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Day 1: Arrival

Transfer from Avignon to Vaison la Romaine. Explore this historic Roman settlement with its castle, cathedral and cloisters and Roman remains including an amphitheatre.

 

Day 1: Vaison-la-Romaine - Malaucene

Head into the hills towards the famous Montmirail rock fins. You’ll pass through enclosed vine-filled valleys before reaching the wonderful historic perched village of Crestet. Pass back onto wooded slopes above the vines crossing the Pas de Loup pass on the GR4 before descending to the historic village of Malaucene situated at the base of the mighty Mont Ventoux.

Overnight: Malaucene, Optional Walk: 20km, +460m

 

Day 2: Malaucene - Lafare

Head back into the hills passing terraced orchards & the stunning Abbey of St Madeleine before reaching Barroux, a pretty limestone village with its castle on top of the hill. You’ll then explore the wonderful hamlet of La Roque Alric sheltering at the base of a rocky tower before descending to Larafe in a vine-covered valley.

Overnight: Lafare, Walk: 15km, +330m

 

Day 3: Lafare - Baumes-de-Venise

A partial rest day is possible by heading directly to Beaumes. Otherwise, you can take a lovely circular trail via a series of panoramic ridges and the perched hamlet of Suzette with great views of the Montmirail rock spires. Descend to the historic village of Beaumes-de-Venise and its celebrated Cote du Rhone wines.

Overnight: Baumes-de-Venise, Walk: up to 15km, up to +500m

 

Day 4: Baumes-de-Venise - Gigondas

After an easy walk through vines above the village of Beaumes you’ll traverse back & forth around the valleys under the towering fins of Montmirail through a pleasant mixture of vines and forest. You’ll then descend to the picturesque historic village of Gigondas, home of one of the 17 Cote du Rhone Crus. Short walk to your wonderful hotel.

Overnight: Gigondas, Walk: 15km, +290m

 

Day 5: Gigondas - Seguret

A final morning back in the valleys and ridges in the Montmirail hills before reaching the lovely perched village of Sablet its historic alleyways circling the hilltop. Easy Provence walking to the fortified village of Seguret which shelters underneath large limestone cliffs.

Overnight: Seguret, Walk: 15km, +330m

 

Day 6: Departure

Transfer to Avignon after breakfast.

 

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At a glance
April - June & September - October
From €1150 per person (based on 2 sharing)
Self-Guided
6 nights / 5 days walking
Linear Trail

       

Distance: 15-20km per day
Ascent: 300-500m per day
Small guest houses & 3 star hotels
B&B, 2 evening meals & 2 lunches

hills provence montmirail vines

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Return to full list of self-guided walking holidays

Book this holiday

Cotes du Rhone

Our Cotes du Rhone Wine Trail (short break) walking holiday in Provence explores the eastern side of the Rhone Valley taking a circular tour around the impressive rock spires of Dentelles de Montmirail in the shadow of Mont Ventoux. This Provence walking tour takes in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the region as well as the best-known of the Cotes du Rhone wines such as Beaumes de Venise and Gigondas. You’ll also explore plenty of beautiful historic villages and hamlets along the way, many of which are sheltering under rocky towers or perched atop ridges, crowned by impressive castles. Your 5-day independent walking holiday starts in Vaison la Romain where you can explore its famous Roman remains before circumnavigating the wonderful hills and rocky ridges of Dentelles de Montmirail.

Holiday Profile

6 nights/7 days: 5 days independent walking moving between guest houses

Dates

Everday of week subject to availability during April, April, May, June, September & October

Walking Profile & Grade

Walking on this holiday is moderate in grade with some longer days, especially on the 8-day walk. The terrain is sometimes stony. Mainly on good paths, tracks and quiet lanes. Average distances are about 16km with about 300-400m of ascent. Some small sections can be steep. Maximum altitude is 500m in one day.

walking grade moderate

This walking holiday is graded moderate. See more information about walking grades.

Accommodation & Meals

Small guest house accommodation in beautiful historic properties, many with swimming pools in rural peaceful locations

Where is the Cote du Rhone region?

cote du rhone provence destination map france

 

When to Travel

Our self-guided walking holiday in the Cote du Rhone region 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. Because much of the vegetation is evergreen the landscape remains relatively colourful the whole year round. The vines start to sprout from April onwards. Ideal walking temperatures are experienced up to mid-June, after which it can become very hot. 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. These temperatures are for low altitude locations such as Vaison-la-Romaine and temperatures in the hills will be slightly less. April can still be fresh with morning temperatures averaging 8°C. The region is very sunny with Nyons registering over 300 sunny days per year. It is also relatively dry compared with the rest of France with June being the driest of the months during the first half of the year. September and October are the two wettest months of the year, although the rainfall totals are still low for that period of the year compared to much of France. This autumn rain tends to fall in short, stormy periods. Mistral winds are more common during the transition periods of April/May and September.

Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps

This walking holiday partly 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 trails. The walking follows clear paths for its entire duration. On other ocassions the walks follow local trails waymarked in yellow, whilst some sections have no or little markings. 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.

Luggage Transfers

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 your main luggage is transported mostly by a a local taxi company. The odd transfer is carried out by your guest house hosts. Please limit the weight of your bags to 20kg. We generally use hotels and small guest houses in historic buidlings and some of the rooms are accessible only by stairs.

