DAY 1- Arrival and Welcome Dinner

After departing the United States on Saturday, you will arrive to France and make your way to Aix-en-Provence.  During the evening, you and the other guests will participate in an introductory photography class and have the opportunity to interact with your photography guide.  We will also enjoy a relaxing dinner together and get to know our fellow photographers as we embark on the journey around Provence and the Cote d’Azure.

DAY 2- Aix-en-Provence

Day two provides the opportunity to practice our new photography skills (and maybe buy a souvenir) by exploring the daily markets in Aix-en-Provence.  These markets are full of color, action, and beautiful details.  You will enjoy a mid-day break to rest, explore Aix at your leisure, or find a lovely outdoor café for lunch.  Your tour directors will be available for guidance and ideas.  In the evening, we will learn about landscape photography and put these skills to use by photographing Mont Victoire, which was famously captured by Cézanne in multiple paintings. 

DAY 3- Lavender Fields and Salon de Provence

Day three will get off to an early start as we travel to the Valensole Plateau for sunrise and early morning photography in the lavender fields.  This is an iconic photography opportunity that will be remembered for years to come.  Time permitting, we will visit a local village and lavender shops.  Following a mid-day break back in Aix, you will participate in a nature photography class.  In the evening, we will explore the medieval town center of Salon de Provence.  (Timing of lavender blooms varies from year to year and we cannot guarantee that the fields will be in full bloom)

DAY 4- The Camargue and Marseille

Day four will find us traveling to The Camargue, one of the most beautiful and untouched nature reserves in France.  Here we will have the opportunity to photograph flamingoes, Camargue horses, and the local flora.  We will then travel to Marseille, a vibrant seaside city that is perfect for a photo walk.  Today will include classes on low light and architectural photography.  In the evening, we will travel to Nice, which will be our home base for the remainder of the tour.

DAY 5- Nice

Day five provides the perfect setting for low light photography in our choice of the museums and churches of Nice.  You will also have the opportunity to participate in a macro photography class today.  The remainder of the day will be free for you to spend time on the beach, rest, shop, or further explore the delights of Nice.  As always, your tour directors will be available for information or ideas.

DAY 6- Nice and Eze

Day six will be a busy day starting with sunrise photography over the Mediterranean Sea in Nice.  We will then travel to Eze, a hilltop village with exotic botanical gardens that afford breathtaking views of the Mediterranean coast.  Following a mid-day break, you will be offered classes in sunset and night photography.  We will put these new skills to use with a night tour of Nice.

DAY 7- Cannes and Farewell Dinner

Day seven will start with a class on taking flattering photographs of people.  Perhaps your fellow photographers will be your models in the lovely coastal city of Cannes, where celebrities famously pose during the Cannes Film Festival.  We will also enjoy a farewell dinner when we can relive the memories and show off the photographs from the magical week in the South of France.

Day 8- Travel Home

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will travel home full of new excitement for travel photography, new photography skills, and a beautiful array of photographs from your week in France.