9 Best Day Trips to Provence from Marseille

Provence is a region as vast as it is varied. Here you will find some of the most beautiful villages in France, natural areas of enormous environmental value and places steeped in history. And, of course, we mustn't forget those wonderful lavender fields that are its most typical image.

If you are spending several days in the city, as well as enjoying some of the best tours of Marseille to discover all its charms, I recommend venturing a few kilometres further afield. The excursions I am going to show you will allow you to enjoy the best of the landscapes, culture and gastronomy of a region that will remain etched in your memory and in your heart forever.

In the Calanques National Park, you will see some of the most spectacular landscapes in Provence. It is a coastal strip dotted with small fjords, inside which lie charming coves. The colour of the water will amaze you, an intense blue that contrasts strikingly with the white limestone cliffs that shape the landscape.

The best way to discover the beauty of this place is with a guided tour. Bear in mind that some of these coves are not easy to reach and that not all of them are equally spectacular. The most recommended ones? Port-Miou, Port-Pin and d'En-Vau, among others. By the way, don't forget your swimsuit.

Another advantage of excursions to the Calanques is that you can choose between hiking trails, bike rides or even sidecar tours. If you fancy something more relaxed, you can join one of the boat trips from Marseille to discover this natural gem.

My advice? If you're going to be in the city for long enough, admire the Calanques from every possible angle. And whatever means of transport you choose, it's one of the best things to do with children in Marseille.

Interesting details about this excursion

• Price: from £35 for the walking tour, around £75 for the bike tour and around £130 for the boat tour.
• Duration: between 4 and 7 hours, depending on the means of transport chosen.
• Advantages of this option: there are different types of excursions to suit your available time and physical fitness.

Aix-en-Provence is the historic capital of Provence. An elegant and stately city where you will discover countless 18th-century mansions. But it is also the birthplace of Paul Cezanne. If you like art, you will enjoy the guided tour as you follow in the footsteps of the painter throughout the city.

However, this town in the heart of Provence has much more to offer. For example, its wines and cuisine. If you have a sweet tooth, treat yourself to some calisson, a type of fruity marzipan typical of the area.

The second stop on the tour will take you to Cassis, a small coastal town that has managed to preserve all the charm of a fishing village. Its main attraction is its port. There you will find a good number of bars and restaurants where you can sample the delicious Provençal cuisine.

But don't just stay in the port. The excursions leave time to stroll through the streets and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere where time passes slowly and is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Marseille. Not to mention the charming beaches and the possibility of taking a boat trip to admire the views.

Details of interest about this excursion

• Price: from £130
• Duration: around 9 hours
• Advantages of this option: offers the chance to discover two completely different cities and appreciate the contrasts of Provence.

You can also visit them separately

Most excursions offer visits to Cassis and Aix-en-Provence on the same day, but you can do them separately. If you don't have much time, or if you prefer to enjoy them at a more leisurely pace, take the visits separately. These are half-day excursions costing around £60.

The landscapes of Provence have inspired artists throughout history. If you want to discover some of the artistic treasures of this region, there are places you shouldn't miss. This excursion will take you to them.

Vincent Van Gogh lived in Arles for a few months. It was one of his most tormented periods, but also one of his most productive. He later entered a hospital in Saint Remy, where he continued to paint almost compulsively. This excursion will allow you to follow in his footsteps and admire his work in the very place that inspired him.

And there are still more surprises in store. For example, you can immerse yourself in the region's Roman past by contemplating the remains of the entrance to ancient Glanum in Saint Rémy or visiting the amphitheatre in Arles. Not to mention the medieval castle of Les Baux and the spectacular artistic projections at Carrières des Lumières.

Details of interest about this excursion

• Price: around £135
• Duration: around 10 hours
• Advantages of this option: you will get a different view of Provence, more focused on history and art. And you will also visit some of the most beautiful landscapes in the region.

If there is one image that identifies Provence like no other, it is that of endless lavender fields. Imagine walking through them, letting yourself be enveloped by the scent of the flowers and taking thousands of photos to post on your social media.

It is one of the best things to do in Marseille in summer because that is when the lavender blooms. But bear in mind that it only lasts for a short time. If you want to enjoy the landscape dressed in purple in all its splendour, you only have a few weeks between June and July.

What else should you know about these excursions? There are different destinations, although they are all spectacular. The best known are Valensone and Sault. In addition, some excursions will take you to other places of great beauty, such as the charming village of Gorges or the Verdon River gorges, one of the most spectacular landscapes in the south of France.

Important details about this excursion

• Price: from £125
• Duration: around 9 hours
• Advantages of this option: it allows you to truly enjoy the most characteristic image of Provence and stroll leisurely through the lavender fields.

Excursion to the heart of Provence: Roussillon, Lourmarin and Gordes

The Luberon Natural Park is one of Provence's natural treasures, where you can discover incredible villages. In fact, Roussillon, Gordes and Lourmarin are part of the select club of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. So don't forget to charge your mobile phone or camera because you won't be able to stop taking photos.

