FRANCE — Five Glorious Days in South of France

Day 1 - Sunday

Coordinating arrivals to Marseille of over 100 guests from multiple points of origin in North America proved to be quite challenging.  Yet, everyone arrived safely and seemingly full of anticipation about what was waiting for them.  The arriving guests were all picked up and transferred to their hotel for overnight stay.

MC Gallery Roi René, Aix en Provence

For the first two nights, we had booked the group at this famous hotel.  Located close to the "Fontaine des 4 Dauphins," in the historical downtown, the MC Gallery Hotel Roi René was Sir Winston Churchill's favorite residence when staying in Provence. 

Most of the hotel’s 134 guestrooms were overlooking the open-air garden atrium, quiet and tranquil, which was a welcome feature for our weary travellers.  

Dinner at Restaurant Peron, Marseille

For the group’s first evening meal, we had picked Restaurant Peron, one of the most famous addresses in Marseilles. The restaurant had an exceptional charm thanks to its location overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the islands; but also because of its lively ambiance. As we entered, the group found itself suddenly thrust into a deluxe transatlantic ocean liner from the golden age of the 1930s. The restaurant turned out to be an elegant establishment supported by a welcoming and the friendly professional service. 

Day 2 - Monday

A Day at Manade Jacques Bons, Camargue

Located in the heart of Camargue, a couple of miles from Arles, the “Manade de Jacques Bon” was our treat for a very typical outing. It turns out Jacques Bon is a native from the estate and a true passionate cattle farmer.

The group was welcome by Mr. & Ms. Bon and their son, who showed us the Mas du Peint dating back to the 17thcentury, as well as the sheepfold (the shelter for sheep) dating back to the beginning of the 19thcentury.  

We split the group into two and the first group went off to do the “Tour du Pelot (Patron).”  On this hour-long tour, riding in a tractor-drawn wagon, participants learned about the history of Le Mas de Peint and its 550-hectare Ranch, the evolution of agriculture in the area (rice growing) and its black cattle breeding (pure Camargue bred bulls and horses).

The second group got an education on “Tri Camarguais” (pick of a cattle), the work the “Guardians” (ranchers) do on their horse while driving the cattle in order to separate a bull from the herd. This is done when they need to take a bull to a “Cocarde Race” in the arena, or out of their ranch to Arles’ arenas.

Lunch at Restaurant La Bastide du Cours, Aix en Provence

After their ‘educational’ morning, the group was ready for an authentic French food. We headed to a very special local restaurant: 

Enjoying a sumptuous country meal on La Bastide du Cours’intimate terrace with its canopy, the group got to enjoy a traditional speciality of the Provence. Chef Marc Claude Arnaudin and his team knew how to please a group of hungry executives with his favorite Provençal dishes.

After lunch, the group got to relax and enjoy the spectacular surroundings in a leisurely manner.  But soon, it was time to eat again:

Dinner at Brasserie les 2 Garçons, Aix en Provence

The coffeehouse "Les deux Garçons" sits in a unique setting.  It is named after the two waiters that purchased the place in 1840. The restaurant is rich with memory of so many dignitaries that dined at the place:  Names like Raimu Jouvet Minstinguett, Andre Maurois, Churchill, Saar, Picasso, Bosco, Piaf, Cendrars, Trenet, Delon, Belmondo, Tino Rossi, Jean Cocteau, Darius Milhaud. Cezanne spent his daily three hours before dinner there with his high school friends Mignet and Emile Zola.

The restaurant is a milestone in the city of Aix and linked to the events of the French Revolution. Politics, arts, literature, fashion and entertainment all feel ever present in the place. 

Day 3 – Tuesday 

Tuesday & Wednesday: Radisson Blu 1835 Hotel & Thalasso, Cannes

For the group’s days 3 and 4, we were back on the coaches and onto the famous city of Cannes, the home the famed annual international film festival.  The group checked in the Radisson Blu in the heart of the historic part of Cannes, just a short walk away from la Croisette, with magnificent views of the Esteral Mountains, the Bay of Cannes and its legendary boulevard. 

Upon arrival, the group was treated to a glass of bubbly on the 7thfloor of the hotel, known as the “360°,” with its amazing views of the Bay. 

A Day at the Sea

After breakfast on their own, the group had to get outfitted for a day on water for Catamaran Sailing.

After the customary presentation on the boat's technical features and safety instructions by the captain, the group departed for sailing on the Bay of Cannes and around the Lerins Islands.

As one could only expect, this day-long activity was as exhilarating as the participants expected; and everyone got to get their hands on the helm, read maritime maps, hoist the sails and help with the manoeuvres...or just relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery of this beautiful coastline. 

It was dark by the time we docked back at the port and was time to feed the famished group.  

Dinner at Le Palm Square, Cannes

Within walking distance of the Radisson Blu, this Lounge, Bar & Restaurant was the perfect setting for the group after their active day. On the famous Croisette, facing Cannes’ main harbor and the Palais des Festivals, the group got to enjoy the chef’s sophisticated cuisine with Mediterranean influences.

Day 4 - Wednesday

2 CV Driving Rally

An original way of discovering the region’s picturesque roads and landscape near Cannes used to be driving a legendary 2 CV, which were very popular in France in the 1950s and 60s.  No incentive program is complete without this unique experience.   

After a briefing on the itinerary and how to drive these classic cars, our guests were ready for their adventure and were openly thrilled by the fleet of colorful convertibles lined up outside the hotel. 

The rally included two stops:  The first at the Chapele Notre Dame du Brusc for a friendly game of Pétanque ; and then onto Gourdon for a Tapenade-making/tasting workshop which was followed by lunch. 

Lunch at Gourdon, le Nid d’Aigle

Gourdon, is one of the medieval villages of the region, high above the hills, overlooking the French Riviera all the way from the Italian border to the Esterel Moutains. There, the group got to enjoy lunch at a beautiful place called “Le Nid d’Aigle”. 

Farewell and Gala Dinner at Le Moulin de Mouginsin Mougins

Everyone got decked with black tie or evening gowns and ready to celebrate the conclusion of a memorable event.  

Water, stone, wind... It all began with an oil mill.

Behind its glass windows, the Moulin displays—in a spectacular fashion—its soul that still turns and bears witness to the 16thcentury when it was built and the fine people who have been there ever since... Its walls still echo the laughter of Liz Taylor or Sharon Stone, the jokes of Jean Cocteau or Jean Marais, the words of Bertrand Tavernier or Bocuse—all of which seem to have left their signatures on the windows.

The group’s farewell dinner was at the restaurant’s elongated a veranda that opened onto a luxuriant garden and Provençal restanques, old farming terraces enhanced by giant bamboo framing and profusion of sculptures by the likes of Louis Cane, Sosno and Fahri...and a jazz trio in the background entertaining the guests.  The evening wore on.

Judging by everyone’s reaction at the close of the dinner, we couldn’t have found a more fitting venue for the group’s farewell dinner.

Day 5 – Departures

Sooner or later, the dreamlike program had to come to an end. It was time to put the group back on coaches to take them from Cannes to the Nice Airport—and onward back to the US and Canada.  And with that one of our most memorable programs came to an end.