Riviera Travel Walk & Discover: Majestic Provence

– Return flights or Eurostar and transfers
– 7nts in 4* accommodation
– Selected meals: Daily breakfasts and 4 dinners
– Programme of daily tours and walks
– Services of Expert tour guide
– All local taxes
– Checked luggage

– Experience the famous light of the Luberon Mountains on a guided walk
– Take a guided walk through the Alpilles and see where Van Gogh painted The Starry Night
– Enjoy a guided tour of Aix, the ‘City of a Thousand Fountains

Day 1: Arrive in Aix-en-Provence

Arrive at the airport for your flight to Nice, Marseille or Montpellier, or at the station for your Eurostar and TGV journey to Aix-en-Provence. Transfer by coach to stay for seven nights.

Day 2: Walk Aix-en-Provence

Beautiful Aix combines Parisian-style chic with village-like gentility. Aix is known as the ‘City of a Thousand Fountains’ and the tranquil sound of running water accompanies you down boulevards, through squares and labyrinthine alleyways.

Easy walk (Green)
Duration: 1.5 hours
Distance: 3.6 miles
Altitude gain: 613 feet
Terrain: mainly forest trails and graded tracks

Moderate walk (Blue)
Duration: 2.5 hours
Distance: 4.2 miles
Altitude gain: 818 feet
Terrain: mainly forest trails and graded tracks

Day 3: Discover Camargue

This morning travel to the Camargue, a captivating landscape of saltwater marshland teeming with around 400 bird species, including pink flamingos. Afterwards, visit the port town of Saintes Maries de la Mer to see some of the natural splendour of this wetland environment – remember to pack your binoculars.

Day 4: Walk Luberon Mountains

Head to the stunning Luberon Mountains, where Peter Mayle spent A Year in Provence. The pure light here has long attracted artists, while the hilltops are crowned by enchanting medieval villages.

Easy walk (Green)
Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 2.8 miles
Altitude gain: 340
Terrain: mainly forest trails and graded tracks

Moderate walk
Duration: 3 hours
Distance: 5 miles
Altitude gain: 470 feet
Terrain: mainly forest trails and graded tracks

Day 5: Free Day in Aix

The day is free to spend as you wish in Aix.

Day 6: Walk Les Baux & The Alpilles 

Spend the morning at leisure in Les Baux, a hilltop town built into an ancient limestone outcrop. From the battlements of its crumbling castle, you can admire superb views across the Camargue and as far as the Mediterranean. This afternoon explore the Alpilles with a local walking guide.

Easy walk (Green)
Duration: 2.5 hours
Distance: 3.8 miles
Altitude gain: 500 feet
Terrain: mainly forest trails and graded tracks

Moderate walk (Blue)
Duration: 3 hours
Distance: 5.7 miles
Altitude gain: 657 feet
Terrain: mainly forest trails and graded tracks

Day 7: Discover Avignon

Today we visit Avignon, whose destiny changed in the 14th century when the Pope’s court was relocated here. Vast wealth poured in to build churches, convents and townhouses, and especially the Palais des Papes.

Day 8: Return Home

Grand Hotel Roi Rene Mgallery, Aix-en-Provence

The four-star superior Grand Hotel Roi René Mgallery, one of Aix’s finest hotels, is stunningly chic offering a truly stylish atmosphere coupled with attentive and friendly service just steps away from the Cours Mirabeau, the city’s principal and most atmospheric avenue.

Walking equipment
Good quality walking shoes or boots are a must. Riviera also recommend a waterproof jacket, comfortable rucksack, hat, sunglasses, sun cream, water bottle and clothes that can be layered easily. Hiking poles are not necessary, but you may wish to take them.

Walking difficulty
There is often a choice between a ‘green’ and ‘blue’ option. A reasonable level of fitness is essential for all walks – while the green walk should suit most travellers, the blue option is perfect for those who prefer a bit more of a challenge.

Routes
While guides will always try to adhere to the route as advertised, they may be required to modify the itinerary due to local conditions. Our guides may also make minor changes to tailor the walk to the group.

*All transfer times listed here are approximate and dependent on traffic.