Provence Uncovered – 8 Days

The start: Arrival by your own means in Avignon (plane to Marseille, train to Avignon or private taxi upon request). You can walk from the central train station to your accommodation. There’s no walking scheduled today, however, there is an incredible array of historic sites to explore. A medieval town on the banks of the mighty Rhône River, Avignon has many hidden 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 gorgeous plane trees.

Walking: Easy 1 – 5 km
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Cloître Saint Louis in Avignon

The walk starts in the picturesque & artsy town of St Remy situated in the Alpilles hills.

There’s a great Wednesday morning market in St Remy if you can make the timing work for you. We begin by exploring the town, including its Roman ruins and the 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. The walk continues up a meandering botanical path to the crest of the Alpilles mountain. This section finishes with a crescendo, the short climb that leads to Rocher des deux Trous and outstanding views back over Massif des Alpilles and the surrounding area.

You then have two options: either a leisurely stroll back down the mountain, or a sizeable more challenging detour on a breathtaking path along the uneven rocky crest of the mountain adding an element of adventure, and a ton of “wow” to the day’s walk (followed by the same leisurely stroll back down the mountain…).

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 10 – 18 km / 3–6 hrs/ a shorter option is available / +550M / -550M
Meals: Buffet breakfast and three-course dinner
Accommodation: Hôtel Gounod in St Remy de Provence

Leaving St. Rémy by foot, and up to the crest of the windswept Alpilles mountains framed by lines of cypress trees accompanied by vineyards. The track atop the escarpment is complete with awe-inspiring 360° view. The gentle undulating track travels towards the medieval village of Les Baux de Provence. The town, perched on a rocky precipice makes for one of the most beautiful village settings in all of France. There’s time to visit le Chateau des Baux from the Middle ages and take in its magnificent views over the valley. From here it’s a gentle hike down to the prestigious olive groves that carpet the plain. 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.

Option 1: The longer version finishes in Maussane – taxi pick up is arranged from Maussane to Gordes (next hotel)
Option 2: The shorter version finishes in Les Baux – taxi pick up is arranged from Les Baux to Gordes (next hotel)

Walking: Moderate / 12 or 19 km / 4– 7 hrs/ a shorter option is available / +350M / -400M
Meals: Buffet breakfast and three-course dinner
Accommodation: Mas de la Beaume in Gordes

The walk starts at Fontaine de Vaucluse, with some irony today because this is the end of the mythical pilgrimage not the beginning. There is time to explore this unique watercourse, one of the largest underground systems in the world and the gorgeous town. The walk then climbs away from the water up through pine and cedar forest on seldom-used trails, and up to a plateau. The sweeping views extend to far off hilltop villages, the effect a visual palette that is unique only to France. The walk continues along 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 greystone homes rising vertiginously from the valley below.

Gordes sits balanced 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. The track travels over a vast plateau, crossing lavender and thyme-laden fields dotted with old stone huts, on your way to Sénanque Abbey, a jewel of 12th-century Romanesque architecture. You’ll have time to explore the abbey before returning to Gordes via an ancient cobbled path.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 13 – 23 km / 4.5–7.5 hrs/ a shorter option is available / +450m / -200m
Meals: Buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Mas de la Beaume in Gordes

There is a short transfer to the walk this morning to the village of Lacoste that’s crowned by the ruins of the castle of the Marquis de Sade. The village offers a stunning ensemble of old village gates, town squares and cobbled streets, not to mention the haunting allure of the castle and the Marquis and its’ 12th Century church. You continue to Bonnieux, another highlight of the Luberon, immortalized in Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence.

Beyond Bonnieux, you enter in the Grand Luberon, following alongside a lavender field before reaching Buoux castle, and the village of Buoux itself. Your accommodation a restored 17th-century goat farm, the Auberge des Seguins, is like taking a step back in time. It is located in the depths of the Aiguebrun gorge, in an idyllic setting making it largely unknown and thus a perfect resting place after a great day of walking.

Walking: Moderate / 16.5 km / 5.5 hrs / +450m / -350m
Meals: Buffet breakfast and three course dinner
Accommodation: Guest house Auberge des Seguins in Boux

Pick up your picnic lunch for today’s walk at reception as there are no shops along the trails. You will soon find yourself walking along the base of the Aiguebrun canyon, the only permanent river in the Luberon mountains. The canyon’s massive limestone walls and luxuriant vegetation add just one more dimension to what is already an incredibly diverse walk. On to the hidden hamlet of Sivergues with its’ stone wall terraces, the only remains of the cultivated fields, that once were spread out around the tightly-packed handful of homes. The walk continues through vast lavender fields and truffle oak plantations to Saignon, a medieval village with ruins of three castles. Today’s walk finishes in Apt with a descent into the Provencal capital of candied fruits “fruits confits”.

If you are up for a challenge then there is an additional loop walk out of Buoux that takes the high route and offers amazing views over the valley.

Walking: Moderate / 14 or 26 km / 5 to 8 hrs / +400m / -650m
Meals: Breakfast and picnic lunch
Accommodation: Le Sainte Anne in Apt

Today’s walk crosses the Calavon valley and then onto the world’s largest ochre deposit, a rainbow feast visually 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 to explore this area that’s called the “Colorado Provençal” an area which covers kilometres right in the heart of Provence. The ancient crimson cliffs are reminiscent of the far off Wild West, with canyon-like quarries, a succession of earth pillars and valleys with amazing contours. Short transfer to Isle sur la Sorgue also called the Provencal Venice.

Walking: Moderate / 12 or 16 km / 4 to 6 hrs / +400m / -300m
Meals: Buffet breakfast and three course dinner
Accommodation: Grand Hôtel Henri in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

The trip finishes after breakfast but why not spend a few more days in the region. There is also the famous Sunday morning market in Provencal Venice (L’lsle sur la Sorgue) another opportunity to soak up the Provence ambience. Enjoy.

Meals: Breakfast