Provence: Castles and Abbeys

Level
2
Distance
59 km
Duration
7 days | 6 nights
period
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
price from
€ 1.019
  1. France
  2.  | 
  3. Self-Guided
  4.  | 
  5. Tourcode FRSW260

A journey to discover Provence that you don't expect - but also the Provence you've always imagined. On this journey, steep cliffs alternate to trails lost among windmills, deep canyons to peaceful villages, from 'bories' - the typical stone constructions, similar in use to Puglia's trulli - to imposing abbeys surrounded by lavender fields.

In Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, an underground river springs to the surface, creating a charming fountain of green-blue water; on the trails, you'll be accompanied by the sound of crickets in the countryside.

 

Highlights

  • All the aromas of Provence, including the famous lavender fields
  • Lovely Provençal accommodation throughout your tour
  • Fontaine de Vacluse; a medieval village offering the unique sight of a river gushing up out of the ground
  • Fascinating spots such as the Cistercian Abbey of Senanque founded in 1148, and Gordes, one of the most beautiful villages of France

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in the Vaucluse (optional 7,5 km)

Arrival in the Vaucluse (optional 7,5 km)
Arrival at your first accommodation, just a few km from Lagnes – the capital of Provence. If you arrive early, you will have the option of doing a short circular walk to the village of Les Cabrières d'Avignon. To reach this tiny hamlet, you follow footpaths through a landscape carpeted with maquis shrubs, then pass Mur de la Peste on the way back to Lagnes. Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Day 2

From Vaucluse to La Roque vía Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, 11,5 km

From Vaucluse to La Roque vía Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, 11,5 km
Today you begin your circuit in the Vaucluse with a 5-hour walk to the renowned Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. While this is a busy spot for tourists, it is truly an extraordinary sight to see the river gushing out of the ground. Then it’s on to your accommodation, with its quiet location where you will enjoy dinner on a peaceful evening in Provence.

Distance: 11,5 km

Elevation gain: +550/-325 m

Day 3

Circular walk through Le Venasque & Beaucet, 14 km

Circular walk through Le Venasque & Beaucet, 14 km
On today's walk, you will pass through the impressive village of Venasque. You will then continue on to the village of Le Beaucet, set against a steep rock face, before passing a deep gorge and strolling through tranquil landscapes. Passing by the odd house and vineyard, enjoy the aromas of Provence on your way back to your guesthouse. In the evening enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Distance: 14 km

Elevation gain: +400/-400 m

Day 4

Les Rochers Rouges, 11,5 km

Les Rochers Rouges, 11,5 km
Today you traverse quiet surroundings on your way up to Rochers Rouges. At the top, you'll enjoy panoramic views of the Dentelles de Montmirail, Mont Ventoux and the Rhone Valley. Then, through holm oak woods dotted with rocky outcroppings, you make your way down to the beautifully situated village of Senanque and its 11th century Abbey. After a visit to the Cistercian monks, and sampling their homemade products, you continue onward to the famous town of Gordes. Be ready for a magnificent view of the village from your hotel.

Distance: 11,5 km

Elevation gain: +400/-400 m

Day 5

Gorges de la Veroncle, 11,5 km

Gorges de la Veroncle, 11,5 km
A wonderful walking route for today, from Gordes through the spectacular Gorges de la Veroncle with its steep, jagged cliffs. You walk all the way down to the bottom of the spectacular gorge then up again, passing several old mills along the way. Following quiet footpaths and country roads, you’ll pass the Bois d'Audibert set just below Gordes. Finally, after a steep uphill section, you arrive back at the familiar Chateau de Gordes.

Distance: 11,5 km

Elevation gain: +350/-350 m

Day 6

Village des Bories, 11 km

Village des Bories, 11 km
From the lively town of Gordes, you continue walking across the silent Plateau de Vaucluse with its many “bories”, enjoying the mysterious ambience created by these curious round structures. Later in the day, you will visit a real “Village des Bories”. Only the eternal singing of “cigales” will accompany you through the beautiful Gorges de la Senancole on your way to Mur de la Peste,with its long 18th-century wall built to protect the area from ships arriving in Marseille from the Middle East. Via Tête du Soldat, you descend to the village square with its church, sycamore trees and Bar Lagnes.

Distance: 11 km

Elevation gain: +210/-210 m

Day 7

End of program

End of program
Your walking trip comes to an end today after breakfast. Departure from the Vaucluse.

Details

Is this for me?


A journey for those who want to discover Provence in the most enchanting part of France: it's not a demanding trip and is suitable even for those with limited experience in walking journeys.

Included


What is included

  • 6 Nights in double room in **/*** hotels , B&B and agriturismi with breakfast
  • 2 dinners
  • luggage transportation from hotel to hotel
  • maps and detailed description of the itinerary
  • Medical and luggage travel insurance
  • 24h phone assistance

What is not included 

  • Transfers to the starting location and from the arriving location of the tour
  • lunches and dinners, if not otherwise stated
  • visits and entrance fees - tips
  • personal expense
  • possible sojourn taxes
  • everything that is not mentioned in the "What is included" section.

Optional Services

These services can be added to the ones included in the base price of the tour:

  • Single room supplement
  • cancellation insurance

Accommodation


We carefully select our accommodations because we know how important it is to rest well after a day of walking. We choose friendly and family run guest Houses, and bed and breakfasts that fully represent the spirit of the place and offer warm hospitality and comfort. Whenever possible, we visit them personally, so we can get to know the people who will be welcoming you.

