7 Days & 6 Nights

4.6

Provence: Mountains to the Mediterranean

Soak up the Mediterranean atmosphere with an apéritif by the port of Cassis
Walk from the holy Sainte Baume mountains to the French Riviera
Enjoy beautiful views from the Cap Canaille; the highest sea-cliff in Europe
Relax by the azure blue waters of the Calanques National Park
Feast on freshly caught seafood and 'Boullabaisse', a rich fish stew

Featured recently in the Telegraph's "Secrets of the Med - Holidays to Book Under the Radar" this inn to inn walking holiday takes you from the tranquil Sainte Baume mountains to the unique landscapes of the Calanques de Cassis on the glamorous French Riviera. Your adventure starts in the quaint provençal town of Gemenos. Follow peaceful mountain trails to the Roman village of Plan d’Aups, passing pre-historic caves and pilgrimage sites before descending to the glistening waters of the Mediterranean. Immerse yourself in the real French Riviera with three nights in the authentic port town of Cassis. Explore the Calanques; a national park filled with dramatic cliffs, clear blue waters and coves; some only accessible on foot or by boat. After a day on the trails, relax in one of the many port-side restaurants with a pastis or a refreshing white wine de Cassis.

From $1,959.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Marseille and transfer to Gemenos

Marseille is easily accessible, located in the South of France it is about 3.5 hours from Paris by TGV (high speed train). The city also has its own airport, just 25 minutes from the city centre by bus.

A transfer from Marseille train station to your hotel in Gemenos (20 mins) is included in your tour. Gemenos is located 5km/3mi from the town of Aubagne, just east of Marseille and at the foot of the Sainte Baume Mountains. Enjoy the views from your tranquil hotel, relax by the pool or on the terrace with a drink.

Note: If Gemenos is unavailable, you may stay overnight in nearby Pont d'Etoile.

Overnight Gemenos

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Le Provence | 3 Star | Hotel

A charming, quiet, family run hotel close to the center of Gémenos.

Le Mas de L’Etoile | Hotel

Situated about 2 kms from Aubagne this hotel is set in the countryside and in the heart of the Saint Baume Mountain range. It offers glorious views of the Garlaban Mountains and you can enjoy relaxing on their shaded terrace or by the outdoor pool. Rooms are generously-sized and with a modern décor. Packed lunches are available. Please request on check-in.

Day 2 Hike to Plan d’Aups 8.5 miles / 14.7 km

Leaving Gemenos behind, you are immediately immersed in the Provencal hinterland of small hamlets as you climb toward the ridge above Vallon St Clair. Panoramic views of Marseille and the coast start to open up. You soon come to the interesting village of Plan d’Aups, perched at 682m/2,238ft, where remains hint at a Roman past. Spend the next two nights here.

Ascent/Descent: 761m (2496ft) / 207m (679ft)

Overnight Plan-d'Aups-Sainte-Baume

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Lou Pèbre d’Ai | Hotel

Offering 13 rooms the Lou Pèbris d’Ai Hotel has a heated swimming pool and is wonderfully located in the heart of the village. It has an excellent restaurant producing typical cuisine in a relaxed environment.

Day 3: Loop Hike in the Saint Baume Mountains 9.2 miles / 14.9 km

After leaving the village, find yourself surrounded by the colors and smells of the alpine meadows of the Lubac estate. Soon the path zig-zags and ascends steadily through the wooded Vallon de Betton. Work your way up to the Marie-Madeleine Cave, a popular pilgrimage site. She is said to have retired to this holy cave where she gave herself up to a life of penance for 30 years. Return through the shaded forest.

Ascent/Descent: 655m (2148ft) / 655m (2148ft)

Overnight Plan-d'Aups-Sainte-Baume

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Lou Pèbre d’Ai | Hotel

Day 4: Hike to Gemenos 6.5 miles / 10.6 km

Follow the bed of the ancient Chemin de Fer railway which leads you directly up to the Peace Monument at Col de Bertagne. Above you towers the massive stone face of Pic de Bertagne, descend through the herbs and shrubs. Pass the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey and watch the source of its water bubble out from the rocks.

Walk through the park and picnic areas of the town of Gemenos before arriving at the Church of St Martin. Take a bus to Cassis, where you will spend the next three nights.

Cassis is a small picturesque port town located just East of Marseille; it’s a firm favorite with the locals as a weekend getaway. Enjoy the relaxed, authentic atmosphere of this part of the Côte d’Azur, without the pomp and crowds of some more well-known towns on the Riviera.

Ascent/Descent: 200m (656ft) / 700m (2296ft)

Overnight Cassis

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Royal Cottage | Hotel

Located away from the hustle and bustle of the harbour area yet only a 5-10 minute walk from it, experience the best of both worlds at this peaceful hotel. A real highlight is the extensive outdoor pool, flanked by palm trees and with a convenient poolside bar. Rooms are clean and comfortable and each come with a private terrace or balcony with views to the garden, village or sea.

Hotel de France Maguy | 3 Star | Hotel

This is a charming family run hotel located about 5 minutes’ walk from Cassis’ picturesque harbour and beach.

