Beautiful Provence landscapes with olive groves in the Alpilles Regional Park.
Classic historic Provence villages of Baux de Provence, St-Remy-de-Provence, Eygalieres & Fontvieille
Possibility to visit the Roman amphitheatre and Van Gogh Museum in the historic town of Arles
Historic sites and places to visit in Avignon
A wonderful mix of quality hotels, and lovely small guest houses with great cuisine
Arrive by train in Arles and transfer to the picturesque village of Fontvieille with its ancient houses built from local stones. Option of adding an extra night in Arles.
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.
Overnight: Baux de Provence, Walk: 13km, +350m
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 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. Currently (2019) 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.
Possible to book extra days and nights at Baux-de-Provence.
Overnight: Baux de Provence, Walk: 11km, +250m
A beautiful walk from Les Baux, back into the Alpilles (little Alps) rugged limestone hills. Walk along good hilltop 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.
Overnight: St Remy de Provence, Walk: 14km, +390m
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 lived 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 that 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.
Overnight: St Remy de Provence, Walk: 12km, +250m
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
Overnight: Avignon, Walk: 16km, +100m
Your holiday ends after breakfast. Option to book extra nights in Avignon.
Self-Guided
Distance: 10-18km per day
Ascent: 100-390m per day
Small guest houses & 3 star hotels
B&B plus 2 evening meals
Highlights of Provence: Best of Les Alpilles & Luberon
Les Alpilles means little Alps, but don't worry, the walking is easy to moderate exploring the wonderful villages in this stunning part of Provence, including St Remy de Provence, celebrated as the place where Van Gogh created 150 of his famous paintings. This Provence walking tour goes around and through the little Alps where limestone crags shine in the cloudless, blue sky, sheltering olive groves from the mistral winds. You’ll also explore another beautiful historic village - Baux de Provence perched atop a jagged ridge and crowned by its castle ruins. Your self-guided walking holiday starts by visiting Arles where you can visit its famous Roman amphiteatre, whilst the walking holiday finishes in Avignon, which includes such famous sites as the Palais des Papes and the Pont d’Avignon.
6 nights/7 days: 5 days independent walking moving between guest houses
Every day of week subject to availability during March, April, May, June, September & October
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 about 400m in one day. There are two days where you can choose to do visits instead of walking.
This walking holiday is graded moderate. You should have some experience of day walking and be in reasonable health. See more information about walking grades.
6 nights accommodation in several charming hotels and small guest houses with great character in double or twin rooms with own bathrooms (3 star equivalent). Many of the properties have swimming pools. Accommodation is located for the most part within the towns and villages. Breakfasts and 2 evening meals included in the holiday price.
Our self-guided walking tour of the Alpilles 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. Even as early as March the hills are awash with wildflowers. Because much of the vegetation is evergreen the landscape remains relatively colourful the whole year round. The vines start to sprount from April onwards. Ideal walking temperatures are experienced up to mid June, after which it can become very warm. 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 a 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.
Please note that during June and September there is a higher risk that walking will be forbidden in the park by the authorities due to risk of fires. If this is the case we will assist you with organising alternative walks and taking taxis to avoid the areas which have been closed. Detailed information and contact numbers will be provided in your walking guide.
Much of this walking holiday follows GR (Grande Randonnee) long distance trails which are well way-marked with red and white markings. There are also a number of signposts along the trail. The walking follows clear paths for its entire duration. Some sections follow local trails waymarked in yellow, whilst other sections have no marking, for example alongside the irrigation canal, but these are easy to follow. 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.
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 where possible to 20kg. We only use hotels and small guest houses in historic buidlings and some of the rooms are accessible by stairs.
Train: Trains direct from Marseille, Lyon or Paris to Arles or change in Valence, Nimes or Avignon. Transfer to Fontvieille at end 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 6.30am and 8.50 pm for the station SNCF Marseille Saint-Charles.
Holiday ends in Avignon. Train services towards Marseille, Nice, Lyon and Paris.
Note: Please check concerning the availability of a holiday before booking any flights. If you need further information or would like to discuss any aspect of your travel arrangements, please contact us, we’re here to help you.
On this independent walking holiday in the Alpilles, you will stay in a mixture of small B&B style guest houses full of character providing wonderful home-cooked meals and charming friendly hotels. They are all 3 star or equivalent in quality, & are traditional properties offering an authentic and very comfortable stay. They are often in historic properties which have been beautifully renovated. Mainly village locations. Many have swimming pools. All breakfasts and 2 wonderful evening meals provided at your accommodation. Your other evening meals will be taken in local restaurants.
At the foot of the Village of Baux-de-Provence, the Mas d'Aigret is located in a historic farm or “mas” offering an authentic stay. It is a perfect spot to relax. Mas d’Aigret has 16 rooms, a heated outdoor swimming pool and a garden with a view of the castle of Baux. You’ll eat at the restaurant at the hotel either outside or in the dinning room which is partly built into the rocky hillside.
The old 18th century Provençal mas (farmhouse) at Maison de Line has been fully refurbished to create elegant bedrooms and several small cottages in the grounds with their refined decor and their private gardens. There is also a heated pool and wellness area. Warm welcome and relaxing stay in the village of St Remy de Provence where there is plenty to do if you don’t feel like going for a walk.
Arles-You can add a stay in the historic town of Arles either before or after your walking holiday
Extra nights are possible at any of the stopovers. However we would recommend the following locations for extra nights:
Remy de Provence- You are already staying 2 nights in St Remy as part of the holiday but you could add an extra night to be able to do the walk and visit the Gallo-roman site of Gladum, as well as the priory where Van Gogh stayed for a year.
Baux de Provence: Like St Remy de Provence you may wish to add an additional night to increase the stay to 3 nights there to enjoy both a walk and exploring the village and castle, as well as visiting the Cathedral of lights (see itinerary for more information).
Arles and Avignon: The walking holiday starts in Arles and finishes in Avignon, however unlike our Grand Tour of the Alpilles walking holiday, there is not a day specifically dedicated to each city. We can book an additional night in both of the cities if you would like to have more time to explore. We use 3 or 4 star hotels.
We can adapt this holiday to make it the length you wish by for example removing the days in the cities and making it into a purely walking holiday. Please contact us with your requirements.
Below you'll also find some examples of our tailor-made trips which you can use as inspiration to customise your walking holiday in the south of France and beyond.
French Panorama: The Best of France Train Trip
All aboard for an authentic French rail adventure under our expert guidance! This journey offers a comprehensive glimpse into France's diverse and vibrant regions, catering to anyone eager to immerse themselves in France's rich culture and savour its delights. It's a unique French experience designed to captivate all your senses, blending active discovery and historical exploration—a perfect recipe tailored to pique the interests of every traveller.
Active Discovery of Southern France's Beauty
If you’re looking for an active trip to experience 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 on the Rhone Delta, 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 some of the best trails and hidden beaches in all of France.
We had a superb holiday. We loved the countryside, the walks and the hotels. Overall a fantastic experience.
Jane S.