Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine tour from Marseille: private tastings

The vintners pour for you, not the other way around.

A full-day private wine tour departing Marseille that combines sightseeing in Avignon with tastings at two working vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, led by an English-speaking driver in a private Mercedes. You visit Avignon's Pope's Palace and Saint-Bénezet bridge, then taste wines at Les Caves Saint Charles and either Château La Nerthe or Domaine de Beaurenard, with lunch arranged in the medieval village. The tour runs 8 hours and includes the vehicle, driver, water, and all fees; wine tastings are available to travelers 21 and older.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wine tasting and sightseeing tour

• Depart from Marseille
• Visit Avignon landmarks
• Leisure time for lunch in Avignon
• Travel to Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine region
• Lunch arranged by driver
• Wine tasting at Les Caves Saint Charles
• Visit Château La Nerthe
• Visit Domaine de Beaurenard
• Return to Marseille accommodation

The Experience

You leave Marseille in a private Mercedes with an English-speaking driver who handles the route and the timing, so the day holds together without you building it. The first stop is Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you walk past the 14th-century Pope's Palace and the Saint-Bénezet bridge — the driver provides context on both, and you have leisure time to explore or grab lunch on your own before heading south.

Then the tour moves into the Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine region, where the medieval village sits surrounded by vineyards that have been producing wine for centuries. You visit Les Caves Saint Charles first, where the vintner Guy walks you through the local grapes and pours tastings of the wines he makes. After that comes either Château La Nerthe, which dates back to the 12th century, or Domaine de Beaurenard, run by the seventh-generation growers Daniel and Frederic Coulon — both offer tastings of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rasteau, and Côtes-du-Rhône. Lunch is arranged in the village, paired with wines from the region.

The driver returns you to your Marseille accommodation at the end of the day. Bottled water is included; the vehicle is air-conditioned. Travelers must be at least 21 to taste wine, and the tour is not recommended for anyone with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned Mercedes with English-speaking driver.
• bottled water.
• entry to two working vineyards with tastings of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rasteau, and Côtes-du-Rhône wines.
• sightseeing in Avignon at the Pope's Palace and Saint-Bénezet bridge.
• all fees and taxes.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomeNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by LUXURY PROVENCE TOURS

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to taste wine directly with vintners at two domains rather than sample from a bus, and if you'd rather have a driver handle navigation while you focus on Avignon's landmarks and the medieval village.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

25 verified traveler reviews

5 ★25

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What exactly happens at the wine tastings — do I taste the wines myself or watch a demonstration?

You taste the wines yourself at each vineyard. At Les Caves Saint Charles, the vintner Guy pours and explains the local grapes and his winemaking. At Château La Nerthe or Domaine de Beaurenard, the owners or their team guide you through tastings of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rasteau, and Côtes-du-Rhône wines.

How much time do I spend in Avignon, and what can I actually see there?

Avignon is the first stop after leaving Marseille. You see the Pope's Palace and the Saint-Bénezet bridge — both UNESCO World Heritage landmarks — and have leisure time to explore the city or have lunch before the tour moves on to the wine region.

Is lunch included in the tour price, or do I pay separately?

Lunch is arranged by the driver in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape village and is paired with wines from the region, but the cost of the meal itself is not included in the tour price — you pay for it separately.

What's the difference between Château La Nerthe and Domaine de Beaurenard — do I get to choose which one I visit?

Château La Nerthe dates back to the 12th century and offers tastings of its historic wines. Domaine de Beaurenard is run by Daniel and Frederic Coulon, the seventh-generation owners, and emphasizes the family's tradition and modern winemaking. The driver arranges the visit based on availability and the day's schedule.

How long is the drive from Marseille to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and what's included in the 8-hour tour?

The full tour runs 8 hours from Marseille and includes the private Mercedes with driver, all travel between Marseille, Avignon, and the wine region, bottled water, and entry fees to the vineyards. The driver speaks English and provides historical and local context throughout the day.

Can I bring someone under 21, or do they have to skip the wine tastings?

Travelers under 21 can join the tour but are not permitted to taste wine. They can still visit the vineyards, explore Avignon, and enjoy lunch in the village.