Get ready to lace up your walking shoes, because Monday, Day 3 is a high-energy journey through the very landscapes that defined the Impressionist Movement and the rugged beauty of medieval France. This is Provence at its most cinematic!
Morning: Walking in the Footsteps of Van Gogh
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| Van Gogh's Magical City of Arles with The Rhône River in the background |
Our destination is one of France's most famous cities; Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage site where ancient history and high art collide, and the sun-drenched city along the mighty Rhône River where Vincent Van Gogh experienced his most prolific period of creativity.
The Mighty Rhône; The Lifeblood of Arles
The "Vibe": The Rhône in Arles is wide, powerful, and deeply cinematic. Because the city sits at the head of the delta, the river has a sense of "opening up" toward the Mediterranean. It provides a constant, cool breeze that cuts through the Provençal heat and creates a shimmering, reflective light that has drawn artists to its banks for centuries.
Artistic Significance: This is the water that Van Gogh famously captured in Starry Night Over the Rhône. He was fascinated by the way the gas lamps of the city reflected as long, golden beams across the dark, swirling blue of the water. Even today, a sunset walk along the river quays feels like stepping directly into one of his sketches.
Historical Significance: For the Romans, the Rhône was a "superhighway" of antiquity. It’s the reason Arles became such a powerful imperial city; it served as a vital trade link between the heart of Europe and the Roman Mediterranean. Archaeologists are still pulling treasures from its silty floor, including the world’s oldest intact Roman marble bust of Julius Caesar, discovered right in the riverbed in 2007!
Our Private Walking Tour of Arles:
We’ll meet our expert guide, Isabelle, just outside the ancient city walls for a two-hour walking tour, that includes admission & entry into many of Arles crowning jewels including;
- The Roman Arena: We’ll take you inside these architectural marvels, which have stood for nearly 2,000 years. This massive Arena, modeled after the Colosseum in Rome, once hosted 20,000 spectators for gladiatorial combat, and is still used for events today including the famous Bullfights!
- The Roman Amphitheatre: Once the cultural centerpiece of Roman Gaul, this elegant semi-circular theater was dedicated to the arts and remains a stunning testament to the city’s imperial past.
The Van Gogh Connection: As Isabelle leads us through the city, you’ll stand within the living canvases of his most iconic works ~ from the vibrant glow of the Café Terrace at Night and the golden brilliance of his Sunflowers to the shimmering reflections along the riverbanks that inspired Starry Night Over the Rhône.
As Isabelle leads us through the city, from the towering Roman Amphitheatre to the vibrant café terraces that look exactly like the canvases painted over a century ago, you’ll feel the history in every cobblestone...
Afternoon: Medieval Heights & Immersive Art
As we leave the plains of Arles, our "rally" continues as we wind our way up high into the Alpilles Mountains. This French National Park is a striking landscape of jagged, sun-bleached limestone peaks and ancient olive groves. The "rugged beauty" here is legendary ~ the wind-sculpted white stone looks like a mini-version of the Alps, providing a dramatic, cinematic backdrop as we approach Les Baux-de-Provence; The "Village in the Sky."
Leisure & Lunch in Les Baux-de-Provence: Perched precariously high-up on a rocky spur of the Alpilles, this medieval stronghold offers some of the most breathtaking views in all of France. You’ll have free time to explore its ancient winding stone alleys, browse the artisan boutiques, and enjoy lunch on your own & at your leisure in a sun-drenched bistro... You'll love this medieval Village... Les Baux is just beautiful!
Carrières de Lumières: We’ll regroup for a truly "magnificent & mind-bending" experience tucked deep underground inside the very heart of the Alpilles’ limestone. We’ll enter the massive, cool depths of these former quarries (where the famous Bauxite mineral was first discovered!) to witness the world-renowned 3D light show where it all first started! This is no city theater or gymnasium; This is a massive underground stone quarry where multi-dimesional moving media is projected throughout the various caves of a giant stone quarry! Towering walls and massive ramps are transformed into a spectacular moving gallery of masterpiece paintings, set to a soaring soundtrack ~ it is beautiful, magical and utterly massive!
Evening: The Grand "Soirée Blanc"
After a quick dip in the pool to refresh back at the Villa, it’s time for the crown jewel of our social calendar: Soirée Blanc! ~ The White Party
As the sun sets, we’ll gather around the pool ~ everyone dressed in their whites ~ for Soirée Blanc ~ an Outdoor BBQ in the Gardens under the Provençal stars. We’ve lined up our local favorite Duet; L'Éreinte Chaleureuse to set the mood, while the The Champagne Bar flows freely. Between the incredible foods, the wines, the music, the gardens, the dancing, the sunset and the warm night air, this will create memories of your Provençal vacation that will last a lifetime!
Here's a couple videos to give you a feel for Soirée Blanc!
This whole week will be magical!
