Trip Summary
Discover the irresistible allure of southeastern France during this quintessential seven-night Provençal experience! Unpack once and enjoy first-class accommodations in the heart of magical Aix-en-Provence. Walk in the footsteps of great painters, savor immersive cultural experiences, and visit picturesque French villages while enhancing your journey through French language instruction using Dartmouth College’s renowned Rassias Method. Combining engaging classroom sessions with opportunities to practice French in authentic, everyday interactions, this unique program allows you to build confidence in the language while deepening your connection to the region’s people and culture.
Stroll the storied Cours Mirabeau in Aix and relish a tour of Paul Cézanne’s atelier. Tour Avignon’s medieval Papal Palace and be awed by Pont du Gard, a Roman engineering feat. Behold Vincent van Gogh’s inspiration in the lush, perfumed valleys of Arles and Saint-Rémy. Explore France’s oldest city, Marseille, and cruise the steep-walled Calanques of Marseille. Venture into the Provençal countryside and explore villages within the Luberon Massif, a stunning region composed of three mountain ranges. Visit a truffle farm and olive tree grove to join the hunt and enjoy tastings with Champagne. Taste Rhône wines in the famed wine-making village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, savor fresh seafood in the fishing village of Cassis, and learn to play the local game of pétanque. Throughout the journey, you'll have opportunities to put your French into practice with locals in markets, cafés, restaurants, and village squares, making each day both a cultural and linguistic adventure. This small-group itinerary features engaging lectures, a generous meal plan, and no single supplement!