Overview
A five day, self-guided walking holiday through some of Provence and indeed France’s most exquisite wine country, including two nights in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In addition, this is also a chance to experience some of the ancient sites of Provence, such as the Roman remains of Pont du Gard, or the medieval villages of Uze or Saint-Bonnet-du-Gard. These are easy trails through forests and aromatic scrublands, as well as the world-renowned vineyards, which also date back generations. With fine Provençal food and traditional restaurants along the way, including at many of our chosen hotels, depending on your choices.
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards
- Pont du Gard
- Uzès
- Saint-Bonnet-du-Gard
- GR6 Trail
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Uzès
Arrive in Uzès, located in southern France, between the peaks of the Cévennes and the beaches of the Mediterranean. Take time to relax at one of the shaded cafés and the cobbled streets lined with regal 17th and 18th-century stone homes. We recommend visiting Saint-Théodrit Cathedral, Château Ducal d’Uzès or Place aux Herbes, which is one of Provence’s finest squares, framed by stone arcades that shelter boutiques and restaurants.
- Accommodation: Hotel La Taverne de Sophie or similar in Uzès
- Upgrade to superior accommodation: L’Hostellerie Provençale or similar in Uzès
- Upgrade to premier accommodation: Boutique Hôtel Entraigues or similar in Uzès
Day 2: Uzès circular walk | 11km
Today’s walk is easy, with short ups and downs, and always on good paths. Starting from your accommodation, leave the centre of Uzès and walk along forested paths followed by areas of low-lying shrubs and aromatic herbs. Walk past some ancient dry-stone huts called capitelles, or vineyard huts, used for storage and protection of grape harvesters from the sun. Continue through the Eure Valley, a landscapes of forests, rolling hills and farmland all the way back to Uzès.
- Accommodation: Hotel La Taverne de Sophie or similar in Uzès
- Upgrade to superior accommodation: L’Hostellerie Provençale or similar in Uzès
- Upgrade to premier accommodation: Boutique Hôtel Entraigues or similar in Uzès
- Walking for the day: 11km, 3-4h, ↑200m ↓200m
Day 3: Collias – Le Pont du Gard – Saint-Bonnet-du-Gard | 11km
You are transferred to Collias (20mins), where you start following the GR6 Trail, mainly on quiet country lanes alongside the Gardon River. Walk past remains of the 2,000-year-old aqueduct Pont du Gard before reaching the aqueduct bridge itself. Continue by crossing the Gardon River and walking through garrigue vegetation, or low-lying shrubs which are typical of the area. The trail comes to a close with a short but steep descent to Saint-Bonnet-du-Gard, where you are met and transferred to Châteauneuf-du-Pape (40mins). Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a medieval village on the side of a hill rising out of a sea of grapevines, guarded by the remains of an ancient château, the summer residence of the Popes of Avignon and, of course, one of Frances’ most famous wine producers.
- Accommodation: The Wine B&B or similar in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Upgrade to superior accommodation: Maria & Andreas or similar in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Upgrade to premier accommodation: Hostellerie du Château des Fines Roches or similar in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Walking for the day: 11km, 3-4h, ↑200m ↓200m
Day 4: Châteauneuf-du-Pape circular walks | 7-14km
Today you can choose between two circular walks.
Option 1: an easy circular walk within the heart of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Wine Region. Walk on farming tracks between the vines of three widely-known wine estates: Château de Vaudieu, Château de Nalys, and Domaine de la Solitude – all centuries-old. There is an option to take a wine-tasting tour with a wine expert (3h) either in the morning or the afternoon (booking is required in advance).
Option 2: this longer circular walk takes you deep into the heart of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, with hills blanketed by vineyards. We highly recommend completing the full loop, as it takes you to a ridge section offering views of the entire appellation and far-reaching panoramas. The route also passes Château Mont Redon, where you can enjoy a tasting at this renowned estate.
Please note: Château de Vaudieu, Château de Nalys and Domaine de la Solitude wineries are closed on Sundays.
- Accommodation: The Wine B&B or similar in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Upgrade to superior accommodation: Maria & Andreas or similar in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Upgrade to premier accommodation: Hostellerie du Château des Fines Roches or similar in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Walking for the day: option 1 – 7km, 2-3h, ↑100m ↓100m / option 2 – 14km, 4.5h, ↑150m ↓150m
Day 5: Departure
After breakfast, complimentary transfer to Avignon (30mins) or Orange (15mins).
What to expect
Accommodation
There is a choice of standard, superior and premier accommodation on this tour, with mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Sample standard hotels
- Hotel La Taverne de Sophie (Uzès)
- The Wine B&B (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen 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.
Sample superior hotels
- L’Hostellerie Provençale (Uzès)
- Maria & Andreas (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen 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.
Sample premier hotels
- Boutique Hôtel Entraigues (Uzès)
- Hostellerie du Château des Fines Roches (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen 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. Picnic lunches 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 à la carte menu in your accommodation.
Local markets
- Avignon: Les Halles indoor covered market every morning except Monday
- Uzès: market in Place aux Herbes on Wednesday and Saturday
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape: market on Friday morning
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is suitable for walkers with average levels of fitness and in general good health. These walks are typically on maintained trails or quiet roads and have good signage. Gradients are gentle with no steep uphill or downhill sections. Walking is typically limited to 3-5h per day, up to 12km (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 from March to June and from September to 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.
From 01 June until 30 September, access to forest paths may be forbidden or partially restricted if the forest fire risk is high. Please note: you are responsible for getting this information from Préfet du Gard. Any extra cost for extra transfers due to those restrictions (or for any personal reason) will be at your own charge.
Summers in Provence are hot and dry, with temperatures that often exceed 30C and relatively cool nights with temperatures between 20-25C. Autumn is still warm and the daily temperatures range between 12-20C. Winter is mild and relatively sunny, with average daily temperatures between 3-11C and January being the coldest month. This is also the perfect time to experience Provence without the crowds.
For more information, see our blog Best time to go to France.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival airport for this holiday is Marseille Provence Airport (MRS). Alternative airports are Aéroport de Montpellier (MPL) or Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG).
By train or bus
- Uzès does not have its own train station. From Avignon to Uzès, you can use the public bus or take a taxi. A transfer can also be booked upon request and at an extra cost.
- If you are flying into Marseille, there are regular, direct train services from Marseille to Avignon (1h). For more information, visit SNCF-Connect or use the Omio planner above.
- If you are flying into Montpellier, there are regular, direct train services from Montpellier to Avignon (50mins). For more information, visit SNCF-Connect or use the Omio planner above.
- If you are flying into Paris, there are regular, direct train services from Paris to Avignon (3h). For more information, visit SNCF-Connect or use the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- 4 nights double occupancy with private facilities
- 4 breakfasts
- Transfer from Uzès to Collias and from Saint Bonnet du Gard to Châteauneuf-du-Pape on day three
- Transfer from Châteauneuf-du-Pape to Avignon or Orange on day five
- Luggage transfers on walking days (one piece person up to 20kg per person)
- Digital travel information documents
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Flights and airport transfers
- Lunches and dinners
- 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
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers
- Extra nights available upon request
- Upgraded hotels with a supplement on request
- Wine tasting tour on day four (€95)
