Private Tour Avignon & Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Papal History, Antiques
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Tour Avignon & Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Papal History, Antiques worth booking?
Private Tour Avignon & Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Papal History, Antiques is a 8-hour experience in Marseille, France, from $485 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (7)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $485 per person
Private Tour Avignon & L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue - Papal History, Local produce & food markets, Antiques & Brocante. Discover two of Provence's most iconic destinations on a private full-day journey combining history, culture, gastronomy, and timeless French elegance. Explore the magnificent Palais des Papes in Avignon, wander through the vibrant Provençal food market, and immerse yourself in the rich history of the City of the Popes. Then continue to the enchanting canals of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, renowned for its picturesque waterways, celebrated antique dealers, brocantes, artisan boutiques, and relaxed Provençal atmosphere. The Venice of Provence, this delightful town is criss-crossed by crystal-clear waters of the River Sorgue, a peaceful setting of canals, flower-filled bridges, tree-lined quays. A beautifully curated experience blending medieval heritage, authentic local flavours, exceptional shopping, and the charm of one of France's most beautiful riverside towns.
What you get
About this experience
Private Tour Avignon & L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue - Papal History, Local produce & food markets, Antiques & Brocante. Discover two of Provence's most iconic destinations on a private full-day journey combining history, culture, gastronomy, and timeless French elegance. Explore the magnificent Palais des Papes in Avignon, wander through the vibrant Provençal food market, and immerse yourself in the rich history of the City of the Popes. Then continue to the enchanting canals of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, renowned for its picturesque waterways, celebrated antique dealers, brocantes, artisan boutiques, and relaxed Provençal atmosphere. The Venice of Provence, this delightful town is criss-crossed by crystal-clear waters of the River Sorgue, a peaceful setting of canals, flower-filled bridges, tree-lined quays. A beautifully curated experience blending medieval heritage, authentic local flavours, exceptional shopping, and the charm of one of France's most beautiful riverside towns.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
Not included
- Lunch
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Marche de L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
The village of Isle Sur la Sorgue, a walking tour of the old town.
60 minutes here
Palais des Papes
Once the centre of the Christian church when the Pope's were in Avignon, an UNESCO World Heritage site, this impressive 14th century building dominates the centre of Avignon.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, fr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- OohProvence
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not suitable for a shore excursion arriving and departing same day from the Port of Marseille
- If you're a solo traveller this tour is bookable at a special rate only via our website
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
7 verified traveler reviews for Private Tour Avignon & Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Papal History, Antiques. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Palace of the popes in augmented reality
Obviously I recommend visiting the historic center of Avignon, very nice, well-kept and characteristic. The palace of the popes is a must: there is the possibility of seeing in augmented reality as it was at the time.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your review and we’re very happy you enjoyed your visit and for sharing your experience.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Good Palace!!
My wife and I visited the Palais des Papes d'Avignon, an imposing Gothic complex built in the 14th century as a fortress and sumptuous papal residence. Symbol of spiritual and temporal power, it is characterized by its massive ramparts, imposing towers and its vast area of about 15,000 m2, including courtyards, more than 20 rooms, chapels, private apartments, monumental kitchens and treasures. It is decorated with precious frescoes illustrating the life of popes and religious scenes. Open all year round, with variable hours; a combined ticket with the Pont d'Avignon is often offered. The guided tour lasts about 2 hours, plus 30 minutes for the gardens. Besides the palace, it is possible to visit the papal gardens. The modern tour is enriched by tablets (HistoPad) that virtually recreate the original rooms and sets, and integrate multimedia and fun elements. One of the largest Gothic buildings in Europe, covering about 15,000 m2. It includes the Great Audience Hall, papal apartments, chapels (San Marziale and San Giovanni) richly decorated with frescoes, kitchens, treasures and panoramic galleries. The seat of the papacy during the papacy of Avignon (1309-1377), it was a center of power and prestige. The palace houses masterpieces by Matteo Giovannitti, depicting biblical scenes, saintly lives and naturalistic settings, as in the Deer Room. My wife and I visited the Palais des Papes in Avignon, an imposing Gothic complex built as a fortress and sumptuous papal residence in the 14th century. A symbol of spiritual and temporal power, it features massive walls, imposing towers, and a vast expanse of approximately 15,000 m2, with internal courtyards, over 20 rooms, chapels, private apartments, monumental kitchens, and treasuries. It is enriched by precious frescoes depicting the lives of the popes and religious stories. Open year-round, with variable hours; a combined ticket with the Avignon Bridge is often available. The guided tour lasts approximately 2 hours, plus 30 minutes for the gardens. In addition to the palace, it is possible to visit the papal gardens. The modern tour is enhanced by tablets (HistoPad) that virtually recreate the original rooms and decorations, including multimedia and gaming elements. One of the largest Gothic buildings in Europe, covering approximately 15,000 m2. It includes the Great Audience Hall, papal apartments, chapels (San Marziale, San Giovanni) richly frescoed, kitchens, treasuries, and panoramic walkways. Seat of the papacy during the Avignon Papacy (1309-1377), serving as a center of power and prestige. Masterpieces by Matteo Giovannetti, depicting biblical scenes, the lives of the saints, and naturalistic decorations, such as in the Deer Room.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your review and although it seems you took a guided visit direct with the Palais des Papes, nevertheless we are happy to read your comments. We visit a lot with our guests who equally are in awe of the experience. We will pass your comments onto the palais and thank you taking the time to write.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Palace of the Popes.
