Walk & Discover: Majestic Provence

WALK: AIX-EN-PROVENCE

Beautiful Aix combines Parisian-style chic with village-like gentility. Founded as a spa town by the Romans, it became the capital of Provence during the Middle Ages and evolved into a major educational and artistic hub. Aix is known as the ‘City of a Thousand Fountains’ and the tranquil sound of running water accompanies you down boulevards, through squares and labyrinthine alleyways. During our guided tour this morning, you’ll see what inspired the city’s favourite son, Paul Cézanne, to produce numerous paintings in and around Aix.

This afternoon we have our first country walk with a specialist guide, and you have a choice between an easy route and a moderate one.

Easy walk
Duration:1.5 hours
Distance: 3.6 miles
Altitude gain: 613 feet
Terrain: mainly forest trails and graded tracks
Elevation: see the useful information section below

We begin at the colossal Bimont dam, which almost blends in with the surrounding limestone hills. The panoramic views extend over the teal lake to the jagged peaks of Mont Sainte-Victoire, immortalised by Cézanne in a series of paintings. As we continue along a ridge overlooking the Cause river, we are treated to more inspiring views. We begin our walk in the picturesque village of Le Tholonet, home to a grand château, an old stone windmill that doubles as an art gallery, and the remains of an ancient Roman aqueduct. Take a moment to soak up the breathtaking views over the vineyards and wildflower-filled fields criss-crossed by rivers. We leave the village passing ‘Cézanne’s mill’, which doubles as an art gallery, then take a tree-laden path for superb views of Mont Sainte-Victoire and continue to the Zola Dam. Designed by Italian-born engineer François Zola, father of novelist Émile Zola, it is a lovely place to wander and admire the scenery before we return to Le Tholonet.

Moderate walk
Duration: 2.5 hours
Distance: 5.1 miles
Altitude gain: 818 feet
Terrain: mainly forest trails and graded tracks
Elevation: see the useful information section below

If you wish to discover more of the area, our moderate walk loops past olive orchards and offers different views of Mont Sainte-Victoire. Cézanne is said to have painted this mountain more than 70 times – it’s clear to see why when you take in the gorgeous views and changing colours during the walk! We follow the same path over the Zola Dam and return to Le Tholonet.

DISCOVER: THE CAMARGUE

This morning we travel to the Camargue, a captivating landscape of saltwater marshland teeming with around 400 bird species, including pink flamingos. It’s home to the region’s iconic black bulls and an ancient breed of white horse, which you may spot being ridden by the Camargue’s ‘cowboys’. We then visit the port town of Saintes Maries de la Mer to see some of the natural splendour of this wetland environment – remember to pack your binoculars!

We take a short drive to Arles, a Roman regional capital from the 1st century AD. You’ll marvel at the city’s impressive UNESCO-listed monuments on a fascinating walking tour and see the Forum, once the city’s heart, and the remarkably preserved amphitheatre. There’s free time after in Arles. Perhaps take in the places associated with Vincent van Gogh, who spent 14 months here from early 1888 and produced around 300 works, including Sunflowers.

WALK: LUBERON MOUNTAINS

We head to the stunning Luberon Mountains, where Peter Mayle spent A Year in Provence. The pure light here has long attracted artists, while the hilltops are crowned by enchanting medieval villages. Choose between an easy walk and a moderate one with our specialist guides.

Easy walk
Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 3.7 miles
Altitude gain: 500 feet
Terrain: mainly forest trails and graded tracks
Elevation: see the useful information section below

We begin at Sénanque Abbey, with iconic lavender fields that are breathtaking when in bloom. We walk through the wooded Sénancole valley, passing olive groves and the stone huts of the Bories. Dating as far back as the Bronze Age, the huts provide a snapshot of local life from long ago. At the end we are treated to a majestic view of Gordes, one of the loveliest villages in France. White and grey stone houses spiral upwards around the massive plateau on which the village sits.

Moderate walk
Duration: 3 hours
Distance: 4.8 miles
Altitude gain: 747 feet
Terrain: mainly forest trails and graded tracks
Elevation: see the useful information section below

Our moderate walk begins in Gordes and takes us through fields of olive trees, descending when we cross the River Sénanque and ascending to a lovely ridge. Passing a cottage once used by the French Resistance, we arrive at the abbey at Sénanque before following the easy route back to Gordes.

This afternoon we visit the village of Roussillon, renowned for its red-hued cliffs and ochre quarries. The warm shades of earth provide a striking contrast against the pine trees and vibrant sky, all bathed in the coveted Provençal light.

FREE DAY IN AIX

The day is free to spend as you wish in Aix. Wander along Cours Mirabeau, the city’s elegant main street, and peel off into the maze of lanes to discover tiny squares and myriad fountains. Alternatively, head to the Museum of Natural History to view the dinosaur eggs unearthed on the slopes of Mont Sainte-Victoire.

WALK: LES BAUX & THE ALPILLES

Both walks start and end in Les Baux, a charming hilltop town built into an ancient limestone outcrop. From the battlements of its crumbling castle, you can admire superb views across the Camargue and as far as the Mediterranean Sea.

Easy walk
Duration: 2.5 hours
Distance: 3.8 miles
Altitude gain: 500 feet
Terrain: mainly forest trails and graded tracks
Elevation: see the useful information section below

We leave the town and ascend briefly to a ridge, where there are excellent views of the Alpilles, little mountains blanketed in scrubland and forests of pine and oak. Looping around, we stop to admire panoramic views over Les Baux and the curiously named Valley of Hell. The latter, which plunges into the mountainside, is renowned for its limestone features, eroded over time into fantastical shapes and grottos – many who witness these believe they inspired Dante’s Inferno in The Divine Comedy. We return to Les Baux and take a walk around the town walls for spectacular views over the Camargue.

Moderate walk
Duration: 3 hours
Distance: 5.7 miles
Altitude gain: 657 feet
Terrain: mainly forest trails and graded tracks
Elevation: see the useful information section below

If you’re feeling energetic you may prefer the moderate walk, which starts below Les Baux and follows an olive-lined avenue. A gentle climb along the Trail of the Lombards rewards us with superb views of the stunning Alpilles and the picturesque Camargue towards the coast. As we walk along a ridge across the Alpilles, we take in more fantastic views – on a clear day, we can see Mont Ventoux, the region’s highest mountain. We return to Les Baux via the viewpoint over the town.

After our morning walk, there’s time at leisure in Les Baux. The narrow streets lined with inviting shops are a delight to wander. You may wish to see the Carrières des Lumieres, an art show set in a stone quarry.

DISCOVER: AVIGNON

Today we visit Avignon, whose destiny changed in the 14th century when the Pope’s court was relocated here. Vast wealth poured in to build churches, convents and townhouses, and especially the Palais des Papes. There’s time to explore this incredible palace, which resembles a citadel rising from living rock, flanked by towering turrets. Or you could visit the Petit Palais Museum, which houses a fine collection of paintings from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, while a walk on Avignon’s celebrated 12th-century bridge will have you singing a certain French song for the rest of the day.

We return to Aix via the Pont du Gard, a 1st-century AD aqueduct constructed as part of a 30-mile route supplying water to Nîmes. Stand back to absorb the beauty of this engineering masterpiece and you’ll understand why it’s considered a wonder of the ancient world.

RETURN HOME

Transfer to the airport for your return journey.