Provence: Alpilles & Luberon Villages – 7 Days
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Provence: Alpilles & Luberon Villages – 7 Days

7 Days
Moderate

Provence: Alpilles & Luberon Villages – 7 Days

from $4,390 / person

Overview

Seven days of walking carry you from the papal city of Avignon into the heart of the Luberon, through landscapes that have drawn painters and poets for generations. Olive groves and lavender fields line the paths through the Alpilles and the Luberon massif, and cobbled medieval villages perch on rocky outcrops above the plains below. You climb to the crest of the Alpilles for sweeping views, wander the fortified village of Les Baux de Provence, and taste local olive oil straight from the mill. Provençal picnics under a canopy of cedars and evenings in characterful hotels and a converted farmhouse bring you close to the rhythm of rural French life. Guided throughout by a local expert, you walk at a comfortable, moderate pace, taking in the colours of the ochre village of Roussillon, the scent of wild thyme on the Luberon crest and the quiet grandeur of this corner of Provence.

Highlights

  • Wander the perched medieval village of Les Baux de Provence, crowned by the ruins of its 1,000 year old castle
  • Cross the crest of the Luberon for views reaching to the Alps and the Mediterranean
  • Explore the ochre streets of Roussillon, built above one of the world's largest ochre deposits
  • Taste Provençal olive oil at a working mill near Les Baux
  • Walk past the lavender fields of the Claparèdes plateau
  • Spend a night at the Auberge des Seguins, a restored 17th century farmhouse hidden deep in the Aiguebrun gorge
  • Visit Van Gogh's former retreat at St Paul de Mausole and the Roman ruins of Glanum
  • Browse the Saturday market in Apt, one of the region's largest, before walking back to Roussillon

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Avignon

Your trip opens in Avignon, a papal city and World Heritage Site ringed by 14th century ramparts. The group gathers at the hotel at 6pm for a welcome meeting over a glass of local wine, then wanders together through the labyrinth of cobbled streets in the old centre, working up an appetite for dinner in town. Your hotel sits in the historic heart of Avignon, close to the Pope's Palace, an easy base for exploring before the walking begins.

Accommodation

4-star Hotel in Avignon

Meals

Dinner

What's Included

Accommodation

4-star Hotel (1 night), 3-star Hotel (4 nights), Guest House (1 night)

Meals

6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 3 dinners

Transfers

  • Private Vehicle Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • 24/7 on-trip support

Included Activities

  • St Rémy - St Paul de Maussole Monastery
  • St Rémy - Glanum Ancient City
  • Les Baux - Oil Mill and Tasting
  • Buoux - Fort de Buoux

How We Rate This Walk

3

Auswalk Walking Grade

Moderate

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Expect some hills and longer walking days. A reasonable level of fitness will help you enjoy the experience.

View Fitness Guide

5

Days on the trail

10-18 km

Daily distance range

250-500 m

Daily ascent range

4/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Each night offers a different accommodation experience across Provence. You begin in a stylish hotel steps from Avignon’s Palais des Papes, then move to a hotel in St-Rémy for two night which is ideally located for accessing the town's morning market and historic center. Night four features a unique, more rustic stay in a restored 17th-century farmhouse in the Aiguebrun Gorge, followed by your final two nights at a hotel in the village of Roussillon.

What You'll Eat

Breakfasts are hearty buffets to set you up for the day's walk. On three mornings your guide will assist you in sourcing fresh regional produce from local village markets to build your own picnic. Think sun-ripened Mediterranean flavors with a crusty artisanal baguette, olive tapenade and goat cheese. Dinners mark the trip's shared moments, from a welcome dinner in Avignon, with local wine at the meeting prior, to a home style meal at the farmhouse in Buoux. Finish with a dinner with your guide in Roussillon.

More About This Trip

Arrival

The walk begins in Avignon, where the group meets at the hotel on the first evening for a welcome meeting over a glass of local wine. Avignon sits on the TGV network and is straightforward to reach by train from within France and beyond. The easiest option is to fly into Marseille and take the train to Avignon, a journey of around 40 minutes costing approximately €10 to €30. Trains run frequently enough that advance booking is not always necessary. From Paris, TGV high-speed trains reach Avignon in around three hours. Book train tickets in advance at thetrainline.com for the best fares. Arrival in Avignon is not included in the trip price, so plan your own travel to arrive in time for the evening welcome meeting on Day 1.


Departure

The trip ends on the final morning with a group transfer from Roussillon to the TGV station in Avignon, from where you can pick up onward train connections across France. Departure from Avignon is not included in the trip price. The region is extraordinarily rich in history and beauty beyond the trail itself, and an extra day or two after the walk to explore Provence is highly recommended.

The terrain covers mostly flat, well-maintained paths through the most beautiful parts of Provence, making this an accessible walk for most fitness levels. We recommend honestly assessing your walking capability against the daily distances before booking.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Departure

Select a fixed group departure - places are limited

Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Provence reviews

4.9
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Larissa L
June 2026

The Provence walk was definitely a moderate walk with some strenuous parts. The views and wildflowers were lovely along the way. Remember to have the picnic provided or buy food as there are limited places along the way.

Juliet H
June 2026

Alps to the sea is a beautiful walk start to finish. Had a lovely lemon drink at Maison Gannac after crossing under the freeway. Beautiful views. Also excellent flat white coffee at Menton market.

