Marseille Shore Excursion Private Day Trip to Avignon
About this activity
Highlights
- Discover enchanting Provence and its rich heritage
- Admire the iconic Saint Benezet Bridge in Avignon
- Wander through the picturesque streets of Avignon
- Enjoy breathtaking views of the Rhone River
- Discover the history behind the Palais des Papes
Full description
Experience the charm of Avignon on a private day trip from Marseille, crafted for travelers who love history, architecture, and atmospheric old streets. Explore the UNESCO‑listed Palais des Papes, wander along the famous Saint‑Bénezet Bridge, and soak up riverside views that have inspired artists for centuries. From the leafy heights of the Rocher des Doms gardens, you’ll enjoy sweeping panoramas over Avignon’s rooftops and the Rhône.
Strolling between lively squares, stone façades, and shaded café terraces, you’ll feel the unique blend of medieval grandeur and relaxed Provençal life that makes Avignon so special. With a flexible private itinerary and the insight of a knowledgeable driver‑guide, this shore excursion turns a single day in port into a rich cultural escape into the heart of Provence.
Avignon: A Perfect Day from Marseille
Embark on a private shore excursion from Marseille to Avignon, a walled city where medieval power, art, and Provençal life blend beautifully. From the moment you step through its stone gates, Avignon feels like a living stage set, with grand squares, narrow lanes, and café terraces buzzing with energy. It’s the ideal day in port if you enjoy history, architecture, and atmospheric streets rather than long hours on the road.
Stroll Through Storybook Streets
Inside the ramparts, Avignon is wonderfully walkable. Wander along cobbled pedestrian streets, past sun‑warmed façades, boutique shops, and shaded plazas. Pause on lively squares such as Place de l’Horloge, where terrace cafés invite you to sit, sip a coffee or a glass of rosé, and simply people‑watch. Small detours down side streets reveal quiet courtyards, artisan workshops, and tiny bakeries that reward curious visitors.
Palace of the Popes: Medieval Powerhouse
Dominating the skyline, the Palais des Papes is Avignon’s star attraction and one of Europe’s most impressive Gothic palaces. You can admire its massive walls from the square, or choose to step inside to explore echoing halls, frescoed chapels, and terraces with sweeping city views. Standing on the cobbles beneath its towering ramparts, it’s easy to imagine when Avignon was the centre of the Catholic world.
Rocher des Doms: Gardens and Views
Just above the palace, a gentle climb brings you to the Rocher des Doms gardens. This green hilltop park offers some of the best panoramas in Provence: terracotta roofs below, the Rhône River curving around the city, and distant hills framing the horizon. Benches, fountains, and shady trees make it a perfect spot to pause, take photos, or enjoy an ice cream while you soak up the view.
Saint‑Bénezet Bridge: Iconic Riverside Walk
No visit is complete without seeing the Saint‑Bénezet Bridge, the famous “Pont d’Avignon.” From the riverbank you can admire its elegant arches reaching into the Rhône, with the palace rising behind it. You may choose to walk along the remaining span for a closer look and more river views, or simply enjoy it from the quayside as part of a scenic riverside stroll.
Taste of Provençal Life
Avignon is also an excellent place to enjoy Provençal cuisine. Between visits, you might settle into a bistro for local dishes like ratatouille, tapenade, or a seasonal plat du jour, paired with a glass of wine from nearby vineyards. If time permits, browsing food shops and markets is a pleasure: think lavender honey, herbs, olive oil, and colourful fruit stands that capture the flavours of the region.
Why This Is a Great Shore Excursion
As a shore excursion from Marseille, Avignon offers a rich mix of sightseeing and free time without feeling rushed. The drive is scenic rather than exhausting, giving you ample hours inside the city walls to explore at your own pace. In one carefully planned day, you can experience grand monuments, quiet gardens, riverside views, and authentic local life—then return to your ship with the sense of having truly discovered one of Provence’s great historic cities.
