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Walking Holidays in Provence: Hilltop Villages, Coastal Trails, Local Flavors

Duration
8 days
Season
Spring and Fall
Group size
Up to 13 people
Accommodation
Standard, Comfort: Two and three-star hotels
Difficulty
Easy to Moderate: Good fitness required, hiking under 5 hours per day, with up to 600 m (2,000 ft) in elevation gain
What's included
Guide, accommodation, almost all meals, private transfers during the tour

More than just walking holidays in the Provence—it’s a culinary journey, a journey for the soul. One where we’ll discover quintessential Provençal landscapes, explore historical places, and get to know the authentic culture of this southeastern region of France. We’ll saunter through aromatic lavender fields, walk along the Mediterranean Sea, and stroll through charming villages perched atop hills. All our efforts will be rewarded with out-of-this-world food: just picture yourself in a typical French bistro, sipping on a glass of delicious rosé, and feeling fabulous. This is just a tiny portion of what’s expecting us—ready to discover the rest?

Adventure highlights

  • Lush landscapes in the Mediterranean sun
    Every day we’ll walk through poppy fields, rolling vineyards, thyme-carpeted hillsides, and endless lavender fields
  • A change of scenery every day
    We’ll explore calanques (steep-walled rocky coves), orange-hued Colorado Provençal, verdant cedar forests, plateaus…
  • Get into the Provençal state of mind
    See, feel, taste, and smell Provence over the course of 8 days: visit local markets, taste the olive oil and many cheeses, and admire its beauty
Highlighted reviews from other travellers
V
Vincent V.
|July 2025
T
Tatiana A.
|October 2024
The whole trip, itinerary, accommodations and meals were exactly what I expected from this adventure
A
Analy S.
|October 2024
Better than expected. Hikes were well planned and every detail was on the mark.
Show all reviews

Itinerary

Savor an intimate glimpse into Provence, a charming region in the southeast of France over the course of a week! This hiking tour will have us exploring all things Provençal—apart from marveling at incredibly diverse landscapes, we will also taste its delicious wine, explore local markets where we’ll be able to get traditional products, and feel the serenity of this region by walking among its lavender fields. With an expert guide by our side who knows the absolute best places to take us, we can count on an adventure we won’t forget!

  • Meet at 6 pm at the hotel in Avignon, a papal city and World Heritage Site. The city is surrounded by its 14th century ramparts, behind which a unique world waits to be discovered. After a welcome meeting paired with local wine, meander through the labyrinth of cobbled streets in the old center, just enough to work up an appetite for a great meal ahead! Have dinner with your guide and your group and spend the night in Avignon.

    Meals: Dinner
    Accommodation: Hotel in Avignon

    Avignon, Pope palace
  • A short morning transfer will get you to the village of Bonnieux, another gem of the Luberon, immortalized in Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence. Visit its beautiful town squares and the old cobbled steps leading to its 12th century church. On the crest of the Luberon, you’ll stroll under the magnificent canopy of cedar forest, and find a secluded spot to enjoy your Provençal picnic.

    Then you will enter the Grand Luberon, going alongside a lavender field before reaching Buoux castle, and the village of Buoux itself. Spectacular arrival at the Auberge des Seguins awaits, in depths of the Aiguebrun gorge—a restored 17th century goat farm, an unknown gem in an idyllic setting. The Auberge des Seguins, as far off the beaten-track as you can get, is hidden in the heart of the Luberon mountains. Set in a 17th century hamlet, literally at the end of the road, and at the crossroads of the most beautiful walking paths in the Luberon, Les Seguins will be our home for the next two nights.

    Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner
    Accommodation: Hotel in Buoux
    Hiking: 4.5 hours / 12 km (7.5 miles)
    Elevation: +250 m / +820 ft | -150 m / -492 ft

    Aiguebrun, Buoux
  • Leave Auberge des Seguins by foot and reach the 3,000-year old Buoux Fort. With cliffs on all sides and outstanding views, you’ll explore the ruins of many different civilizations that sought refuge atop this rocky crag. From medieval ramparts and churches to Romna silos and watchtowers, and even Celto-Ligurian ruins—this site is fascinating.