Travel Info

Pick up and drop off in Avignon. Taxi transfers included in the holiday price

Train

TGV trains run from Paris and Lyon to Avignon. During the main holiday season TGV trains run direct from London to Avignon.

Flights

The closest airport to your walking holiday is Avignon. There are regular flights from a number of UK airports as well as French airports. Flybe has services which run at certain periods of the year from Exeter, Southampton, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

There are a number of car hire firms at the airport including Avis, Europcar and Hertz.

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.

We would be happy to book travel arrangements to France on your behalf for this self guided walking holiday.

Self Drive

Channel ferry crossings from Dover are provided by a number of operators including P&O Ferries, Eurotunnel and DFDS Seaways.

Once in France, the journey from Calais to Vaison la Romaine takes about 11 hours (excluding long breaks).

Tolls amount to about 50 euros each way.

Non secured parking is available in Vaison la Romain. Please inform us of this at the time of booking so when can provide you with directions to the first guest house. A short transfer would be provided at the end of your walking holiday to collect your car.

Further Information & Advice

For useful advice about independent walking and preparing for your sell

 

6 nights / 5 days walking

  • From €1150 per person, based on 2 people sharing a room
  • Loyalty scheme reduction applies for returning customers (see terms and conditions)

What's included in the price

  • Transfers between Avignon and the start and end of the walking holiday.
  • 6 nights' accommodation.
  • All breakfasts, 2 lunches on walking days and 2 evening meals
  • Full walking notes and maps 
  • Transport of luggage between guest houses

What's not included in the price

  • Travel to Avignon (pick up points), France
  • 3 lunches, 4 evening meals
  • Lunches on the day of arrival and departure
  • Any excursions or entrance fees
  • Travel insurance

Payment

  • A deposit payment of 30% or at least £250 or 250€ per person must be made to confirm your booking. The balance of payments is due 8 weeks before the holiday date. If the holiday date is less that 8 weeks away at the time of booking, then the full price should be paid. 

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 and are traditional properties offering an authentic and very comfortable stay. They are often in historic properties which have been beautifully renovated. Mixture of rural and village locations. Many have swimming pools.

 

Au Soleil du Bonheur, Lafare

Au Soleil du Bonheur has five spacious guestrooms in its Provencal garden with a beautiful view of the protected vineyard of Lafare and the limestone cliffs of the Dentelles de Montmirail. In all seasons it is a unique location for adults looking for an active or sportive holiday combined with tranquillity, comfort,t and relaxation in an authentic Provencal ambiance.

grand jardin accommodation french walking holiday

 

Les Florets, Gigondas


Les Florets Hotel is a peaceful haven tucked away in the Gigondas vineyards, where you can enjoy delicious cuisine and relax by the pool. The rooms offer calm and elegance, in harmony with nature as they open onto the ancient trees of the inner courtyard. In the morning, you can enjoy a delicious breakfast in your room, in the dining room, or on the shady terrace, which boasts stunning flowers and Mediterranean colours on fine days. The house offers stunning views of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains.
florets gigondas cote du rhone walks

Extra Nights

Extra nights are possible at any of the stopovers. We would recommend an extra night in Vaison-la-Romainee at the start of the walking holiday to explore this historic village in more detail, with its castle, cathedral and cloisters as well as its Roman remains including an amphitheatre.

City Breaks

Arles and Avignon: We can book extra nights in Avignon as well as in the nearby historic town of Arles as part of your holiday package. Your walking holiday starts and finishes with a a transfer from and to Avignon. Avignon is one of the prettiest cities in Provence, which includes famous sites such as the Palais des Papes and the Pont d’Avignon. 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 use 3 or 4 star hotels.

We can extend the trip to include a stay in Arles. Take in the atmosphere of this lively Provence town surrounded by city walls on the banks of the Rhone River. There are numerous museums to visit. It was Van Gogh's home for a year when he produced about 300 of his celebrated paintings.

Tailor-made Trips

Here are a few examples of our tailor-made trips which can be adapted and combined with this holiday holiday. Whatever your interests, please get in touch.

French Panorama: The Best of France Train Trip

Embark on 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 its rich culture and savour its delights. It's an experience designed to captivate all your senses, blending active discovery and historical exploration—a perfect recipe tailored to pique the interests of every traveller.

French Valley of the Gastronomy Tour

Explore the 'Vallée de la Gastronomie' from Epicurean Paris to Delectable Marseille in the South of France. Experience the sights, sounds, and refined flavours of the capital before setting off to Burgundy, a mustard-infused and wine-centric region. Roam south through Lyon, Beaujolais, and into Provence where you'll be touring top vineyards and enjoying its diverse and delicious farm-to-table refined cuisine. Spend a full 12 days captivated by sublime scenery and delighting in the best food and wine of Southern France.

French Rendez-vous Between Culture and Nature

Designed for couples, friends, and families seeking cultural exploration and natural beauty, this trip offers an ideal blend. Starting in Paris, a city brimming with hidden treasures, the journey continues through Lyon's culinary wonders. Then, a stop in Annecy, the 'Pearl of the French Alps,' precedes the breathtaking landscapes of Chamonix. Balancing urban discovery with serene nature, the itinerary caters to all tastes, concluding with the vineyards of Provence and the allure of the French Riviera.

Testimonials

guillemet

Great region and variety of accommodation and eating options.
Denise & David L.

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