Walking in Provence

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Explore the iconic landscapes of Provence on foot, spending sunny mornings on rural trails, tracking the shifting landscapes from the rugged, jagged crests of the Dentelles de Montmirail to the pine forests of the Alpilles. Our walks take us past ancient olive orchards that produce the region's famous DOC olive oils, across vineyard tracks leading to local cellars, and along paths carved directly into limestone gorges. Local culture is introduced through the people who shape it, including a private tasting of local cuvées at a wine cooperative and a guided visit to a regional distillery. We base ourselves in three of the region's most characterful settings; the charming village of Seguret, the elegant town of Saint-Remy-de-Provence, and the historic walled city of Avignon, getting right to the heart of Provence's best-known, definitive landscapes.

Trip highlights

Dentelles Trails and Wine TastingHike beneath striking limestone ridges from Gigondas to Beaumes-de-Venise, concluding with an expert-led, four-cuvée tasting at a traditional Rhone Valley winery.

Alpilles Ridgelines and Saint RemyWalk the wild pine forests that inspired Van Gogh before tracking a dramatic crest path for bird's-eye views over the fortress of Les Baux.

The Val d'Enfer and AvignonExplore the wind-carved gorges and the UNESCO listed Gothic Palais des Papes in Avignon

Itinerary

Itinerary option: 2027

1Day 1Join trip at our hotel in Seguret

Our Provence walking tour starts today in Seguret, a charming village at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for welcome meeting. There are no other activities planned today, so you have time to explore the village at your own pace. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Marseilles airport (MRS), which is about a one-hour drive from our hotel.

Domaine de Cabasse (or similar) · Séguret, FranceComfortable · Hotel

View of the Dentelles de Montmirail, located in the French department of Vaucluse, during a summer hike;

2Day 2Visit Vaison la Romaine; walk from Sainte Madeleine du Barroux Abbey to Chateau du Barroux

We begin with a short drive to medieval Vaison-la-Romaine, where history spans from antiquity to the Middle Ages. After wandering the old town and Roman ruins, we transfer to Sainte-Madeleine du Barroux Abbey, the starting point of our short hike along vineyard tracks and rural lanes to the Chateau du Barroux. During the hike we'll have a picnic lunch prepared by our guide. As we approach the end of the walk, we're rewarded with a panoramic view of Mont Ventoux - one of the most iconic peaks in the Tour de France. There'll then be time for a self-guided tour of the chateau and a guided tour of the distillery. Today's 6 kilometre/3.7 mile walk has a total ascent of 150 metres/492 feet and descent of 180 metres/590 feet. We expect it to take around two hours.

Included Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Domaine de Cabasse (or similar) · Séguret, FranceComfortable · Hotel

3Day 3Discover Les Dentelles de Montmirail on foot; tasting at a local winery

Today we hike from Gigondas to Beaumes-de-Venise, winding through vineyards and the aromatic landscape. The trail offers spectacular views of the jagged Dentelles ridges before descending into a village surrounded by orchards. We'll finish up with a visit to Cave de Beaumes de Venise Rhonea, a local winery, for a tasting. Along with a visit to the cellars and introduction to the wine production, we'll have the opportunity to taste four of Rhonea's must-try cuvees. Today's 11 kilometre/6.8 mile walk has a total ascent of 250 metres/820 feet and descent of 400 metres/1312 feet. We expect it to take around four and a half hours.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Hôtel Le Nesk (or similar) · Sault, FranceComfortable · Hotel

4Day 4Transfer to Monieux, walk the Gorges de la Nesque in Mont Ventoux Regional Natural Park

We drive to Monieux to explore the Gorges de la Nesque, a spectacular canyon in the heart of the Mont Ventoux Regional Natural Park. Our route takes us deep into the gorge where we can see the clear waters framed by towering cliffs. The landscape here is wild, connecting the peaceful Lac du Bourget with the winding course of the Nesque River. We'll also come across the Saint-Michel Chapel, a remarkable 12th century Romanesque building that is partially built directly into a vast rocky overhang and is only accessible on foot. At the end of our walk, we drive back to our hotel. Our 10 kilometre/ 6.2 mile walk is expected to take four hours, with an elevation gain and loss of around 400 metres/1312 feet

Included Meals: Breakfast

Hôtel Le Nesk (or similar) · Sault, FranceComfortable · Hotel

5Day 5Drive to Gordes Village for a circular walk, including Senanque Abbey.

