Aix-en-Provence Excursions

One of the benefits of studying abroad is the ability to venture outside your host city and explore the surrounding area. Excursions are offered for all semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered two to three excursions and summer students are typically offered one to two excursions. You will receive a calendar of the specific CEA excursions offered for your program during orientation. To give you an idea of the possibilities, we have collected typical experiences from some of the day trips and weekend tours offered to our students in the past.

Arles

Once the key headquarters for Roman military campaigns as well as the Christianization of Gaul, Arles offers many windows to its colorful past. The Roman empire contributed much in the way of architecture, including baths, an aqueduct, mills, amphitheater and more. Walking between the remnants of telltale pillars and arches, it's easy to forget you're visiting an ancient part of Provence. Especially when the ‘ferias’ and other bull festivals charge the air with excitement. On this excursion, you'll get the chance to enjoy a traditional Provençal meal at 2,000-year-old Roman stone tables carved from the surrounding area – once a Roman quarry. This is where Lolo, age 86 and one of the few to still speak the local dialect, will serve you his family’s Provençal recipes as this has been his family home for more than four centuries.

The Luberon

The Luberon, where this movie A Good Year was filmed, is a lush green national park with two small mountain ranges and a sweeping valley dotted with unbelievable fairy-tale villages (several labeled the most beautiful in France) and castles. Here we'll canoe along the Sorgue river, which flows from an unknown source deep under Fountaine-de-Vaucluse; hike the red/orange/yellow ochre hills of Roussillon; and, explore Gordes – a local commune. Go ahead! See if you can discover the café where Russell Crowe filmed his scenes with Marion Cotillard.

Camargue

Modern-day Camargue traditions, which date back well over a century, were actually modeled upon Texas and the rodeos (the French actually love Westerns). However, this wild land resembles more of an Argentina, with the Camargue bull reigning as king. Brave a horseback ride on one of the wild white Camargue horses, following a guardian, or cowboy, through the marsh lands to get up-close glimpses of the pink flamingos. Most important of all, do not leave Camargue without witnessing their own version of the bull fight, where it’s all sport and no violence.

Cassis

Stroll through the quaint sea-side town of Cassis, one of Aix’s closest beaches, for the perfect Mediterranean experience. After soaking up the sun on Cassis’ beach, hop on a boat to the Calanques, or coves, tucked away along the coast to Marseille. These beautiful rock formations give way to translucent multi-hued turquoise waters ideal for swimming, fishing, or simply admiring. For a different perspective, hike the Calanques by land for more stimulating views. And when it gets too hot, just dive in!