2
introductory to moderate
Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • hotels
Meals
  • 5 Breakfasts

6 Days£980GBP

Overview

Trip Code: JPW

Provence Winter Walking Trip highlights


  • Canals & waterwheels of Isle sur la Sorgue, "Vencie of Provence"
  • Lively, typical French markets of St Remy de Provence & Isle sur la Sorgue
  • Gordes, the iconic hilltop village of the Luberon
  • The windswept crest of the Alpilles mountains
  • Walking through Van Gogh’s landscapes in winter
  • The thousand-year-old hilltop village of Les Baux de Provence

This beautiful region in the South of France offers a unique charm in winter, with mild temperatures, clear blue skies, and fewer crowds. On this self-guided walking holiday, explore Provence's two main mountain ranges, Le Luberon and Les Alpilles, with a choice of easy or moderate hikes. Walk through olive and almond groves to medieval villages with markets, fountains, and cobbled streets.

Start your walk in l'Isle sur la Sorgue, known as the “Venice of Provence”, with its lovely canal and antique shops. It is famous for its Sunday morning market. Then visit the impressive Senanque Abbey (opening days vary). You explore the Alpilles Mountains, stay in the artsy town of St. Remy and walk literally through Van Gogh landscapes. Explore the hilltop towns of Gordes and Les Baux de Provence, amongst some of the most beautiful villages in France - without the crowds.

You can also add a pre-night in Avignon to see the Palais des Papes and Pont d’Avignon or add an extra night in Arles to visit the hospital where Vincent van Gogh stayed after his infamous ear-incident, now a cultural centre.

Countries:

France

Starting Point:

Isle sur la Sorgue

Finishing Point:

Arles


Arrive in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue on your own. Discover the charming village, known as the "Venice of Provence," with its picturesque canals, historic waterwheels, and renowned antique shops. If you can plan it, the vibrant and traditional Sunday morning market is not to be missed. Accommodation: Spend 2 nights at a pleasant 2* hotel with a terrace on the River La Sorgue. It is a 6min walk to the market square and the hotel has a popular restaurant. All rooms are ensuite.

Meals:  Nil

After breakfast, a short taxi ride takes you to the village of Fontaine de Vaucluse, home to a mystical water source: a well that seems to descend endlessly. For a more relaxed start or an easier walk, you can ask the driver to take you to the village of Cabrières d’Avignon instead. However, we highly recommend doing the full walk, as the first part offers breathtaking views, especially from the Mur de la Peste – the Plague Wall. The path climbs through pine and cedar forests along quiet trails, leading to a plateau with sweeping views of hilltop villages. Following the 300-year-old Plague Wall, built to protect Provence from the plague that struck Marseille in 1720, your walk ends at the stunning village of Gordes. This majestic village, perched on a rocky outcrop, is known for its dramatic grey stone homes rising steeply from the valley. Transfer back to Isle.

Meals:  B

A short transfer brings you to Gordes. Today's circular walk takes you through fragrant thyme-filled fields, dotted with ancient stone huts, and down into the scenic Sénancole Valley. Before long, you’ll spot Sénanque Abbey, a breathtaking structure built in 1148 and still in use today. It’s one of France’s best-preserved Romanesque buildings and a true architectural gem. You’ll have time to explore the abbey before retracing your steps to Gordes along a charming cobbled path. At the end of your walk, transfer to Saint Remy de Provence for your overnight. Accommodation: Two nights are spent in a comfortable and elegant 3* hotel in the centre of town.

Meals:  B

Your walking day begins in Saint Rémy de Provence, where you’ll pass Saint Paul de Mausole; the monastery where Vincent van Gogh spent his final year. From there, you head up a peaceful valley, following a botanical trail to the ridge of the Alpilles Mountains, reaching the “Rocher des Deux Trous” viewpoint with outstanding vistas. You then have two choices: a relaxed descent back down the mountain or an exhilarating path along a rocky crest, adding some adventure and a major “wow” factor to the hike (before returning via the same gentle descent). The second option is more challenging, and may not be suitable unless you’re comfortable on uneven, jagged terrain.

Meals:  B

Today’s picturesque forestry path runs high above the valley, offering stunning panoramic views. Your hiking route descends into the charming village of Maussane, where you can visit the renowned 17th-century Cornille Mill and sample some of Provence’s finest olive oil. At the end of your walking day, a private transfer will take you to Arles. Accommodation: spend your last night at a quaint 3* hotel very near to the Arles roman arena and theatre. It is a former 17th century mansion, rooms are classic and all ensuite.

Meals:  B

Have your breakfast at the hotel in Arles after which our arrangements end. You may wish to enjoy a fee day in the beautiful town of Arles, the Rome of Provence. It's typical market on Saturday morning is famous and there is lots of art to be discovered, incl. the Vincent van Gogh Foundation and iconic LUMA cultural centre. You may wish to request an extra night.

Meals:  B


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.


Inclusions

  • 5 breakfasts
  • 5 nights in hotels and guesthouses on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities
  • Luggage transfer
  • Taxi transfers days 2, 3 & 5
  • Digital information pack including route notes, maps
  • Emergency hotline
  • GPX files

  • Lunches, dinners & beverages
  • Entrance fees
  • Travel Insurance
  • Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
  • Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
  • Upgrade to 4-5* hotels
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
  • Guide - this is a self guided holiday
  • Excess Luggage

Suitability

introductory to moderate

2

The walking on this tour is varied: Introductory - Moderate. (Grade 2). Although due to the length of walks and terrain we would classify the tour as more moderate. Note that some trails are quite rough and stony. A reasonable level of fitness and ability on rocky paths is required. You need good boots throughout the tour: The trails are generally good, but on occasion there are steep or winding sections of loose limestone shingle. Carry plenty of drinking water and adequate protection against the sun, including a sun hat - even in winter(!).


Departure dates

Daily from 1 Oct to 30 April

Notes

M
Mid Season
H
High Season
S
Surcharge
Note:
Mid season is from 16 Dec to 20 Mar, High season is from 21 Mar to 30 Apr. A supplement applies for mid and high season departures.
DN2
Upgrade to beautiful 4-5* hotels is available, please ask our team for further details.
DN3
Option to add extra services such as private taxi transfers on day 1 & 6, full or half day tours of Avignon and/or Chateauneuf de Pape. Ask our team.

Priceper person from

£980GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • Single SupplementGBP£320
  • Upgrade to 4-5* Hotels (per person, based on twinshare)GBP£600
  • Solo Traveller SupplementGBP£640
  • Upgrade to 4-5* Hotels in Mid Season (per person, based on twinshare)GBP£640
  • Upgrade to 4-5* Hotels in High Season (per person, based on twinshare)GBP£680
*Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

A Single Supplement is applied to your booking if you are travelling with another person and you both want your own rooms, bag transfers/taxis get split between the travellers.

The Solo Traveller Supplement is for 1 person travelling. You will then have to cover the full cost of bag transfers/taxis rather than split it with other travellers.

The supplements are either/or, you will never be charged for both.

Avignon at the beginning and Arles at the end are both large towns with a lot of interest and beauty

• Isle sur la Sorgue: Sunday mornings big market + Thursday mornings small market.

• St Remy de Provence: on Wednesday & Saturday mornings.

• Avignon: visit the Les Halles indoor covered market every morning except Mondays.

• Arles: market is on Saturday mornings.

Although a lot of Vincent van Gogh's paintings are slightly abstract, you can pick out some places when walking out of St. Remy where he did some paintings. There is a panel trail with pictures of the paintings where he did them.


Provence Winter Walking Trip reviews


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Personal Experience

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