Provence Ventoux

Introduction
Provence France  

Far from the crowds, come and discover a region of La Provence filled with natural and man-made wonders : olives, wine vineyards, lavender, apricots and thousands of years of history. In our one week trip you’ll go from the beauty and history of Avignon’s Papal fortified center to the roman past of Vaison-la-Romaine. Walking through the area you’ll discover not only the world-famous Côtes-du-Rhône wine villages of Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Beaumes-de-Venise around the Dentelles de Montmirail, but also lesser known wonders all nestled under the Mont Ventoux.

Our Road Book includes a detailed itinerary of each day’s walking and a practical map.  We let you in on our “great addresses” and our “favourites”, propose a selection of restaurants, places to visit, and a few, suggested artists and craftsmen.  We also help you with the more pragmatic side of a trip by including a list of food stores, post offices, and banks.  Included in a Self-Guided Trip is our 24-hour emergency phone number.

Accomodation

Lodgings:
- 2 nights at l’Angleterre ** in Avignon
- 1 night at Le Pradet ** in Vacqueyras
- 1 night at les Géraniums ** in Le Barroux
- 2 nights at L'abri du Ventoux ** in Malaucène
- 1 night at Le Burrhus ** in Vaison
OR equivalent hotels.

Meals:
7 breakfasts and 3 dinners in hotels or local restaurants.
Breakfasts : continental.
Dinner : 3 course menu with several choices - entrée, main dish and a dessert. Occasionally dinner is a 2 course meal.
Not included : Drinks. All lunches and dinners not included in itinerary.

Riding

Itinerary

Day 1 Trip starts in Avignon. Stay inside Avignon’s walled city for the first night. Discover the beauty of one of Provence’s great cities. Dinner on your own. Hotel Avignon.

Day 2 Transfer to Séguret. (40 mins by taxi with luggage)  From Séguret (voted one of France’s most beautiful villages), walk to Gigondas, a village rising up from the vineyards with its 11th century church. Hotel Vacqueyras. (5 hours, 13km - B, D)

Day 3 Walk from Vacqueyras to le Barroux, a hilltop village dominated by its 12th century castle and quiet streets. In the heart of the Dentelles de Montmirail (which means lace), a range of hills that forms a lacework of limestone peaks. Hotel Le Barroux. (5 hours, 13km - B, D)

Day 4  Walk from Le Barroux to Malaucène in the foothills of the Mont Ventoux, the "géant de Provence”, in pine and cedar forests contrasting with its bare peaks at 1,912 meters. Hotel Malaucène. (4 ½ hours, 9km – B, D)

Day 5 Walk the Chapel trail from Malaucène, on the North foot of the Ventoux. A series of pilgrimage sites (as early as 12th century) to pray for rain… Dinner on your own. Hotel Malaucène. (5 hours, 14km – B)

Day 6  Walk from Malaucène towards Vaison, another great day of discovery as you pass through beautiful areas such as the village of Crestet…Relax and enjoy your last afternoon in Vaison with its Gallo-Roman remains, the largest archaeological site in France. Dinner on your own. Hotel Vaison.
(4 ½ hours, 12km – B)

Day 7 Transfer to Avignon. (by taxi with luggage). Spend the afternoon discovering the city or go on an optional walk to Villeneuve lez Avignon, 2nd home to Avignons’ Popes. (3 hours, 9 km - B)

Day 8  Trip ends after breakfast. (B)



TRANSFER  
Day 2 – Avignon Center / Séguret – private taxi transfer: 35 minutes
Day 7 – Vaison / Avignon Center – private taxi transfer: 40 minutes

Carrying:
Just your belongings for the day, the rest of your luggage is transferred by vehicle.

Rates and Dates for Provence Ventoux

Dates Note: Any time during the season with a minimum of 2 participants.

Other Info
Meeting: Avignon hotel
Airport: Paris, Avignon
Transfer: Avignon hotel

Climate: