Some ideas for group tours (to package)

Day in Aix : High Supper and the 13 Desserts

Today you can learn how to prepare Christmas dinner in the Provençal tradition, accompanied by an expert in Provençal cookery. We will meet at your hotel at 8:30 a.m. to visit Aix market with this Provençal cook.

Nothing must be forgotten for the preparation later on, in the great family kitchen of an 18th?century farmhouse, of the Christmas Eve meal called the "high supper".

The festive Christmas meal (fête calendale) is the most important event in the Provençal calendar. Each home perpetuates this meal, which is meat-free, and yet so copious with its winter recipes. You will discover that tradition gives Christmas night a unique festive character, even to the way the table is laid, with three white tablecloths one on top of the other, as symbols of Trinity and Hope.

The menu includes seven meat-free dishes commemorating the seven sorrows of the Virgin Mary.
The meal ends with the famous 13 desserts which symbolise Christ and the 12 apostles.
Lunch will be included so that you can taste all these specialities.

In the late afternoon you will visit Aix calissons factory where you will learn some secrets about the manufacture of this delicious sweet, which is a speciality of our city.
After such a full day, you are free to organise your own evening meal.

To prepare the Christmas Festivities : Arles

(Day to be suggested in November, not on weekends).

8:30/ 9:00 a.m: Departure from Aix en Provence.
9:30/10h:00 a.m: Arrival in Arles, tour of the city: Roman and Christian Arles; Van Gogh's time in Arles (Roman theatre from outside, Roman amphitheatre, Place du Forum, Hôtel Dieu, Town Hall, Sainte Trophime Church).

Lunch in Arles.

2:30 p.m: The "Provence Prestige" show brings together all the trades specialising in produces, accessories and gifts for Christmas.
OR if the show is not on:
2.00 p.m: Saint Trophime Cloister, international santons exhibition (from November, 15th to January, 15th) which gathers the most outstanding collections of Provençal craftsmen but also artists from other regions. Contemporary creations, made of all kind of material, can be admired with the most classic ones.
3:00 p.m: Museon Arlaten (visit of 1 hour or 1h30 hours depending on interest)
4:00 p.m / 4:30 p.m: Visit of a shop selling wooden and ceramic toys (including "taraillettes", small cast-iron cooking utensils).
6:00 p.m. arrival in Aix-en-Provence

Christmas market in Aix en Provence

(Suggested for December).

10:00 a.m : Tour of Aix-en-Provence with a qualified guide-lecturer. The tour is on foot and takes about two hours.
12:30 p.m : Free time for lunch or organised lunch for the whole group.

The afternoon is free for last-minute Christmas shopping to enjoy the santons stalls set up next to the Tourist Office.

In December, the 'Cours Mirabeau' is illuminated by the Christmas Market and its cosy chalets. Children will love this warmth and liveliness... Santa Claus is waiting for them! From the end of November to the beginning of December, the Christmas Market of Aix-en-Provence's twin cities will make you discover other traditions. The 13 Desserts Market (15th to 31st Dec.) is a fine illustration of the traditional Mediterranean gastronomy.

Free evening.

The Nativity Scene Villages: Saint Remy and Les Baux de Provence

(Suggested day: Wednesday, market day in St Rémy).

9:00 a.m: Departure for the day with a qualified guide-lecturer.
The first stop will be at Les Antiques and St Paul de Mausole where Van Gogh still walks …
Then on to the village of Saint Rémy de Provence and its market in the old town. Besides its historical interest, the village is full of galleries, craft shops and boutiques, where you may find some special gifts for under the Christmas tree!

Free time for lunch or lunch organised for the group in the village.

After lunch we will take the Val d'Enfer road to the magnificent village of Les Baux de Provence. In the church of Les Baux, your guide will tell you about all the traditions of this part of Provence. A series of events will take place as a part of "Noël aux Baux" (Christmas in Les Baux).
The 'Cathedral d'Images', just outside the village offers an extraordinary production of 'Vincent's Dream' … Van Gogh of course, in a magnificent setting (projections of 3000 images on 20 m walls), to music specially composed for the show.

The return trip goes through La Petite Provence du Paradou which sets the final touch to its large Nativity Scene.
Return to Aix around 6:00 p.m.

Popular Arts and Traditions : Marseilles and Aubagne

(Not on Mondays).

9:00 a.m: Leave Aix-en-Provence after breakfast to discover two towns renowned in the history and traditions of Christmas in Provence: Marseilles and Aubagne.
The first stop will be in Marseilles, a city with 2,600 years of history. Of course, you will love the beauty of the Old Port with its winter light. But as you go up the Canebière you will quickly be attracted by the region's oldest santon market (free time to browse in the market).

Return to the coach to discover outside the traditional tourist routes, the Village of Château-Gombert, with the Marseilles Regional Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions (Julien Pignol Museum).

The special feature of the museum is that you stay for lunch to discover and taste the traditional dishes.

After this unusual lunch we go on to Aubagne, the town of pottery.

You will be offered a short practical session in the workshop of the santon-maker Di Landro who will tell you all the tips and hints to make a dressed santon, as well as a visit to the little museum and the souvenir shop.

The day would not be complete without a stop in Aubagne town centre. During the Christmas period the "Petit Monde de Pagnol" nativity scene, and the large nativity scene on the Cours Foch, must not be missed (from December 20th ).

Return to Aix around 6:00 p.m.

Other contacts

Provence culture

L'oustaou de Provenco
Parc Jourdan
13100 Aix en Provence
Contact: Jacques MOUTET
Tel: +33 (0) 4.42.26.23.41
Resource and information centre on Provence culture

Tours

The best nativity cribs in the department:
Aix en Provence Tourist Office
Saint Sauveur Cathedral
Provence Laser Nativity Crib Allauch
Tel: +33 (0) 4.91.10.49.20
Notre Dame de la Garde in Marseille

Demonstrations

Li Venturié: the art of costume, quilting, Provencal embroidery
Tel: +33 (0) 48 79 73 34 62
E-mail: venturie@wanadoo.fr
Web: www.liventurie.com

Events

Bravade Calendale: 16/12/07 Sunday before Christmas: demonstration by folk groups and offering of oil pump to the town authorities.
Shepherds Mass in Miramas: 1st Sunday in December
Traditional Shepherd's Mass in Provencal, folk groups
Domaine de Sulauze Tel 04.90.58.02.02
In association with the Istres Shepherds Festival
Tel OT: 04.42.55.51.16
The March of the Kings: 2nd Sunday in January
Solemn march of the Kings in Saint Sauveur Cathedral, concert by the Petits Chanteurs d'Aix boys choir
La Pastorale: Nativity Plays in the different villages. For individuals.

Entertainment

Soirée Calendale, advice for organising a traditional 'gros souper' dinner with family and friends.
Associations: demonstration of folk dances, musical entertainment:

Music:

Académie du Tambourin drumming academy
Tel: +33 (0) 4 42 2612 62
Web: Academitambourin.multimania.com
E-mail: academiedutambourin@laposte.net

Demonstration, Concert, Lecture
Price for 2 h: around 150 € /200 €

Lou Roudelet dei Mielo
Tel +33 (0) 4.42.26.25.32
Price 400 € /evening or 2 h

Lei Farandoulaire Sestian
Tel +33 (0) 4.42.29.72.25 Fax +33 (0) 4.42.20.39.37
E-mail: farandoulaire@wanadoo.fr
Price 400 to 460 € / for 1 ½ hours

Traditional Christmas Meal for individuals each year.
Salle Les Platanes 30€