Trying to describe them is difficult. In Roussillon, an expert guide will explain why the façades are covered in different colours of ochre. Be sure to visit the quarry and stroll through the steep streets, where you'll discover a number of mansions with centuries of history.

Gordes will leave you with one of the most beautiful postcard images of the region: a village perched on a cliff and crowned by an imposing castle. From there, you can also admire one of the most beautiful views of the Luberon massif.

And in Lourmarin, another village with a Provençal feel, winding narrow streets and a Renaissance castle awaits you. This place was once a refuge for Albert Camus. With these three stops, you will take home some of the best memories of Provence.

Interesting details about this excursion

• Price: from £130
• Duration: around 7 hours
• Advantages of this option: it is a very comprehensive tour that showcases the best of Provence.

If you're passionate about history, I recommend this route. It's the closest thing to travelling back in time, starting in the Roman Empire. In fact, the Pont du Gard is one of the most spectacular Roman aqueducts and one of the best preserved to this day.

Moving forward in time and distance, you'll arrive at Les Baux de Provence, a beautiful fortified medieval village. Its castle was one of the most imposing and important in the south of France. Don't miss the views from the top, as they are spectacular.

Next stop: Avignon. You may know that for many years it was the seat of the papacy, rivalling Rome. Its magnificent Gothic palace, the largest of its kind in Europe, dates from this period. Strolling through its rooms will take you back to a time when this city was practically the heart of the Western world.

But in your free time in the city, you can still discover its other treasures. The magnificent unfinished bridge, which is the subject of a popular children's song, deserves a special mention. By the way, it has its own name: Pont Saint Bénezet.

Interesting details about this excursion

• Price: from £130.
• Duration: around 12 hours
• Advantages of this option: in addition to visiting historical sites, the excursions usually include a stop in Châteauneuf du Pape to discover and taste its famous wines. If you plan to enjoy Marseille in August, you can also take part in the grape harvest festival.

If there is one landscape in Provence that will surprise you, it is the endless vineyards, which in some areas stretch almost to the sea. Are you someone who appreciates good wine? Then I recommend this guided tour, because you will enjoy it with all your senses.

To give you a little idea, there are two areas with designation of origin very close to Marseille: Cassis and Bandol. On a guided tour, you can taste the white and rosé wines of Cassis and the red wines of Bandol. In the wineries, you will also learn all about their history and how they are made.

There is another wine-growing area that you can also visit on a guided tour: the south of the Luberon. In this case, it is located in the interior of Provence, although the landscapes you will see are just as beautiful. The wines here also have designation of origin and are of excellent quality.

And, since you're trying the wine, why not accompany it with some other typical Provençal products, such as cheese or charcuterie? If you're left wanting more, you can always continue discovering more delights of Provençal cuisine on one of the gastronomic tours in Marseille.

Details of interest about this excursion

• Price: around £125
• Duration: approximately 7 hours
• Advantages of this option: in addition to vineyards and wineries, you will stop at some of the most charming towns in Provence.

The Camargue is one of Provence's best-kept natural treasures. It stretches between two branches of the Rhône River in a delta of surprising richness. If you feel like exploring a unique landscape and your visit to Marseille allows you time, why not take this excursion?

With the help of guides, you will discover the varied landscape of this natural park, which is home to countless species of animals and is a migratory stopover for birds. The sight of thousands of pink flamingos resting peacefully in the marshes is one of the most beautiful you will see in Provence.

Visiting the Camargue is always an interesting plan for nature lovers. If you are one of them and are planning things to do in Marseille in June, make a note of this excursion, as spring is one of the best times to visit. Don't forget to bring comfortable clothing and footwear, as well as binoculars.

Interesting details about this excursion

• Price: from £125
• Duration: approximately 8 hours
• Advantages of this option: in addition to visiting and getting to know this natural area in depth, some excursions include visits to notable towns in the area or allow time for a swim at one of its beaches.

The French Riviera and the Côte d'Azur are also part of Provence. So, if you have time, it's a good idea to include this excursion in your 4-day itinerary in Marseille. On the tour, you can admire the elegance of places such as Nice and Monaco and truly beautiful coastal landscapes.

But this excursion will allow you to discover much more, such as one of the greatest treasures of the French Riviera: Èze. It is a small village perched on a rock that stands out in the landscape. The views of the French Riviera from here are spectacular.

Interesting details about this excursion

• Price: from £135
• Duration: 11 hours
• Advantages of this option: it allows you to discover the most picturesque places on the Provençal coast, as well as the luxury and glamour of towns that are not usually associated with this region.

Any of the excursions to Provence are worthwhile. My advice is that if you have time, do more than one. This will give you a more complete picture of this incredible region. Bear in mind, however, that most of them take a whole day.

The Calanques tour has a few advantages: it's shorter and it's a unique natural area. To experience Provence in its purest form, the tours that go into the Luberon are perfect. If you've ever wondered where that abbey surrounded by lavender fields is that you've seen in photos, it's near Gordes: the Abbey of Sénanque.

And if you're travelling with children, Cassis is a good choice because it's close to Marseille and, if the weather is good, you can enjoy the beach. You can also opt for tours of the Camargue, where you can see countless fascinating animals roaming free.