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Holidays & Walks
Graded in order of walking
difficulty
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Treks & Skiing
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UK Treks
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The Best of the Luberon.
From the ruins of Oppede
le Vieux via the Ochre of Roussillon to the poppies and lavender
of the northern slopes.Ancient villages,old farms,olive groves and
cherry orchards.6 days of walks and visits
to Bonnieux ,Menerbes,Roussillon , Gordes,Colorado Provencal
, St Remy and Les Baux de Provence.
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Transfers. Transfers from Marseille
Airport and Avignon TGV Station. Links to Nimes Airport.Return to
Avignon Centre
8 day holiday with 7 nights near Isle
sur la Sorgue .
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Grade:
Moderate with 4 hrs walking maximum. |
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Our
accommodation is either in the Hotel Carcarille below Gordes or an economical hotel Les Oliviers , on the right, situated in a urban part of Coustellet about 5kms from Gordes.
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| Explore the heart of the Luberon
with an expert guide and find some of the best walks which give you
the real taste of this very beautiful and historic region. This is
a one centre holiday. Our choice of accommodation is either a) The Hotel Carcarille
. The Hotel is beautifully decorated in a very provencal style . Although
not isolated the farmhouse setting is one of vineyards and orchards
. The meals are excellent quality with the emphasis on local produce
and home cooking .There are extensive grounds and a swimming pool
. .The rooms are full of character and have excellent ensuite bathrooms ...or b) Les Oliviers. This is a 2 Star situated in the village of Coustellet. Although the situation is urban the rooms are very comfortable with trees shading the terraces and overlooking the pool.. The walks reflect the true nature and variety of the Luberon . Light
packs only and return at the end of the day to comfort and excellent
food .The walks are 3 to 4 hrs long with some ascents on rocky paths
but nothing too strenuous..The aim is to enjoy the countryside, the
hidden villages, the scent of wild herbs and , of course ,the excellent
climate !! |
The Programme
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| Saturday. Transfers arranged
from Avignon TGV Station. The transfer takes about 40 minutes
. Settle in with a welcoming aperitif, a short briefing
before supper .Our hosts will prepare
an excellent welcoming meal on the first night.
. SundayA gentle walk from Maubec to Oppede
le Vieux through lovely country with cherry orchards,
vineyards and those famous Luberon farms .An old track lead
up to Oppede which is partly in ruins but a favourite artists'
haunt.and with.a very colourful history.We picnic in the village
and then walk back through the forest to Maubec via the old
village of Maubec.Later on in the afternoon we explore Menerbes
of Peter Mayle fame and finish with drinks in a local bar.
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| Monday. The Cedar Forest
Walk..10kms.A delightful walk which leads from the
historic village of Bonnieux on ancient trails through
vineyards and orchards up into the famous Cedar forest
of the Grand Luberon . Excellent views over the Luberon Valley to
the giant of Provence, Mont Ventoux. Walk along the summit ridge
to a viewpoint facing south where Mont St Victoire and the Alpilles
of Van Gogh fame can be seen. Return to Bonnieux by another
trail for a relaxed stroll through the village before returning
to the hotel.
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| Tuesday. Exploring
the valley and village of Buoux. We transfer to Buoux and
begin the day with an exploration of the famous fort spectacularly
situated on a spine of rock overlooking this ancient valley.We
then continue up the valley , passing an old farm now converted
to an Auberge and onto the GR 5. This famous path leads up onto
the top of the cliffs overlooking the valley , the farm
and the fort ..great views..A shady spot is found en route to
the village for a picnic and rest before descending through
lavender fields and meadows to Buoux .Time for a break in the
shade before returning down into the valley along a tiny road
and back to the minibus . We then drive the short distance to
APT for a leisuredly stroll through the pedestrianised shopping centre .. |
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| Wednesday.Medieval Viens and the
Colorado Provencal. |
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A 40 minute transfer takes us from the Mas to the very attractive
NE corner of the Luberon Valley .Viens is a very attractive
medieval village at the heart of a thriving farming community
. After thoroughly exploring the village our 3 hr walk leads
down through lavander fields , orchards and forest to the
famous Colorado Provencal ochre quarries .En route we stop
in the shade for another picnic of local produce ..pate ,
salads ,tomatoes, cheese ,fresh fruits and , of course , some
good red wine! The bright colours of the ochre coloured cliffs
are a favourite of artist and photographer. The return to
our base is via St Saturnin with its windmills ,impressive
fortifications and quaint atmosphere..
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Thursday .Visit to Roussillon and
Gordes..After a more leisuredly start after yesterdays'
efforts we drive to Roussillon . This very attractive village
is a photographers' delight and an added bonus is that today
is also market day .Clients are free to explore the village
at leisure and then enjoy a shaded lunch in one of the many
attractive restaurants .At 2pm we depart for Gordes via
Gargas .This little village is truly delightful and we enjoy
a walk up through the village to the Church before continuing
to Gordes .There our guide will be waiting for
us and she will lead the guided tour of the village and
its history .The day ends with a visit to the Abbey of Senanque..just
enough time to enjoy the situation and then return
to the hotel . We provide transport to Gordes for dinner
tonight.
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 Roussillion |
Gordes
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Friday.. St Remy de Provence
and Les Baux de Provence.
Our
last day starts with an early breakfast and 8am departure.The drive to St Remy takes about an hour . At the town a guided visit takes clients around the various sites where Van Gogh created some of his most famous paintings and then into the old Asylum where he spent much of his last years . Our next stop is Les Baux , a fascinating fortress village set on the hillside
overlooking the Camargue to the South and the Rhone Valley
to the north.After some time spent visiting the village we will go the Theatre des Images , a series of enormous caverns in which a spectacular light and sound show displays Van Gogh's paintings superbly. Something NOT to be missed. If we have time mid morning we will have a walk up the valley leading past Glanum , the Roman City, and then up to a viewpoint overlooking St Remy..
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| Saturday..Depart
after breakfast for Avignon TGV Station for arrival by 9.30am. |
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Price for clients staying in the Carcarelle E900
This includes 7 nights half
board accommodation in ensuite twin or double bedrooms less 1
dinner . Also are included 4 picnic lunches . Price for clients staying in Les Oliviers..E650. This includes 7 nights bed and breakfast and two evening meals . There are half a dozen restaurants in the village within 200m walking distance. FOR BOTH HOLIDAY THE FOLLOWING IS INCLUDED..
We also provide collection from
Avignon TGV Station or Avingon Airport, all local transport plus the services of guides
at all times plus entry fees for Gordes ,
Fort de Buoux visits and the Van Gogh Tour..Not
included are the 1 dinner mentioned 2
lunches and drinks with suppers.. .
Dates available for 2009..25 April to 2 May. SUNDAY 17 to SUNDAY 24 May. 13 to 20 June. 19 to 26 Sept.
Other dates available for groups minimum 4.
Maximum size of group is 8.
Francetrek reserves the right to cancel if less than 3 clients book.
PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU NEED TRANSFERS FROM MARSEILLE
AIRPORT.
Francetrek Holidays, Barnier, 26110, Vinsobres,
France.
Tel/Fax + 33 (0)4 75 27 68 29
email: francetrek@aol.com
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