Sale
6 Days
From
From IntroductoryTo Challenging
This beautiful region in the South of France offers a unique charm in winter, with mild temperatures, clear blue skies, and fewer crowds. On this self-guided walking holiday, explore Provence's two main mountain ranges, Le Luberon and Les Alpilles, with a choice of easy or moderate hikes. Walk through olive and almond groves to medieval villages with markets, fountains, and cobbled streets.
Start your walk in l'Isle sur la Sorgue, known as the “Venice of Provence”, with its lovely canal and antique shops. It is famous for its Sunday morning market. Then visit the impressive Senanque Abbey (opening days vary). You explore the Alpilles Mountains, stay in the artsy town of St. Remy and walk literally through Van Gogh landscapes. Explore the hilltop towns of Gordes and Les Baux de Provence, amongst some of the most beautiful villages in France - without the crowds.
You can also add a pre-night in Avignon to see the Palais des Papes and Pont d’Avignon or add an extra night in Arles to visit the hospital where Vincent van Gogh stayed after his infamous ear-incident, now a cultural centre.
France
Isle sur la Sorgue
Arles
13kg of CO2-e PP per day
(65kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Arrive in l'Isle sur la Sorgue
Arrive in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue on your own. Discover the charming village, known as the "Venice of Provence," with its picturesque canals, historic waterwheels, and renowned antique shops. If you can plan it, the vibrant and traditional Sunday morning market is not to be missed. Accommodation: Spend 2 nights at a B&B with elegant, thoughtfully styled rooms blending French character with modern comforts. Enjoy beautifully presented communal spaces, a tranquil garden, and refined interiors that reflect the property’s artistic charm and attention to detail. All rooms are ensuite.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Fontaine de Vaucluse to Gordes, overnight l'Isle sur la Sorgue - 13 km/8 mi, 4h15m
After breakfast, a short taxi ride takes you to the village of Fontaine de Vaucluse, home to a mystical water source: a well that seems to descend endlessly. For a more relaxed start or an easier walk, you can ask the driver to take you to the village of Cabrières d’Avignon instead. However, we highly recommend doing the full walk, as the first part offers breathtaking views, especially from the Mur de la Peste – the Plague Wall. The path climbs through pine and cedar forests along quiet trails, leading to a plateau with sweeping views of hilltop villages. Following the 300-year-old Plague Wall, built to protect Provence from the plague that struck Marseille in 1720, your walk ends at the stunning village of Gordes. This majestic village, perched on a rocky outcrop, is known for its dramatic grey stone homes rising steeply from the valley. Transfer back to Isle.
Meals: B
Day 3
Gordes Circular Walk incl. Senanque Abbey, overnight St. Remy - 10 km/6.2 mi, 3h15m
A short transfer brings you to Gordes. Today's circular walk takes you through fragrant thyme-filled fields, dotted with ancient stone huts, and down into the scenic Sénancole Valley. Before long, you’ll spot Sénanque Abbey (closed in January), a breathtaking structure built in 1148 and still in use today. It’s one of France’s best-preserved Romanesque buildings and a true architectural gem. You’ll have time to explore the abbey before retracing your steps to Gordes along a charming cobbled path. At the end of your walk, transfer to Saint Remy de Provence for your overnight. Accommodation: Two nights are spent in a comfortable and elegant 3* hotel in the centre of town.
Day 4
Circular Walk Through Van Gogh's Landscapes - 10-18 km/7-11 mi, 3h30m - 6h
Your walking day begins in Saint Rémy de Provence, where you’ll pass Saint Paul de Mausole; the monastery where Vincent van Gogh spent his final year. From there, you head up a peaceful valley, following a botanical trail to the ridge of the Alpilles Mountains, reaching the “Rocher des Deux Trous” viewpoint with outstanding vistas. You then have two choices: a relaxed descent back down the mountain or an exhilarating path along a rocky crest, adding some adventure and a major “wow” factor to the hike (before returning via the same gentle descent). The second option is more challenging, and may not be suitable unless you’re comfortable on uneven, jagged terrain.
