Walking holiday in Provence - In the footsteps of Van Gogh

5 days

Duration

Easy to Moderate

Difficulty

France

Location

March-November

Availability

Re-trace the life and brush strokes of artist Vincent Van Gogh

Walk the windswept crest of the Alpilles with awe-inspiring vistas

The vineyards and olive groves glistening in the soft Provençal sunshine

The perched medieval village of Les Baux and the renowned cafés and restaurants of Saint Rémy

Admire the impressive Roman remains in the great city of Arles

In Van Gogh’s footsteps: self-guided walking holiday in Provence

Walk in the footsteps of Van Gogh on this short walking holiday in Provence. Beginning in the artsy town of Saint-Rémy, nestled in the foothills of Les Alpilles Mountains, you will continue to the medieval village of Les Baux, spectacularly set atop a rocky crag. Your trip finishes in the city or Arles, known as the “Rome of Provence”.

Discover the landscapes that inspired some of Van Gogh’s greatest works

This part of Provence is an artist’s dream, with its clear blue skies set against deep green fields, silvery olive trees, golden sunflowers and the white, jagged peaks of the Alpilles that soar high above the Rhône Valley. Van Gogh arrived here in the late 19^th century, and this beautiful region inspired some of his greatest work. As you follow in his footsteps, you will discover a countryside dotted with thick-walled Provençal farmhouses, medieval villages and lone cypress trees.

Visit the Romanesque monastery that Van Gogh called home, while following former Roman roads and fragrant trails carpeted with rosemary, thyme and cistus flowers. Follow scenic paths from the charming town of Maussane (famous for its olive oil) to the dramatic medieval hilltop village of Les Baux de Provence. Continue to the impressive city of Arles, with its wealth of Roman ruins and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend time exploring the Roman Coliseum and Theatre, being sure to stop for a glass of the excellent local wine at one of many outdoor cafés.

An easy walking getaway, ideal for families, under the beautiful blue skies of Provence.

5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS

From €520 per person sharing*

*Discounts available for groups of 4 or more. Please enquire for prices.
*A high season supplement will apply during peak booking periods.
*A single supplement charge will apply for solo walkers.

ACCOMMODATION

In charming ** hotels or guesthouses on a bed & breakfast basis. All rooms are en-suite.

It is also possible to upgrade to ***hotels for a total supplement of €35 per person. Please enquire for info.

You can book additional nights at any of the hotels along the way.

AVAILABILITY

You can start your trip on any day of the week (subject to availability) from March 15^th to June 30^th, and from September 1^st to November 15^th.

This trip is not available in July & August, because of path restrictions ( fire risk).

INCLUDED

4 nights in selected hotels with en suite facilities
4 Breakfasts
Day 4: Taxi transfer from Mausanne to Arles
Luggage transfers days 2 to 5
Road Book with detailed walking itineraries & highlighted maps
GPS tracks
Pre-departure information pack
24/7 telephone support

NOT INCLUDED

Flights & travel insurance
Lunches & dinners, if not otherwise stated
Travel to Saint Rémy and from Arles (start and end of trip)
Anything else not mentioned in the “included” section

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Additional nights before, during or after the walk
Single Room Supplement(s)

DIFFICULTY

This trip is suitable for anyone who enjoys regular exercise and can handle walking uphill (at your own pace) for up to two hours at a time. Walks are generally under 5 hrs, on various types of terrain.

Day 1: Arrive in Saint Rémy de Provence

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 artists 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. Spend the eveing strolling through the labyrinth of streets and enjoy dinner in one of the many excellent restaurants.

Overnight: Saint Rémy de Provence (market on Wednesday & Saturday mornings)

Day 2: Loop walk from Saint Rémy de Provence

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

You begin by following the Van Gogh path from the town centre towards the Alpilles, retracing the very steps the artist took more than a century ago. Enamel reproductions of his works face the very landscapes that inspired his brush strokes: the lone cypress trees and farmhouses, with the serrated peaks of the Alpilles as a backdrop. You can visit the Romanesque monastery that Van Gogh called home, converted into an asylum well before his arrival in Saint Rémy. You then follow a shady forest path, winding slowly up to the crest of the hills. Though peaking at a modest 400m, the Alpilles are situated in an otherwise flat Rhône valley, offering jaw-dropping views of the surrounding windswept plains, Mont Ventoux to the north and even the Mediterranean Sea to the south on a clear day. Return to Saint Rémy through olive groves and along a former Roman road.

Overnight: Saint Rémy de Provence

Day 3: Saint Rémy to Maussane

Distance: 13 km | Ascent: 270 m | Descent: 290 m | 4½ 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 brilliant Provençal sun. You will enjoy open views of the mountains to the north and the flatlands to the south. You then descend a winding track and reach the village of Maussane through the olive groves. This lively little town is filled with cafés and restaurants and produces some of the best olive oils on the planet!

Overnight: Mausanne

Day 4: Loop walk to Les Baux de Provence, transfer to Arles

Distance: 11.5 km | Ascent: 250 m | Descent: 220 m | 4 hrs approx.

You stroll through the golf course 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. This is a town that offers the best of the old and the new; its Roman coliseum (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 as you enjoy your last night in Provence!

Overnight: Arles (market on Wednesday & Saturday)

Day 5: Departure

Your tour ends in Arles after breakfast. You can take a bus to Avignon for onward travel or to Marseille airport. Au revoir…!

Getting to Saint Rémy

	The closest airport is Marseilles-Provence Airport.
/	From Marseilles Provence Airport you can take a train into Avignon (1 hour), then bus 57 to Saint Rémy (30 mins). Bus timetable available here For train information please visit the SNCF website.