Lagnes: Hôtel Mas des Gres

Le Mas des Grès has been welcoming you for more than 227 years in the shade of its bicentennial Plane trees on an area of ​​almost 2 hectares. The Mas, the Rooms and the Suites have been tastefully and authentically renovated to provide you with the comfort you deserve.

www.masdesgres.com

La Roque Sur Pernes:

2 km from the listed village of Roque sur Pernes, we welcome you warmly in a Provencal country house of the eighteenth century, completely renovated dry stone. You will appreciate the peace which reigns within our hotel in the heart of the Mounts of Vaucluse, like a haven of peace in the middle of a preserved nature

www.domaine-grange-neuve.com

Gordes: La Mas de Romarins

Le Mas des Romarins puts the most beautiful hilltop village in the Luberon at your feet… The characterful house from the early 19th century, with dry stone walls, houses a 3-star hotel with charming comfort with its heated swimming pool in summer, its private parking, its terraced garden, its large living room, its cozy bedrooms and its bistronomic table. In this exceptional environment in the heart of Provence, you can walk to the center of Gordes, which is listed among the most beautiful villages in France, in a few minutes.

www.masromarins.com

What to bring


Clothing and other items
You will need your regular walking/cycling gear, including some sort of reflective garment. For the evenings, smart outdoor style trousers (or shorts) are invaluable, as are quick-dry t-shirts. These can be washed easily and will dry overnight and still look good for sightseeing or having a drink in town.

Take as little as possible to avoid potentially lugging a heavy suitcase up three flights of stairs at the end of the day. Please be aware that laundromats (“Laverie”) are not common in rural areas, so plan to do handwashing of small items.

Lightweight walking shoes/ trainers
For wearing around towns & villages. They can also be a back-up pair.

Socks & underwear
Take only good quality socks with quick-dry and insulating qualities. Road test them before you go on the trip. Take a suitable quantity of underwear as washing facilities are limited.

Warm jacket, hat, gloves
Bring a fleece, Polartec or warm layers for the evenings especially in spring or autumn; be sure it is totally suitable for your needs.
A fleece jacket which blocks the wind (Wind-stopper) is the most preferable. In the summer months a lightweight jacket is suitable for evenings.
If you are cycling/walking in mountainous or coastal areas, even in the height of summer, the weather can change very quickly and unexpectedly and you should be prepared for fog, mist, rain, snow or hail at any time. Always take an extra layer with you, as well as a warm hat and gloves.

Waterproof jacket & trousers
If you are caught in heavy rain, with good waterproof clothing you should remain dry. Remember that most garments will lose their properties over time. Few will remain waterproof for more than five years and many deteriorate in three years or less. We recommend a rain jacket with a good hood and collar and waterproof or thermal walking/cycling trousers or tights.

Dress code
In general, you should wear suitable clothing when entering a church (in many places, it is considered unacceptable to go inside wearing shorts or a tank-top). We suggest that women carry a shawl to cover up bear shoulders or low-cut tops. It also comes in handy when your shoulders get sunburned!

It is considered inappropriate for men to go without a shirt / T-shirt (other than at the beach).

Trekking poles (adjustable)
Highly recommended. A pair works best, depending on what you are comfortable with. If you suffer from back or knee pain this should be considered essential. Remember to practise walking with your pole(s) on different types of terrain in the months preceding your trip.

Walking boots
The importance of good footwear cannot be stressed enough. Your boots should be sturdy and of good enough quality to handle all types of terrain. Lightweight boots, (cordura/leather boots) which have Gore-Tex or sympatex water-proofing are most suitable for this trip. They should provide good ankle protection and be well broken in. Waxing leather boots regularly prolongs their life.

Walking tops & trousers
We recommend walking trousers and shorts and quick-dry wicking t-shirts. These can be washed easily and will dry overnight and still look good for sightseeing or having a drink in town. Wicking T-shirts are fast drying, keep moisture away from your skin and are available at outdoor stores. You should also bring one pair of loose-fitting trousers to wear in cities and for evenings out, etc. Shorts or zip-off trousers are useful in warmer weather.

Practical info

How to arrive


Arrival and departure from Fontaine-de-Vaucluse

BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT: From Marseille airport, you can take a train to Avignon or Cavaillon, then arrange an optional taxi transfer (at an additional cost) to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. For further details, go to:  www.marseille-airport.com.

PRIVATE TAXI: From Marseille airport, we can arrange a taxi transfer to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (optional extra). Private taxi transfers can be arranged from/to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse back to/from Marseille airport. Prices on request. 

Mobile App


Use the SloWays APP for iOS and Android smart phones in combination with the written documentation provided.

The App has the detailed tracks and maps that you can use offline and without roaming. Thanks to the phone’s internal GPS, you can check your exact position on the map, so you always know exactly where you are. It also helps you self-navigate you way while travelling. More information on how to use the App inside the roadbook documents.

The navigation features include:

  • Offline navigation. Mobile data not required after initial download
  • Accurate GPS tracks
  • Autorotation of the maps
  • Daily route summary and elevation chart
  • Panorama of the track and at street level
  • Alarm and vibration that alerts you in case you go off track.
  • Emergency SMS button with position coordinates
  • Possibility to record and take georeferenced photos of problems on route alerting fellow travelers
  • Hotel information
  • Points of interest along the way
  • Historical background

Wanderlust Nominee Best Specialist Tour Operator 2023
Wanderlust
Nominee Best Specialist Tour Operator 2023
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Touroperating
S-Cape Countryside Travels srl
Borgo Allegri 16R
50122 Firenze FI
P. IVA 05227330486

 
© 2024 SloWays. All rights reserved.
Touroperating S-Cape Countryside Travels srl Borgo Allegri 16R 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
VAT Nr 05227330486
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