Van Gogh's footsteps

Introduction
Provence France
Join this weeklong self-guided hiking tour through the Alpilles in order to discover this beautiful region at your own pace.

The trip starts in Avignon, where the Popes established residence for a brief period during the 14th century. From there, you start your walk across the renown vineyards of Provence, stopping to visit picturesque villages along the way.
Your journey comes to an end in Arles, a beautiful city with a plethora of ancient Roman ruins.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Vineyards and olive groves of Provence
• Retracing the life and brush strokes of Van Gogh
• Perched medieval village of Les Baux de Provence
• Roman Arles

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive trip, so you will be staying in different establishments along the way. 

Description
We favour small local establishments, often family-run hotels or B&Bs, that employ local people. Selected by our track finders, our accommodations are chosen based on the friendliness of the owners, the quality of the service, the charm of the establishment and, quite often, the quirkyness (of both accommodation and owners!) that makes where you sleep an integral part of your adventure. 

Your package includes standard accommodation (with all basic comfort and services) but it is possible to upgrade to more comfortable accommodations for an extra fee.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel Boquier in Avignon
Night 2 & 3: Castellet des Alpilles in St Remy
Night 4 & 5: Mas d'Aigret in Les Baux
Night 6: Hotel du Forum in Arles

Hotel Boquier in Avignon
In a quiet pedestrian street, in the heart of Avignon, stands the Boquier hotel (2 stars). This atypical and cozy building from the 18th century will warmly welcome you. Each of the 13 comfortable room comes equipped with air conditioning, a flat screen television, a private shower room and Wi-Fi access.

Le Castelet des Alpilles in St Rémy de Provence
This early 20th century family house was turned into a hotel in 1952 and has been run by the same family for three generations. Most of the 19 rooms are facing south onto the Alpilles and the view from the terrace is breathtaking. All bedrooms offer a private bathroom, a TV, air-conditioning and free WIFI connection.
Guests can also go for a swim in the outdoor pool if they wish.

Mas d'Aigret in Les Baux
At the foot of the Village of Baux-de-Provence, the Mas d'Aigret welcomes in one of the 16 elegant rooms. Each room has its own décor and all feature a safe, air conditioning, private facilities, flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi access.
Guests can unwind in the lovely garden and enjoy a swim in the outdoor heated pool.

Hotel du Forum in Arles
Acquired in 1921 by the Oggier family and passed down from father to son over the generations, this family hotel comprising of two buildings is full of history, with its old stones and ancient furniture.
The 38 rooms are all different, but all are equipped with a flat screen TV, reversible air conditioning, safe and private bathroom. There is free WIFI in the hotel.
In the evening, you can relax by the pool in the lovely inner courtyard.


Meals
Only breakfasts are included in your package.

Breakfast will be provided by the accommodations.

Riding

Trip Diffculty: Easy to Moderate 
Walking from 3 to 5,5 hours per day

Easy:
The easy walks are a way for you to get some fresh air, see beautiful landscapes and discover places (cities, sites) on a relatively flat and smooth itinerary.
If you like to have the time to meander, take in the sights, and just generally take your time, then this is the level for you!
You will walk between 2 to 4 hours a day – 9 to 14 km on an easy terrain. Average ascent / descent of 300 meters per walk.
There may be some climbing up to perched villages and monuments, but you do not need to be an athlete or a hard-core walker to complete these itineraries.

Moderate:
This level is for people who exercise regularly (walking, cycling, aerobics…). You are in good shape and don’t mind scrambling a little bit to get to some stages of the itinerary. For you, walking uphill at a slow pace for a relatively long period of time is not an issue and you enjoy going for day-long hikes.
You will walk over different types of terrains. There are no particular skills required as you will not encounter any technical difficulties, but some good reliable walking shoes are recommended.
When hiking , you will walk between 4 to 5 hours a day – 10 to 15 km on a relatively easy terrain though you can expect some uneven or steep stages during your walk. Average ascent /descent of 300 to 650 meters per walk.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival in Avignon
You can arrive in Avignon any time during the day. Discover the beauty of one of Provence’s great cities.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Avignon

Day 2: Saint Rémy de Provence
Free morning in Avignon, during which you can wander through the covered market (except on Mondays - no market). Transfer after lunch to St Remy de Provence. Free afternoon in St Remy, with the option to follow the “Van Gogh’s” walking tour in and around town.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Saint Rémy

Day 3: Walk around St Rémy de Provence
If you are in St Remy de Provence on a Wednesday or Saturday, make sure to visit the market in the morning.
From St. Rémy you pass St. Paul de Mausole, the former monastery where Van Gogh spent the last year of his life. From there you head up a quiet valley, following a botanical path to the ridge of the Alpilles mountains, and to the “Rocher des deux trous”. From here the views are outstanding... You then have two options: either a leisurely stroll back down the mountain or a breathtaking path on a rocky crest, adding a bit of adventure and a lot of “wow” to the day’s walk (followed by the same leisurely stroll back down the mountain…).
Note that the second option is a more challenging walk in an otherwise easy walking holiday, and you may not feel comfortable completing it unless you have some walking experience on jagged and uneven paths.
Hiking about 3h (10 km) +250m /-250m OR 6h (18 km)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Saint Rémy

Day 4: Saint Rémy de Provence to Les Baux de Provence
Heading back to the ridge of the mountain, you follow a track through the bush – among thyme and citrus flowers – with open views of the mountains to the north and the flatlands to the south. Soon the medieval village of Les Baux appears, perched dizzyingly on its rocky spur, with the ruins of its 1000 year-old castle.
Hiking about 3h30 +270m / -100m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Les Baux de Provence

Day 5: Hike to Maussane
You dip down into the plains, where the prestigious olive groves carpet the landscape, their silvery leaves glistening in the sun. You can taste some of the local olive oils and specialties in Maussane, a quaint Provençal town, Then, you will need some energy to climb back towards Les Baux on a hidden path behind the village...
Hiking about 4h30 + 250m / - 250m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Les Baux de Provence

Day 6: Les Baux de Provence to Arles
After climbing to the rounded summit above the village, it’s an undulating stroll along the ridge. You walk along the entire western edge of the mountain, and until its very end, as it descends into the plains, to the Romanesque St. Gabriel chapel.
Transfer to Arles after your hike.
Hiking about 5h30 +100m / -350m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Arles

Day 7: Departure
End of trip after breakfast.

NOTE: Path restrictions in the ALPILLES
From June 1st until September 30th access to forest paths may be forbidden or partially restricted (access until 11:00am) if the risk of forest fire is high.
Walks may vary due to weather conditions and dry season (lack of rain = forest fires). It is the client's responsibility to get this information, that is featured no later than 6pm a day ahead.
Clients can ask the reception to call for them, if they want to make sure they understand the instructions correctly.
Any extra cost due to those restrictions (or to any other reason) will be at the clients’ charge (extra transfers). If the paths happen to be restricted - forbidden, we will do our best to offer alternative options.

Rates and Dates for Van Gogh's footsteps

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Avignon
Airport: Marseille
Transfer:

Climate:
                                    Saint Rémy de Provence area