Walking in Provence

Introduction
Provence France
Marvel at jaw dropping views over the Southern French landscape on this self-guided itinerary with open ridge walks along some of the region's most important mountain ranges: Les Alpilles & Le Luberon.

You start in Avignon, former papal seat up to the 14th century, before your route takes you to hilltop villages and through countryside straight out of Van Gogh’s paintings. With each turn in your path, the Luberon Mountains offer a new discovery: 1000-year-old perched villages rising spectac-ularly from the valleys below,  open fields laden with poppies and wild-flowers, centuries’ old stone huts that offer the most intimate of picnic spots, beautiful trails far from the beaten track... 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Stroll on the famous morning market in St Remy (just like locals do) and grab your picnic fare
• The mysterious spring of the Sorgue river: Fontaine de Vaucluse
• 300 year-old Mur de la Peste
• Senanque abbey (12th century Romanesque architecture)
• Visit Saint Paul de Maussole monastery where Van Gogh spend over a year creating 150 paintings
• The ochre quarries of Rustrel & it’s 17th century chateau
• The hilltop villages of the Luberon, including Gordes, Bonnieux, Lacoste, Saigon, Les Baux de Provence

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive trip, so you will be staying in different establishments along the way. 

Description
We favour small local establishments, often family-run hotels or B&Bs, that employ local people. Selected by our track finders, our accommodations are chosen based on the friendliness of the owners, the quality of the service, the charm of the establishment and, quite often, the quirkyness (of both accommodation and owners!) that makes where you sleep an integral part of your adventure. 

Your package includes standard accommodation (with all basic comfort and services) but it is possible to upgrade to more comfortable accommodations for an extra fee.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel Boquier in Avignon
Night 2: Le Castelet des Alpilles in St Rémy de Provence
Night 3 & 4: Le Mas de la Beaume in Gordes
Night 5: Auberge des Seguins in Buoux
Night 6: L'Aptois in Apt
Night 7: Les Terrasses in Isle sur la Sorgue

Hotel Boquier in Avignon
In a quiet pedestrian street, in the heart of Avignon, stands the Boquier hotel (2 stars). This atypical and cozy building from the 18th century will warmly welcome you. Each of the 13 comfortable room comes equipped with air conditioning, a flat screen television, a private shower room and Wi-Fi access.

Le Castelet des Alpilles in St Rémy de Provence
This early 20th century family house was turned into a hotel in 1952 and has been run by the same family for three generations. Most of the 19 rooms are facing south onto the Alpilles and the view from the terrace is breathtaking. All bedrooms offer a private bathroom, a TV, air-conditioning and free WIFI connection.
Guests can also go for a swim in the outdoor pool if they wish.

Le Mas de la Beaume in Gordes
This charming guesthouse offers 5 bedrooms, each with its unique décor. All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, a coffee/tea machine and private facilities.
Guests are encouraged to explore the Provencal garden and take a dip in the pool, with great views over the Alpilles mountains.

Auberge des Seguins in Buoux
Hidden at the base of the Aiguebrun gorge, beside the river, this auberge is both scenic and peaceful. With no television, nor Wifi, or cell phone reception, this is the perfect place to unplug. The rooms are simple but comfortable and all come equipped with heating and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms can be private or shared depending on the room. There is a garden and an outdoor pool where guests can relax and enjoy the view.
If clients do not want to stay at the Auberge we can book a taxi to drive them to Bonnieux where 3* hotels and guesthouses are available. This requires another transfer next day to the start of the walk (extra fees apply - upon request only).

L'Aptois in Apt
The Aptois Hotel is a family-run establishment, located in the heart of downtown Apt. It offers 19 rooms on 3 floors (there is an elevator). The bedrooms are simply decorated and include air conditioning OR fan (depending on availability), private bathroom, flat screen TV, and Wi-Fi access.
Refrigerator and iron available at reception.

Les Terrasses in Isle sur la Sorgue
This small hotel offers modern rooms that come equipped with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and a private bathroom.


Meals
All breakfasts are included as well as 1 picnic lunch (on Day 6) and two dinners (on Day 1 and 5).

Breakfast will be provided by the accommodations.