This morning we'll drive to the dramatic village of Gordes our next base. With winding cobbled lanes and tall stone houses clinging to the cliffs of the Vaucluse Plateau, all the while dominated by its chateau, Gordes is one of the most beautiful villages in France. Our walk today showcases some of the Luberon's most memorable sites such as the Village des Bories, an open-air museum made up of dry-stone huts, called 'bories', built without mortar. and the Senanque Abbey. This Cistercian monastery is nestled in a secluded valley and has been home to a community of monks for nearly 900 years. We'll return to Gordes on foot and check in to our hotel. Our 10 kilometre/ 6.2 mile walk is expected to take four hours, with an elevation gain of around 400 metres/1,312 feet, and a loss of around 375 metres/1230 feet.

Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Le Mas de la Senancole (or similar) · Gordes, FranceComfortable · Hotel

6Day 6Transfer to St Remy and walk the ridgeline to Baux de Provence

After breakfast, we drive to the elegant town of Saint-Remy-de-Provence, a place synonymous with both Roman history and artistic legacy. Vincent van Gogh spent a prolific year here, inspired by the unique Provencal light to paint masterpieces such as The Starry Night. We begin a progressive ascent on rocky trails through pine forests and the limestone crags of the Alpilles. As we cross the Vallon de la Fontaine and the Plateau des Antiques, the landscape opens up into far-reaching views over the vast Crau plain. The trail then follows a dramatic ridgeline, providing 360-degree panoramas of the rugged massif. The day's highlight is our approach to Les Baux-de-Provence; arriving from above, we enjoy a near bird's eye perspective of this medieval eagle's nest perched on a rocky spur. The village has been officially recognized as one of the most beautiful in France, and on arrival we have time to explore its cobbled lanes and visit the majestic Chateau des Baux. This sprawling fortress offers a fascinating glimpse into the turbulent history of the lords of Baux before we transfer back to Saint-Remy for the evening. Our 10 kilometre/ 6.2 mile walk is expected to take four hours, with an elevation gain of around 385 metres/1263 feet, and a loss of around 230 metres/754 feet.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Hôtel Amandière (or similar) · SAINT REMY DE PROVENCE, FranceComfortable · Hotel

7Day 7Transfer to Les Baux de Provence for a walk in the Baux valley, transfer to Avignon for a guided tour.

We begin our final walking day with a short but atmospheric loop hike in the Baux valley. Setting out from the foot of the limestone cliffs, our path leads us through the ancient olive orchards that are the source of the region's famous AOC olive oil before entering the Val d'Enfer (Valley of Hell). This narrow gorge is a landscape of limestone formations carved into bizarre shapes by centuries of erosion that is said to have inspired Dante's Divine Comedy. In the afternoon we transfer to Avignon, the UNESCO World Heritage city on the banks of the Rhone. We head out on a guided tour of the 'City of the Popes', wandering through its medieval streets and grand squares. One of the highlights of our visit is a tour of the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes). As the largest Gothic palace in the world, this fortress-like residence was the seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century. We'll explore its vaulted ceremonial halls, cloisters, and private chapels adorned with priceless frescoes, gaining a true sense of the power and opulence of the medieval papacy. Our final walk covers 7 kilometres /4.3 miles and is expected to take two hours and 30 minutes, with an ascent and descent of 200 metres/ 656 feet.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Hôtel Le Colbert (or similar) · Avignon, FranceComfortable · Hotel

