The charming Provence that offers a fest for the senses is the ideal setting for an all-women hiking adventure! With this week-long trip, you'll get to discover the southeast of France together with like-minded ladies in a supportive and encouraging environment. Apart from marveling at spectacular landscapes, we will get to taste local wines, explore local markets from where we'll source traditional delicacies, and feel the serenity of the region by walking among its lavender fields. Having grown up in Provence, I kept on exploring its corners by hiking as I got older, and you can count on me to show you the absolute best places of the region (as well as the best food and wine)!
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
A short morning transfer takes you to the village of Lacoste, crowned by the ruins of the castle of Marquis de Sade. Explore the charming village, its old gates, cobbled streets, and, of course, the castle. Have a cup of coffee prior to moving into Bonnieux, another gem of Luberon, immortalized in Peter Mayle’s book A Year in Provence—visit its beautiful town squares and old cobblestone streets going back to the 12th century.
On the crest of Liberon, you will stroll under canopies of cedar forests, and find a secluded spot to enjoy your Provencal picnic. Beyond Bonnieux, enter the Grand Luberon and follow lavender fields before reaching Buoux castle and the village. Arrive at the Auberge des Seguins, deep in the Aiguebrun gorge. This Auberge castle is hidden in the heart of the Luberon Mountain—set in a quaint hamlet, off the road, and at the crossroads of the most beautiful walking paths in Luberon. You will spend 2 nights here.
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Buoux
Hiking: 5 hours / 15-16.5 km (9.3-10.3 miles)
Elevation: +450 m / +1,476 ft | -350 m / -1,148 ft
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
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
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
Stroll through Saturday’s morning market, mingle with the locals, grab some souvenirs, and taste local specialties: olive oil. Wine, and cheese! Then you’ll 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
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
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
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
This walking tour of Provence is 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:
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:
Walking tours of Provence can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
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 tour 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 both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.
Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.
We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in France, please refer to France’s foreign travel advice.
If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!