Classic Provence Highlights

5 Days & 4 Nights 4.5 Read 4 reviews

The highlights of Provence’s Luberon National Park
A short break walking through classic Provençal landscapes
Scents of lavender, wild herbs and blossoming cherry trees
Perched villages of Bonnieux and Roussillon
A picnic lunch of crusty French baguette, with creamy goats cheese

A short break walking tour through the Luberon National Park, in Provence’s finest classic landscapes. Wander through the Luberon National Park, exploring honey-coloured hilltop villages and discovering ancient abbeys and crumbling castles. Boasting over 300 days a year of sunshine, the natural light of Provence has inspired many artists including Cézanne and Van Gogh. It is also certain to inspire you as you enjoy this walk from inn to inn through classic Provence.

What To Expect

This highlights tour encompasses the very best of classic walking in Provence and specifically in the Luberon National Park. Stay in hand-picked lodging and walk between the hilltop villages of Bonnieux and Roussillion. If you plan to spend a few days in Provence make it this “must-do” short break.

Tour Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent active trip.

Activity:

Multi Center Walking | You will spend multiple nights in one or more of the locations on this walking tour

This trip is suitable for:

First Timers

Activity Level & Terrain

This tour has an easy to moderate grading. The trails are a combination of dirt or wooded trails, gravel tracks and tarmac country roads. This tour is suitable for walkers with good physical fitness. There are some rolling hills and while in the Petite Luberon range some fairly significant elevation gains and losses. It is also pertinent to note that the terrain in Provence is fairly rugged and quite rocky at times, you will need to be sure-footed in order to negotiate the terrain. Water refill points may not be readily available throughout the day of walking, so you should fill up at your overnight locations before setting off each day.

Navigation

The tried and tested detailed routes notes and maps are easy to follow during your self-guided adventure and we also supply GPX tracks via our easy to use Macs Adventure Navigation App.

Accommodations

On this tour you will stay in hand-picked charming and characterful hotels, B&B’s and chambres d’hotes. These lodgings are truly special places and one of the highlights of this tour.

Alternate Accommodation

We will always try and accommodate you at the accommodations listed. However, if those listed are unavailable, alternative accommodation of the same or better standard than those described will be provided. Goult in particular has only one hotel option, in cases where this is not available, you will be staying nearby.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

If you require single rooms we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable. A solo supplement is not available as it is it cost-prohibitive. Therefore, unless you are willing to pay substantially more to do this tour by yourself, it is not available to solo walkers.

Meals

A continental or buffet breakfast is included each morning. Lunch is not included. On most days you will be walking through small villages with cafes, restaurants and a shop or two, so you will be able to buy lunch en route. However on some of the walking days it will be essential to take a packed lunch as there are no cafes or restaurants en route. Dinner is not included, but you will be able to try some excellent local cuisine in nearby local restaurants or you can dine at your accommodation if they have a restaurant.

Included

4 Nights accommodation in hand-picked hotels, B&B’s and chambres d’hotes
4 Breakfasts
Luggage transfers
Transfer from Roussillon to Apt
Detailed information pack, route notes and IGN maps
24/7 telephone support from our UK office

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Travel to & from Apt
Lunches & Dinners
Drinks and snacks
Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
Personal equipment

Extras

Additional nights
Taxi transfer from Apt to Avignon or Aix-en-Provence

When To Go

This trip is available to start on any day of the week from the beginning of April to the end of October. The best time of year to walk in the Provence and the Luberon is the Spring and Autumn/Fall. In the spring the wild flowers will be blooming and in the Autumn/Fall it is quieter with lovely autumnal colours, whilst still being warm and sunny in the day time. Provence boasts over 300 days of sunshine per year. The summer months of July and August are very hot. We do not advise choosing this holiday during this time unless you are accustomed to intense heat. iI must be noted that if you choose to walk in July and August there may be fire restrictions set in place by local authorities, in which case you will need to find an alternate walk or not walk at all that day. Also please note that lavender is usually in bloom from mid-June to August.

Local Markets

Apt—Saturday

Bonnieux—Friday

Lacoste—Tuesday

Goult—Thursday

Roussillon—Thursday

These local markets are usually open in the mornings and finish around lunchtime (12-1pm)

Getting to the Start

Getting to and from Apt

There are a number of different options available in order to get to Apt. If you want to fly, the closest airport is Marselles-Provence Airport. From the airport you can take a bus/train to Apt, via either Cavaillon or Aix-en-Provence. The journey takes anywhere between 2 and 3 hours, depending on your route. For more information on local bus/train timetables please visit Lignes Express Régionale or SNCF.

Alternately you can arrive by train into Avignon. It is possible to take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Gare du Nord - Paris, then take the TVG train to Avignon (approx 7 hrs),or fly into any of the Paris Airports and take a train south to Avignin from here (a journey of just over 3 hours). From the Avignon TGV Station you can take a bus (takes approx. 1H15) directly to Apt. Again you can check out times and schedules on the Lignes Express Régionale website.

Macs Adventure can also arrange private transfers to and from Apt to local airports/train stations. Please contact your Destination & Adventure Specialist for details.

Getting from the End

From Roussillon a transfer to Apt is included and from here you can take a train to major gateways for your onward journeys.

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

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