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HIGHLIGHTS OF PROVENCE: THE BEST OF LUBERON AND ALPILLES

Highlights

Beautiful & varied Provence landscapes with rugged hills and a tapestry of olives, vines & lavender. Visit historic villages of Gordes, Lacoste, Roussillon St Saturnin les Apt, Baux-de-Provence, St-Remy-de-Provence, Eygalieres.

Destinations

France

Budget

From $250 per person

Countryside & Nature Walking

All highlights

Alpilles & Luberon . This unique self-guided walking holiday allows you to discover the very best of Provence in the Alpilles & Luberon Regional Parks. You’ll explore many of the must-see sights as well as walking the most interesting & beautiful off-the-beaten-track trails. Your first 4 days explore the beautiful Alpilles region sometimes traversing a patchwork of olive groves and vines, whilst at other times making your way through wild, craggy hills bordered by sheer limestone cliffs. You’ll explore several beautiful villages in this stunning part of Provence, including St Remy de Provence in southern France, celebrated as the place where Van Gogh created 150 of his famous paintings. Here you can also explore the Gallo-Roman site of Glanum as well walking onto the Caume Plateau for excellent views. In addition you’ll spend time in the beautiful historic village of Baux de Provence perched atop a jagged ridge and crowned by its castle ruins. Other highlights include the olive mills of Maussane-les-Alpilles, the Cathedral of Images in Baux-de-Provence, and the wonderful Provence market in Eygalieres. You then move onto the Luberon and undertake a beautiful circuit around the hills, gorges and historic villages of the Luberon Regional Park in Provence . As well as visiting some of the best loved historic hill-top villages such as Gordes, Goult, Lacoste, Bonnieux, Roussillon and St Saturnin les Apt, each with their own special character, your walking trail takes you off the beaten track and through some less frequented, charming hamlets and villages.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome in Arles. Explore Arles and its Roman treasures including its Roman Arena and its theatre. Take in the atmosphere of this lively Provence town surrounded by city walls on the banks of the Rhone River. There are numerous museums to visit. It was Van Gogh's home for a year when he produced about 300 of his celebrated paintings.. .

Day 2: Tour from Baux de Provence

After breakfast, transfer to Baux de Provence. Explore Baux de Provence with it 22 architectural treasures classified as "Historic Monuments" (including the church, chateau, town hall, hospital, chapels, houses, doorways etc). This car-free village has plenty of ancient houses that have been carefully restored, beautiful Renaissance facades and several magnificent "hotels particuliers". Above them all, are the ruins of the citadelle which crown the hill. Visit the chateau ruins, cost about 8 euros. One of the must-see sites close to the village is the Carrieres de Lumieres, where artistic works are projected on enormous quarry walls. Currently (2019), Van Gogh's works are being shown.. You also have the option of a walk onto the hills behind les-Baux-de-Provence. After passing through neat olive groves and vines, climb slowly in a wild and rugged valley cut off from the surrounding

Day 3: Baux de Provence - Aureille

Pass over the Majan Hills with great 360-degree views before reaching the pretty village of Maussane in the heart of the most important olive-producing area in France. Visit the famous 17th century Cornille mill where you can taste one of Provence's best olive oils. Afterwards, you have the option of going via the unique site of les Caisses de Jean-Jean, a dry limestone grassy plateau encircled by cliffs. At the end of the plateau are the remains of a prehistoric settlement. Great views before descending. Afterwards, a beautiful walk alongside the irrigation canal of the Baux Valley as it cuts across the hillside with views towards the higher hills. End the day at a beautiful guest house in the quiet village of Aureille.. Overnight: Aureille, Walk: 20km, +300m . .

Day 5: Tour from St Remy de Provence

Transfer to St Remy de Provence. Spend the day visiting St Remy de Provence and/or do an optional walk.. Among the possible visits in St Remy is the Saint-Paul de Mausole monastery where Van Gogh created 150 paintings in a year. Vincent Van Gogh had been living in Arles during 1888-89. In May 1889 he was voluntarily confined in the Asylum of Saint Paul de Mausole where in a productive year he painted two of his most notable works: Starry Night and Self-Portrait . Saint Remy de Provence is also home to the historic remains of Glanum which was founded in the 3rd century BC, before control passed to the Romans under Julius Ceasar. Two important monuments are visible next to the site: l'Arc de Triomphe and the Mausolee des Antiques.. You have the choice of doing a walk around St Remy, climbing onto the Plateau de la Caume for wonderful views. The far end of the plateau arguably provides the

Day 6: Walk from Gordes

Explore the historic perched village of Gordes - probably the most famous village in the Luberon - and undertake a circular walk via Abbaye de Sénanque. Your walking tour takes you to Sénanque Abbey. Built in 1148, the abbey has housed an order of Cistercian monks for over 850 years. A guided tour of the abbey is possible and will allow you to visit the medieval parts of the monastery. Your path then climbs out of the Sénancole valley, with breath taking views of the abbey. Your descent back to Gordes is just as scenic, walking along ancient stone walls and among bories - dry stone dwellings. Short walk through the historic streets of Gordes and through fields to your hotel just outside the village.. Other options include exploring the Vezoule Ravine or semacole gorge.. Overnight: Gordes, Walk: 13-17km, +250m or +450m . .