Day 5
Maussane and its olive fields - 13 km/8 mi, 4h
Today’s picturesque forestry path runs high above the valley, offering stunning panoramic views. Your hiking route descends into the charming village of Maussane, where you can visit the renowned 17th-century Cornille Mill and sample some of Provence’s finest olive oil. At the end of your walking day, a private transfer will take you to Arles. Accommodation: spend your last night at a quaint 3* hotel very near to the Arles roman arena and theatre. It is a former 17th century mansion, rooms are classic and all ensuite.
Day 6
Arrangements end after breakfast
Have your breakfast at the hotel in Arles after which our arrangements end. You may wish to enjoy a fee day in the beautiful town of Arles, the Rome of Provence. Its typical market on Saturday morning is famous and there is lots of art to be discovered, incl. the Vincent van Gogh Foundation and iconic LUMA cultural centre. You may wish to request an extra night.
What's included
What's not included
Across this hiking holiday in Provence, the handpicked hotels offer character-rich comfort with a distinctly local charm. In Isle sur la Sorgue, you’ll find refined, artfully curated rooms within a converted chapel, combining serene elegance with boutique touches. In St-Rémy-de-Provence, our hotel offers bright, air-conditioned rooms in a peaceful garden setting, complete with a wellness centre and swimming pool, ideal for unwinding after a day of walking. Meanwhile, in the historic heart of Arles, our hotel blends heritage architecture with cosy, individually styled rooms just steps from the Roman arena. Each hotel offers a comfortable and atmospheric base with convenient access to Provence’s hiking trails that are accessible year round.
The walking on this tour is varied: Introductory - Moderate. (Grade 2). Although due to the length of walks and terrain we would classify the tour as more moderate. Note that some trails are quite rough and stony. A reasonable level of fitness and ability on rocky paths is required. You need good boots throughout the tour: The trails are generally good, but on occasion there are steep or winding sections of loose limestone shingle. Carry plenty of drinking water and adequate protection against the sun, including a sun hat - even in winter(!).
Per Person, Twin Share
• Isle sur la Sorgue: Sunday mornings big market + Thursday mornings small market.
• St Remy de Provence: on Wednesday & Saturday mornings.
• Avignon: visit the Les Halles indoor covered market every morning except Mondays.
• Arles: market is on Saturday mornings.
Avignon at the beginning and Arles at the end are both large towns with a lot of interest and beauty
Winter is a quieter season in Provence, and travelling at this time offers a very different experience from high summer. Many villages are peaceful, walking trails are largely empty, and accommodation availability is excellent, often allowing stays in particularly well-located hotels. However, some tourist attractions, museums, markets and smaller shops may have limited opening hours. This can include sites such as monasteries, museums and underground attractions, and local markets may have fewer stalls than at busier times of year. Restaurants may also operate with reduced schedules. For walkers, however, this can be an ideal time to visit. The landscapes are open and uncrowded, temperatures are comfortable for walking, and villages feel more authentic and unhurried. This trip is best suited to travellers who value quiet trails, fresh air and a slower pace, and who are happy to enjoy Provence primarily through its countryside rather than its full summer visitor offering.
Although a lot of Vincent van Gogh's paintings are slightly abstract, you can pick out some places when walking out of St. Remy where he did some paintings. There is a panel trail with pictures of the paintings where he did them.
A Single Supplement is applied to your booking if you are travelling with another person and you both want your own rooms, bag transfers/taxis get split between the travellers.
The Solo Traveller Supplement is for 1 person travelling. You will then have to cover the full cost of bag transfers/taxis rather than split it with other travellers.
The supplements are either/or, you will never be charged for both.
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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Personal Experience
We've been exploring the world on foot for over five decades, and our passion for walking runs deep. Having hiked nearly every corner of Europe, we take pride in sharing the joy, freedom and perspective that only travelling on foot can bring, all with the exceptional service and care our travellers know us for.
Great Value & Quality
Our trips offer excellent value for money, with everything you need for a seamless walking holiday. Each package includes detailed route notes, maps and navigation app, luggage transfers, and comfortable locally run accommodation. We take care of the planning, so you can simply enjoy the walk.
Self-Guided Specialists
We've been operating self-guided active holidays since 1973, taking care of every detail so you can relax and explore at your own pace. With many walking and hiking tours departing daily, you'll enjoy the freedom and flexibility to travel when it suits you.
self guided walk
hotel
7Days
Moderate
Introductory to Moderate
hotel, guesthouse
8Days