Dinner at Auberge des Seguins features home-cooked Provençal specialties – like lamb shoulder braised with olive purée – served in a large casserole for the whole table, near the huge roaring fireplace. 

Riding

Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
You enjoy regular exercise (whether walking, cycling, aerobics, etc.). You’re in good shape and used to regular and sustained exercise. You are keen to set off on all-day walks, and can handle walking uphill (slowly) for up to 2 hours at a time. Walks are generally under 5h30/7h hours, on various types of terrain -- though nothing technically difficult -- with up to 600m/2000ft of climbing per day.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Note: This trip is available to start on any day of the week but if you want to be able to visit the markets (as described in the itinerary below), you should arrive in Avignon on a Tuesday.

Day 1: Arrival
Arrival by your own means to Avignon.
A medieval town on the banks of the mighty Rhône River, Avignon hides many treasures: the Pope’s palace, the 12th century bridge, the 14th century ramparts, still intact, and many museums and churches. Meander through a labyrinth of cobbled streets and discover cafés in open squares, shaded by plane trees.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight in Avignon

Day 2: Saint Rémy
After breakfast, transfer by taxi from Avignon to the picturesque & artsy town of St Remy (30 min drive) situated in the Alpilles hills. Enjoy the Wednesday morning market in St Remy. Take the time to explore the town, including its Roman ruins and former monastery, where Van Gogh spent the last year of his life. Walk up the Van Gogh trail, lined with reproductions of his paintings facing the very scenes that inspired them. From there, you follow a winding botanical path up a gradual track and to the crest of the Alpilles mountains. A short but steep climb leads to the rock formation Rocher des Deux Trous, from where the views are outstanding... You then have two options: either a leisurely stroll back down the mountain, or a sizeable detour on a breathtaking path along the rocky crest, adding a bit of adventure, and a ton of “wow” to the day’s walk (followed by the same leisurely stroll back down the mountain…).
Note that the detour is a challenging hike on an otherwise easy walk, and you may not feel comfortable completing it unless you have walking experience on jagged and uneven paths. Though there are no cliff-edges to contend with, there is some light scrambling involved, and a bit of tricky orienteering to reach the crest.
Distance: 10 km / about 2h45 / + 500m / -500m // Longer option (18km / 6 hours, +550m / -550m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Saint Rémy

Day 3 (Thursday): Saint Rémy to Les Baux
This morning, you leave St. Rémy by foot, and hike up to the crest of the windswept Alpilles mountains, along cypress lines and vineyards. A rolling track atop the ridge is complete with awe-inspiring 360° views. The track then gently undulates towards the medieval village of Les Baux de Provence. Set atop its rocky perch, it is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France. Take time to visit le Chateau des Baux (magnificent views over the valley) and the Carrieres de Lumieres (ancient querry converted into an interior lightshow). After visitng Les Baux, you can choose to continue your walk to Maussane or take a taxi to Gordes (1h), where your accommodation is waiting for you.
For those who decide to discover Maussane, you dip down into the plains, where the prestigious olive groves carpet the landscape, their silvery leaves glistening in the sun. You can taste some of the local olive oils and specialties in Maussane, a quaint Provençal town. This charming village has splendid vaulted houses and a 16th century chapel. Strolling through the narrow streets, you will come upon old oil-presses, chapels and splendid fountains. Made from a blend of five different varieties of olives, the olive oil made here is among the best made in the Mediterranean basin. In the 1830s there were 12 working oil mills in the village, now reduced to two, mostly due to the devastating frost of 1956. 
Distance: 12km / about 4 hours / +270m / -100m // Longer option with loop to Maussane (19km / about 7 h / +350m / -400m) 
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Gordes

Day 4 (Friday): Fontaine de Vaucluse to Gordes
A short transfer takes you to the village of Fontaine de Vaucluse, with its magical water source: a well that descends into infinity. Your path climbs through the pine and cedar forest on seldom-used trails, and up to a plateau from where the panorama extends to far-reaching hilltop villages. You follow the 300 year-old Mur de la Peste, constructed when the plague hit Marseille in 1720, as a means to protect the Provence of the Popes from the ravaging disease. Your journey ends at the magnificent village of Gordes, perched up on its rocky crag, its majestic grey stone homes rising vertiginously from the valley below.
Gordes is perched high above the Calavon valley, its majestic stone homes rising dramatically in concentric circles to its castle, crowning the village. If you wish, you can add an additional loop to the Senanque Abbey, crossing through lavender and thyme-laden fields (lavender blooming in June) dotted with old stone huts. You will have time to explore the abbey before returning to Gordes via a cobbled path.
Distance: 13km / about 4h30 / +450m / -200m // With optional loop from Gordes to Sénanque Abbey (7h30, 23km +650m / -350m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Gordes