Day 7: Goult - Bonnieux

Transfer to the perched village of Goult, a wonderful historic village far less popular than Gordes but nonetheless charming, its alleyways twisting around the ruins of its castle. From Goult you descend through old terraces into the Calavon valley. Your walking trail then takes you off the beaten path but provides an overview of so much of what makes the Luberon special: tiny hamlets, vineyards, an ancient church, bories, an old lavoir and amazing views. Then reach the beautiful perched village of Lacoste, where you can climb on cobbled streets and visit the ruins of its castle. You then make your way to Bonnieux, another wonderful Provence village, on top of which stands a 12th-century church surrounded by century-old cedars. The view from Bonnieux is wonderful out across the valley floor with its patchwork of orchards and vineyards, towards Lacoste.. Overnight: Bonnieux, Walk: 16km

Day 8: Petit Luberon & Cedar Forest or rest day

After exploring Bonnieux climb onto the Petit Luberon hills for stunning views and a walk through its Cedar Forest. Visit a borie village on the way. Or you can decide to have a rest day at your lovely guest house with a swimming pool.. Overnight: Bonnieux, Walk: 14km, +450m . .

Day 9: Boux - Saignon

Transfer to the wild and beautiful Aigue Brun Gorge. You have the option of going via the pretty village of Sivergues or of visiting Fort Boux before passing picturesque lavender fields to reach Saignon, another pretty hilltop village. There is also the option of climbing to the grassy ridge of the Grand Luberon hills for great panoramic views for those who want a challenge. Transfer at the end of the day or at the start of the next one depending on accommodation options.. Overnight: Saignon, Walk: 10-19km, +350-710m . .

Day 10: Viens - Rustrel

Your trail leads you to the historic hilltop village of Viens with its chateau perched on the edge of a rock band. Here you have great views towards the Gorge of Oppedette. A great ridge walk follows that descends gradually towards Rustrel. Afterwards, explore the wonderful landscapes and colours of the Colorado Provencal where ochre deposits form wonderful towers, cliffs and fins of rock. A delightful woodland trail leads you to a desert of exposed rocks before making your way to Rustrel for your transfer to your guest house.. Overnight St Saturnin les Apt, Walk: 13km, +450m . .

Day 11: St Saturnin les Apt - Roussilon

Visit the wonderful hill-top village of St Saturnin les Apt, nestled along the base of a long, low cliff, with the ruins of a castle above. Explore its pretty streets and climb onto the cliff for beautiful views of the Luberon before heading west through vineyards and orchards. The easier walking trail stays below the wooded slopes whilst the harder option climbs to the north to follow the top of the impressive Madeleine cliffs overlooking the hamlet of Lioux, which are 100m high and over 1km in length. Great panoramic views as you progress before heading south and climbing to the pretty ochre-coloured village of Roussillon, which sits on top of a small hill and is classed as one of the prettiest villages in France.. Overnight: Roussilon, Walk: 19km or 22km, +290m or +600m. . .

Day 12: Roussilon & Avignon

After exploring the village and ocre quarry, transfer to Avignon, one of the prettiest cities in Provence, which includes famous sites such as the Palais des Papes and the Pont d'Avignon. Explore the city at your leisure. Possible to do a walk and transfer at the end of the day if you prefer.. .

Day 13: Departure

Walking holiday ends after breakfast.

Prices

Price per person	2 pers	4 pers	6 pers	8 pers
Price per adult	$250	$180	$160	$150
Price per kid	$130	$90	$80	$80

Services

Included:

12 nights accommodation
Meals: All breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 evening meals
Detailed walking notes and maps
Luggage transport between guest houses
5 transfers during the walking holiday
Taxi transfer from Arles to Baux de Provence on day 2 of the holiday and from Roussillon to Avignon on day 12 of the holiday

Excluded:

Travel to Arles and from Avignon, France
8 lunches and 8 evening meals
any entrance fees or excursions
travel insurance

Optional:

Extra Nights
City Breaks
Tailor-Made Trips

Receive a free quote from your local travel agency within 48 hours by e-mail. No obligation to purchase.

Pauline Mathieu

travel expert: France & Scotland

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