Golf Provence

Four-Day Weekend: Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence

Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Thursday

Leaving Northern Europe on a Thursday, you arrive at Montpellier where we collect you, transporting you in chauffeur driven comfort, or by helicopter, to Aix, the ancient capital of Provence (MGG). The birthplace of the painter Cézanne, it is a vibrant, cultural city with elegant squares, impressive mansions, majestic avenues and cascading fountains. You stay at the Villa Gallici in the city centre. This 18th-century manor has been transformed into a luxurious and intimate hotel of character and beauty. Decorated in the warm and mellow colours of Provence your bedroom opens out onto either a private terrace or a garden. The tree-shaded main terrace of the hotel is a perfect setting in which to enjoy Provençal cooking at its finest.
Upon arrival, the choice is yours. You can decide on a quiet afternoon among the flowers and plants of the gardens and terrace or you can journey to Old Aix, whose many pedestrian streets make it ideal for a leisurely walk and a morning of exploration. Or an afternoon tee time is available at the Chateau L'Arc Golf Club, impressive in its setting below the mountains of the Luberon.

And for dinner? Given the fine reputation that the hotel enjoys for the quality of its food and wines, you couldn't end the day in a better place.

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Friday

From Aix we drive you through the countryside to the Domain de Chateau Neuf, where a morning tee time allows you to experience the superb 18-hole course which has been laid out in parkland surrounding this beautiful mansion. The former home of Louis-Maurice Chateauneuf, an intimate of Napoleon Boneparte, this grand property sits below the Massif de la Ste. Baume, (MGG) with breathtaking views of the craggy peaks.

For non-golfers there is the opportunity to explore the intimate hillside towns and villages of the region, steeped in tradition and surrounded by ancient forests. After a truly memorable day we return you to the Domain, a beautiful mansion, where lunch will be served.

Dinner this evening will be at L'Abbey de St. Croix. Close to the town of Salon this 4th-century abbey was, according to legend founded by Saint Hilaire, the Archbishop of Arles who brought back from the Holy Land a piece of the Cross of Christ. The Abbey was carefully renovated in the early seventies. It stands high above the surrounding countryside amidst the scent of thyme and wild flowers and from its terrace it offers panoramic views. The Michelin rated cuisine is said to be the finest in the area.

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Saturday

Arles, (MGG) on the Rhone delta, is the gateway to the Camargue (MGG). A Roman capital and a major religious centre in the Middle Ages, the city was home to Van Gogh during which time he is reputed to have produced upwards of 300 works including views of Arles, its surrounding countryside and its people. The women of Arles, noted for their beauty, are said to have inspired the poetry and music of Mistral and Daudet, among others. The city's amphitheatre and theatre are two fine examples of the architecture from its Gallo-Roman past. Today it is a bustling market town for the surrounding agricultural region. A short tour of the town will be followed by lunch at the famed Jules Cesar Hotel which is justly proud of its cuisine.

In the afternoon we set off for what has been called "the most original and romantic region of Provence and possibly of France," La Camargue. This area of the Rhone delta designated as a botanical and zoological reserve, is home to herds of magnificent white horses and its own famous black bulls. It also has one of Europe's greatest concentrations of flamingos and other exotic bird life. During our journey we will visit the old fishing port towns of Le Grau du Roi, Ste. Maries de la Mer and the 13th-century walled town of Aigue Mortes (MGG). Behind its impressive walls you can enjoy an informal atmosphere, of Provençal charm and friendliness. You can do some shopping, or relax with a glass of fine wine served in a private tree-shaded garden.

This is the last evening of your visit to Provence. So we have arranged that you end on a high note! For dinner we have selected Le Mas d'Entremonte, a stately 4 Star Provençal country house whose gardens are an oasis of peace, although close to the centre of Aix. Here the cuisine is regional, aromatic, and authentically Provençal.

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Sunday

The final day of a wonderful golfing and touring experience. For the early riser there is the opportunity to get in a quick 9 holes. Non-golfers can avail themselves of the opportunity to do last minute shopping, to take coffee at Cours Mirabeau and watch the local colour, or to simply enjoy the tranquility of the hotel gardens. After brunch in the hotel, we transport you by road or by helicopter to your departure airport. After ensuring that you are safely checked in we wish you bon voyage and a bientôt, because we hope we will share with you again the unique experience which is Golf Provence.

