Explore the best of seasonal Provence from the spring flowers and blossom through to the fruit seasons, the lavender blooming to the delicate shades of autumnal leaves. Each season has its own special flavour and this holiday aims to catch each variation. In addition to the walks on this centre-based trip we arrange various visits to wine caves, lavender distilleries, olive mills, Provencal herb centres plus a wine tasting with a local vineyard owner. The walking is adapted to the seasons so the programme is subject to those seasonal variations.
Our famous Cote du Rhone grapes produce excellent red wines. Gigondas, Seguret, Vacqueras to name a few. You’ll meet the wine producers from the highly professional to the old fashioned, the latter being the most fun!
Our accommodation choice is either in the guesthouse ' Les Ecureuils' in Valreas, or in our gite in Vinsobres, both of which have swimming pools and pleasant gardens. Evening meals are truly Provencal. From the guesthouse it is only a short walk to the Tourist Office, many cafes and bars. Our gite is set in lavender fields and vineyards and we provide transport each evening to the restaurants locally and in Nyons, our local market town.
Collection can be arranged either from Marseille Marignan Airport or Avignon TGV station. You’ll then transfer to Vinsobres, settle into your accommodation then get together at 6pm with an aperitif to discuss the week.
Dinner is in the hotel at 7.30pm and wine is included.
A lovely easy walk leads from Vinsobres onto the lavender plateau, through vineyards, olive orchards and through rolling lavender fields. There are excellent views towards Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles and we enjoy a picnic en-route with excellent salads and wine included.
The return is via a very attractive viewpoint over the village, often photographed. Vinsobres itself dates from the Roman era and is a delightful little village, lived in and loved by all its inhabitants. A wine tasting in the local cave rounds off this day. Walking 3/ 4 hrs graded easy, around 6 kms.
A 20 minute transfer takes us to the dramatic hill area, of the Dentelles de Montmirail. It gets its name from the weird holes found in the dramatic rockfaces so famous to rock climbers and walkers alike. In the spring the area is covered in yellow flowering broom with its distinctive perfume.
Our walk starts from a high point below the Dentelles ridge and leads around to the second of theses ridges and a scenic picnic spot. From here there are views of Mont Vertoux and the Luberon hills in the distance.
After lunch a narrow path leads down over some stony ground to a little wine cave famous for its Gigondas wines. We return by an easy track to the starting point. We end the day by visiting Gigondas village and some of its famous wine caves… again! Walking 4 hrs graded moderate, around 6 to 7km.
A 15 minute transfer to Vaison la Romaine and its famous Provencal market starts the day This is a large market full of the colour and aromas of Provence – fruit, vegetables, cheeses, row after row of local seasonal produce and all sorts of materials and artisanal products.
Vaison itself is 3 towns in one and dates from pre-Roman times. There are interesting Roman ruins to visit, the Cathedral built on Roman foundations and the amphitheatre. High above the modern/Roman town lies the fascinating medieval village and is well worth a visit.
After the market a 15 minute drive leads to the start of our afternoon walk which is all downhill! It follows a delightful ridge through soft pine forest, cherry and apricot orchards down to the Monastery of St Madelaine and then onto Le Barroux with its impressive chateau. Walking 2/3hrs graded easy, around 6km.
We are off to explore another different part of Provence, the hill country in the Baronnies around the town of Buis les Baronnies famous for its herb production, olives and fruit.
Our walk follows part of a famous GR (Grande Randonnee) route which passes through the town. After a short climb up through the orchards and forest a superb ridge is followed up to an impressive viewpoint which is also our lunch stop. From here there are tremendous views of the Ventoux massif, often with traces of snow left well after Easter. Wild thyme and rosemary are all around us as we sit back and enjoy lunch and the view.
The descent is down another ridge, a little steep in places but quite easy. Signs of wild boar abound and you may well hear them crashing away in the undergrowth. The path emerges from the forest at a lovely little chapel. From there we pass the famous St Julian Mountain and we may well see climbers on its steep rock faces.
We return to Buis les Baronnies for a welcome drink and then visit the old town and an interesting herb shop. Its owner is a mine of information on both herbs for cooking but also medicine and cosmetics. Walking 4hrs with stops, graded moderate, around 7km.
A 25 minute transfer takes us deep into the mountainous part of Provence and the Gorge of St May. A very narrow road leads up to a lavender covered plateau with delightful views over the whole region. Our walk leads to a rocky point which is a favoured viewpoint for seeing the 100 or so massif European vultures that live along the cliffs below. Sit in this natural amphitheatre and watch these amazing birds soar and glide often only 10 or 15 metres away. With their 2 to 3 metre wingspan they are truly fascinating.
After reluctantly moving on we then walk up an easy but dramatic ridge to a viewpoint from where the distant Alps can be seen. The sun glints on the snow slopes and glaciers of the Ecrins range. The descent is through sheep grazing country back to our vehicle.
On returning to Nyons there is plenty of time to explore its olive mills, lavender distilleries and wineries. Walking 4 to 5hrs and with 300m of ascent, graded moderate, around 5km.
Our final day and we drive up Mont Ventoux to the upper slopes where suddenly we are in alpine forest and pasture. Our walk starts in this alpine landscape and leads down through impressive forests with views plunging down into the valley below until we emerge back into Provence again.
The valley of Beaumont du Ventoux is full of cherry and apricot trees and a fitting ending to the walking week. This programme depends both on the weather and the abilities of the group. There are numerous alternatives including an ascent of Ventoux, 600m up from the alpine meadows. The views from Ventoux cover the whole panorama of Provence from the distant Alps via the hills of Provence to the valleys of the Luberon and the Ardeche. Walking 4 to 5hrs and with descent of 600m spread throughout the descent.
Sadly the end of the tour has arrived all too soon. We depart after breakfast for a 10.15am arrival in Avignon and 11.45am arrival at Marseille Marignan.
The price shown includes all transport, accommodation, entrance fees, meals as shown and services of a professional, licensed guide(s) throughout.
The price does not include international flights/travel, meals and drinks not specifically mentioned as included, entrance fees not specifically mentioned as included, items of a personal nature, optional trips or any other items not specifically mentioned above.
All prices indicated are per person, are for guidance only, and are subject to final confirmation at the time of booking with the Travel Specialist who provides the service. For any holidays displayed without an indication of price, a quotation can be obtained from the Travel Specialist through our enquiry system.
7 nights guesthouse or gite.
Minibus, on foot.
7 breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 6 dinners.
Driver/guide(s).
Minimum 12 years.
Essentials include light cottons such as summer shirts and t. shirts, comfortable trousers/skirts, sun protection (suncream, sunglasses and a sunhat). Comfortable walking shoes / trail boots are essential. Some people find a walking pole of use. Bring a small personal first aid kit. Daysac plus waterproof jacket essential.
Around 8 - 12
Clients can choose to join this tour either in Avignon, at the TGV station or in Marseille, at the airport. The transfer to Valreas takes about 1hr from Avignon and 2 from Marseilles.
This holiday can also be based on our gite just outside the village of Vinsobres which is set in vineyards and lavender fields with a pool and lovely garden. The cost of the holiday is then E700 per person.
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Centre-based Holidays Cultural Tours Walking and Trekking Holidays Single-centre Holidays Discovery Holidays Guided Walking Holidays
Small Group
France
8 days
Avignon
Centre-based in small, family-run guesthouse or gite.
Year round
Moderate
Comfortable
FRA 01