    If you’ve got enough energy left, climb up to the rounded crest of the Luberon mountains, carpeted in thyme and wildflowers. On a clear day, the views extend to the Alps to the north, and even to the Mediterranean Sea to the south.

    Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner
    Accommodation: Hotel in Buoux
    Hiking: 4.5 hours / 12 km (7.4 miles)
    Elevation: +500 m / +1,640 ft | -500 m / -1,640 ft

    Buoux in France
  • Follow the Aiguebrun river up past cliffs and dry stone terraces that were once farmed. Continue along the Claparèdes plateau through lavender fields and truffle oak plantations to the perched village of Saignon—built on a terraced hillside, it’s considered one of the most beautiful villages in France.

    Take a stroll through its narrow streets and Place de la Fontaine, after which you’ll continue down to Apt, the capital of Luberon, renowned for its candied fruit, ochre production, and lavender essence. Dinner tonight is on your own!

    Meals: Breakfast and picnic lunch
    Accommodation: Hotel in Apt
    Hiking: 3.5 hours / 13 km (8 miles)
    Elevation: +140 m / +460 ft | -380 m / -1,247 ft

    Saignon lavander fields
  • A short transfer takes you to the foot on Caseneuve. The trail climbs up a ridge where cherry trees, crops, and dry stone huts switch up to the crests. Descend to the Colorado Provençal, from where you’ll see red and orange ochre peaks in the distance.

    Arrive in Rustrel, the heart of these ancient ochre quarries, which form a red, yellow, and orange maze of combes sculpted by erosion. You can choose to walk along the ochre trail. Transfer from Rustrel to Apt, where you’ll have dinner and overnight.

    Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner
    Accommodation: Hotel in Apt
    Hiking: 3.5 hours / 11 km (6.8 miles)
    Elevation: +330 m / +1,083 ft | -180 m / -590 ft

    Colorado Provencal
  • Transfer southbound towards the Mediterranean Sea and the quiet riviera town of Cassis situated on the eastern edge of the Calanques—a set of dramatic limestone inlets spanning 20 km from Marseille to Cassis.

    Each of the isolated coves unveils its secrets, the pure white limestone casting turquoise reflections in the still waters. This site has become France’s newest national park! You can go for an optional boat excursion to the famous Calanques (one-hour tour approximately 25 euros) or just relax on the beach.

    Meals: Breakfast and dinner
    Accommodation: Hotel in Cassis

    Cassis, France
  • After breakfast, a short transfer takes you to the Route de la Gineste, from where you’ll start your walk to the Col de la Gardiole pass, high above the Calanques of Cassis. You will be hiking among shrubs and aromatic herbs. Soon you’ll find a shaded and deeply encased valley that descends in tight zigzags towards the sea, and here is where you’ll reach the Calanque of En Vau.

    This is followed by a short but steep climb through the jagged limestone to reach the Calanque of Port Pin, a narrow finger-of-an-inlet complete with a sandy beach, the perfect stop for your secluded picnic and a refreshing dip in the sea! The third Calanque is Port Miou, over a kilometer long, but ultra-thin, lined on both sides by sailboats. Soon you’ll reach Cassis, where you’ll have your farewell dinner!

    Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner
    Accommodation: Hotel in Cassis

    Calanques, Provence
  • After a hearty breakfast, there will be an organized group transfer to Aix en Provence. You can catch a fast train to Paris! If you’d like to stay longer, just ask your guides for some recommendations!

