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Holidays & Walks

Graded in order of walking difficulty

Treks

Our comfortable self-contained Provencal styled Gite in Vinsobres is surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and lavender fields, and provides privacy for 4 adults, each with their own bathroom facilities, plus a full size kitchen, large lounge with satellite TV, DVD, books and games. The large private swimming pool amongst the beautiful garden setting is refreshing and relaxing at anytime, but especially after the days’ activities! A ‘welcome basket’, continental breakfast and some evening meals are provided.

Larger groups will enjoy the delightful guesthouse in Valreas, run by an Anglo-French couple, Mike and Chantal. Bedrooms have ensuites, and there is a comfortable lounge with TV. It is only 5 minutes walk into the town for that evening drink, or the local weekly market. Their pool is set in a lovely garden, and meals are taken on the terrace. Chantal is an expert Provencal cook, so look forward to some very appetizing meals with wine included.

The guest house in Valreas

Itinerary OVERVIEW

Day 2 Sunday. We begin our week with an easy walk leading from the old Roman village of Vinsobres up to the lavender plateau, through vineyards, olive groves and rolling lavender fields. This walk provides splendid views over the region, with Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles ever present in the background. After a shady picnic of local cheeses, salads, meats, pate, fruit and wine, we return via an excellent photographic viewpoint over the village and region. A local wine tasting rounds off this day. Distance 6kms/5hrs with stops.

Day 3 Monday. Today, a 20-minute transfer takes us to the dramatic hill area of the Dentelles de Montmirail, named after the many holes found in the rugged rock face, renowned with rock climbers and walkers. In the spring, prolific yellow flowering bushes, with a distinctive perfume, cover the surrounding cliffs. Be warned, parts of our walk today are steep and rocky, including our initial path leads us to a col, and from there we follow the line of the Dentelles ridge.  

At one point, for those who wish, we can follow a series of wires and chains to a summit with extensive picturesque views of this region. We stop along the next ridge, at a scenic picnic spot for our lunch. From here there are views of Mont Ventoux and the Luberon hills in the distance. After lunch, a narrow path leads down over some stony ground to an easy track and our starting point. We end the day by visiting Gigondas village, famous for its wine caves. Here we can arrange a superb wine tasting session for an extra E25.. Distance 7kms/5hrs with stops. 

Day 4 Tuesday. Beginning slightly later this morning you will be transferred to Vaison la Romaine for a visit to the large local market in the morning. The remainder of the morning is yours to explore the medieval hilltop part of the town and then the famous Roman remains, the amphitheatre, museum, Cathedral and Roman bridge, the sole survivor of 13 bridges destroyed in the floods of 1992. There are many excellent cafes or restaurants for you to purchase lunch, along with a variety of shopping outlets. The Tourist Office in the town centre has a useful resources centre and the entrance to the Roman ruins is next door. After lunch, a 15-minute drive takes us to our afternoon walk that is all downhill. Following a pleasant shady ridge through pine forest, cherry and apricot orchards down to the Monastery of St Madelaine, and then to Le Barroux, with its impressive chateau. Distance 6kms/3hrs with stops.

Day 5 Wednesday. Today we explore another part of Provence, the hill country of the Baronnies, around the town of Buis les Baronnies, famous for its herb production, olives and fruit. Our walk follows part of the famous GR, Grande Randonnee that passes through the town. After a short climb up through the orchards and forest, we reach a ridge and then scramble up a rocky gully to the top of St Julian, with impressive views. We continue to follow the ridge to our picnic lunch spot with sweeping views to the Ventoux Massif, often with traces of snow left well after Easter, and the scents of the surrounding wild thyme and rosemary.

Our descent follows another ridge, a little steep in places, but quite easy. Signs of wild boar abound, plus you may well hear them crashing away in the undergrowth. We emerge from the forest at a delightful little chapel, before passing the famous St Julian Mountain that we climbed earlier. We return to Buis les Baronnies for a refreshing drink, with time to visit the old town and even a herb shop, who’s owner is a wealth of information on both herbs for cooking, and also medicine and cosmetics. Distance 10kms/5hrs with stops.

Day 6 Thursday. This morning a 25-minute transfer takes us deep into the mountainous part of Provence and the Gorge of St May. A very narrow road leads up to a lavender covered plateau with delightful views over the entire region. Our walk takes us to a rocky point and favoured viewpoint, particularly as it is home to a colony of European Vultures. These dramatic birds with a 3-metre wingspan soar and swoop directly in front of our 'ringside' cliff top seats. Reluctantly we move on, following the easy but dramatic ridge to another viewpoint of the distant Alps. The sun glints on the snowy slopes and glaciers of the Ecrins Range. We descend through sheep grazing country back to our vehicle, returning to Nyons with plenty of time to explore its olive mill, lavender distillery, shops and wineries. Distance 8kms and a 300 metre ascent/5hrs with stops.

Day 7 Friday. Our final day takes us to the ski slopes of Mont Ventoux and the surrounding alpine forest and pastures. Our walk begins in this alpine landscape, leading up through impressive forests with views into the plunging valley below. Emerging from the forest we continue along up steep scree slopes to the summit at 1,900 metres. Sweeping views extend from Mont Blanc in the north to the southern Alps, often referred to as the closed to Heaven on Earth. We then descend to a small sheltered chapel for our picnic lunch. Here again there are excellent views to the Luberon and the coast. After lunch we descend through alpine meadows, laden with spring blooms, to our vehicle returning to our accommodation in time to relax before enjoying farewell drinks and dinner with your hosts. Distance 10kms/ascent of 900m/6hrs with stops.

This view is in early Spring with a mantle of snow covering the top of Mont Ventoux.

Day 8 Saturday. This morning we bid farewell by 9am. If applicable transfers to Avignon  airport, or Avignon TGV Station are arranged.