Included / Excluded
- Pick up and drop off at Cruise Ship in Marseille
- Stroll through Avignon with your guide
- Combined ticket for Pope's Palace, Avignon bridge
- English speaking driver/guide
- Personal travel insurance and expenses
- Meals and drinks (lunch)
- Gratuities for the guide
Itinerary
Pickup at Marseille Cruise Terminal
Meet your English‑speaking driver‑guide directly at the Marseille Cruise Terminal and settle into your comfortable vehicle for the journey north to Avignon.
Scenic drive to Avignon
Enjoy views of Provence’s changing landscapes as you drive through rolling countryside, vineyards and villages on the way to this historic walled city.
Meeting point
Start Location
Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal
MPCT - Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal, Marseille, France
Important information
Know before you book
- This is a private shore excursion from Marseille, tailored to your pace and interests.
- The focus is Avignon city sightseeing ; entrance tickets to Pope's Palace & Bridge included
- Walking is on cobbled streets and some gentle slopes; not suitable for all mobility levels.
- The itinerary may adjust slightly to match your ship’s schedule and local conditions.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen, especially in summer.
- Bring some cash or a card for lunch, café stops, shopping opportunities
- Keep a light layer handy: Avignon can be windy on the ramparts and by the river.
- Don’t forget a camera or smartphone—the palace, bridge, and river views are very photogenic.
Requirements
Information required at booking
- Ship departure information
- Ship arrival information
- Shore excursion details
Cancellation policy
We accept payment by AMEX, Visa and Master Card. There is no charge or service fee for processing credit card payments except with American Express +3%. For any cancellation, the following fees will be deducted from the refund: Up to 72 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 72hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund
Reviews
Wonderful tour with Anne as our guide in St. Emilion for the day. She was very knowledgeable regarding the wines, the chateaus, phenomenal choices (including the lunch recommendations and wine shops to explore), and the people we met. We visited family owned chateaus with winemakers/owners passionate about making fantastic world class wines for centuries/generations. Our guide was incredible and her English was impeccable. St. Emilion is a stunning UNESCO site. The Mercedes van used for transport was comfortable and spotless. All in all, this wine tour was one of the best I have been on and a great value.
Wonderful tour to St. Emilion with our guide Rodolphe. We were there in early November and it’s the “low/slow” season, so we ended up being the only two people on the tour for the entire day. Rodolphe made it a great day. We visited three different chateaus, spent time in the charming village of St. Emilion before heading back to Bordeaux. I would certainly recommend this tour to others.
I would like to recommend the 4 hour Saint Emilion tour from Bordeaux. The knowledgeable guide Rudolphe first introduced us to the French wine culture with continuous commentary about the terroir, grapes, and the history of grape growing and wine making. Arriving in Saint Emilion he offered a tour of the church with commentary and then some free time to visit the delightful stores and wine shops in town. We then traveled to the Grand Cru Classe estate of Chateau Bellview established in 1642. There we toured the quaint production facilities including the caves which house the storage of the wines. We were able to see the bottles in the library even ones dating back to 1856. After a class on the art of tasting Bordeaux wines we were able to taste several vintages 2020, 2017 and the 2013, of the estate owners wines. The trip came to an end with a game on the way home of guess the aroma during the trip back to Bordeaux which seem to cut the 50 minute ride down to minutes. Over all a 5 star experience.
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Additional information
If you want to share your tour with others, you can put it on Cruise Critic. Most of the time this gives good results. You must do this yourself as we are not accepted on their site as a professional business. We accept split payment transactions by credit card.
This shore excursion is best for curious, culture‑loving travelers who enjoy historic cities, architecture, and relaxed exploring more than beaches or shopping malls. It’s ideal for couples, friends, and adult families who like strolling atmospheric streets, visiting landmarks like the Palais des Papes and the Saint‑Bénezet Bridge, and lingering over a café or lunch in a beautiful square.
It suits guests who prefer a gentle walking day with plenty of stops, rather than strenuous hikes, and who appreciate having a knowledgeable driver‑guide to bring the city’s stories to life while still keeping a flexible pace.