Overview
Explore the most beautiful parts of the Provence, taking in both the Alpilles and the Luberon mountain ranges in this more budget-friendly tour. You will walk in the footsteps of Van Gogh on this self-guided tour, beginning in St Rémy a Gallo-Roman town with a marvellous old quarter, nestled in the foothills of Les Alpilles Mountains. You will enjoy walking through the countryside dotted with thick-walled Provençal farmhouses, medieval villages and marvel at the dramatic vistas and the very landscapes that inspired Van Gogh’s brush strokes. You will then explore the Luberon mountains, some of the most beautiful villages in France.
- Discovering Provence’s most famous mountain ranges: Les Alpilles & Le Luberon
- Walking across the windswept crest of the Alpilles Mountains
- Exploring the extraordinarily beautiful perched village of Les Baux-de-Provence
- Isle sur la Sorgue, also called the Provencal Venice
Itinerary
Day 1: St Remy and the Crest of the Alpilles | 10-18km
Arrival in Saint Remy (regular buses from Avignon, 30min ride). You will follow the Van Gogh trail passing through the very scenes that inspired the artist. You can admire replicas of his paintings before exploring the ancient Romain ruins of Glanum with its imposing triumphal arch and mausoleum. You follow a botanical path up to the crest of the Alpilles Mountains, lined with aromatic herbs and wildflowers. On top, you’ll be rewarded with jaw-dropping views far into the horizon, a perfect setting for a picnic lunch. Dinner on your own and overnight in Saint Rémy.
- Walking for the day: 18km, 6h ↑550m ↓550m (shorter alternative: 10km, 3-4h ↑300m ↓300m)
- Accommodation: Chalet Fleuri or similar (charming option: Hotel du Soleil & Spa or similar)
Day 2: St Remy – Maussane | 13km
You hike on a panoramic forest path which crosses the Alpilles, offering you spectacular views. The trail descends to the pretty village of Maussane. Visit the famous Cornille mill of the 17th century, where you can taste one of the best olive oils in Provence! Overnight in Maussane.
- Walking for the day: 13km, 4h ↑270m ↓270m
- Accommodation: Hotel Les Magnanarelles or similar (charming option: Hotel Val Baussenc or similar)
Day 3: Maussane – Les Baux – Maussane/Arles | 12km
You hike today in a loop towards the Val d’Enfer and the fortified medieval village of Les Baux-de-Provence, set atop its rocky perch, voted one of the most beautiful villages of France. Enjoy spectacular views from the Chateau des Baux fortress dotted with the ruins of castle walls. You have the option to visit the exciting Carrières de Lumières museum, famed for its unique audio-visual shows. You then continue through the olive groves back to the village of Maussane. Transfer to Arles at the end of the hike. Overnight in Arles
- Walking for the day: 12km, 4-5h ↑250m ↓250m
- Accommodation: Brit Hotel Acacias or similar (charming option: Hotel Forum or similar)
Day 4: Arles/Isle sur la Sorgue
Free day to discover Arles and its ancient treasures: the arenas, the amphitheatre, the medieval streets, and the market. In the afternoon, take the train from Arles to Isle sur la Sorgue (not included) with your luggage. Stroll in the “Venice of Provence”, have a drink by the river and if you happen to be there on a Sunday, enjoy the colourful food with the antique shops. Overnight in Isle.
- Accommodation: Hotel Cantosorgue or similar (charming option: Grand Hotel Henri or similar)
Day 5: Lacoste – Bonnieux – Buoux and the Aiguebrun Gorge | 17km
After breakfast, we transfer you to Lacoste, where you begin today’s walk to Buoux. The medieval streets of Lacoste are worth a stroll before beginning your walk. You head into the plains, through vineyards, cherry orchards and truffle oak plantations to reach the village of Bonnieux. Beyond Bonnieux, you walk on country lanes and paths before reaching the gorge that separates the Luberon into two distinct mountains. In the Grand Luberon, you walk alongside a lavender field before reaching Buoux castle and the village of Buoux (one of the centre-stage villages in Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence) before a spectacular descent to the Auberge des Seguins; an otherworldly place tucked deep in the Aiguebrun gorge, a restored 17th c. goat farm. Enjoy a family-style dinner with home-cooked Provençal specialities.