Obviously if you are in Avignon you can not go to visit this palace, you can visit it alone or with a guide. They also give you, an interactive tablet with lots of information about the history of the complex. Beautiful idea of treasure hunt for children and not only, if you are good "hunters" you will receive an email certificate. I recommend booking the visit.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your visit and thank you for your nice kind words. We're happy you and your family enjoyed the visit to the Palais des Papes and we'll pass on your comments.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Disappointing visit
I had high expectations for this visit to the Palace of the Popes in Avignon, but I was very disappointed. The exterior of the structure is a fortress, a bastion not a stately palace as I would have expected. It is very large and articulate, but completely devoid of furnishings. To overcome this bare aspect they thought it best to enrich it with modern installations that have nothing to do with the symbol it represents. In addition, the solution of providing a tablet to visitors that should have been supportive x the description of the many environments to walk, turns out to be little usable because it is not an audio guide and is difficult to understand its use. The stifling heat we suffered during the visit also certainly did not help us to appreciate the historical value of this structure. Finally, I would like to point out that, after crossing the bare papal gardens, the only way out turns out to be a narrow spiral staircase uphill that, those suffering from claustrophobia could certainly not face. I think that at the entrance of the visit it would be appropriate to report its presence.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your review however I would like to start by saying that you have reviewed a private tour we operate to the markets of Isle sur La Sorgue and the Palais des Papes and Avignon food markets. It appears from what you say that you took a visit on your own to the Palais des Papes - and not with OohProvence, we also do not offer tours in Italian only English and French. That said it’s always interesting to hear people’s opinions when visiting the region. If I can add a comment, the Palais itself was only occupied by the Pope’s during the 14th century and when they left for Rome in the early 15th century they took everything with them. It’s this aspect in fact that gives us so much in-depth information and knowledge we have today about the Palais construction and life there right up to the French Revolution and to modern days. As a UNESCO world heritage site the Palais and the city of Avignon is regarded as such an important part of French history. The iPad is an interesting innovation because it allows visitors to visualize many of the rooms as they were when occupied by the Pope’s which in general our guests do find very interesting. Each year the Palais des Papes plays host to parts of the Avignon festival as well as hosting exhibitions. This year Jean-Michel Othoniel’s glass sculptures are featured throughout and with most art forms it’s the viewer who finds it interesting or not. The displays along with paintings in our view enhance the visit, but of course that’s subjective. I appreciate you might not have enjoyed the art. For the rest a building such as the Palais des Papes at almost 700 years old doesn’t have air conditioning nor is it possible however this summer we have experienced some quite exceptional temperatures which can be difficult to deal with especially at peak times. No doubt you might like to pass your comments onto the Palais des Papes and Avignon Tourisme who are responsible for the Palais and other historic buildings in the city. Thank you and we hope you’ll find the time to come to visit Provence again.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
This is the company to use to help you explore all of Provence!
Friendly, knowledgeable and so easy to work with, Ooh Provence is such an amazing tour company. From the beginning to the end, everything was seamless. I can say that because I had been in contact with a different company and I immediately noticed a difference. Ooh Provence has so many tours to choose from… we loved everything we saw and cannot wait to go back and explore more! If you are looking for the guys to take you around beautiful Provence, look no further. We Missed having Laurent around for the remainder of our trip! Thank you Christopher and Laurent!
Response from the operator: Thank you again for letting us coordinate your weekend visit to Provence. It was lovely meeting you and your friends, so many fun moments and we’re so happy you enjoyed your visit and we’re missing you too! Have a great summer and look forward to seeing you again in the near future. Cordialement Laurent & Christopher
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $485 to $850
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by OohProvence, who run 9 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 55.2.
See everything OohProvence runsWhy this scores 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Tour Avignon & Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Papal History, Antiques: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Marseille.
How much does Private Tour Avignon & Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Papal History, Antiques cost?
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Prices start at $485 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Marseille usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Tour Avignon & Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Papal History, Antiques take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Marseille is not rushed.
Is Private Tour Avignon & Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Papal History, Antiques worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 7 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Marseille, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Tour Avignon & Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Papal History, Antiques?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Tour Avignon & Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Papal History, Antiques suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Tour Avignon & Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Papal History, Antiques?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Marseille can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Marseille and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Tour Avignon & Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Papal History, Antiques start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Marseille within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Marseille?
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On Outty we rank every Marseille experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Beyond Bouillabaisse: Diving into Marseille’s Multicultural Stew, Marseille Guided Tour for 4 Hours with a Bilingual Local Guide, Marseille Food Tour – Full Meal of Local Tastes by Do Eat Better. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Marseille?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Marseille?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Private Tour Avignon & Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Papal History, Antiques?
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Included: Private transportation; and Bottled water. Not included: Lunch; Alcoholic beverages; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Tour Avignon & Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Papal History, Antiques include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 548 listed pickup locations in and around Marseille. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Private Tour Avignon & Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Papal History, Antiques offered in?
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It is offered in English and French. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Private Tour Avignon & Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Papal History, Antiques?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Private Tour Avignon & Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Papal History, Antiques wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Private Tour Avignon & Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Papal History, Antiques if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Private Tour Avignon & Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Papal History, Antiques?
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Across 7 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, value for money. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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