Provence, South of France

The regions of Provence and Languedoc-Rousillon are examples of Mediterranean diversity at its best. There is considerable geographical diversity ranging from the spectacular limestone canyons of the Gorges du Tarn, pretty hilltop villages of the Luberon and the Rhone delta of the Carmargue. A geography tour to this region provides ample opportunities for study, exploration and relaxation in an area renowned for its variety and beauty.

SAMPLE ITINERARY - GCSE
Day 1: Depart from school by coach for overnight journey to France.
Day 2: Arrive at accommodation in time to settle in and for evening meal.
Day 3: Visit the spectacular limestone scenery of the Gorges du Tarn. An area under pressure from tourism, examine the effects of its popularity. On return, visit the “Bridge in the Clouds” at Millau.
Day 4: Settlement study at Cassis on the coast where tourism is the main economy. Take a boat trip along the coast to the calanques and understand more of the coastal geography. Alternatively visit the historic town of Aigues Mortes for a similar study.
Day 5: Visit the Carmargue and the Visitors centre to appreciate the natural and human aspects of this environment. Continue to Saintes Maries de la Mer for a study on tourism or simply relax on the sandy beach. A river trip on the Petit Rhone is also possible.
Day 6: Visit the Luberon where hilltop villages dominate the landscape. Explore the ochre fields of Rousillon and a processing plant. On return visit the caves at Thor or Fontaine de Vaucluse for some final shopping opportunities.
Day 7: Morning visiting Avignon and/or the Pont du Gard before leaving Provence for the return journey home.
Day 8: Arrive back at school.

SAMPLE ITINERARY - AS/A2
Day 1: Travel arrangements as for GCSE.
Day 3: La Grand Motte. Sand dune investigation into typical psammosere succession. Opportunity to collect data from several transects to determine whether the system conforms to textbook theory. A second possibility is to study human impact on a dune complex.
Day 4: Aigues Mortes. A settlement study investigating change. Land use survey and mapping exercise. Possibility of a questionnaire survey. A comparison of a historic centre, Aigues Mortes and a purpose built resort in La Grand Motte can also be uundertaken.
Day 5: A weathering study of village cemeteries. To investigate aspect and rock type in relation to weathering. A selection of village cemeteries will be visited to collect data that can then be processed and analysed.
Day 6: A decision making exercise at the Pont du Gard. Visit the information centre and conduct a visitor survey to assess this honey-pot site and decide upon a possible policy for the future.
Day 7: Delimiting a CBD. To visit a local town and investigate the land use and characteristics of the town centre. Is it the same as the UK? Does it conform to the textbook theory?
Day 8: Arrive back at school.

These are suggested itineraries. Tours can be of any length, combined in a variety of ways and can include geographical visits and excursions that you require. There are a variety of additional activities that can be added to the itinerary as leisure time. Contact us for further details. Excursion and entry fees are not included in the tour price. Please contact us for flight options.

THE ACCOMMODATION
We have selected two hotels that are well situated for the study areas. La Manadiere is located between Nimes and Arles. Student accommodation is in multi-bedded rooms with en suite facilities with twin rooms for staff. The hotel has a good restaurant and there is a games room and small swimming pool for guests. It is also possible to stay at Le Petit Manoir 2* in Avignon. A family run hotel on the west bank, the Petit Manoir is ideal for older groups. The hotel has a bar and restaurant whilst outside there is a terrace, swimming pool and garden.

ADDITIONAL ACIVITIES Camargue boat trip, local beaches, bowling, shopping, ice skating, Planetarium

Price Guide
Based on 40 paying passengers

LS: Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct
HS: June, July, Aug

Study Options - GCSE
COASTAL CASSIS
Cassis is a small coastal town that is hemmed in between the Mediterranean and a steep limestone escarpment. Originally Cassis made its living from the sea but nowadays there is a strong tourist economy which is evident as you stroll along the harbour front. This backdrop provides the opportunity for a wide variety of geographical investigation with plenty to do in leisure time when the work is done! Try relaxing on the sandy beach or take boat trip in and out of the steepsided limestone inlets called “Calanques”

THE CAMARGUE
The delta of the River Rhone, known as the Camargue is one of the most important wetlands in Europe. Along the outer fringes are long sandy beaches and dune complexes whilst behind these there are salt marshes teeming with wildlife and plants. Maintaining the balance between the natural habitats and the need for human activity such as farming and industry has meant that conflict can arise. It is these aspects of the region that can be studied. The day can include the Camargue visitor centre, the resort of Saintes Maries de la Mer, a visit to a salt works or a boat trip on the Petit Rhone.

THE DURANCE VALLEY
The River Durance is a major tributary of the River Rhone. Historically the flow of the river was very erratic but today the river has been canalised, diverted and the flow controlled to meet the water demands of Provence where, in summer, the temperatures are very high and rainfall is low. The valley floor is fertile with rich alluvial soil that enables farmers to grow a wide variety of produce. Investigations can include a visit to an HEP station, a farming land use survey and a farm visit. It is also possible to have some relaxation time in Aix-en-Provence or at the theme park of OK Coral.

THE LUBERON
Famed for its variety and beauty, the Luberon are a range of uplifted limestone hills. Located to the north of the Durance river there are numerous places to explore. Most notable are the deposits of ochre which have created a stunning landscape. The bright purple, red and yellow deposits are dazzling on a bright day. Discover limestone underground by visiting local caverns containing lovely examples of stalagmites and stalactites. The village of Fontaines-de- Vaucluse is another possible visit.

INDUSTRY
The Gulf of Fos is situated to the west of Marseille and the port of Fos-sur-Mer is the third largest port in Europe. Here there are large expanses of flat land for construction and the wide approaches make it accessible for the largest of vessels There are three types of terminal that can be visited, together with the Solac Steelworks and these can be visited to gain an insight into the importance of world trade. A multinational company, Perrier, can be visited to study an integrated works or consider the salt extraction plant near Aigues Mortes.

THE GORGES DU TARN
Located in the Cevennes National Parc, the Gorges du Tarn is a spectacular feature within the limestone massif. It may not be the longest or deepest in the world but it has an aura of its own. Here it is possible to appreciate mountain building and the action of water in creating the landscape. The villages along the gorge are frequently visited and together with landscape studies form the basis of the investigations for the day.

Study Options - AS/A2
All the units that have been designed for this level are investigations that involve primary data collection. They are intended to provide individual studies that can be used for personal investigations at AS or A2, to be used for comparative study in the UK or provide valuable case study material to support the syllabus. All units are supported by study materials and background information.

COASTAL STUDIES
The study is based on dynamic but fragile dune systems and the colonisation of dunes by plants. It is also possible to study human impact on the dune system.

TOURISM
Several opportunities are possible in the area. A decision making exercise at the Pont du Gard. Collect data for a car park survey, pedestrian survey, visitor pressure survey, consider whether carrying capacity is being exceded. Conduct a study of contrasting tourist destinations at Aigues Mortes and La Grande Motte. Study a tourist honey-pot.

URBAN STUDIES
A medieval town that has along history of change. A study of sphere of influence and changing function. Delimiting a CBD. The study aims to identify land use zones and concentration of facilities together with townscape perception scores that aim to measure environmental problems that may arise. Questionnaires that study the impact of tourism.

RIVER MORPHOLOGY
Processes and morphology of a river in the Apilles. Landforms and channel processes are studied with data collected at several sites.