Provence Walking Highlights

Saint-Rémy > St Paul de Mausole > Alpilles Crest > Saint Rémy

OPTION A: Distance: 10 km | Ascent: 300 m | Descent: 300 m | 3½ hrs approx.

OPTION B: Distance: 18 km | Ascent: 550 m | Descent: 550 m | 6 hrs approx.

Your walking adventure begins in Saint Rémy de Provence, nestled against the foot of the Alpilles mountains. Saint Rémy is easily accessible by bus from Avignon (30 mins), itself connected to the TGV trains from Paris, Marseille and Nice.

Saint Rémy has always attracted painters; its blue Provençal skies highlight the greens of the fields, the silvery leaves of its olive trees, its golden sunflowers and the white jagged peaks of the Alpilles. It’s an artist’s dream! So much so, in fact, that Vincent Van Gogh spent the last years of his life here, completing some of his most renowned works, including his Starry Night. Your walk today follows the Van Gogh Trail, passing through the very scenes that inspired the artist. You can admire replicas of his paintings before exploring the ancient Roman ruins of Glanum with its imposing triumphal arch and a mausoleum. You follow a botanical path up to the crest of the Alpilles Mountains lined with aromatic herbs and wildflowers. On top you’ll be rewarded with jaw-dropping views far into the horizon, the perfect setting for a picnic lunch.

Overnight: Saint Rémy de Provence

Distance: 13 km | Ascent: 270 m | Descent: 270 m | 4 hrs approx.

Today’s walk takes you back up to the crest of the Alpilles, following a forest trail that snakes its way along the ridge. Your route is lined with veritable carpets of rosemary, thyme and cistus flowers, their aromas intensified by the lovely Provençal sun. You will enjoy open views of the mountains to the north and the flatlands to the south. You then descend down a winding track and reach the village of Maussane through olive groves. This lively little town is filled with cafés and restaurants and you can also visit the famous 17th century Cornille Mill, where you can taste one of the best olive oils in Provence!

Overnight: Maussane

Distance: 12 km | Ascent: 250 m | Descent: 250 m | 4 hrs approx.

You hike towards the Val d’Enfer and then via a hidden path you climb up to the Medieval village of Les Baux de Provence, with its majestic stone buildings perched high atop a rocky crag and crowned by the ruins of its medieval castle. Listed among the “most beautiful villages in France”, Les Baux’s stone architecture and narrow cobbled streets have withstood the centuries. Take a walk up to the castle ruins and imagine what life would have been like a thousand years ago!

Exiting the village from its medieval gate you descend back into the plains, and via canals and olive groves you return to Maussane. A short transfer then takes you to the Roman town of Arles, where you will spend the night.

Overnight: Arles

Arles is a town that offers the best of the old and the new; its Roman colosseum (one of the largest in the whole Roman Empire) and other impressive ruins juxtaposed with a vibrant nightlife in the town squares and bistros, inviting leisurely strolling.

In the afternoon you take the train with your luggage to Isle sur la Sorgue (ticket payable locally), where you stay in the heart of the town. This veritable island of a village is surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Sorgue river and is known as the “Venice of Provence”.  The town’s Sunday market is among the most colourful in Provence, while its canals are bordered by quaint cafés, restaurants, and antique shops. Lose yourself among a labyrinth of narrow streets and in the town’s warm, Provençal charm.

Overnight: Isle sur la Sorgue

Lacoste > Bonnieux > Buoux

Distance: 17 km | Ascent: 450 m | Descent: 350 m | 5½ hrs approx.

After breakfast you have a private taxi transfer to the village of Lacoste, crowned by the imposing ruins of the castle of the Marquis de Sade. Here you begin today’s walk, which takes you first through vineyards, cherry orchards and truffle oak plantations to Bonnieux, another gem of the Luberon. Bonnieux was one of the centre-stage villages in Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence. Beyond Bonnieux you walk on country lanes and paths, passing several bories (small, dry stone huts) before you reach the hollow that separates the Luberon in two distinct mountain ranges. In the Grand Luberon, you follow a lavender field until you reach Buoux castle and then the village of Buoux itself, before a spectacular descent to the Auberge des Seguins. This is an otherworldly place; a restored 17^th century goat farm tucked in the depths of the Aiguebrun gorge. This is a real off-the-beaten-track gem in an idyllic setting.

Overnight: Auberge des Seguins, Buoux

Buoux > Saignon > Apt

Distance: 14 km | Ascent: 400 m | Descent: 600 m | 4½ hrs approx.

Walk at the base of the Aiguebrun Gorge, along the only permanent river of the Luberon mountains. The massive limestone walls of the canyon are covered in luxuriant vegetation. You eventually climb out of the canyon to reach the lost hamlet of Sivergues, before crossing the Aiguebrun and climbing up to the Claparèdes plateau. Here you will once again find the typical Luberon landscape of lavender fields and truffle oak plantations. Soon after you reach the medieval village of Saignon and the ruins of its three castles.

You will spend your last night in the old Roman town of Apt. The Sainte-Anne Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in Provence and the old town centre is a maze of small and winding streets and tree-filled little squares.

Overnight: Apt

Your tour ends in Apt. You can take a bus to Avignon for onward travel.