Provence - Summits and Secrets.2009

A real mountain walkers' week with summits between 3000 and 6000ft , either guided or unguided.

Provence mountain scenes

Provence mountain scene

Itinerary.

Saturday Day 1. Clients collected from Avignon Rail Station 3pm or NimesAirport at 2pm or by arrangement.. Drive to Vinsobres to our accommodation for the week. You will either be in our centrally heated guesthouse or in our village apartments.The rooms are ensuite with comfortable central heating , a  lounge with TV/video  and very sunny terraces..Hot drinks are available in the kitchen and we provide some starter wine . Settle in, welcoming drinks, briefing and supper.

Day 2. Walk the Dentelles - lovely area with dramatic needles and ridges, pine forest and vineyards. Famous for Gigondas wines which we will taste afterwards.Our walk starts from a high col where there are excellent views of these dramatic rocky spires of the Dentelles . After a short climb to an excellent viewpoint the rocky path follows the base of the rock face through  small oak , scented pine and masses of wild thyme . At one point clients can scramble to the summit of the Turks Lookout if they wish .

At the end of the rocks the path emerges onto open ground with lovely views down over the Rhone valley and across to the Ardeche.An easy track  leads around to our picnic spot on a col with views over to Mt Ventoux . We often see golden eagles here. Lunch is always an excellent picnic with local produce provided and a drop of wine of course .After a good siesta the path contours down through masses of flowering broom into a delightful forest , the home of many wild boar ... Our vehicle is waiting for us in the valley..a short but fascinating day ..4 to 5hrs for 4 miles..over rocky terrain remember.

Day 3. A mountain day - Mielandre at 1351m.... excellent walk with superb summit ridge. Great views to the Alps.This walk is one of my favourites . The 30 minute drive takes us deep into the mountains of northern provence, the home of chamois, wild boar , deer , european vultures and eagles of all sorts . The walk starts from a high col and leads up through shady forest to a delightful traverse path with views down to the mountain farms below .After a short rocky step the path contours around and up onto the grassy slopes of the open mountain ..Again there are excellent views north to the Vercors and West towards the Massif Central . We often encounter chamois here . Once the summit ridge is reached a broad grassy slope  leads to a real summit with steep drops to the north ...The enticing spectacle of the snow covered Alps then offers a photogenic panorama during our lunch break..Our return by a maze of little paths follows the other side of the mountain thus providing more good views ...6hrs and 8 miles..some stony paths .

Day 4. A fine ridge walk from Buis les Baronnies over St Julian rocks. Good views of Mt Ventoux another favourite walk of mine with eagles likely. 7 miles/400m ascent. Very photogenic.Buis is the centre for herb production in the region so during our walk look out for those famous provencal plants ..This walk wanders up through small orchards and olive groves to a sheltered spot on the ridge that contains the famous St Julian Cliffs.We drop our rucksacks  near the rocks  and then those who would like to ascend to the top of the crag via a series of chimneys and cracks, all very easy..Superb views down onto the medieval town of Buis..After picking up the sacks we head on along the ridge leading to our lunchspot with great views over the Ventoux massif..usual tasty lunch ..yes , with a siesta !!!From here the descent is down through attractive forest with signs of wild boar everywhere.After a  short break at an old chapel we then drift back down around the base of St Julian to our vehicle . The St Julian rocks glow orange and red as the sunsets..a lovely sight .Back in Buis there is plenty of time for a cool beer and a wander around the 12 Century colonnaded shops ...No rigid timetable on this holiday folks !

Day 5. A mountain day, Cougoir, 1214m. A very pleasant and varied walk through forest onto scenic rocky ridge leading to a sharp summit. We return via Nyons to view the town, the olive mills and the lavender distillery.This is initially a steep walk but once we hit the traverse path to the col leading to the summit then it is much easier . I often see deer on this walk..An open, rocky but easy ridge leads to a delightful summit ..a real summit ..pointed with drops most of the way round !The path then continues across to a sheltered grassy dell where lunch can be fully enjoyed .The descent contours right round the base of the mountain via good shepherds and mule tracks back to our start point .On the way back we will stop in Nyons . Nyons is the home of the best olives in Provence plus it has a lavender distillery ..lovely aromas over the town when preparing the lavender and all the other herbs .. a 6hr walk , 400m ascent , 8 miles.

Day 6. Market day in Nyons..A very colourful and tasty morning to be had by all . Buy your presents here , taste the fresh fruit , olives, pate . Sit under the plain trees with a cold drink and watch the world go by ..now that is Provence..Clients buy their own picnic today on the market . We then drive to the Gorge de St May , up onto the famous lavender plateau and to our very scenic picnic spot .Later on a short walk leads to the excellent viewpoint 300m above the valley where we can watch the 60 to 70 European vultures that live here soar directly in front of us ..great for photos as these birds have up to 3m wingspan..absolutely fantastic spot ...Short walk 30 minutes or so .

Day 7. Ascent of Mont Ventoux.,1900m , the giant of Provence . Ventoux is a massive mountain really covering a great chunk of northern provence .It hums with wildlife although much of it is elusive ! Here you will find chamois , boar , deer , mouflon , eagles and snakes!! We rarely see the latter by the way .Our walk starts in a hidden valley near Beaumont du Ventoux, a valley crammed with cherry and apricot orchards .The varied path wends its way up through deciduous forest , provencal pine and then suddenly enters Alpine forest and then meadows full of wild flowers in Spring ..Far above looms the summit of Ventoux , stark, windswept and glowing in the sun .We meet our vehicle for a special picnic lunch  brought up by vehicle and we eat it in one of these alpine meadows lying on the soft grass under the shade of old pines.After lunch a superb meandering mountain path takes us to the Summit in 1hr45..The path is right out on the shoulder of the mountain with continuous views of the whole Alps laid out before us ..From the summit we will be able to pick out all the mountains we have been on this week..The descent is very easy and within an hour we will back to the local ski slope where the van will be waiting ..what a truly fascinating day this is..Suitably tired we return to base for an excellent final meal  ..900m ascent...4hrs30 ascent time and 1hr descent...6 miles This can be changed to a shorter ascent only. ..

Day 8. Depart after breakfast for Avignon/Marseille/Nimes.

Accommodation. In our guesthouse or delightful appartments in the village, all ensuite rooms of course.Evening meals are a mix of restaurants and home cooking in our home base. For an extra charge hotel accommodation is available in the nearby town of Nyons.

Access. By road. 30 Minutes from Bollene on the A6 Lyon /Aix/Marseille autoroute.
By air. Cost of collecting clients from Nimes Airport (Ryanair)  included.. Transfer time of 1hr15.
By Train. TGV/Eurostar to Avignon. Collection included in price.

Price: E650.guided.

Unguided week..E550 includes h/b accommodation and local transport.

Dates available:2010..27 March to 3 April. All weeks in May and June.  26 Sept to 3 October..Other dates available for groups minimum 4.                    

 Price includes  half board with some meals in restaurants , picnic lunches, guiding and collection and return from Avignon TGV Station .

                
                              
       
* Clients should be equipped for mountain walking conditions, contact us for full kit list..Please note that the 16 June Week will include some Alpine walks in the southern Alps of moderate difficulty.