Provence Walk |
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Vineyards among the limestone hills
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lovely trails
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Colorful City Hall
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Gigondas in the fall
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Hotel room in Apt
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Un café, s'il vous plaît!
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Get lost in medieval alleyways
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Medieval towns spread at your feet
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Provencal market
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Provence Walk Itinerary
TOUR AT A GLANCE -
Departures 2010: Sept 4 -- this is a GUARANTEED departure! Private departures as well, contact us for details!
Duration: 8 Days/7 Nights
Departing from: Avignon, at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Day 2.
Tour finishes: in Avignon on Day 8
Price: €2,000 per person based on double occupancy and minimum 6 people (€2,300 for 4). Single supplement €200.
Click on the Currency Converter to see the price in your local currency.
Provence has been blessed with many of life's treasures: beauty, art, fine food and wine, and an irresistible joie de vivre. Our tour begins in the medieval splendor of Avignon, then heads east into the vineyards and hilltop villages of the Luberon and then north to the wild slopes of Mont Ventoux. Explore the Roman ruins at Vaison-la-Romaine, experience a colorful Provençal farmer's market, and marvel at the 600-year-old ochre quarries of Roussillon. At the end of the day relax with a cool glass of rosé in the shaded village square and toast a wonderful day of hiking. We walk on quiet trails through fields and forests redolent with wild thyme and rosemary, and then stop at historical villages for lunch or a wine-tasting or a break in the town square. The combination of natural beauty, vibrant local culture, and great food and wine make Provence one of the most beloved regions in Europe.
Trip Design: After years of touring near St. Rémy, Les Alpilles, and the Gard region near Uzès, we regretfully came to the conclusion that these areas have become saturated with tourists. We wanted to step back and renew our acquaintance with the Provence that we first fell in love with back in 1990. Therefore, we have shifted our trip well east into the Luberon mountains around the market town of Apt, and then north to the slopes of Mont Ventoux. These areas are still largely unspoiled and the rhythm of Provençal life continues in the towns and villages. Finally, we have found some excellent small 3-star hotels that offer a wonderful welcome and a high standard of comfort and décor.
(Luggage is transferred by van. 1 night Avignon, 3 nights Vaison-la-Romaine, 3 nights Apt. Tour finishes in Avignon.)
Day 1 - Saturday: Arrive in Avignon anytime today. There are many trains from Paris, and the travel time is about 3 hours. Depending on when you get in, you may have time to explore this historic Provençal town which has been deemed a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Sights include the magnificent Papal Palace (Palais des Papes), home to the Popes during the 14th century, the famous medieval Avignon bridge, and "Les Halles," Avignon's covered market square open every morning. Our lodging for the night is at the beautiful 4-star Hôtel de l'Horloge in the heart of the historical center. Hotel included. Dinner not included.
Day 2 - Sunday: Meet your group at 9:00 this morning for a 45-minute drive to the charming town of Vaison-la-Romaine. Built along the banks of the Ouvèze River, this small Provençal town will enchant those who love old, historic places. We'll buy picnic supplies at the market in Avignon or in local shops in Vaison before walking up the tiny alleyways and cobbled streets to a 12th-century castle overlooking the surrounding countryside. The warm-up walk leads us to the little village of Le Crestet, perched on a crest at the northern edge of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Our home for the next 3 nights, Hostellerie Le Beffroi, is a lovingly restored 16th century manor house ideally located in the center of Vaison-la-Romaine. Its central location allows us to walk to dinner each evening. Tonight, a ten-minute walk takes us through the medieval heart of old Vaison to a little jewel of a restaurant under the vaulted ceiling of a 15th-century stable. Our chef previously worked at the Grand Pré, in Roaix, awarded a prestigious Michelin star. The quality of the food is excellent, but in a more relaxed bistro-style atmosphere. Overnight in Vaison la Romaine. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3 - Monday: Today's hike leads us to the Dentelles de Montmirail, jagged limestone mountains overlooking the Rhône Valley that and named after the lace (dentelle) they are thought to resemble. Although not high in elevation, the peaks have a distinctly Alpine appearance and create a striking backdrop against the valley of terraced vineyards below. We walk amongst the famous wine villages of Gigondas, Sablet, and Séguret. Before dinner we will have an introductory wine tasting in a wine bar near our hotel. We will stay there for dinner to enjoy Fabienne's fresh Provençal home cooking. Overnight in Vaison la Romaine. Hotel, Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 4 - Tuesday: There is a market every day in Vaison, but today is Le Grand Marché, full of stalls selling handicrafts, linens, ceramics, herbs, soaps, and of course olives prepared in 20 different ways. You will have time to enjoy this quintessential Provençal shopping experience, or you can cross into the old quarter via the Roman bridge and visit the historic town center overlooking the Ouvèze River. Don't miss the medieval cathedral and cloisters, or the extensive Roman ruins, including a perfectly preserved theater. At 11:00 we take a short van transfer to the village of Malaucène, at the foot of Mont Ventoux. Provence's highest peak (6,262 ft.), Mont Ventoux is also famous as one of the most grueling stages of the Tour de France. Our walk takes us on a high ridge for spectacular views onto the northern face of the mountain, and then descends into vineyards and orchards. We stop for a picnic at a small chapel which the locals still frequent in times of drought to pray for rain. We resume our walk through some small hamlets and past stone farmhouses. Just before returning to Malaucène, our path takes us onto part of the old Roman road, where you can see the grooves worn into the stone by Roman carts and chariots. Tonight is a "free night," which means you dine on your own. You can choose to go easy and walk to a nearby pizzeria, or go "big" and try one of Vaison's fancier restaurants, like Le Moulin à Huile, which recently won a coveted Michelin star. Overnight in Vaison la Romaine. Hotel and breakfast included. Dinner not included.
