Unspoilt landscapes, quiet trails and varied walking through scented lavender fields, fruit orchards, wild scrub and forests
Sleepy historic villages, unaltered for centuries perched on rocky slopes
A favourable climate with 300 days of sunshine per year makes this an ideal destination for a walking holiday
Great local cuisine and fine local wines. Beautiful guest houses
Visits to discover more about the local agricultural production
Travel to northern Provence and welcome at your beautiful guest house with swimming pool near the village of Montbrun les Bains.
Today's walk is the longest of the week (although if you wish you can ask your hosts to provide you with a lift to reduce the distance) and takes you up on to the craggy hills by following some narrow valleys, reaching the Col de la Bohémienne with its rocky slopes and ravines. You'll then contour around the edge of the ravines with great views, to reach the small perched village of le Poêt en Percip - the former historic capital of the Baronnies - before gradually climbing through slopes of scrub, pasture and lavender fields, to reach a ridge with great views over the valleys and hills to the east. Descent directly to your guest house at La Honas.
Overnight: La Honas, Walk: 20km, +750m
After the exertions of yesterday, those opting for a rest, can relax by the pool with great views of the surrounding hills. For those looking for more of a challenge there is the possibility of doing a day walk from La Honas that takes you through delightful countryside before descending to the pretty historic village of St Auban sur l'Ouvèze for a morning coffee. Aftewards you'll climb slowly onto a picturesque ridge offering amazing views out over the Ouveze valley and surrounding hills. The descent is long but gentle to arrive back at La Honas. Shorter walks are also possible from La Honas
Overnight: La Honas, Walk: 19km, +650m or rest day
Today your walking trail takes you onto pasture, lavender fields and moorland on the slopes of the Montagne du Buc. At the Col des Aries, there is the option of going to its summit for exceptional panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Otherwise, the route descends through forest and scrub to reach the upper end of a beautiful valley, with views towards Montbrun les Bains and beyond to Mont Ventoux. Your guest house is situated at Barret de Lioure which sits on a promontory overlooking this valley.
Overnight: Barret de Lioure, Walk: Moderate: 14km, +360m. Mod/chall: 20km, +770m
From your guest house, it is possible to climb to the summit of Montagne de Bergies which has wonderful views of the Alps to the east. The moderate trail goes direct to the Col de Macuègne before climbing slowly across open rounded hills to reach the Col de l'Homme Mort. Your walk then descends to reach the lavender plains of Ferrassiers. Visit a lavender farm to find out more about its cultivation and short walk to your guest house in a chateau.
Overnight: Ferrassieres, Walk:Moderate: 14km,. +350m; Mod/chall: 19km, +730m
An easier days walking. You'll cross undulating countryside which alternates between lavender fields and forest and passes through the tiny hamlet of St Trinit with its historic buildings. Reach the historic village of Sault with its promenade overlooking the Nesque Valley.
Overnight: Sault, Walk: 12km, +120m.
Your first day starts by following the edge of the lavender plateau to reach the picturesque medieval village of Aurel. After exploring its pretty streets you'll have a short ascent on the flanks of the Montagne d'Albion before descending to the foot of Montbrun les Bains, a beautiful historic village perched on the hillside. It is classed as one of the prettiest villages in France and has buildings progressing up the hillside on 6 levels, with the remains of a renaissance chateau sitting prominently above. You'll have plenty of time to explore this fascinating village before making the short walk to your beautiful guest house.
Overnight: Montbrun-les-Bains, Walk: 14km, +400m
Departure after breakfast and transfer by bus to Carpentras for onward travel.
Self-Guided
or
Distance: 14-20km per day
Ascent: 120-770m per day
Small guest houses & a hotel
FULL BOARD
Similar self-guided walking holidays in Provence
Our independent walking holiday explores a remarkably beautiful area of the northern Provence known as Les Baronnies. Les Baronnies is a secret and unspoilt corner of France where the Alps meet the Provence with beautiful historic villages clinging to rocky mountain sides decorated in purple lavender flowers.
Sheltered by the mountains, its privileged position and distinct climate gives the region a remarkable light that draws you into the rugged and beautiful landscapes laid out before you. But it's not just your sight that will be bombarded on this unique self-guided walking holiday, it is also a region where wild Thyme, Lavender, herbs and pine produce a wonderfully scented landscape. Each corner of this fascinating area has its own characteristics. Rocky bluffs and cliffs define summit tops from which steep slopes marked by ravines descend into narrow gorges or wide fertile valleys covered in Lavender, fruit trees and olive groves. Oak forests, scrub and moorland add to the tapestry of vegetation covering the hills.
The historic legacy of the region is rich and is said to go back to Hannibal, the Carthaginian leader who crossed les Baronnies with his elephants around 200BC. There are a large number of well-preserved fortified medieval villages clinging to steep hillsides established by the barons of Mévouillon and Montauban in the 11th century. Their towers, walls and alleyways are now altered by a succession of historic events that have marked the region. One of the prettiest and most spectacular is Montbrun-les-Bains which is built on 6 levels.
The double influence of the Alps and the Mediterranean has created an exceptionally rich fauna and flora including orchids such as the Sabot de Venus, vultures, chamois, wolves and wild boar. It is therefore not surprising that this secret and untamed area has recently been designated a Natural Regional Park - Baronnies Regional Park.
