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Perhaps you’ve enjoyed a few pre-tour days in Paris, and maybe even taken in the majesty of Avignon. From the Avignon TGV station you’ll make a smooth shuttle transfer to your hotel in Gordes where you’ll meet our guide, a local Provençal and expert in the history and culture of the region. Gordes is everything a Provençal hilltop town aspires to be. (D)
In the morning we'll take a lovely walk in Roussillon to discover the natural beauty of the Ocres. Roussillon is famous for its magnificent red cliffs and ocher quarries, which color the homes and buildings in the ancient village. We'll make a short transfer to Oppède-le-Vieux to enjoy the mysterious ambiance of this Medieval hilltop village with homes hewn into the mountain rock. We'll conclude this beautiful day with a visit to an olive oil mill before returning to Gordes for dinner. (BLD)
You've no doubt been entranced by pictures of the iconic lavender fields of Provence. Today we'll discover them through a visit to an artisan lavender oil distillery. We'll hike down to the vallon de l'Aigues Brun, a forested gorge cutting through this rugged hillside and concluding with lunch at the welcoming Auberge des Seguins. In the afternoon we'll explore Fort de Buoux, a refuge and fortress dating to the Middle Ages. A walk up the rocky spur will take us back in history and provide an amazing view over the valley. (BLD)
Each Tuesday Gordes hosts a vibrant local market, where we'll select fresh produce and other items for our evening’s dinner. A local chef will share the secrets of Provençal cuisine and teach us to prepare a typical meal, which will certainly include garlic, tomatoes, mushrooms generously bathed in olive oil. In the early afternoon we'll take a hike to the Notre-Dame-de-Sénanque Abbey, a Cistercian monument from the 12th century where monks are still living and working in the lavender field. (BLD)
We'll leave Gordes to discover another region within Provence, stopping along the way at Fontaine de Vaucluse, famous for the natural water spring that creates the Sorgue River. We'll hike up from the village to Saumane-de-Vaucluse best known for its castle which was property of the Marquis de Sade. Dinner in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. (BLD)
In the morning a gentle walk through the countryside brings us to Eygalières, a charming village at the bottom of the Alpilles massif where we'll have lunch. After a shuttle return to St Rémy you'll have a free afternoon to enjoy in this town. Dinner will be on your own in St Rémy. (BL)
Built in the 10th century, Les Baux-de-Provence is one of the most beautiful village of France. We'll spend the morning there to enjoy its beauty and the surrounding landscapes followed by lunch in town. Provence is famous for its wine, so there’s no better way to spend an afternoon than to visit a winery for a tasting followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant. (BLD)
Starting from the Hotel we'll have a scenic hike to Lake Peiroou in les Alpilles, traversing many archeological sites en route. These landscapes were a source of inspiration for Vincent Van Gogh who spent a tumultuous but productive year here. Farewell dinner at our hotel in St Rémy. (BLD)
Breakfast and morning free time in St Rémy before our shuttle return to Avignon for trains to Paris or onward travel. (B)
Alpenwild trips are designed for people who are energetic, active, and filled with a spirit of adventure. We rate this trip as moderate. You should be capable of walking 3 to 5 hours per day on hill paths and in small villages and towns with cobblestone or uneven paved surfaces. The hill regions of Provence are limestone and trails can be rocky and uneven.
