AERIAL TOURISM Seeing Provence from the air can also be of interest for some of our visitors. For the past few years we have been associated with one of the local flying clubs, and certain pilots are interested in sharing their hobby with visitors who would like to see the region from a bird's eye perspective. The pilots are amateur pilots and by law cannot be remunerated for their time. Trips like these are therefore naturally dependent on the availability and willingness of a pilot, the availability of the aircraft, and of course the weather ! Examples of visits:   |> The Calanques and the bay of Marseille Take off from Aix en Provence. Around Aix to the north, turn south and head back over the St. Victoire mountain following the valley past Aubagne and down to the sea above Cassis. Over the cliffs of Cassis, down along the coast past the Calanques inlets and out over the bay of Marseille. Past the islands off Marseille (with a good view of Marseille and the old prison island of the Château d'If), before turning back and returning to Aix, passing over La Bartavelle. Time: approx. 1 hr. |> Avignon, the Pont du Gard and the Camargue Take off from Aix en Provence. Head north west for a view of the Luberon mountain, followed by Avignon and the Pont du Gard. Turn south, past Nîmes (you can see the old Roman amphitheatre as well as the Perrier water bottling plant to the west), and head down to the sea. Circle over the old medieval walled town of Aigues Mortes, pass by Ste. Maries de la Mer and the Camargue region, and then head east along the coast. Pass the islands off Marseille and return to Aix over the Calanques, Cassis, and La Bartavelle. Time: approx. 2hrs. (Photo : Aigues Mortes) (Photo : Calvi) |> Corsica and Calvi Take off from Aix en Provence : direction Saint Tropez. Direction south-east, passing over the Sainte Beaume mountain, the Var département and Saint Tropez, before heading out over the Mediterranean towards Corsica. A further 30 min. flying time and the coast of Corsica appears on the horizon. With traffic control's approval we descend to fly at low altitude along the island's magnificent north-west coastline as far as Cargèse, before returning north to land at Calvi airport. A short taxi ride from the airport and we will be at one of the many restaurants in the port of Calvi for lunch ! A short after-lunch walk along the fortifications of the old town, and then it will be time to head back to mainland France to land again at Aix en Provence. Time: approx. 4hrs. (excluding lunch in Calvi !)