    Meals: Breakfast

    Vineyard in Provence
Hiking & Walking Holidays in France
French Alps (13) | Tour du Mont Blanc (13) | Corsica (3) | Self-Guided Tours (14) | Women-Only Trips (3) | Luxury Tours (5)
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Meet your guides

Oceane
5.00
Oceane
Mountain Guide
Born and raised in the heart of the Alps, Oceane has always been surrounded by the beauty of the mountains. Whether skiing in winter or hiking in summer, the outdoors is where she feels at home. While earning a master’s in public health, she explored different regions of France and traveled abroad, but a year in New Zealand reignited her love for hiking and led her to become a mountain guide. Now, Oceane helps others discover nature’s healing power and the joy of the outdoors. Passionate about gastronomy, she also enjoys cooking and exploring new culinary experiences.
Delphine
5.00
Delphine
Born in Provence and in love with the mountains since forever, Delphine’s choice to become a hiking guide was the obvious path. She gets to share her passion for nature, help people to discover all the places she loves, and she loves sharing those beautiful moments with other hikers! Apart from Provence, Delphine has also guided in the French Alps, Europe, Chile, and New Zealand. With a masters in mathematics, Delphine has a wide range of interests including outdoor activities, yoga, and music.
4.80(5 reviews)
V
Vincent V.
|July 2025
T
Tatiana A.
|October 2024
The whole trip, itinerary, accommodations and meals were exactly what I expected from this adventure
A
Analy S.
|October 2024
Better than expected. Hikes were well planned and every detail was on the mark.
Show all reviews
4.80(5 reviews)
V
Vincent V.
|July 2025
T
Tatiana A.
|October 2024
The whole trip, itinerary, accommodations and meals were exactly what I expected from this adventure
A
Analy S.
|October 2024
Better than expected. Hikes were well planned and every detail was on the mark.
M
Martha Schrader

One of our most memorable trips with our kids.

B
Bastien Serafin

Very professional service coupled with great customer care.

Things to know

  • Included:

      • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area (English/French speaking)
      • 8-day walking holidays in Provence
      • Accommodation for 7 nights (in two to three-star hotels & simple auberge in Buoux, ensuite bathrooms)
      • Most meals — 7 breakfasts, 5 picnics, 6 dinners (starter, main, desert)
      • Private transportation during the tour (including a group transfer on Day 8 to Aix-en-Provence)
      • Entrance to Buoux Fort

    Add-ons:

      • Single occupancy room

    Not included:

      • Transportation to the meeting point and from the endpoint
      • Drinks
      • Any other activities or meals not noted in the “what you get” part
      • Guide gratuities — optional
      • Travel and medical insurance
  • These walking holidays in Provence are ideal for people who enjoy regular exercise, are in good shape, and used to regular and sustained physical activity. Hikers joining this tour should be able to handle walking uphill at a slow and steady pace for up to 2 hours at a time. Daily walks are generally under 5 hours per day, on various types of terrain—though nothing too difficult and technical—with up to 600 m (2,000 ft) of climbing per day.

  • Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

      • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
      • Hiking poles — optional
      • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
      • Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
      • Spare clothes for layering
      • Waterproof rain jacket
      • Sunhat
      • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
      • Headlamp or flashlight
      • Sunglasses
      • Camera — optional (but recommended)

    Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

  • Group sizes and prices:

      • For these walking holidays in Provence, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 13:1.
      • It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. If not enough people sign up, the tour is canceled at the latest 60 days prior to departure date.
      • If you’d like to go on the tour regardless of whether the minimum group size is reached, please contact us. The tour can go ahead for 2 and 3 hikers as well, but at an additional cost.
      • If you’re joining by yourself, adding a single supplement upon checkout is mandatory.

    Walking holidays in Provence can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

    Min. age requirements:

      • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
      • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join these walking holidays in Provence on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

    If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

  • To get to Avignon, the starting point of your walking holidays in Provence, most people fly into Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) or Paris, which has two airports: Aeroport Paris-Beauvais (BVA) or Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). From there, there are fantastic fast train options—it will take you two to three hours to reach Avignon, depending on your departure point.

  • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

    Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

  • Deposits

    Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

    Cancellations

    Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

    Basic

      • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
      • If cancelled 90 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If cancelled within 89 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

    Flexible

      • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
      • If cancelled 90 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If cancelled 60-89 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

    Super Flexible

      • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
      • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If cancelled within 59 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
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