AACI’s Kosher Provence
October 15 – 22, 2023
For many people, the pastoral landscapes of Provence are a French fantasy come true. Provence seems to sum up everything enviable about the French lifestyle: fantastic food, hilltop villages, legendary wines, art, bustling markets and a balmy climate.
Whilst in Provence we will still see vestiges of its medieval Jewish communities in Avignon, the Comtat and elsewhere such as Avignon and Marseille, where we will absorb some of our Jewish Heritage .
Day 1: Sunday October 15th, 2023
Departure from Tel Aviv at 05.25. Landing in Marseille at 08.55. Meet & greet with the driver. Drive to Aix en Provence which is the hometown of French Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cezanne. We will visit the Albertas Square and Fountain, town square, Aix cathedral, Fountain of the Rotunda. Lunch in a kosher restaurant. Drive to Arles. The city was once a provincial capital of ancient Rome. You will enjoy an authentic Provencal experience, with its winding streets, Roman ruins. You will see the Roman arena, the amphitheater, the thermal baths. Arles and its monuments have inspired many artists like Van Gogh. Drive to Nimes.
Day 2: Monday October 16th, 2023
After breakfast drive to Montpellier where you can visit the medieval mikveh, discovered by chance under the floor of a cellar by a private individual, in 1985. Jews living in Montpellier were expelled from the city by Philip IV of France and settled in nearby towns in the south of France, such as Avignon. We will continue to Sete, Aigues Mortes. Drive back to Nimes. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Tuesday October 17th, 2023
After breakfast drive to le pont du gard, continue to Avignon, city tour. Visit the Horloge square, the gardens of the Cathedral, with an incredible view over the ST Benezet bridge, or the Pope’s Palace square. You will enjoy a trip around town in a tourist train. Continue to les baux de provence where we will visit a highly popular site in Provence, the Carrières des Lumières. Since 2012, the Carrières des Lumières put forward digital, immersive, and contemporary exhibitions. Drive back to Nimes. Dinner at the hotel Accommodation: Nimes
Day 4: Wednesday October 18th, 2023
After breakfast drive to Carpentras where we will visit one of the oldest synagogues in France. Fleeing persecution in thirteenth-century France, many Jews sought pontifical protection in Carpentras, which was controlled by the Avignon papacy at this time and established the synagogue shortly thereafter. It was restored in the eighteenth century by the architect Antoine D’Allemand and updated to reflect contemporary baroque décor. We proceed to Fontaine de Vaucluse the village is squeezed into the sharp end of a narrow valley and takes its name from the beautiful and mysterious spring feeding the river Sorgue. Continue to Gordes which is known for its picturesque architecture and astonishing views and is a popular tourist destination. The village sits high on a cliff, looking down on the beautiful Luberon valley. Drive to Marseille. Dinner in a local restaurant
Accommodation: Marseille
Day 5: Thursday October 19th, 2023
After breakfast drive to Cassis for a cruise. We will visit Calanques National Park. Drive back to Marseille. City tour visit. Dinner in a local kosher restaurant. Overnight in Marseille
Day 6: Friday October 20th, 2023
Day 7, Shabbat, October 21st, 2023
Day 8, Sunday, October 22,, 2020, return to Israel
Hotels: 4 stars in Nimes
VATEL – NIMES
HILTON GARDEN INN – MARSEILLE
PRICES COMING SOON
Included in the price:
*Entrance fees as per the itinerary.
*Comfortable air-conditioned touring coach.
*Half board: breakfast and dinner (Jewish kosher catering under control of Rav Teboul in Lyon)
*Lunch- local restaurant / sandwiches
*Professional Local English-speaking Guide.
*Tips for local service providers.
Price Excludes:
International Flights
Travel & Health Insurance
Personal expenses
Increase in fuel taxes
All services that are not mentions in the article “Prices for this tour including”