Provence wine and Roman history tour from Marseille

Stand inside an ancient Roman aqueduct, then taste the wines that set the world standard

This private full-day tour from Marseille combines three chapters of Provence history: the 1st-century Pont du Gard aqueduct, the medieval cloisters and cobbled streets of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, and a guided wine tasting at a Châteauneuf-du-Pape winery. Your guide speaks English or French, pickup is included from your Marseille location, and children from age 5 are welcome. A lunch stop with wine is available at checkout for an additional cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Roman heritage and Rhône Valley wines

• Explore Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct
• Walk medieval Villeneuve-lès-Avignon old town
• Visit La Chartreuse monastery
• Tour and taste wine at Châteauneuf-du-Pape winery

The Experience

The day starts at the Pont du Gard, the best-preserved Roman aqueduct in the world. Built in the 1st century AD, the three-tiered structure carried water across the Rhône Valley for over 400 years—you walk beneath and around it, seeing how Roman engineers solved a problem that would have stopped most builders. From there, the tour moves to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, a medieval town on the Rhône river with a 14th-century fortress perched on the hill above it. A walking tour takes you through cobbled streets lined with Provençal bistros and delis, and includes entry to La Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction, a monastery founded in 1352 by Pope Innocent VI himself. The three cloisters and peaceful courtyards survive from when it was the largest Carthusian monastery in France.

The afternoon centers on Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the wine village that created the AOC appellation—the official standard that wine regions worldwide still follow. You visit a local winery for a guided tasting of some of the region's finest wines, learning how the terroir and the specific regulations shaped what you're drinking. The entire day runs eight hours with private transportation throughout, bottled water included, and entry to both Pont du Gard and La Chartreuse already paid for.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout the day.
• bottled water.
• admission to Pont du Gard and La Chartreuse monastery.
• guided wine tasting at a Châteauneuf-du-Pape winery.
• English or French-speaking guide.
• hotel or location pickup in Marseille.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by OohProvence

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English or French, so you follow the commentary in whichever language works for you—this matters if you're traveling with people who don't share a language, or if you want the history explained in the language you think in. The eight-hour day and private transport mean you set the pace and skip the logistics of getting between three separate sites on your own.

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Top questions

What exactly is the Pont du Gard and why does it matter?

The Pont du Gard is a Roman aqueduct built in the 1st century AD to carry water across the Rhône Valley. It is the best-preserved example of Roman engineering from that era, with three tiers of arches that still stand intact after nearly 2,000 years. On this tour you walk beneath and around the structure to see how it was built and how it functioned.

Will I have time to explore Villeneuve-lès-Avignon properly, or is it just a quick stop?

Villeneuve-lès-Avignon is a walking tour, so you move through the old town at a pace that lets you see the medieval streets, the 14th-century Fort St.-André on the hilltop, and the Saturday market if timing allows. Entry to La Chartreuse monastery is included, where you can walk the three cloisters and see the chapel decorated by the same artist who painted the Palace of the Popes.

What happens at the winery in Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

You visit a winery that created the AOC appellation for the region—the official wine standard now used worldwide. A guided tasting lets you sample some of the finest wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and learn how the specific terroir and regulations of the area shape the wines you're tasting.

Can I add lunch to this tour?

Yes, a lunch stop with wine is available as an optional add-on at checkout. It is not included in the base price, but you can arrange it when you book.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Children are welcome from age 5 onward. The tour involves walking through medieval streets and around the Pont du Gard, so comfortable shoes and a moderate fitness level help, though the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.

What's included in the price?

Private transportation from your Marseille location, bottled water, and admission to both Pont du Gard and La Chartreuse monastery are included. The wine tasting at the Châteauneuf-du-Pape winery is also included. Lunch with wine is optional and costs extra.