Journeys: Discover Southern France

Your opportunity to meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Set off alongside your Expedition Leader for an orientation walk through the elegant coastal town of Biarritz. Stroll past grand Belle Époque architecture, admire sweeping views over the ocean as Atlantic breezes sweep off the water, and get comfortably oriented around your hotel

As the morning ocean breeze sweeps off the Atlantic, step into the lively Halles de Biarritz alongside your Expedition Leader. Experience the vibrant rhythms of daily Basque life as local vendors display freshly caught seafood, artisanal cheeses, and traditional gâteau basque.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Join a local family at L’Atelier du Piment to uncover the secrets of the iconic Basque Espelette chili pepper. Trace its journey from fields to workshop, discovering traditional farming methods before enjoying a tasting of spice-infused regional delicacies.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Explore Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port alongside your Expedition Leader, discovering a medieval gem set at the foot of the Pyrenees. As an iconic starting point of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, this historic town offers a rich blend of mountain geography, centuries of pilgrimage heritage, and distinct cross-border Basque culture.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Join your Expedition Leader on a walking tour of Pau to uncover its unique British heritage. Explore the charming old town, stroll along the scenic Boulevard des Pyrénées, and wander through lush gardens before concluding at the vibrant Les Halles market for an included lunch.

Savor a classic French lunch directly in the bustling heart of the covered market. Sitting among local vendors and colorful stalls, guests enjoy a fresh daily menu (Formule du Jour)—featuring seasonal ingredients—all while immersed in the vibrant sights, sounds, and energy of daily market life.

Spend a relaxing afternoon strolling along the palm-lined Boulevard des Pyrénées for sweeping mountain views, exploring the Renaissance birthplace of King Henry IV at the Château de Pau and other city sights.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Discover the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes on a guided exploration of one of the world’s most significant pilgrimage sites. Experience the dramatic, cliffside Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the intricate Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, and the vast underground Basilica of Saint Pius X. Framed through a neutral, cultural lens, this tour offers travelers of all backgrounds a respectful, immersive look into a powerful living tradition of faith and community.

Enjoy free time for lunch on your own in Lourdes.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Enjoy a free evening to relax and explore on your own.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Join your Expedition Leader and step back in time in Lescar, an off-the-beaten-path historic jewel and the ancient Gallo-Roman capital of Béarn. Uncover centuries of hidden history and local legends while wandering through this former bishopric and marvel at its magnificent Romanesque cathedral, which serves as the final resting place for the last kings and queens of Navarre.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Set against the backdrop of the Pyrenees, a visit to a local Domaine offers an intimate look into the unique terroir of the Jurançon wine region. Stroll through steep, terraced vineyards nourished by warm mountain foehn winds, where ample sunshine creates ideal conditions for high-altitude viticulture. Guided by local hosts, explore the winemaking process before sitting down to a wine tasting accompanied by locally sourced light lunch paired with the estate's wines.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Savor a relaxed afternoon lunch on your own in Toulouse, whether pulling up a chair at a bustling bistro on Place du Capitole or enjoying a quiet waterfront bite along the promenade.

Set off through the "Pink City" (La Ville Rose) alongside your Expedition Leader for an immersive orientation walk through Toulouse's atmospheric old town. Get comfortably oriented around your hotel before exploring the city's iconic terracotta-brick architecture, grand plazas, before concluding with a leisurely stroll along the picturesque promenade bordering the Garonne River.

This curated walking tour is a sensory immersion into the architecture and flavors of Toulouse. After exploring the Place du Capitole the journey culminates at the iconic Victor Hugo Market. Here, you’ll experience a true "market-style" lunch amidst the hustle and bustle of this historic marketplace. Weaving past bustling stalls, meet passionate artisan vendors, hear the stories behind age-old Southwestern traditions, and savor generous, lunch-style tastings of regional delicacies.

Enjoy time to explore the city on your own.

Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Step back into antiquity on an orientation walk through Nîmes alongside your Expedition Leader. Visit the imposing Arènes de Nîmes, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world, before admiring the pristine symmetry of the Maison Carrée, a UNESCO World Heritage Roman temple. Threading through the town's beautifully restored historic center, discover how centuries of ancient architecture seamlessly frame the vibrant pulse of modern Provençal life.

Enjoy a free time to further explore or have a leisurely lunch at an open-air bistro, savoring regional specialties like brandade de Nîmes (a creamy salt cod puree) while soaking in the lively Provençal atmosphere.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

You may be a seasoned pro at group travel by now, but there will likely be some new travellers joining the group. Sit in on the welcome meeting to meet the newest members of your group and learn about the next leg of your tour.

Begin your morning stepping into the heart of Avignon’s medieval history alongside a local guide. Thread through winding cobblestone lanes and past ancient stone ramparts toward Avignon Cathedral (Notre-Dame des Doms). Marvel at the gleaming golden statue of the Virgin Mary crowning its bell tower before stepping inside to appreciate its serene Romanesque architecture. Afterward, head downhill to the historic Pont d'Avignon (Pont Saint-Bénézet). Walking onto this celebrated 12th-century structure offers sweeping, unobstructed views across the Rhône River and the city's fortified walls.