Dara S
June 2026

Entire walk went extremely well. The hotels were all good - with the exception of the hotel in Apt.

Christine C
October 2025

The communication with Auswalk is super efficient and well managed.

David H
August 2025

The entire walk went extremely well. Luggage transfers happened. The walk notes really were excellent- which is fortunate because if not, getting lost would be easy.

pamela jane
July 2025

The organisational aspect of the Provence Wine trip was excellent. We thoroughly enjoyed the lovely accommodation, and appreciated the efficient collection and delivery of our main luggage. This northern part of Provence (much of which is the southern part of the Cote du Rhone) is spectacular...primarily because of the mountainous areas within it. This makes for some challenging hiking unless you are young and very fit. We were able to circumvent the tricky trails and use google maps to use the back-country roads to walk between villages to overcome our loss of youth and below par fitness. These minor roads were as equally scenic and mostly very quiet in terms of traffic. We think this trip should be rated intermediate-difficult rather than just intermediate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your main luggage is transported between accommodations each day while you walk — it will be waiting for you when you arrive each evening. You carry only a daypack on the trail. All transport on and off the track and luggage transfers are included in the package.

The terrain in Provence is beautifully varied — long stretches through lavender fields and sunflower meadows, oak and chestnut forests, dramatic limestone gorges, vineyard tracks, and the ancient mule paths of the Luberon hills. Villages appear on hilltops with extraordinary regularity, and the route regularly passes Roman ruins, Cistercian abbeys, and historic fortifications. The walks are generally graded as moderate and suit walkers with a good base fitness. The pace is relaxed, and the scenery rewards those who take their time.

Provence is extraordinarily rich. Avignon's Palais des Papes — the palace that housed seven popes during the 14th century — is one of the great medieval buildings in Europe. The hilltop village of Gordes, clinging to its limestone escarpment above the Luberon, is arguably the most beautiful village in France. Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with its papal castle and some of the world's finest vineyards surrounding it, is essential. Isle-sur-la-Sorgue — often called the Venice of France for its river canals — is one of France's most charming and underrated small towns. And then there are the lavender fields of the Valensole Plateau, the ochre cliffs of Roussillon, the ancient Roman theatre at Orange, and the quiet Cistercian abbeys of Thoronet and Sénanque hidden in forest valleys. The region that inspired Van Gogh, Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, and Peter Mayle has no shortage of reasons to slow down and look.

A: Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are the ideal walking seasons. April and May bring wildflowers, mild temperatures, and the Luberon at its most lush and green. June sees the lavender beginning to bloom in the lower fields. The famous lavender peak is generally mid-June to mid-July — visually breathtaking but also the beginning of the hot season. July and August are the peak tourist months and can be very warm — if you're walking in summer, early starts are essential. September and October bring cooler days, the grape harvest, and a golden light that photographers come from around the world to capture.

A comfortable daypack with a waterproof cover. Key items include a quality waterproof jacket (storms can arrive quickly in the hills even in summer), warm layer for evenings, sun hat, sunscreen (the Provençal sun is fierce), sunglasses, at least 1–2 litres of water, snacks and lunch supplies, a personal first aid kit, cash in Euros, your phone, and your walk notes and maps. Walking poles are optional but useful on some of the hillier sections.

France uses the Euro (€). Cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and larger shops throughout Provence. Carry some cash for village markets, small boulangeries, and rural farm stalls where card readers may not be available. ATMs are easy to find in larger towns like Avignon and Gordes, but can be scarce in smaller villages — stock up when you have the opportunity.

Tipping is not mandatory in France, but rounding up a restaurant bill or leaving a few Euros for good service is always appreciated — especially at smaller, family-run establishments.

Provence is dense with churches, abbeys, and ancient ruins — many of them still active places of worship or serious archaeological sites. Dress modestly when entering religious buildings — covered shoulders and knees are generally expected. Speak quietly and follow any posted guidelines. Many of the Roman sites and abbeys charge a small entry fee; having some cash on hand makes this easier. At the Palais des Papes in Avignon, booking tickets in advance during peak season is strongly recommended.

Flag any allergies or dietary needs at the time of booking so your guesthouses can be informed in advance. Provençal cuisine is largely Mediterranean in character — olive oil-based, vegetable-rich, and full of fresh produce — which makes it relatively accommodating for a range of diets. That said, smaller rural guesthouses can have limited menus, so the simpler your requirements, the smoother the experience. Reconfirm your needs with each host on arrival.

Want to Know More?

The Provence Experience

Wonder
Auswalk Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s historic vineyards beneath ruins of the Avignon Popes’ summer castle
Walk where every path leads to something beautiful like Séguret and Gigondas, medieval villages perched high above the Rhône Valley
Descend to colourful Menton, passing Sainte-Agnès and sweeping Mediterranean clifftop vistas
Wellness
Lavender, limestone and master the art of going nowhere fast on moderate trails through cedar, pine and olive groves with uplifting sea air
Cool off in Malaucène and Vaison-la-Romaine hotels with welcoming swimming pools
A feast for the senses, savour Châteauneuf tastings, Provençal cuisine and market mornings in Vaison-la-Romaine
Nature
Climb towards Mont Ventoux’s barren white peak through shaded pine and cedar paths
Follow ancient paths through lavender fields, wooded valleys and rosemary-drenched hills
Marvel at Dentelles de Montmirail, Bausson Pass and broad alpine-to-sea panoramas