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LES ALPILLES: VAN GOGH’S PROVENCE

Highlights

Beautiful Provence landscapes with olive groves in the Alpilles Regional Park. Classic historic Provence villages of Baux de Provence, St-Remy-de-Provence, Eygalieres & Fontvieille.

Destinations

France

Budget

From $250 per person

Active & Outdoor Countryside & Nature History & Heritage

All highlights

Les Alpilles means little Alps, but don’t worry, the walking is easy to moderate exploring the wonderful villages in this stunning part of Provence , including St Remy de Provence, celebrated as the place where Van Gogh created 150 of his famous paintings. This Provence walking tour goes around and through the little Alps where limestone crags shine in the cloudless, blue sky, sheltering olive groves from the mistral winds. You’ll also explore another beautiful historic village – Baux de Provence perched atop a jagged ridge and crowned by its castle ruins. Your self-guided walking holiday starts by visiting Arles where you can visit its famous Roman amphiteatre, whilst the walking holiday finishes in Avignon, which includes such famous sites as the Palais des Papes and the Pont d’Avignon. Holiday Profile . 6 nights/7 days: 5 days independent walking moving between guest houses. Every day of week subject to availability during March, April, May, June , September & October . Walking Profile & Grade . Walking on this holiday is moderate in grade mainly due to the nature of the terrain which can be rocky, and because it is possible to do a longer option on one of the days. Otherwise, the walking is easy for the most part in terms of distances and amount of ascent. Mainly on good paths, tracks and quiet lanes. Average distances are about 14km with about 250m of ascent. Some small sections can be steep. Maximum altitude is about 400m in one day. There are two days where you can choose to do visits instead of walking. This walking holiday is graded moderate.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Arrive by train in Arles and transfer to the picturesque village of Fontvieille with its ancient houses built from local stones. Option of adding an extra night in Arles.. .

Day 2: Fontvieille to Baux de Provence

Your walk starts by climbing the small hill to visit the "Moulin de Daudet" and from where there is a superb view of the Alpilles and the "Chateau de Montauban" where Daudet lived from time to time. Walk through a landscape of limestone, olives, pine-trees and oaks before climbing to the perched village of Les Baux de Provence: its homes packed tightly on top of the hill and listed as one of the prettiest villages in France.. Overnight: Baux de Provence, Walk: 13km, +350m . .

Day 3: Circular Tour from Les 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 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 to the 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.. Possible to book extra days and

Day 5: Circular tour from St Remy de Provence

Spend the day visiting St Remy en 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 lived 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 Cesar. Two important monuments are visible next to the site: l'Arc de Triomphe and the Mausolee des Antiques.. You have the choice of two relatively easy walks around St Remy, one staying low wandering through the olive groves and vineyards that inspired Van Gogh or one which climbs onto the Plateau de la Caume

Day 6: Tour from Eygalieres

Short transfer to the historic village of Eygalieres. This small village is less busy than St Remy but has lots of Provence charm. There is a wonderful Provence market on Fridays. Your walk takes via a gentle path into the surrounding hills with wonderful panoramic views throughout. A great walk to finish your Alpilles experience. Short 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. 16km, +100m. Overnight: Avignon, Walk: 16km, +100m . .

Day 7: Departure

Your holiday ends after breakfast. Option to book extra nights in Avignon. . .

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:

Transfers between Arles and the start of the first day's walk and after the last day's walk to Avignon
6 nights' accommodation
All breakfasts and 2 evening meals
Full walking notes and maps
Transport of luggage between guest houses

Excluded:

Travel to Arles and from Avignon in France
Lunches and 4 evening meals in restaurants
Additional transfers to those described above
Any excursions or entrance fees
Travel insurance

Optional:

Extra Nights
City Breaks
Tailor-made holidays

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Pauline Mathieu

travel expert: France & Scotland

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