• Historic Hill-top Villages of Drome Provencale

• 1 April to 3 July & 24 August to 31 October

• From £1225
• From €1360
• Prices per person based on 2 sharing a room
• Please contact us concerning single supplements
• Extra night near Poet Laval £140/€155 Full Board
• Loyalty scheme reduction applies for returning customers (see terms and conditions)

• grade explained

• 7 nights, 6 days self-guided walking moving between guest houses. Option of extra day and night at Poet Laval.

• A unique linear trail through a beautiful landscape of rolling hills and craggy summits
• Relatively quiet part of France with many stunning perched, historic villages
• A multitude of landscapes and vegetation with lavender fields, vines, olives groves & forest
• A warm and sunny climate
• Delightful guest houses full of character, five with swimming pools

• "We LOVED this holiday - the rhythm of walking and arriving tired but ready for a lovely dinner was marvellous. Delicious picnic lunches with fabulous views were definitely our style. We enjoyed the beauty and variety of walking valley to valley. We especially enjoyed walking along the ridges. We will definitely come back to do another trip with you." M. Brodhead, UK.
• "It was one of the best walking holidays I have undertaken. An unspoilt area with the chance to speak French with the owners of the chambre d'hotes." G.Futcher, UK

• 7 night's accommodation in delightful, quality guest houses, in historic properties which have been beautifully renovated, five with swimming pools. Charm and originality. Great hospitality and fine local cuisine.

1. 7 night's accommodation, all breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 evening meals, transport of luggage between guest houses, wine tasting in Venterol, detailed walking notes and maps

1. Transport to Crest and from Nyons in France, lunches on arrival and departure days, plus lunch on first day, 3 evening meals, visits, travel insurance

1. Holidays of same grade: Secret Provence - Tour of Baronnies, Pyrenees Coastal Trail, High Beaujolais Hills, Tour of Ardeche

Walking Profile

6 or 7 days independent walking moving between guest houses. This walking holiday is suitable for most walkers of a good level of fitness (with a minimum of preparation). You should be used to walking on a variety of paths. The landscapes are hilly rather than mountainous with the exception of a couple of the more challenging options. The walking holiday is at the lower end of the moderate to challenging grade—average day is 18km with 500m ascent. Maximum ascent on the moderate grade is 650m. The more challenging options include more ascents.

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome at your guest house in Crest. Small historic town overlooking the Drome Valley guarded by the highest dungeon tower in France. Stay in a 19th century house near the centre of town with large garden and pool.

Day 2: Crest - Saou

Your first day's walk climbs away from the Drome Valley, exploring rich woodland and undulating farmland. You’ll then traverse underneath the craggy tops of Roche Colombe before your trail then enters the pretty village of Saou at the spectacular and narrow entrance to the Saou Valley, an enclosed wooded gorge, overlooked by towering limestone cliffs. From here it’s a short walk to your guest house. You can shorten the walk by going straight to your guest house before Saou. 20km, +640m

Day 3: Saou - Bourdeaux

Your second day has two very different options. The moderate option follows close to the Roubion Valley passing through the historic villages of Francillon and Poet Celard with its chateau. After a climb through picturesque farmland you'll descend to the beautiful historic perched village of Bourdeaux. The challenging option climbs steeply to reach the summit of the Grand Pomerolle for amazing views over Saou and of its wooded valley and vertical cliffs. A ridge walk brings you to the Porte de Barry from where it’s a long and picturesque descent to Bourdeaux, as lavender fields start to appear. Guest house in heart of village with pool. Moderate: 17km, +400m, chall: 22km, +950m

Day 4: Bourdeaux - Poet Laval

Your walking trail takes you up through the historic village of Bourdeaux, before making a detour to the ruins of its Chateau where you get great views towards the mountain known as 3 Becs. The trail undulates through a patchwork of forest and lavender fields, with great panoramic views. After passing the isolated Romanesque church at Comps, you’ll contour around the Montagne des Vents in the forest before descending to Dieulefit, a historic village famous for its pottery. Your walking trail then traverses across the valley sides to reach the magnificent historic village of Poet Laval, classed as one of the prettiest villages in France. Stay in a 3 star hotel in the heart of the medieval village. 19.5km, +650m

Optional extra day at Poet Laval

Have a rest day and enjoy the swimming pool and views from your wonderful hotel,  explore Poet Laval and its surroundings or undertake the ascension of Serre Gros (optional walk 18km, +600m).

Day 5: Poet Laval - Roche St Secret

Today’s walk leaving Poet Laval is an easier day crossing a wooded ridgeline south of Dieulefit. You’ll then descend through forest before emerging onto vine and lavender covered slopes. Pass through the ruined hamlet of Beconne and then pass Chateau de la Roche to reach the village of Roche St Secret in the beautiful Lez Valley. Stay in a lovely guest house with pool in rural location. 18km, +590m

Day 6: Roche St Secret - Venterol

Choice of two trails either via lower wooded and then vine covered slopes or a high level traverse across mountain de la Lance. The lower trails picks a way between steep forested hills above vine covered slopes stretching out below, peppered by lavender fields. Pass by the small perched villages of Pegue and Rousset-les-Vignes before reaching your beautiful guest house located on a vineyard in a historic fortified farm with great views. The higher route climbs to the summit of La Lance at 1340m for superb 360° views. mod:16km, +460m. or chall: 22km, +1080m

Day 7: Venterol - Nyons

Your day starts by exploring the historic perched village of Venterol before the easy option traverses the valley slopes, as vines give way to the famous olive groves of Nyons. A more challenging option is available climbing up onto the Montagne des Vaux to follow its ridge top with wonderful panoramic views. The trail then follows a spectacular descent into the historic town of Nyons, perched overlooking the Eygues Valley. Explore this quaint provence town which has a mediteranean feel and is gateways to the Baronnies. Nyons is home to a wonderful climate and is bathed in the smell of lavender. Mod: 11km, +140m, mod/chall: 17km, +500m

Day 8: Departure

Your self guided walking holiday ends after breakfast. Possible to book extra nights at Nyons.