Day 5 (Saturday): Lacoste to Buoux
Short morning transfer to the village of Lacoste, crowned by the ruins of the castle that belonged to Marquis de Sade. The village offers a stunning ensemble of old village gates and cobbled streets, not to mention the haunting allure of the castle... The “Café de France” is a great place to have a coffee or drink before you start your walk. You make your way to Bonnieux, another gem of the Luberon, immortalized in Peter Mayle’s "A Year in Provence". Visit its beautiful town squares and the old cobbled steps leading to its 12th century church. Beyond Bonnieux, you enter in the Grand Luberon, following alongside a lavender field before reaching Buoux castle, and the village of Buoux itself.
Distance: 16,5km / about 5h30 / +450m / -350m
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Buoux (standard accommodation) / For those who chose the accommodation upgrade, transfer to Bonnieux for overnight

Day 6 (Sunday): Buoux to Apt
You walk along the base of the Aiguebrun canyon (the only permanent river of the Luberon mountains), with its massive limestone walls and luxuriant vegetation, before reaching the hidden hamlet of Sivergues. Continue through the vast lavender fields and truffle oak plantations to Saignon, a medieval village that is worse a short stop to visit the ruins of its three castles. You then descend to Apt, the Provencal capital of candied fruits (“fruits confits”).
If you are looking for a challenging day you can complete a full loop in Buoux before doing the walk from Buoux to Apt. Extra walk to the crest of the Luberon above the wild Aiguebrun valley. From Buoux, you climb out of the valley and pass open fields and ancient terrace walls, on your way to the hidden cobbled street village of Sivergues. You continue ascending through the Mediterranean brush, and you reach the very crest of the Luberon, a rounded summit laden with a carpet of thyme. From here the views can extend all the way to the Alps and to the Med Sea. Descending back to the Auberge, you can take a detour to visit the 3000 year-old Buoux Fort, sitting above a rocky crag with sheer cliffs and awe-inspiring views.
Distance: 14km / about 5h / +400m / -600m // Longer option with loop from Buoux (12km, 4h30, +500m / -500m)
Meals included: Breakfast & Picnic lunch
Overnight in Apt

Day 7 (Monday): Saignon to Rustrel
Short transfer to Saignon to start your walk. You cross the Calavon valley before reaching the Colorado Provençal: a rainbow of yellow, orange, and red sands. The maritime pine trees with their long and bright needles offer a beautiful contrast to the ochre soils. You’ll get the chance to explore the heart of this unique landscape dotted with old and crimson cliffs worthy of the Far West display and a succession of earth pillars and valleys with amazing contours.
Short transfer to Isle sur la Sorgue also called the Provencal Venice, for overnight.
Distance: 12km / about 4h / +400m / -300m // Optional loop through the ochre fields (16km, 6h, +450m/-350m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Isle sur la Sorgue

Day 8 (Tuesday): Departure
After breakfast, enjoy the great & famous Saturday morning market !
End of the trip in Isle sur la Sorgue.

Path Restrictions: from July 1st until September 15th, access to forest paths may be forbidden or partially restricted (access until 11:00am) if the risk of forest fire is high. Walks may vary due to weather conditions and dry season (lack of rain = forest fires). If a walk is not possible due to those reasons or any other reason. It is the client's responsibility to get this information, usually featured no later than 6pm a day in advance. Clients can ask the reception to call for you, if you want to make sure you understand the instructions correctly. Any extra cost due to those restrictions (or to any other reason) will be at the clients’ charge (extra transfers ..). If the paths happen to be restricted - forbidden, we will do our best to offer alternative options.

Rates and Dates for Walking in Provence

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Avignon
Airport: Marseille
Transfer: //

Climate:
                                    Saint Rémy de Provence area