suitably wowed, return to the mainland and set the sat nav for Le Puy-Sainte-Reparade, a one-and-a-half-hour drive northwest. When you arrive, check into your hotel and treat yourself to a traditional aperitif – perhaps an ice-cold glass of Provence rosé.
It would be criminal to visit Provence without venturing into its lush vineyards, so today, you’ll be doing just that (with a touch of art thrown in). After a tasty breakfast, meet a private guide for an exclusive tour of Chateau La Coste, a sprawling estate that combines biodynamic wines, architecture and modern art.
Chateau La Coste’s Art and Architecture trail features over 40 works by local artists, so your guide will select just a few from the extensive installations to showcase the essence of the collection. If you fancy discovering more after the tour, feel free to explore independently, winding along unmarked trails to discover the distinctive pieces. Cameras at the ready…
Wave goodbye to Le Puy-Sainte-Reparade today as you hop back in the car for the one-hour-and-15-minute drive to Arles, a pretty city set along the Rhone River. When you arrive, check into your hotel – your home for the night.
The rest of the day is yours for the taking. If you fancy heading out to explore this UNESCO-listed city, visit a few of its numerous Roman landmarks, including the Arena, the Theatre and the remains of the forum and spa. Fancy a relaxing afternoon after all of yesterday’s walking? Simply sit back and relax as the sun sets over the city, before enjoying a tasty dinner at your hotel.
It’s the last day of your artistic road trip today, so round it off right with a coffee and croissant before a morning visit to the LUMA Foundation, an artistic, architectural and cultural project set in the Parc des Ateliers.
Once an industrial site, the LUMA complex now contains 19th-century buildings, a landscaped park and the iconic La Tour, an architectural feat designed by Frank Gehry. Wander through this multidisciplinary wonderland, marvelling at contemporary works that bring together everything from culture to the environment. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, stop at one of LUMA’s restaurants to bid a fond farewell to French cuisine.
This afternoon, it’s sadly time to begin your journey home. Grab your bags and drive one hour to Marseille airport, where you'll return your hire car and board the two-hour flight home. You’ll touch down in the UK this evening, ready to regale your friends and family with your newfound knowledge and stunning camera roll…
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