(Back to top)

	Thursday

	Leaving Northern Europe on a Thursday, you arrive at Montpellier where we collect you, transporting you in chauffeur driven comfort, or by helicopter, to Aix, the ancient capital of Provence (MGG). The birthplace of the painter Cézanne, it is a vibrant, cultural city with elegant squares, impressive mansions, majestic avenues and cascading fountains. You stay at the Villa Gallici in the city centre. This 18th-century manor has been transformed into a luxurious and intimate hotel of character and beauty. Decorated in the warm and mellow colours of Provence your bedroom opens out onto either a private terrace or a garden. The tree-shaded main terrace of the hotel is a perfect setting in which to enjoy Provençal cooking at its finest. Upon arrival, the choice is yours. You can decide on a quiet afternoon among the flowers and plants of the gardens and terrace or you can journey to Old Aix, whose many pedestrian streets make it ideal for a leisurely walk and a morning of exploration. Or an afternoon tee time is available at the Chateau L'Arc Golf Club, impressive in its setting below the mountains of the Luberon. And for dinner? Given the fine reputation that the hotel enjoys for the quality of its food and wines, you couldn't end the day in a better place. (Back to top)

	Friday

	From Aix we drive you through the countryside to the Domain de Chateau Neuf, where a morning tee time allows you to experience the superb 18-hole course which has been laid out in parkland surrounding this beautiful mansion. The former home of Louis-Maurice Chateauneuf, an intimate of Napoleon Boneparte, this grand property sits below the Massif de la Ste. Baume, (MGG) with breathtaking views of the craggy peaks. For non-golfers there is the opportunity to explore the intimate hillside towns and villages of the region, steeped in tradition and surrounded by ancient forests. After a truly memorable day we return you to the Domain, a beautiful mansion, where lunch will be served. Dinner this evening will be at L'Abbey de St. Croix. Close to the town of Salon this 4th-century abbey was, according to legend founded by Saint Hilaire, the Archbishop of Arles who brought back from the Holy Land a piece of the Cross of Christ. The Abbey was carefully renovated in the early seventies. It stands high above the surrounding countryside amidst the scent of thyme and wild flowers and from its terrace it offers panoramic views. The Michelin rated cuisine is said to be the finest in the area. (Back to top)

	Saturday

	Arles, (MGG) on the Rhone delta, is the gateway to the Camargue (MGG). A Roman capital and a major religious centre in the Middle Ages, the city was home to Van Gogh during which time he is reputed to have produced upwards of 300 works including views of Arles, its surrounding countryside and its people. The women of Arles, noted for their beauty, are said to have inspired the poetry and music of Mistral and Daudet, among others. The city's amphitheatre and theatre are two fine examples of the architecture from its Gallo-Roman past. Today it is a bustling market town for the surrounding agricultural region. A short tour of the town will be followed by lunch at the famed Jules Cesar Hotel which is justly proud of its cuisine. In the afternoon we set off for what has been called "the most original and romantic region of Provence and possibly of France," La Camargue. This area of the Rhone delta designated as a botanical and zoological reserve, is home to herds of magnificent white horses and its own famous black bulls. It also has one of Europe's greatest concentrations of flamingos and other exotic bird life. During our journey we will visit the old fishing port towns of Le Grau du Roi, Ste. Maries de la Mer and the 13th-century walled town of Aigue Mortes (MGG). Behind its impressive walls you can enjoy an informal atmosphere, of Provençal charm and friendliness. You can do some shopping, or relax with a glass of fine wine served in a private tree-shaded garden. This is the last evening of your visit to Provence. So we have arranged that you end on a high note! For dinner we have selected Le Mas d'Entremonte, a stately 4 Star Provençal country house whose gardens are an oasis of peace, although close to the centre of Aix. Here the cuisine is regional, aromatic, and authentically Provençal. (Back to top)

	Sunday

	The final day of a wonderful golfing and touring experience. For the early riser there is the opportunity to get in a quick 9 holes. Non-golfers can avail themselves of the opportunity to do last minute shopping, to take coffee at Cours Mirabeau and watch the local colour, or to simply enjoy the tranquility of the hotel gardens. After brunch in the hotel, we transport you by road or by helicopter to your departure airport. After ensuring that you are safely checked in we wish you bon voyage and a bientôt, because we hope we will share with you again the unique experience which is Golf Provence. (Back to top)