Walking Tour of Provence, France
A special hiking trip to France, where Con Moriarty and our close friend and outstanding guide; Stephan Renard will lead a very special vacation into hidden Provence.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Day 1 – Fontaine de Vaucluse & Gordes
We will meet you in Marseille. Travelling east into Provence, we stop to visit the beautiful Fontaine de Vaucluse, en-route to Gordes, in the heart of the Luberon. This will be our base to explore the area for the next few days. Gordes is a typical perched village, high on a hilltop, surrounded by small fields and oak forests. Overnight Gordes.
Day 2 – Plateau des Busans & Abbaye de Senanque
From Gordes, we begin a great day hiking to the plateau des Busans via the Mill of Laure and on to the Abbaye de Senanque. The abbey is of 12th century Romanesque structure and is still home to a group of Cistercian monks. It is surrounded by fields of lavender. Overnight Gordes.
Day 3 – Roussillon & Rustrelle
Today we will take you to the next village, Roussillon, a hilltop cluster of buildings in shades of deep rose and russet. There will be time to wander and shop along the tiny streets, famous for their boutiques and craftshops. After lunch in the Place du Village, we will head to Rustrelle to begin a hike into the amazing ‘Colorado Ocher Canyon’. Overnight Gordes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Day 4 – Buoux
A short transfer to begin our days hiking at Buoux. The landscape here displays a split personality – arid and dry on one side (Claparedes plateau) and green and fresh on the other (‘Aiguebrun Valley’). This hike is one of the best and most interesting in the Haute Provence because of the landscape duality, and also because of the divided religious history in the area. Overnight Gordes.
Day 5 – Moustier-Sainte-Marie in the Verdon
Today we will head east to Moustier-Sainte-Marie in the Verdon, the heart of the Haute Provence. On the way we will stop in Forcalquier, famous for its huge village market and there will be time for shopping and a stroll around the village. Then on to Sainte-Croix Lake and our base for the next three nights picturesque Moustier – a village hanging on the mountainside between limestone pinnacles. We will hike the Chemins de Croix to the top of the village for an amazing view of the lake and village. Overnight Moustier.
Day 6 – Gorges du Verdon
This will be a day to discover the incredible Gorges du Verdon. From Moustier we will drive la Route des Cretes to ?Point Sublime? and hike between high plateau and gorge to the stunning Rancoumas Belvedere. Overnight Moustier.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Day 7 – Plateau de Venasole
We will hike from the village on one of the old Roman roads to the Plateau de Venasole, which encloses the lavender valley of Valensol, the Durance River and the Sainte-Croix Lake. A fabulous day! We can visit several pottery shops on the way back to the hotel before preparing for a special farewell dinner. Overnight Moustier.
Day 8 – Departure
We will transfer you to the airport or train station in Marseille.
Our trip in Provence can be tailored to suit special interests and of course to blend walking of any grade and/or touring. The tour can be run at a time of your choice for your group. The price is based on a group of four to eight people. Please call for prices for smaller and larger groups.
Cost
The price varies depending on the size of your group and your choice of accommodation. Please contact Binky for the details.
(Our price will include seven nights accommodation in small hotels or country houses; breakfast and gourmet dinners daily, 4 gourmet picnic lunches daily (ie. all food included); all ground transportation, sightseeing; and full escort by Con Moriarty and Stephan Renard)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
