The Camargue is an expansive area of wetlands set between the two arms of the Rhône and the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of France’s least known regions of enormous ecological importance. Its diverse eco-systems and protected areas provide sanctuary to both flora and fauna, including hundreds of species of birds. From Sete, you’ll travel east along the etangs, the salt-water lagoons, to the marshlands where Louis IX established Aigues-Mortes in the 13th century.
As you cruise through the canals of Sète on a sea kayak, it may feel a little like being in Venice, which is why the city is often referred to as the Venice of the Languedoc. Enjoy a unique perspective of the town’s painted houses and historic warehouses as you explore the waterways that bisect the city center and glide under its picturesque stone and iron bridges. Unlike some of its flashier sister cities, Sète has preserved its roots as a working fishing village and offers an authentic and captivating look at life on the Mediterranean.
Set alongside the saltwater lagoon of Étang du Thau, Sète is a working port town, both for fishing and as the Mediterranean endpoint for two of France’s famed inland waterways, the Canal du Midi and the Canal du Rhône. Your guide will meet you at the yacht for the walking tour of the Old Port area. Stroll along the canals and across the bridges of the Old Port area whose quais are lined with colorful homes and historic warehouses. Learn about the town’s maritime industries and unique festivities to celebrate the annual Feast of St. Louis.
A cultural and academic hub in the Languedoc wine region, Montpellier has a youthful, lively ambience thanks to its large student population and many festivals. Your exploration begins in the Place de la Comedie, the pedestrian-only central square built in the 1700s. Nicknamed L’Oeuf (the egg), it is one of the largest in Europe, home to the iconic Three Graces fountain and landmark buildings like the Opéra Comédie, a grand Italian-style theater.
Travel into into the heart of the Languedoc. Perched on a hill on the Aude plain and surrounded by vineyards, with the snow-capped Pyrennes rising in the distance, Carcassonne appears like something out of a fairytale. Three kilometers of ramparts – with 52 towers – surround a hilltop. Known as La Cite, the old town was built – and rebuilt – between the 4th and 13th centuries, incorporating the ruins of Roman and Visigoth fortresses. By the mid-19th century, La Cite was derelict, all but abandoned, and slated for demolition.
After climbing on your water scooter, your adventure begins as you cruise through Porto Vecchio’s spectacular protected bay dotted with luxury yachts bobbing in the gentle waves. Gliding across the cerulean waters, you will have lovely views of the tree-covered mountains and hills that frame your route along the sea. You will have the opportunity to see the famous Punta di a Chiappa, where striking red rocks create a stunning contrast set against the azure waters of the Mediterranean.
As you drive along Corsica’s coast toward Solenzara, the cerulean waters of the Mediterranean sparkle in the summer sun. Turning inland, you’ll notice that the forests begin to get thicker and the magnificent jagged peaks of the Aiguilles de Bavella take shape on the horizon. At Col de Bavella, or Bavella Pass, take a deep breath of fresh mountain air as you behold stunning views of the island from an altitude of over 3,600 feet.
Framed by the Mediterranean Sea on three sides, the charming medieval town of Bonifacio appears to have been carved from the limestone cliffs on which it was built. As you wander the cobbled streets that are seemingly oblivious to the passage of time, admire the rare Corsican Gothic architecture in the 13th-century Église Saint-Dominique de Bonifacio. The historic stone buildings lining the narrow lanes include the house where Napoleon Bonaparte is said to have stayed.
This overnight excursion takes you through the famously scenic countryside of Provence to the esteemed wine regions of the Southern Rhône. Begin your oenophile experience at the vineyards of the Alain Jaume family, who have been producing wines since 1826 in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region. Explore the vineyards and cellars and enjoy an extensive tasting of their wines accompanied by a delicious lunch. Then continue to Domaine de la Longue Toque, a Gabriel Meffre estate in the heart of the Gigondas appellation.
Illuminated by the brilliant sunlight that has inspired artists for centuries, vivid colors come to life as you explore the towns of the Luberon region of Provence, renowned for its lavender fields that flourish in the height of summer. A Renaissance castle and trendy boutiques greet you in Lourmarin, a town that has intrigued authors from Albert Camus to Peter Mayle. The red village of Roussillon pays homage to the vast ochre quarry on which it sits.