There is an optional loop hike from Buoux to the Crest of the Luberon. If you are arrive early you can complete it today or add an extra night. Following the Aiguebrun valley, climb out of the valley, passing open fields and ancient terrace walls, on the way to the hidden village of Sivergues. Continue ascending through the Mediterranean brush, including winter savoury and wild lavender, and before arriving at the very crest of the Luberon. From here the views extend all the way to the Alps and to the Mediterranean Sea. Descending back to the Auberge, take a detour to visit the 3,000 year-old Buoux Fort, whose ruins include a mish-mash Celto-Ligurian, Roman, and Medieval architecture built atop one another, the whole lot sitting above a rocky crag with sheer cliffs and awe-inspiring views.
- Walking for the day: 17km, 5-6h ↑450m ↓350m
- Optional walk: 12km , 4h 30mins, ↑500m ↓500m
- Accommodation: Auberge des Seguins outside Buoux (no charming option available)
Day 6: Buoux – Saignon – Apt | 14km
Walk at the base of the Aiguebrun Gorge, the only permanent river of the Luberon mountains, with massive limestone walls and lush vegetation. You climb out of the canyon to reach the lost hamlet of Sivergues before crossing the Aiguebrun and climbing up to the Claparèdes plateau, with its lavender fields and truffle oak plantations. Soon after, you reach the medieval village of Saignon and the ruins of its three castles. You then descend to Apt, the Provencal capital of candied fruits, “fruits confits”.
- Walking for the day: 14km, 4-5h ↑400m ↓600m
- Accommodation: Hotel Le Palais or similar (charming option: Hotel Sainte Anne or similar)
Day 7: Departure
After breakfast end of the trip and departure. There are buses to Avignon.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in charming 2-star hotels and country inns in private en-suite double/twin rooms. We have carefully hand-picked all places and regularly monitor their quality. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour. Optional hotel upgrade in charming hotels is possible except on day 5, where the accommodation is a traditional but basic, family-run Auberge with rustic charm and home-cooked food. Please note that an additional supplement may be applied in July during the Photo Festival in Arles.
Click to view default hotels
- Chalet Fleuri (St Remy de Provence)
- Hotel Les Magnanarelles (Maussane)
- Brit Hotel Acacias (Arles)
- Hotel Cantosorgue (Isle sur la Sorgue)
- Auberge des Seguins (Buoux)
- Hotel Le Palais (Apt)
Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view upgraded charming hotels
- Hotel du Soleil & Spa (St Remy de Provence)
- Hotel Val Baussenc (Mausanne)
- Hotel Forum (Arles)
- Grand Hotel Henri (Isle sur la Sorgue)
- Hotel Sainte Anne (Apt)
Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
All breakfasts are included and dinner on day 5. Lunch packs for the next day can be pre-ordered at each accommodation, or you can buy bread, cheeses and meats as well as fresh fruit and vegetables at local markets. For dinner, you can visit one of the restaurants in the villages or order from the a la carte menu in your accommodation.
Local markets
- St Remy: Wednesday & Saturday
- Arles: Wednesday & Saturday
- Bonnieux: market on Friday morning
- Isle sur la Sorgue: Sunday morning big market and a small one on Thursday morning
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is appropriate for walks with an average level of fitness; average walking time is 3-4h per day on marked trails and forest paths with minimal elevation gains, and the only longer and steeper walk (6h) is optional (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain.
We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available on any date between March – June and September – November.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date in the season – so please indicate the desired beginning date when booking. In July and August, the trails are usually closed due to the danger of forest fire.
From 1 June to 15 September, access may be restricted if the risk of forest fire is high, and any hikes might be cancelled within one-day notice. Any additional costs because of this (f.ex. additional transfers) will be at your own expense.
For more information, please see our blog on the Best time to go to France.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival airport for this holiday is Marseille. Alternative airports are Nice, Montpellier, Toulon, Nimes.
By train or bus
- Train journey by TGV from Paris to Avignon is 3h, while a local train from the nearest international airport of Marseilles takes 2h to reach Avignon. Avignon is 5.5h by rail from London St Pancras (see details). From Avignon you can take a bus to St Remy
Inclusions
Included
- 6 nights double occupancy with private facilities, in 2-star hotels and guesthouses
- 6 breakfasts
- 1 dinner on Day 5
- Transfer from Maussane to Arles on Day 3
- Transfer from Isle to Lacoste on Day 5
- Luggage transfers days 2 to 6 (except on day 4 when you take the train from Arles to Isle)
- Digital pre-departure information pack
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Flights and airport transfers
- Lunches and 5 dinners
- Train ticket Arles-Isle and other public transport
- Tourist tax, if due
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses such as snacks, drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Entrance fees for attractions and museums
- Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘included’ in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights
- Upgraded charming hotels
- Can be organised as a dog-friendly itinerary upon request only; some adjustments and supplements required