Explore the Palais des Papes’ vast Grand Halls at your own pace, including the Grand Tinel feast hall. Using the interactive HistoPad tablet, augmented reality transforms bare stone walls into lavish 14th-century scenes filled with tapestries, furnishings, and grand papal banquets.

Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.

Enjoy a self-guided tour of LUMA Arles, a 27-acre creative arts campus transformed from a historic 19th-century railway yard in Arles, France. Its iconic centerpiece is the 56-meter-tall Frank Gehry Tower, a striking structure clad in 11,000 stainless steel panels designed to catch the unique light of Provence. The design draws inspiration from the region's rugged limestone cliffs, Roman ruins, and the swirling brushstrokes of Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night.

Built by the Romans in 90 AD, the magnificent two-tiered Arles Amphitheatre once held over 20,000 spectators for thrilling gladiatorial combat. Today, this astonishingly preserved ancient structure remains at the heart of Provençal life, seamlessly bridging history and modern culture by continuing to host live performances, traditional spectacles, and regional festivals.

Stroll through the enchanting medieval streets of Arles' Old Town, where centuries of southern French history come alive around every cobblestone corner. Follow directly in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh as your Expedition Leader guides you to the vibrant Place du Forum and the famous Van Gogh Café (Café la Nuit). Immortalized in his iconic 1888 masterpiece Café Terrace at Night, this historic square offers the rare opportunity to step inside a living canvas and feel the unique light and atmosphere that inspired one of history's greatest artists.

Pétanque is a central ritual of French art de vivre (the art of living). Originating in Provence in 1907, the name comes from the Provençal phrase pèstanca, meaning "feet planted". Players stand inside a drawn circle and throw hollow steel boules, aiming to land as close as possible to a small wooden target ball called the cochonnet (the "piglet"). In village squares across France, playing pétanque under plane trees—often accompanied by a glass of pastis or local wine—is a cherished social tradition that brings generations together to relax and converse. Having an Expedition Leader demonstrate the game offers guests a hands-on, authentic taste of local leisure culture.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Explore the famous outdoor market of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence alongside your Expedition Leader. Thread through lively, shade-dappled squares filled with stalls displaying regional treasures—from fragrant lavender and fresh goat cheeses to sun-ripened olives and handcrafted textiles. This immersive walk offers an authentic taste of daily Provençal life and rich culinary traditions.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Embark on a guided walk through Les Baux-de-Provence, a medieval fortress village perched on jagged limestone cliffs. Explore ancient cobblestone lanes and castle ruins while enjoying breathtaking, panoramic views across the valley's olive groves and Alpilles mountains.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Board an open-air train to venture across the sweeping Camargue salt marshes, where centuries of Mediterranean salt-harvesting tradition meet a striking natural phenomenon. As you travel alongside vibrant, rose-tinted salt basins, learn how local salt masters (sauniers) have cultivated this "white gold" since antiquity, creating a unique coastal sanctuary for native wildlife like flamingos and other birds.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is the vibrant capital of the Camargue region in southern France, where the Rhône Delta meets the Mediterranean Sea. An orientation walk led by an Expedition Leader introduces the town's unique blend of seaside culture, sacred history, and local traditions. During the walk, visitors explore the narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses, view the seaside promenade, and discover the fortified 9th-century Church of the Saintes Maries ⛪.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Join your Expedition Leader for a walk through the Provençal market (marché). This is far more than a place to shop—it is the social and sensory heartbeat of daily life in southern France. In Aix-en-Provence, the market spills across interconnected historic squares, each offering its own distinct atmosphere under the shade of ancient plane trees. Strolling through these open-air stalls alongside local residents offers an authentic glimpse into the region's culinary heritage and traditional art de vivre (art of living).

Free time for lunch on your own in town.

Walk through Aix-en-Provence with a local guide to trace Paul Cézanne’s post-Impressionist legacy. Discover the golden limestone landmarks that shaped his vision—from his childhood home on the Cours Mirabeau and the Café Les Deux Garçons to the Cathedral of Saint-Sauveur—while immersing yourself in today’s vibrant culture, spanning bustling open-air markets and historic café terraces.

Step into the fragrant world of Aix-en-Provence’s legendary calissons (traditional confectioneries) on a guided stroll through serene gardens and historic workshops. Discover how local artisans craft these diamond-shaped delicacies by blending sweet almonds, candied melons, and orange peel, concluding with an indulgent tasting of Provence’s sweetest tradition.

Spend a relaxing free afternoon strolling down the plane-tree-shaded Cours Mirabeau, or sipping coffee at a historic café terrace, or exploring the fountain-filled squares of the Old Town.

Not ready to leave? Your Expedition Leader can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.