Our Grand Tour of Les Alpilles includes full days in the wonderful historic towns of Arles and Avignon before undertaking a trail around the best part of this beautiful regional Park in southern Provence.
Accommodation & Meals
9 nights accommodation in several charming hotels and small guest houses with great character in double or twin rooms with own bathrooms (3 star equivalent). Many of the properties have swimming pools. Accommodation is located for the most part within the towns and villages. Breakfasts and 3 evening meals included in the holiday price.
When to Travel
Our self-guided walking tour of the Alpilles is available from March to June inclusive and in September and October. We do not run this holiday in the height of the summer due to the high temperatures and the difficulty in securing our top choice accommodation. Even as early as March the hills are awash with wild flowers. Because much of the vegetation is evergreen the landscape remains relatively colourful the whole year round. The vines start to sprount from April onwards. Ideal walking temperatures are experienced up to mid June, after which it can become very warm. Average day time temperatures are 18°C for mid April and 23°C for mid-May. By Mid June temperatures have reached 27°C on average in the afternoon whilst September highs average 25°C. March can still be fresh with morning temperatures averaging 6°C and highs of about 16°C. It is a also a relatively dry and calm period. October remains warm with temperatures often still reaching 20°C. Mistral winds are more common during the transition periods of April/May and September. The autumn is wetter than the spring in general due to the chance of stormy weather.
Please note that during June and September there is a higher risk that walking will be forbidden in the park by the authorities due to risk of fires. If this is the case we will assist you with organising alternative walks and taking taxis to avoid the areas which have been closed. Detailed information and contact numbers will be provided in your walking guide.
Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps
Much of this walking holiday follows GR (Grande Randonnee) long distance trails which are well way-marked with red and white markings. There are also a number of signposts along the trail. The walking follows clear paths for its entire duration. Some sections follow local trails waymarked in yellow, whilst other sections have no marking, for example alongside the irrigation canal, but these are easy to follow. Our walking notes are very detailed (more information here) and include intermediate distances for sections of the trail. They also include information about the sites which can be explored along the route. We supply one walking guide per person on this holiday. As well as the detailed walking notes we supply official walking maps produced by IGN at a scale of 1:25,000. Your trail is highlighted on the maps.
Luggage Transfers
On this walking holiday your main luggage is transferred between guest houses so you only have to carry a day rucksack with picnic lunch (supplied by the guest houses and included in the holiday price), water and spare clothes, waterproofs, camera etc. On this holiday a local taxi company is responsible for transporting your main luggage. We use the same company throughout the walking holiday, so if you have any specific requests you can ask the driver at the beginning of your trip. Please limit the weight of your bags where possible to 20kg. We only use hotels and small guest houses in historic buidlings and some of the rooms are accessible by stairs.
Travel Info
Getting to Arles
Train: Trains direct from Marseille, Lyon or Paris to Arles or change in Valence, Nimes or Avignon. Transfer to Fontvieille at end of day 2.
Flights: The closest airports are Avignon and Marseille. Regular flights from a number of UK airports to Avignon.
Extra Nights
Arles-You can add a stay in the historic town of Arles either before or after your walking holiday
Extra nights are possible at any of the stopovers. However we would recommend the following locations for extra nights:
Fontvieille, St Remy de Provence– They are your first and last placeson the walking part of your trip. Both the hotel in Fontvieille and the guest house in St Remy de Provence offer a high standard of accommodation and service. Both of the properties are featured in our accommodation section. You are already staying 2 nights in St Remy as part of the holiday but you could add an extra night to be able to do the walk and visit the Gallo-roman site of Glanum, as well as the priory where Van Gogh stayed for a year.
Baux de Provence: Like St Remy de Provence you may wish to add an additional night to increase the stay to 3 nights there to enjoy both a walk and exploring the village and castle, as well as visiting the Cathedral of lights (see itinerary for more information).
City Breaks
Arles and Avignon: The walking holiday starts with a day in Arles and finishes with a day in Avignon. One day in each city is probably long enough unless you wish to visit several museums. We can book additional nights in both places. We use 3 or 4 star hotels.
Tailor-made holidays
We can adapt this holiday to make it the length you wish by for example removing the days in the cities and making it into a purely walking holiday. Please contact us with your requirements.
Below you’ll also find some examples of our tailor-made trips which you can use as inspiration to customise your walking holiday in the south of France and beyond.
French Panorama: The Best of France Train Trip
Embark on an authentic French rail adventure under our expert guidance! This journey offers a comprehensive glimpse into France’s diverse and vibrant regions, catering to anyone eager to immerse themselves in its rich culture and savour its delights. It’s a unique experience designed to captivate all your senses, blending active discovery and historical exploration—a perfect recipe tailored to pique the interests of every traveller.
Active Discovery of Southern France’s Beauty
If you’re looking for an active trip to explore the natural beauty of Southern France, then this trip is made for you! Explore Provence’s charming countryside, ride electric bikes through picturesque villages, and savour local culture. Delight in sun-soaked vineyards and cuisine. Next, venture into the wild heart of the Camargue, renowned for its majestic horses. Immerse yourselves in its unique equestrian culture with some horseback riding “ballades”, galloping through the marshes and alongside the tranquil shores. Finally, set your sights on Cassis and the spellbinding Calanques National Park. Spend two days hiking through the rugged terrain, discovering the best trails and hidden beaches.
Belgium
