Adventourus Active Vacations

8 day Independent tour

This walking tour is in the Cotes du Rhone region of Provence not far from Avignon. This level 1 tour is suitable as a first walking tour or for those who do not want too strenuous a holiday. This walk is far from the crowds, where you can discover a region of La Provence filled with natural and man-made wonders : olives, vineyards, lavender, apricots and thousands of years of history.

In our one week trip you’ll go from the beauty and history of Avignon’s Papal fortified centre to the Roman past of Vaison-la-Romaine. Walking through the area you’ll discover the world-famous Côtes-du-Rhône wine villages of Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Beaumes-de-Venise around the Dentelles de Montmirail and also lesser known wonders, all nestled under the huge Mont Ventoux.

Description of the tour per day :

Stay inside Avignon’s walled city for the first night. Discover the beauty of one of Provence’s great cities.

Hike: 5h00

Transfer to Séguret by local bus with your luggage. Your bags are then transferred on arrival to your hotel. From Séguret which has been voted one of France’s most beautiful villages, you walk to Gigondas, a village rising up from the vineyards with its 11th century church. 

Day 3: Le Barroux (15 km)

Hike: 5h00

Today you walk from Vacqueyras to le Barroux, a hilltop village dominated by its 12th century castle and quiet streets. You ate now in the heart of the Dentelles de Montmirail (which means lace), a range of hills that forms a lace work of limestone peaks.

Hike: 4h30

Today your walk takes you from Le Barroux to Malaucène in the foothills of the Mont Ventoux, the "géant de Provence”, in pine and cedar forests contrasting with its bare peaks at 1,912 meters.

Hike: 5h00

Walk the Chapel trail from Malaucène, on the North foot of the Ventoux. A series of pilgrimage sites as early as 12th century to pray for rain. Dinner on your own.

Hike: 4h30

Walk from Malaucène towards Vaison, another great day of discovery as you pass through beautiful areas such as the village of Crestet. Relax and enjoy your last afternoon in Vaison with its Gallo-Roman remains, the largest archaeological site in France. 

Hike: 3h00

By local bus you transfer back to Avignon. Spend the afternoon discovering the city or go on an optional walk to Villeneuve lez Avignon, 2nd home to Avignon’s Popes.

Day 8: Departure day or extension of trip

After breakfast your tour comes to an end and you may begin your journey home. We would also be more than happy to extend your stay in Europe.

PRICE & DETAILS

Price & Schedule

Independent tour

DEPARTURE DATES:

Everyday (except Saturdays), from March to early June, and early-September to end-October

Included

- 7 overnights in small family run 2** and 3*** hotels, in double rooms with private facilities

- 7 x breakfast and 3 x dinners

- All daily transfers as noted in itinerary

- Luggage transfer (except day 2 and 7)

- Detailed route-book per room

- 7 day emergency service line

Price & Schedule

Escorted tour

DEPARTURE DATES :

April 22nd   May 13th   June 3rd   September 9th, 23rd   October 7th

• - 7 day emergency service line· 7 overnights in small family run 3*** hotels, in double rooms with private facilities
• - 7 breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches, and 7 dinners
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• - All daily transfers as noted in itinerary
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• - Luggage transfers as required
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• - Walking guide with you the whole tour

EASY TO MODERATE: Relaxed walking on good walking trails. Daily distances of up to 5 hours and gentle hills only. We presume that you are in good health and have enough endurance for distances of up to 15 km.