Winter Walk in Provence

Introduction
Provence France
This stunningly beautiful region in the South of France can be just as exciting in winter as during the busy hot summer months. Its mild temperatures and bright blue skies reveal a very different kind of charm in the low season and the places are less crowded and overrun than during the summer months. 

Explore two of Provence’s most important mountain ranges: the Alpilles & Luberon. Your trip starts in medieval Avignon, before transferring to the artsy town of St Remy where you’ll spend two days literally walking through Van Gogh landscapes. 
Foodies have the option to add an extra cooking class or a truffle hunting tour.

HIGHLIGHTS
- Avignon medieval town & the Popes Palace
- Half day wine tour with an expert (1 or 2 wine estate visits & tastings)
- Isle sur la Sorgue canals & waterwheels
- The thousand year old perched village of Les Baux de Provence & Gordes the most famous hilltop villages of the Luberon

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. 

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel Boquier in Avignon
Night 2 & 3: Villa Glanum in St Remy
Night 4 & 5: 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. 

Villa Glanum in St Remy
This charming hotel offers 25 comfortable bedrooms featuring air conditioning, flat-screen TV, ensuite facilities and free Wi-Fi access. The hotel has been renovated in 2019 and it has a beautiful patio as well as a small outdoor pool.

Les Terrasses in Isle sur la Sorgue
This small hotel offers 8 simple but comfortable bedrooms. Each room features air conditioning, private facilities and free Wi-Fi.



Meals
All breakfasts are included in your package.

Breakfast will be provided by the accommodations.

Riding

Trip Difficulty: Easy with moderate options
You enjoy walking as a means to get fresh air and see the countryside, without considering yourself as a "real hiker". You like to walk to get exercise on your holidays, and enjoy strolls in the countryside and discover Provence in a different & fun way. Walks are generally from 2 to 4 hours / day on easy terrain, with some climbing up to perched villages. You don’t need to be an athlete to enjoy this trip !

Itinerary

Sample itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Arrive in Avignon and explore the medieval town and its cobbled streets, famous Pope’s Palace & St Benezet Brige.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight in Avignon

OPTIONAL COOKING CLASS (not possible on Monday’s) - inquire for rates
9AM to 3PM 
Meet a local well-known chef and visit LES HALLES indoor market to discover local specialties and buy your ingredients for the cooking class. Then head back to the restaurant for a hands-on cooking class. Enjoy lunch with the chef.

OPTIONAL TRUFFLE TOUR - inquire for rates
2PM to 5PM
Take a tour of a Provençal truffle plantation to learn how truffles are cultivated and truffle dogs are trained. Go on a hunt for France's elusive "black gold" with professional hunters who know all the tricks of the trade. You'll be regaled with stories of successes and sabotage. You'll also learn how to properly clean, store and cook with truffles. Tours are followed up with a sampling of fresh truffle hors d'oeuvres, Champagne and a tasting of our organic Les Pastras olive and truffle oil.

Day 2: Wine Tour
This morning, taxi transfer to Saint Remy.
Today you will participate in a half day wine tour (non private - maximum 6 participants) of the Southern Rhônes premium wine villages (pick up and drop off from Avignon). A local wine expert will reveal a wealth of secrets about the vines and explain the key elements of the wine making process as you visit the cellar and taste four to five different wines at a local wine estate (depending on the wine expert you visit 1 or 2 wine estates). The tasting characteristics, ageing potential and varying influences of the terroir and cellar methods will all be described (full day tours can also be arranged upoin request with supplement).
In the afternoon a taxi will transfer you to St Remy de Provence. Free afternoon in St Remy, with the option to follow the “Van Gogh’s” walking tour. Take the time to explore the town and taste local specialities (candied fruits, olive oil, wine...).
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Saint Rémy

Day 3: Walking through Van Gogh's landscapes
From St. Rémy you pass St. Paul de Mausole, the former monastery where Van Gogh spent the last year of his life. From there you head up a quiet valley, following a botanical path to the ridge of the Alpilles mountains, and to the “Rocher des deux trous”.
You then have two options: either a leisurely stroll down the mountain or a breathtaking path on a rocky crest, adding a bit of adventure and a lot of “wow” to the day’s walk (followed by the same leisurely stroll back down the mountain…). Note that the second option is a more challenging walk in an otherwise easy walking holiday, and you may not feel comfortable completing it unless you have some walking experience on jagged and uneven paths
Walking about 10 km (2h45) + detour (18km, 6 hours, +550m / 550m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Saint Rémy

Day 4: St Rémy to Les Baux
Once more, you leave St. Rémy by foot, and up to the crest of the windswept Alpilles mountains. A rolling track atop the ridge is complete with awe inspiring 360° views. These views accompany you as the track gently undulates towards the medieval village of Les Baux de Provence, set atop its rocky perch. Visit the village before an afternoon transfer (1 hour) to the village of Isle sur la Sorgue (also called the Provencal Venice with its many waterwheels & canals).
Walking about 10 km (2h45)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Isle sur la Sorgue

Day 5: Fontaine de Vaucluse to Gordes
After breakfast a short taxi transfer takes you to the village of Fontaine de Vaucluse, with its magical water source: a well that descends into infinity. If you would rather ease into your holiday, and have an easier walk, you can ask the taxi driver to take you to the village of Cabrières d’Avignon instead (shorter option).
We strongly recommend doing the whole walk though, as the first section is the most stunning, especially the views from the Mur de la Peste.
Your path climbs through pine and cedar forest on seldom used trails, and up to a plateau from where the panorama extends to far reaching hilltop villages.
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. Afternoon transfer back to Isle sur la Sorgue.
Walking about 13km (4h) +450m 200m or 10 km (3h15) with shortcut
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Isle sur la Sorgue

Day 6: Departure
After breakfast end of trip in Isle sur la Sorgue or extend your stay.


OPTIONAL 3-DAY EXTENSION

Day 6: Bonnieux to Lourmarin
Morning transfer from Isle sur la Sorgue to Bonnieux. You begin by a leisurely stroll on farming tracks behind Bonnieux. You then climb steadily but easily towards the crest of the Luberon, where you are met by majestic views of the plains. You remain atop the crest on an undulating track before a short but very steep climb towards a rounded summit. From here you embark on a long descent towards Lourmarin.
Hiking about 12km (4h) + 500m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Lourmarin

Day 7: Walk to Cadenet
Today, you go on a short walk to explore the countryside around Lourmarin and the quaint town of Cadenet. You climb above the village of Lourmarin, and look back to discover a wonderful panorama. Through paths, tracks, and quiet country roads you reach the village of Cadenet, unpretentious, with its pretty streets and village homes.
From the ruins of the castle behind Cadenet you can decide to take a detour on a track high above the valley, with outstanding views.
Walking about 7 km (2h30) / Detour to the lookout: +40 minutes, 2km, +90/ 90m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Lourmarin

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, at around 10am a taxi transfer takes you to Avignon or Aix en Provence. End of trip.

Rates and Dates for Winter Walk in Provence

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Avignon
Airport: Marseille
Transfer:

Climate:
                                    Saint Rémy de Provence area