7 night/8 days: 6 days independent walking moving between guest houses
Everday of week subject to availability during April, May, June, September & October
The walking on this self-guided holiday is graded as moderate or moderate to challenging depending on your choices. The moderately graded holiday has average distances of about 14km with about 350m of ascent. There is one rest day and one longer day at 20km with 760m of ascent. The more challenging grade includes the options of ascending two summits on two of the days and doing a walk on the rest day.
Due to the nature of the landscape some small sections can be relatively steep. Paths are generally good and well defined, although they can be rough in places. The steep terrain means that it would be unwise to do this holiday if you suffered from vertigo.
or 
This walking holiday is graded moderate or moderate/challenging depending on the choices of walks. You should have some experience of day walking and be in reasonable health. See more information about walking grades.
Spacious and very comfortable rooms in small guest house accommodation in beautiful historic properties, many with swimming pools in rural peaceful locations
Our self-guided walking tour of the Baronnies is available from April 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.
The Baronnies is influenced by Mediterranean and Alpine climates. Winters can be cold due to altitude, with snow on the summits. Whilst the height of summer can be very hot and dry. Your walking holiday takes place at an average altitude of 800m and so in Spring and autumn any hot weather is reduced by the coolness of altitude.
The following average temperatures are for the town of Sault, which is the largest village you'll walk through on this French walking holiday. Sault lies at 760m and provides a good average for conditions during the walking tour. April daytime averages are 17°C during the day and 5°C at night. From May onwards you can expect 21°C during the day and 8°C at night on average, whilst in June averages are 25°C by day and 13°C at night. September is slightly cooler than June during the day, but warmer at night, whilst October temperatures are similar to early May. These temperatures decline slowly with altitude.
In terms of rainfall, June is the driest month when we run our independent France walking holiday in Provence with less than 30mm. April, May, September and October have slightly more rainfall, between 40 and 50mm on average, although this is low compared to many other areas in France and Europe. In addition most of this rainfall falls in a few heavy showers equating to few days with rainfall. On average the walking holiday months have 2 days with rain per week with this reducing as the month of June progresses. Sunshine levels are relatively high and are comparable to those across the Provence or Mediterranean with 8 hours per day on average in April and September, rising to 10 hours in June. October is the least sunny of our self guided walking holiday months, partly due to the reduced day length. More details of the climate can be found on on Baronnies weather.
The area is blessed with a delightful clear light, thanks to a relatively dry and clean atmosphere. Visibility is often superb in this part of the French Provence allowing for great panoramic views. Foggy days are rare, except on the mountains during poor conditions.
Early summer (June) is perhaps the best time to visit the Baronnies if you are looking for warm conditions as you are more or less guaranteed good weather (although it's not as hot as in July and August) and the Lavender is starting to flower. In May you are likely to have a greater variety of wild flowers and orchids. October can be fresher and unsettled at times but the colours
On our independent walking holiday in the Baronnies, you will stay in a number of charming bed & breakfasts full of local character (3 corns quality) and a 2 star hotel in Sault. All rooms have private bathrooms. Examples of the guest houses used on the holiday are shown below. They are small, very comfortable guest houses which range from renovated farms to old chateaux where you'll be treated to a warm welcome. The style and comfort varies from chic to rustic, but each has their own charm and your hosts will enjoy giving up their time to make your stay extra special.
Perched at 800m in the parish of Rochette les buis, you'll find La Honas, a small historic guest house full of rustic charm. La Honas is a lovingly restored 17th century farm set in an isolated and peaceful location, surrounded by 8 hectares of lavender, thyme and oak. Great traditionnel Provence cuisine.
Warm welcome in this restored farm from the 19th century. Guest house with rooms and building of great character, plus a swimming pool to relax. Situated close to the picturesque village of Montbrun les Bain, classed as one of the prettiest villages in France. Wonderful cuisine.
Extra nights are possible at any of the stopovers. However we would recommend the following locations for extra nights:
Montbrun les Bains - This is the first and last night. You stay in a lovely guest house a couple of kilometres outside of the village. There is a pool and garden to relax in and you can also walk to the village or along the valley.
La Honas: You are already spending two nights in La Honas but it is a great place to relax and soak up the views, which you'll never tire of.
Avignon: On your way to or from the Baronnies you may travel via Avignon, which is well-worth a visit and one of the prettiest cities in Provence. Avignon is famous as the city to which the Popes fled when leaving the corruption of Rome in the 14th century. The palace they built, 'Le Palais des Papes,' or the palace of popes, is the world's largest Gothic edifice. The Ramparts themselves were erected to keep the plague and invaders out during the middle ages, when Avignon belonged to the papacy and not the French crown. Avignon is also famous for the Saint Benezet bridge which spans part of the Rhone River and is known the world over due to a nursery rhyme. We can book one or more nights in the city and provide you with information for your visit. We use 3 or 4 star hotels.
Our walking holidays in the Luberon and the Alpilles are also accessed via Avignon or Arles and can be combined easily with our Tour of the Baronnies walking holiday.
Please consult us for a price on any of the above options.
If you want to learn more about the region's culture through tailor-made activities and visits, check out those trips that include a few days in Provence. Contact us to add them to your hike.
Active Discovery of Southern France's Beauty
Discover the natural wonders of Southern France in Provence : Saint Remy de Provence, Saintes Maries de la Mer, Cassis and Marseille.
Perfect French honeymoon between the elegance of Paris and the charm of Provence! Discover the French capital as well as Aix-en-Provence and Cassis
Great combination of the walking, the views and the accommodation & food along with the hosts.
Jennifer R. & Andrea K.
It was really wonderful - food everywhere was excellent, as were the guest houses and their owners. Thank you so much.
Maria-Theresa B.