Walkers' World
Guided Rambling Holidays
Provence, France
May 19 - 26, 2012
September 15 - 22, 2012
PROVENCE
ITINERARY (based in the town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue):
We stay at our hotel in the town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
for six nights. Our private bus takes us to the start of the
walks and picks us up at the end to return to our hotel. On many
walks we divide into two groups - one easy and one more energetic.
Day One: Pick up at
Avignon Rail Station at 4.30 pm and transfer by private coach to
the town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (about 30 minutes). This pretty
town is criss-crossed by the Sorgue River which once powered mill
wheels and olive presses. Today, it is an artistic and cultural
centre noted for its antique markets, shops and art
galleries. After checking in at our hotel we gather for a welcome
reception with a complimentary drink and a chance to sample
sun-dried tomato and olive delicacies made locally.
Day Two:
Sunday is market day in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
and this bustling event is especially noted for its antique stalls which crowd the
sidewalks along the river. Wine merchants, fruit and vegetable sellers, bakers, craftsmen
and artists fill the back streets and the town square. Strolling musicians, jugglers and
mimes entertain while local people meet and gossip over a coffee and a beignet. It is a
cultural experience not to be missed and the perfect opportunity to shop for bargains,
take photographs and sample gourmet delicacies.
We spend the morning
at the market and go walking in the afternoon.
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse - this afternoon we go
to the sleepy, unspoiled hamlet of Sauman, nestled in the woods above
Fontain-de-Vaucluse. On our 6 km walk we see landscaped terraces
and cratered patches of rock where millstones were carved. Our
walk ends at Fontaine de Vaucluse. The Vauclusian spring, with its
mystical origins and unique geological features, attracts many
visitors who come to stroll the shaded streets the enchantment of
the spot which moved Petrarch to pen sonnets about his unrequited
love or Laura in the 14th C.
Day 3: Buoux
and the Aiguebrun Valley - Today is a full day of walking with options of two levels. In the morning we
transfer by coach to the Luberon National Park where we begin our walk at pre-historic Fort of
Buoux. We hear stories about the historic fort which centred in the bloody religious
wars of Southern France at the time of the Inquisition. Many walkers
describe this as a "high point" of the week. Here,
layers of history, from the neolithic age through religious wars
and the Inquisition, have been preserved.
From this vantage point we see the impressive canyon carved by the
Aiguebrun River. Our walk begins high above the Aiguebrun Valley and gradually winds its way down rocky trails lined with wild orchids to
a lovely wooded valley. On our descent we circle the valley with its
prehistoric caves and troglodyte dwellings. We relax over a picnic lunch in an idyllic setting by a cool stream
near caves which once sheltered prehistoric man. Our afternoon walk ends at the tiny hamlet of
Sivergues (six virgins) founded according to local legend by six nuns in the
5th century .
After a day of history and spectacular hiking we have earned
our dinner. Amble 10 km / Ramble 16 km
Day Four:
Abbey of Senanque and Gordes -
This is a lovely walk starting at a beautiful 11th C
Cistercian Abbey, the Abbey of Senanque, set in a remote valley amid lavender and herb fields.
In order to preserve both the physical structure and the spiritual
life of this working monastery most of its interior is off-limits
to the public. However, the stables house one of Provence's best
book/gift shops and features the fruits of the monks labours -
honey, liqueurs, candies and herbs as well as CD's of sacred
music. With these treasure stored on our bus, we head out on foot
for the town of Gordes. We walk
along old mule trails passing lavender fields and through wild "garrigue" stopping at the "Bories"
which are stone dwellings thought to have been inhabited by prehistoric man.
By lunch time we reach the village of Gordes, one of the most spectacular of
Provence's hill-top medieval villages. We picnic near Gordes then stop for a drink at a
cafe in this perched village where there is a chance to explore the narrow
streets and the old castle which now is an art gallery. http://www.gordes-village.com/html/presentation2.html
We continue through Gorde's vaulted
passageways, past the Renaissance chateau and back into the
countryside along stony paths and we end our day at Roussillon. In
this ochre-coloured village one finds many "trompe l'oeils"
on gates and walls. Classed amongst the "most beautiful
villages in France», this is a picturesque maze of alleys and
small squares. Amble 6 - 7 km Ramble 12 km.