Hotel Cassitel | Hotel

The location of this boutique hotel is one of its highlights as it is close to the harbour, the beach and many shops and restaurants. The rooms are decorated in a modern style and have all the necessary amenities.

Day 5 La Ciotat to Cassis 7.2 miles / 11.6 km

A taxi transfer (15 mins and payable locally) takes you to the town of La Ciotat where you start today’s hike. Look backwards for a view of Les Trois Secs, Le Bec de lAigle and the Isle Verte. Turning inland, you can review your routes of the previous three days as the path snakes along the Cliffs of Soubeyranes, passing Grande Tete and Cap Canaille. On reaching the Belvedere des Calanques, you descend through the quiet valley beneath La Route des Cretes before finally joining the quiet back road alongside the vineyards of Cassis.

Ascent/Descent: 765m (2509ft) / 782m (2565ft)

Overnight Cassis

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Royal Cottage | Hotel

Hotel de France Maguy | 3 Star | Hotel

This is a charming family run hotel located about 5 minutes’ walk from Cassis’ picturesque harbour and beach.

Hotel Cassitel | Hotel

Day 6 Hike the Calanques de Cassis 9 miles / 15 km

Start today’s hike around the Quai des Baux, passing chic waterside cafés. Pass by the upmarket Plage de Bestoun, lapped by turquoise blue water and make your way through the streets of Port Miou. Descend to the waterside at the Calanque de Port Miou, crammed with gleaming white boats. After a short ascent, descend back to sea level at the Calanque de Port Pin. Ascend to the Calanque den Vau with views of its calm water. You then descend to the Vallon den Vau, which leads through a pinnacled, rocky ravine to the beach of the Calanque itself.

Ascent/Descent: 585m (1919ft) / 578m (1896ft)

Overnight Cassis

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Royal Cottage | Hotel

Hotel de France Maguy | 3 Star | Hotel

This is a charming family run hotel located about 5 minutes’ walk from Cassis’ picturesque harbour and beach.

Hotel Cassitel | Hotel

Day 7 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 9kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 9kg is equivalent to 5.5 avocados. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

This self-guided hiking trip in France’s Provence region is perfect for those looking for a combination of mountains and coast and wish to experience a different side to the French Riviera. Rated moderate, you will be hiking on a mix of mountain trails and coastal paths. The ascent can be significant on some days, so it’s ideal for hikers with reasonable physical fitness and ready to work up an appetite! Stay in comfortable family-run 3* hotels along the way.

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way in Scotland, the world renown Tour Du Mont Blanc and Germany's Moselle Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Coastal Walking

Accessible by Rail

Activity Level & Terrain

This trip is graded ‘moderate’ with average daily distance being 14km/8.7miles. Ascent and descent can be significant on this trip, so you should have a good level of fitness and be used to walking in hilly terrain to really get the most of this trip. You will be on a mix of mountain trails and coastal paths. Provence can be rugged underfoot, so you need to be sure footed.

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodations

You will be staying in comfortable 3* hotels. They all offer a warm welcome to walkers and traditional hospitality. Please see below for an example of the accommodation used on this tour.

Alternate accommodation

During the high season you might be booked into alternative accommodations which are not listed in the main daily description. If those listed here are unavailable the alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard than those described.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable. This trip is available to solo walkers but a supplement is payable to cover the extra costs that are not shared.

Meals

Breakfasts are included each day and tend to be a buffet selection with lots of sweet treats like home made jams and pastries. Savoury tastes are also catered for with cheeses, ham, eggs and bread available.

Packed lunch items can be bought locally from supermarkets or the local boulangerie (bakery). In France, boulangeries are still an important part of everyday life and can be found on most streets. In Pont d’Etoile and Plan d’Aups, you can also ask your accommodation to prepare a packed lunch for you (payable locally).

2 dinners are included in Plan d’Aups. Other dinners can be purchased in each town, with several options available in Cassis, you will be spoilt for choice! Provençal specialities that shouldn’t be missed include, Bouillabaisse, a rich fish stew made up of a minimum of three different kinds of fish, Soupe au Pistou, a summer vegetable soup, typically served with a dollop of tasty pesto sauce, and Moules Marinière, ’sailor mussels’ served with lots of garlic, onion and herbes de Provence. Wash it all down with a glass of pastis de Marseille or a glass of refreshing vin blanc de Cassis.

Navigation What's Included

Included

6 Nights accommodation in 3* hotels
6 Breakfasts
2 Dinners (in Plan d'Aups)
Transfer from Marseille Saint Charles train station to first hotel
Luggage transfers
Maps, route notes, pre-departure information pack
GPS tracks and access to the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
24 hour emergency telephone support

Excluded

Travel to Marseille
Travel from Cassis
Lunches & 4 Dinners
Drinks and snacks
Bus transportation on Day 4
Taxi transfer to beginning of walk on Day 5
Travel insurance
Personal expenses or equipment

Extras

Additional nights

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

General Information

Provence: Mountains to the Mediterranean in the Press

Featured in the Telegraph's "The Secret Med - Best Holidays to Book Under the Radar": https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/family-holidays/secret-med-best-holidays-book-under-the-radar-locations/

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.