• Les Alpilles:

• Van Gogh's Provence

• Everyday during March, April, May, June, September and October (subject to availability)

• From £895
• From €995
• Price based on 2 people sharing a room.
• Please contact us for single supplement charges
• Loyalty scheme reduction applies for returning customers (see terms and conditions)

• 6 nights, 5 days independent walking moving between guest houses

• Beautiful Provence landscapes with olive groves in the Alpilles Regional Park.
• Classic historic provence villages of Baux de Provence, St-Remy-de-Provence & Fontvieille
• Visit the Roman amphitheatre and Van Gogh museum in the historic town of Arles
• Historic sites and places to visit in Avignon

• "We had a superb holiday. We loved the countryside, the walks and the hotels. Overall a fantastic experience." J. Shemilt, UK
• "Fabulous scenery. Enjoyed the lovely walks and being able to absorb the culture." A. Leete, UK

• Small guest house accommodation and hotels often in beautiful historic properties, many with swimming pools. Accommodation located for the most part within the towns and villages

1. Transfers between Arles and the start of the first day's walk and after the last day's walk to Avignon.
2. 6 nights' accommodation.
3. All breakfasts and 2 evening meals
4. Full walking notes and maps (see more information)
5. Transport of luggage between guest houses
6. Transfer on day 6 to the start of walk
7. Read more information about our independent walking & trekking holidays

1. Travel to Arles at start of walking holiday and from Avignon at the end of the trip
2. All lunches, 4 evening meals
   
3. Any excursions or entrance fees
4. Travel insurance

1. See also our Grand Tour of Les Alpilles
2. Highlights of Provence: Best of Les Alpilles & Luberon
3. Return to full list of self-guided walking holidays
4. Return to Home Page

Walking Profile

Walking on this holiday is moderate in grade mainly due to the nature of the terrain which can be rocky, and because it is possible to do a longer option on one of the days. Otherwise the walking is easy for the most part in terms of distances and amount of ascent. Mainly on good paths, tracks and quiet lanes. Average distances are about 14km with about 250m of ascent. Some small sections can be steep. Maximum altitude is 400m in one day (550m on more difficult option).

Day 1: Arrival

Explore Arles and its Roman treasures including its Roman Ampitheatre. Take in the atmosphere of this lively Provence town, Van Gogh’s second home.

Day 2: Fontvieille - Baux de Provence

10 minutes transfer to Fontvieille a picturesque village with its ancient houses built from local stone. Fontvieille is the village where Alphonse Daudet wrote his famous "Lettres de Mon Moulin". Your walk starts by climbing the small hill to visit the "Moulin de Daudet" and from where there is a superb view of the Alpilles and the "Chateau de Montauban" where Daudet lived from time-to-time. Walk through a landscape of limestone, olives, pine-trees and oaks before climbing to the perched village of Les Baux de Provence: its homes packed tightly on top of the hill and listed as one of the prettiest villages in France. 13km, +290m

Day 3: Circular Tour from Les Baux de Provence

Explore Baux de Provence with it 22 architectural treasures classified as "Historic Monuments" (including the church, chateau, town-hall, hospital, chapels, houses, doorways etc. This car-free village has plenty of ancient houses that have been carefully restored, beautiful Renaissance facades and several magnificent "hotels particuliers". Above all, are the ruins of the citadelle which crown the hill. Visit the chateau ruins, cost about 8 euros. One of the must-see sites close to the village is the Carrieres de Lumieres, where artistic works are projected on enormous quarry walls. At the moment Van Gogh's works are being shown.

You also have the option of a walk to the village of Maussane in the heart of the most important olive producing area in France. Visit the famous 17th century Cornille mill where you can taste one of Provence’s best olive oils. 11km, +250m

Day 4: Baux de Provence - St Remy en Provence

A beautiful walk from Les Baux, back into the Alpilles (little Alps) rugged limestone hills. Walk along good hill top tracks along the ridges with good views before dropping down to St Remy en Provence one of the most famous villages of Provence and celebrated for being the adopted home of Van Gogh. Visit its pretty squares, fountains, Medieval buildings and cobblestone streets enclosed by the remains of its 14th century walls. On the way you can also explore the remains of the Roman town of Glanum. 14km, +390m

Day 5: Circular Tour from St Remy en Provence

Spend the day visiting St Remy en Provence and/or do an optional walk.
Among the possible visits in St Remy is the Saint-Paul de Mausole monastery where Van Gogh created 150 paintings in a year. Vincent Van Gogh had been living in Arles during 1888-89. In May 1889 he was voluntarily confined in the Asylum of Saint Paul de Mausole where in a productive year he painted two of his most notable works: Starry Night and Self-Portrait. Saint Remy de Provence is also home to the historic remains of Glanum which was founded in the 3rd century BC, before control passed to the Romans under Julius Cesar. Two important monuments are visible next to the site: l'Arc de Triomphe and the Mausolee des Antiques.

You have the choice of two relatively easy walks around St Remy, one staying low wandering through the olive groves and vineyards which inspired Van Gogh or one which climbs onto the Plateau de la Caume for wonderful views. Return to St Remy via the beautiful Lake Peirou.
12km, +250m

Day 6:  Tour from Eygalieres

Short transfer to the historic village of Eygalieres. This small village is less busy than St Remy but has lots of Provence charm. There is a wonderful Provence market on Fridays. Your walk takes via a gentle path into the surrounding hills with wonderful panoramic views throughout. A great walk to finish your Alpilles experience. Short transfer to Avignon one of the prettiest cities in Provence, which includes famous sites such as the Palais des Papes and the Pont d’Avignon. 16km, +100m

Day 7: Departure

Holiday ends after breakfast. Option to book extra nights in Avignon.

Contact us about this self-guided walking holiday