Day Five: This is a non-walking day. You may choose to
explore Isle-sur-la-Sorgue with its cafes, art galleries and antique shops or you
can take an optional tour (by train) to the interesting town of
Arles. We arrange maps, itineraries and tourist information and
one leader will accompany the group by train. In the bustling town
of Arles one finds something for everyone - history buffs head for
the Roman arena where Roman
gladiators once fought and great spectacles took place. At Republic Square
one sees the Egyptian obelisk and the Church of St Trophime where, in the
Middle Ages, crownings of emperors and royal weddings took place. Shoppers
enjoy the town's market and boutiques. We meet for a leisurely
lunch at an outdoor cafe then make out way back to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
by train (train fare not included - approximately 20 euros)
Day Six: St Rémy and Les Baux - Full day walk -
After a 30 minute transfer by coach we arrive at the Provençal town made famous by the
painter Van Gogh. Just outside St Rémy is the famous Roman archaeological site of Glanum
including the Triumphal Arch where victorious Roman legions once marched.
Nearby is the St-Paul-de-Mausole hospice where Van Gogh was
interned and where he painted many of his famous works. This
former abbey, with its charming cloister, is called one of the
"Jewels of Provence". Van Gogh's room has been restored
and the walls lined with descriptions of his life, work and
illness. There is a fascinating exhibit on the evolution of psychiatric medicine. The site is now
a centre for art therapy and the participants' work on sale at the
gift shop bears witness to the healing power of St-Pauls quiet
beauty.
Thus inspired, we walk up a long slow incline amid pine and oak forest to the top of the Alpilles where
the great Roman General Marius lay in wait for the Teutonic barbarians. Over the centuries,
the Mistral winds have carved fantastic shapes into the huge limestone rocks. We walk a
spectacular route to the enigmatic hilltop village of Les
Baux-de-Provence. Here we explore
the village with its castle and dungeon and listen to legends about the "Court of
Love" and of the warlords of Les Baux who forced unransomed prisoners to jump from
the cliffs. We then have an optional short walk in the lower regions of Les Baux amid its
famous olive groves. The Alpilles region is noted for producing some of the finest
AOC olive
oil in France.
Amble 8 km, Ramble 13 km.
Day Seven: Ménerbes to Lacoste - Our
walk today includes the famous Luberon villages of Lacoste and
Menerbes. The eerie
village of Lacoste was once the home of the infamous Marquis de Sade. The
remains of his castle still crown the top of the hill and his
ghost is rumoured to haunt the ruins. Rebuilt by the late
designer Pierre Cardin to house a cultural centre, the castle now hosts
fashion shows and concerts.
From Lacoste we walk to the 12thC St
Hilaire Abbey. One of Provence's best kept secrets, this private
sanctuary has been lovingly restored. We picnic in the lee of the
abbey then stroll quiet paths through gently rolling terrain
covered with vineyards to the village of Menerbes (made famous by
Peter Mayle). In Menerbes there is an optional wine-tasting at the
Luberon's "Maison de la Truffe et d Vin".
From Menerbes
we make our way by coach to Avignon where we stay for the night. Our hotel is short walk from
the famous Pont d' Avignon and the Papal Palace. After checking
into our hotel we have a stroll through the city to our final restaurant.
Day Eight: Buffet breakfast (at your leisure) and then
depart. If you are travelling later in the day you may leave your
bags in the hotel's luggage room. There is plenty to do and see in
Avignon with its gourmet food market, shops, museums, the famous
bridge and the Papal Palace.
Final selection of walks is made by the guides. The itinerary may vary due
to weather, local conditions and the abilities of each group.
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