Day 5 - Wednesday: After breakfast we have a 1.5 hour transfer to the town of Apt. We stop along the way at the beautiful hilltop village of Venasque for a mid-morning croissant and café au lait. We enter the Luberon region, located between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea and now a UNESCO "Biosphere Reserve." The history of Apt goes back to the 1st century BC, and then in the Middle Ages it became an important stop along the main pilgrimage route between France and Rome. Surrounded by orchards, Apt has been left undisturbed for centuries and is the perfect place to enjoy the daily rhythm of Provençal life.
Today's walk starts from Saignon, a peaceful little village filled with ancient fountains, shady squares, and beautiful old houses with intricate doorways. Dated as one of the ten oldest villages in France, Saignon has a rich Roman history visible in the cobbled streets and old stone portals. We will have a light lunch in a local café before starting our walk down to Apt. The trail takes us through cherry orchards, olive groves, and scrub forest, and offers a great view back onto Saignon, whose white stone church seems to be suspended over the valley.
We receive a special welcome in Apt from Laurent and Marie, owners of Le Couvent, a charming boutique hotel. While we have an apéritif by the pool, they will tell us about the history of the medieval convent that they have lovingly transformed into their home. Indeed, they live here with their 3 children, but don't worry, there is more than enough room for everyone! A short walk to dinner brings us to Thym te Voilà, whose owner and chef finds inspiration in old Provencal recipes. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 6 - Thursday: A short van transfer brings us to the tiny community of Bonnieux, located in the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon. Our hike takes us through some of the most beautiful villages in all of France, including Bonnieux, Lacoste, Ménerbes, and Oppède-le-Vieux. We'll eat lunch at a café in a village square or at a scenic spot overlooking the tiled rooftops. The afternoon walk takes us through a luxuriant cedar forest to Oppède-le-Vieux, a picturesque medieval village which cascades down the side of a rocky spur. Time to enjoy a cool drink in the village before heading back to Apt, where we can relax by the pool or people-watch at the café next to the town fountain. Tonight is a "free night" dinner, so you can choose to go fancy at the Auberge du Luberon and see the chef and his team cooking through a large window, or else go simple at one of the bistros in the town's medieval center. Hotel and breakfast included. Dinner not included.
Day 7 - Friday: A dramatic and surprising landscape awaits us today as we walk through the Luberon towards the ochre-colored cliffs and quarries of Roussillon (known regionally as Le Colorado Provençal!). Centuries of mining for the richly-colored earth have left a surreal landscape of eroded cliffs and bizarre peaks in a rainbow of red, yellow, mustard, and cream. We enjoy a picnic lunch in this fabulous area before returning to Apt for a final game of boules during our apéritif in the hotel garden. This evening is a fitting culinary finale to our trip at the "Manade." Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 8 - Saturday: Today we depart for Avignon at 10:30 a.m., after breakfast and a short visit of the market, for train connections back to Paris or other destinations. Breakfast included.
See all of our tours by DESTINATION & ACTIVITY
See all of our tours by date: TOUR CALENDAR 2010
The walks in Provence
contain moderate hills over some uneven terrain. We usually walk
between 3-5 hours a day, divided between morning and afternoon. We have
designed the trip so that
there is always some free
time in the late afternoon so you can relax, read, or explore the towns
we stay in.
Breakfast is included every day, and dinners reflect the excellent
traditional food of the region. Daily distance between 8 and 14 kms.
Useful Links -
Provence info: nice website with good photos
Avignon History: Wikipedia has a good site, with lots of info on the Great Schism
Côtes du Rhône: very informative site on one of France's best wine families
Mont Ventoux: interesting Wikipedia entry, including lots of Tour de France stats
Parc National Régional du Luberon: park website, in English
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: look at all the fabulous things to see in France!
General Information
Qualifications: This trip is rated moderate, but with some challenging uphills. We regularly walk between 12-16 kms a day (7-10 miles), which translates into about 4-5 hours of walking more or less equally divided between morning and afternoon.
Trip Cost Includes: All Accommodations (1 night Avignon, 3 nights Vaison-la-Romaine, 3 nights Apt, in very high-standard 3-star hotels); 7 breakfasts and 5 dinners; bilingual guide or guides; all van transfers and luggage transfers from pick-up in Avignon Day 2 until final transfer to Avignon at the end of the trip. Getting there (this will redirect you to our "Getting to the Trip" page)
Booking: e-mail us to receive a booking contract (or use the "Reservation" page).
Insurance: We highly recommend the purchase of Trip
Insurance. We recommend "Travel Guard" to our American clients, just click on the logo below, while Canadian residents can click here. Australian, New Zealander, and British travelers, please consult your insurance brokers.
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! |
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