Get to know the city of Marseille and the charming old town of Aix en Provence, two iconic cities rich in history and culture.

First, you’ll drive to Marseille for a panoramic drive during which you will enjoy viewing many of its most notable sites. You’ll arrive via the Corniche J.F. Kennedy, a lovely route which follows the natural coastline and offers views of the islands. Your coach will make a quick stop below the hill where the Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica rises over the city. You’ll have time to take some pictures from the coach and learn that that it was built in the mid-19th century in the Romano-Byzantine style on a site that has been a defensive observation post since prehistoric times. The architecture boasts magnificent domes, multi-colored stone, and golden mosaics.

Continuing on, you’ll drive through the shopping district, and made another stop for photos in the Palais Longchamp, a fantastic 19th-Century complex of stately museums, elegant fountains, and an expansive Zoological Garden. The entrance to Longchamp Park is guarded by four stone lions, and provides an unforgettable setting for a photo.

Leave Marseille behind, you’ll make the forty-five minute drive through the scenic Provençal countryside to the charming town of Aix-en-Provence. Upon arrival, you’ll first have some free time to enjoy lunch in one of the many cafés on the famous Cours Mirabeau and perhaps do a bit of shopping. Following this, you’ll rejoin your guide for a walking tour that will bring you past some of this medieval city’s main sites. Navigating down Cours Mirabeau, one of the most popular and lively areas in town, you’ll discover this wide avenue decorated with fountains and shaded by rows of trees is the central hub of Aix. Another landmark site you will see is the Saint Sauveur Cathedral, a unique building due to its combination of architectural styles that date from the 5th to the 17th century.

Following your guided tour, you will board your coach for the return to Toulon.

The posh waterfront of St. Tropez and the Little Venice of Provence are yours to enjoy on this day. Drive along the wooded coastline to the fashionable, picturesque waterfront of St. Tropez. Join your guide on a walking tour of the port and the old harbor filled with yachts, from the most humble to the most luxurious. On the waterfront and in neighboring streets, the old pink and yellow houses have been converted into cafés, luxury boutiques and antique shops. You’ll have some time at leisure to do as you wish. Need suggestions? Why not relax at a waterfront café, watch an artist create a masterpiece or browse the local market?

After some free time for lunch on your own, you’ll see how the other half lives in “Little Venice” as you continue to Port Grimaud. This is the first of the Cote d'Azur's purpose built resorts and it was designed to resemble an old world Mediterranean fishing village. During your free time, you might opt to take a mini cruise along its canals, enjoy people watching from a café or climb up to the roof of the church for a striking panorama of the gulf of St Tropez. It’s entirely up to you!

Two iconic French towns and an award winning winery welcome you to experience the sites and tastes of Provence. Drive to the elegant resort town of Hyères, with many surprising aspects resulting from its 26 century long history. Your guide will take you for a walking tour of the older district set on a hill. Hyeres is a place of contrasts; you’ll see the older busy quarters and mansions dating back to the beginning of the 20th century and get acquainted with the most daring modern architecture, as well as with neo-impressionism painters. The mild climate of the city ensures a great variety of flowers in many places. Free time in Hyères goes together with time for a coffee or a little shopping.

Head to Le Lavandou, where you’ll visit the enchanting “Domaine de L’Anglade”. Follow your guide to the vineyards and small lakes before you discover the excellent wines of the Var area. In 2013 the “Domaine” was awarded with the Gold Medal for its Rosé. You’ll enjoy a tasting of three different wines (white, rosé & red) in the beautiful wine storehouse, surrounded by barrels. Drive along the shore to the nearby Le Lavandou village. Your guide will lead you around the place to discover some of its 12 famous fountains connected with the genuine traditional way of life of this district. Free time is scheduled for your pleasure. The drive back to the back to the ship provides with more views over a varied landscape.

Architecture, history, food or shopping! Whatever your interest is, the ambiance and medieval charm of Aix en Provence is irresistible. Leaving the harbor of Toulon, you'll drive to Aix en Provence, the Capital of Provence. Your guide will take you for a walking tour where you’ll see the Cours Mirabeau one of the most popular and lively areas in town. This wide avenue decorated with fountains and shaded by rows of trees is the central hub of Aix. Built in the 17th century on the site of the medieval ramparts, the Cours Mirabeau originally had no shops or boutiques.

On one side stand the aristocratic facades of the old hotels with their finely carved doorways and wrought-iron balconies. One of the nicest fountains you'll see is certainly the natural hot water fountain covered with moss, dating from 1734. You’ll reach Saint Sauveur Cathedral, a unique building due to its combination of architectural styles that date from the 5th to the 17th century - the Romanesque nave, baptistery of the Merovingian period, Triptych of the Burning Bush and the flamboyant Gothic part. Enjoy some free time in Aix before your drive back to Toulon.

Le Castellet is a typical Provencal hilltop village perched on wooded hills above the vineyards. Sanary-sur-Mer is a lovely seaside resort on the Cote d'Azur. Mountain and sea, what a great combination! A scenic drive takes you to the remarkable stronghold of Le Castellet, formerly owned by the Lords of Les Baux. It boasts well preserved ramparts, a carefully restored 12th-century church, and a castle dating back to the 11th century. Entering by one of the two fortified gates, called le portail and le portalet, you’ll be taken on a guided walking tour around the narrow streets up to the castle which is now home to the town hall.

Time at leisure allows you to explore the arts and craft workshops, galleries, pottery and many other shops before the drive to the seaside resort of Sanary-sur-Mer. This village of light and contrast will welcome you with its colorful façades, shaded walkways, vineyards and hundred year old olive trees. The waterfront is lined with boats of all colors and sizes.

Set out for an interesting walking tour which starts alongside the main pier of the traditional fishing harbor. Admire the facade of the 17th century City Hall built by local architect Pierre Puget. Walk around the old quarter of the city of Toulon with its Cathedral Sainte Marie de la Seds, founded in the 5th century. See small shady Provencal squares with their moss-covered fountains. Admire elegant monuments from the eclectic 19th century including the high-flying opera building and the majestic Fountain of Liberty, a tribute to the French Revolution and built over the medieval walls.

All the sites are within walking distance. Take some free time to stroll around the streets and the morning market. At the end of the tour, you might follow your guide back to your ship or stay in town and return on your own.

Discover one of the most beautiful bays of Europe on this relaxing tour and get close to places only accessible by boat. You’ll get within close proximity of the arsenal and admire the National Marine buildings. See the marine cemetery, the last anchorage place for old vessels; the port of La Seyne sur Mer and its old shipyards along with the Corniche of Tamaris. Cruise by Lazaret Bay and its mussel farms, Les Sablettes, St Mandrier Peninsula, the jetty which closed the bay from the east and its fortifications Eyguillette, Balaguier, St Louis, Lamalgue, Tour Royale and Cap Brun.

Toulon’s coastline is lined with deep creeks shaded by pines; it offers turquoise blue waters, sandy beaches and picturesque small fishing ports. At the completion of the tour you decide if you’re ready to head back to the ship or if you prefer to stay in town to do some shopping, try the local cuisine or just relax at your leisure.