Alpilles & Luberon . This unique self-guided walking holiday allows you to discover the very best of Provence in the Alpilles & Luberon Regional Parks.
Accommodation & Meals
12 nights accommodation in several charming guest houses in historic buildings full of character and interspersed with quality 3-star hotels and auberges, double or twin rooms with own bathroom.
When to Travel
Our self-guided walking tour of the Alpilles and Luberon regions 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. Because much of the vegetation is evergreen the landscape remains relatively colourful the whole year round. The vines start to sprout from April onwards. Ideal walking temperatures are experienced up to mid June, after which it can become very hot. 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 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.
Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps
This walking holiday partly follows GR (Grande Randonnee) long-distance trails which are well way-marked with red and white markings. There are also several signposts along the trails. The walking follows clear paths for its entire duration. The remaining sections follow local trails waymarked in yellow, whilst other sections have no or little markings. 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 to 20kg. We generally use hotels and small guest houses in historic buildings and some of the rooms are accessible only by stairs.
Travel Info
Taxi transfer from Arles to Baux de Provence at the start of the holiday and from Roussillon to Avignon at the end of your holiday included in the price.
Holiday starts in Arles.
Train: Trains direct from Marseille, Lyon or Paris to Arles or change in Valence, Nimes or Avignon. Transfer to Baux de Provence at start of day 2.
Flights: The closest airports are Avignon and Marseille. Regular flights from a number of UK airports to Avignon. Flybe has services from Exeter, Southampton, Birmingham, Manchester & Leeds. Fly to Marseille Marignane: There are regular flights from Bristol, Edinburgh, London Stansted and London Gatwick. Shuttle bus every 20 minutes between 6.
Extra Nights
Extra nights are possible at any of the stopovers. There are already two nights in Baux de Provence in the Alpilles and at Gordes and Bonnieux in the Luberon. In the Alpilles we would recommend booking a couple of nights in St Remy de Provence where you can spend a day exploring the town and visiting the Gallo-Roman remains. This holiday can be adapted to suit your requirements. We have created it from the best elements of our Luberon and Alpilles holidays but we can extend or shorten the holiday. However you need to aware that in some locations it is very difficult to find accommodation that accepts one night bookings.
City Breaks
Arles and Avignon: We can book extra nights in Avignon as well as in the nearby historic town of Arles as part of your holiday package. The walking holiday starts with a pick up in Arles. Take in the atmosphere of this lively Provence town surrounded by city walls on the banks of the Rhone River. There are numerous museums to visit. It was Van Gogh’s home for a year when he produced about 300 of his celebrated paintings. Your walking holiday finishes in Avignon. Avignon is one of the prettiest cities in Provence, which includes famous sites such as the Palais des Papes and the Pont d’Avignon. Avignon is famous as the city to which the Popes fled when leaving the corruption of Rome in the 14th century. The palace they built, ‘Le Palais des Papes,’ or the palace of popes, is the world’s largest Gothic edifice. The Ramparts themselves were erected to keep the plague and invaders out during the middle ages, when Avignon belonged to the papacy and not the French crown. Avignon is also famous for the Saint Benezet bridge which spans part of the Rhone River and is known the world over due to a nursery rhyme. We use 3 or 4 star hotels.
Tailor-Made Trips
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.
French Valley of the Gastronomy Tour
Explore the ‘Vallée de la Gastronomie’ from Epicurean Paris to Delectable Marseille in the South of France. Experience the sights, sounds, and refined flavours of the capital before setting off to Burgundy, a mustard-infused and wine-centric region. Roam south through Lyon, Beaujolais, and into Provence where you’ll be touring top vineyards and enjoying its diverse and delicious farm-to-table refined cuisine. Spend a full 12 days captivated by sublime scenery and delighting in the best food and wine of Southern France.
Belgium