8Day 8The trip ends in Avignon

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Avignon. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Marseilles Provence airport (MRS), which is approximately a one-hour drive from our hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Trip map

Walking information

Walking

Grade: Leisurely and Moderate

Walks range from around 6 to 11 kilometres and typically taking between two and four-and-a-half hours. Routes follow a mix of vineyard tracks, rural lanes and rocky limestone trails, with some sections crossing exposed ridgelines or narrow gorge paths.
Most walks are steady rather than technical, but sure footing is needed in places - particularly along the Dentelles ridges, the Alpilles crests and within the Gorges de la Nesque. The pace is unhurried, with time to pause along the way, whether that's for a view over Mont Ventoux or a break among olive groves

Packing & equipment

Clothing

Pack for warm, dry days with the option of cooler mornings and evenings. Lightweight, breathable clothing works best for walking, with layers that can be added or removed as temperatures shift.
For the trails, comfortable walking trousers or shorts and moisture-wicking tops are ideal. A light long-sleeved layer can help with sun protection, while a warmer layer - such as a fleece or light jumper - is useful for early starts or breezy ridgelines.
We also recommend bringing a lightweight waterproof or windproof jacket, as weather can change quickly, particularly with the Mistral wind.
For time off the trails, casual, comfortable clothing is suitable for exploring villages and evenings out. A hat, sunglasses and sun protection are essential

Equipment

Reusable water bottle
Trekking poles can be useful if you are used to using them but are not essential
High factor sun cream

Footwear

We recommend sturdy walking shoes or lightweight walking boots with good grip, as much of the terrain is uneven, from rocky limestone paths to loose gravel and short stretches of exposed ridge.
It's important that your footwear is well worn-in before the trip to avoid discomfort on consecutive walking days. For time off the trails, bring a more relaxed pair of shoes or sandals for evenings and exploring villages.
Good socks can make a difference too - breathable pairs will help keep your feet comfortable in the warmer Provençal climate.

Luggage on tour

Local regulations regarding baggage transfers limit each bag to 10kg in weight. We ask that you therefore bring a second bag into which you can move some of your things for transport during the tour. For example if you have one large suitcase, pack a smaller duffel bag flat into it.

We also recommend a waterproof daysack (25-30 litres is recommended as sufficient to carry clothing, picnic, water etc).

What's included

Meals

7 breakfasts
1 lunches
1 dinners

Staff

Explore Tour Leader, Driver(s)

Transport

Accommodation

7 nights Comfortable Hotel

Is this the trip for you?

We've graded this trip as leisurely and moderate. You should have a good general level of fitness and be comfortable walking consecutive days on varied terrain. Our daily walks range from 6 to 11 kilometre/3.7 to 6.8 miles. You can expect to be walking for two to four-and-a-half hours each day, balanced with sightseeing in the afternoons.
The majority of the paths we take are well-maintained vineyard tracks and rural lanes, some sections do involve rocky trails, limestone crags and exposed ridgelines. These include walking near the cliffs of the Gorges de la Nesque an across the ridges of the Alpilles, where you'll need a steady foot.
Our itinerary includes a good mix of walking and cultural exploration. You can expect to spend the mornings hiking, while the afternoons are dedicated to discovering historic sites, medieval hilltop villages, or enjoying the local cuisine.
Provence enjoys a Mediterranean climate, however weather conditions can fluctuate. Earlier in the season, you can expect temperatures to be cooler with variable weather, particularly in the national parks. The region is also occasionally subject to the strong Mistral wind. We recommend packing adaptable layers.
Throughout this tour, we stay in three-star hotels, chosen for their traditional Provencal charm. They offer a comfortable, relaxing base at the end of a day on the trails.
On this itinerary, your tour leader will also be your driver. While their main focus will be on the road, they’ll also share their knowledge of the sights and places of interest you encounter along the way.