The departure is only days away, and I’m very excited. I’ll be returning to Provence as a featured expert again on the New York Times Journeys Walk in Provence tour. First stop, before the group tour begins, is Marseille. This large port city often gets a bum rap as gritty and crime-ridden. Tourists frequently bypass it. On the contrary, I go out of my way to squeeze a couple of extra days into the itinerary so that I can explore it. I’ve been there before and have found Marseille to be a beguiling destination with its picturesque harbor, bustling markets, vibrant cultural mix, and rich history.
Marseille—a cosmopolitan port city with much to offer
High on my list for this upcoming visit is digging into Tunisian pastries and authentic Provençal bouillabaisse. If time permits, I might visit a savonnerie to learn more about how the famous soap—savon de Marseille—is made.
After Marseille, I will take a train to Avignon where the New York Times Journeys tour begins. I look forward to meeting my fellow travelers. We’ve received our swag and there’ll be no mistaking us.
Our journey will include a day in the rocky vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the Sénanque Abbey where we’ll imagine what the fields of lavender look like at the peak of their bloom, and hilltop villages in the Luberon.
hilltop village of Gordes
Our journey will extend to the Alpilles region where we’ll visit a producer of goat cheese.
fresh goat cheese (chèvre)
Another highlight will be Saint-Rémy de Provence and seeing the sanitarium where Vincent van Gogh painted some of his best known works near the end of his life.
Sculpture of Vincent van Gogh at the asylum
Of course, no trip to Provence is complete without visiting the markets.
The market in Bonnieux
It’s a jam-packed itinerary although I also intend to make the most of downtime. I invite you to follow along as I’ll be posting photos to Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Stay tuned for updates from the road—and well off it, deep in the vineyards and walking paths, along the southern Rhône!
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Journey Through Provence
23 comments. Leave new
Hi Marjorie,
Back from France yesterday….and want to return
after reading your blog!
Would love to hear about the trip and see your wonderful photos when you return!
Welcome back, Sara and thanks 🙂
Hi, Marjorie ! In september 2017, we were in Luberon (Gordes, Sénanque, Lacoste and the château du Marquis de Sade) with HILR friends from Cambridge (MA). If you travel in les Alpilles, I recommend to you nice and fine restaurant in Eyragues : La Maison de Bournissac ! It’s a friend of mine : Eric ! Gorgeous place ! In december, Luise and I, shall be in Avignon ! Enjoy Provence, Marjorie !
Wishing you & Luise good travels. Thanks for the restaurant recommendation. Dang, I was just in that area…. Maybe next time!
Nex time, Marjorie ! We hope ! Luise and Michel
Have a wonderful trip!
Thank you 🙂
Bon voyage, Marjorie! It all sounds delicious in every sense — enjoy the many rich experiences! xx
Thanks for your good wishes.
The timing couldn’t be better. Here in Provence, the weather is fabulous: bright, blue skies with just a hint of the autumn colours drifting down as the nights draw in. Yes, it’s time for log fires and back to red wine. The markets are seeing the last of the luscious tomatoes and multi-coloured lettuces and in come all the various ‘courg’ /pumpkins: soup, risottos, baked with goat cheese. Every guest we’ve had has enjoyed Marjorie’s well-thumbed guide – the best according to our Aussie, NZ, US, Canadian & French guests!
Thanks for the tantalizing description. Now I’m even more excited!
Love the itinerary, the images, and the swag. Bon voyage!!
Merci!
Looks like a dream journey. I’ll be there in spirit, following each of your steps in this gorgeous and delicious part of the world!
I’ll feel your presence 🙂
What an ideal itinerary! I look forward to your photos & observations about these lovely places! I’ve visited all of them except Marseille.
Add Marseille to your short list for the next visit 🙂
This brought back sweet memories of taking this trip with you.
I’ll be thinking of you!
Bon Voyage! Eat some of that goat cheese for me. And say hello to Vincent.
Of course. I’ll grab any excuse to eat more goat cheese.
This is exactly the trip I had hoped to one day take again to Provence. Please, please if you ever do this trip agin I absolutely would love to join you. Have friends in Bonnieux and would want to see them again too! What a wonderful trip! I envy each of your touring group both for the venue as well as who will be leading them!
Thanks for your enthusiastic response! I hope you’ll consider joining one of the future trips.