Your Holiday at a Glance

Guided Walking Holiday	Classic Provence: Luberon Trails
Dates for 2012	Tailor made guided walking holiday
Price	Price dependent on number in group
Grade
Profile	7 nights/8 days, 6 walking days, two-centre walking holiday
Highlights	Easy to moderate walking along delightful trails exploring some of the classic sites of the Luberon Park as well as some hidden gems. A variety of Provence landscapes with fascinating deep gorges, colourful cliffs, forested hills, and wide valley slopes covered in vines and olive groves. A large number of historic hill-top villages, several of which are classed among the prettiest villages in France, such as Gordes and Ansouis. Pleasantly warm spring sunshine Wonderful local cusine and wine Beautiful small guest houses with lots of local character
Accommodation and Meals	Two very comfortable and unique guest houses in beautiful historic properties typical of the Provence region. Ensuite rooms with personal decoration, warm personal welcome, great local cuisine.
What's included	7 nights half board accommodation in lovely small guest houses All breakfast and evening meals Transfers to and from Lyon Airport and train stations or Avignon airport Transport to the start of each walk 6 guided walking days
What's not included	Travel to Lyon or Avignon, France, lunches drinks during the day, any entrance fees or excursions, travel insurance
	Take a look at our guided walking holiday in the Baronnies, northern Provence Return to full list of guided walking holidays Return to Home Page

Luberon, Provence & walks

The Luberon region of Provence, designated as a regional park, has inspired artists and painters for centuries. On our guided walking holiday you'll complete a number of delightful day walks across the region, discovering not only those "must-see" sights such as the Beautiful perched village of Gordes or the dazzling rich ocre coloured cliffs at Rustrel. But also some less trodden trails taking you into hidden corners of the Luberon region.

The area has a beautiful mix of Provence landscapes centred around the limestone Luberon hills (named Petit Luberon and Grand Luberon). They run west-east, with their rounded summits reaching over 1000m and cloaked in oak and ceder forests. On either side the slopes taper into wide valleys covered in a patchwork of cherry orchards, vines, olive groves and lavender. The hilly promontories and bluffs are decorated with exquisite villages some washed with ochre coloured stone, whilst a number of narrow gorges snake off into the recesses of the hills with dramatic cliffs and beautiful springs.

You'll be based in two charming guest houses, where you'll experience the real Provence, one each side of the Luberon hills. Our French walking holiday takes place in the spring, when you'll enjoy pleasantly warm weather for walking, with white cherry blossom decorating the hillsides bathed in a pure azure light. It will also mean that the trails and villages will be peaceful compared to the summer when crowds of tourists descend on the area. As well as those villages listed in the walks below there will be the chance to visit a number of other nearby historic villages such as St Saturnin les Apt and Roussillon; and enjoy sitting outside their quaint cafés soaking up some Provence sunshine.

Walking Profile Walks on this holiday in the Provence average about 4-5 hours walking. Average length of walk is between 10 and 15km with about 200 - 500m (average 300m) of ascent and descent. Most of the ascents are reasonably gentle, although there is the odd steeper section and the paths are good, although they are sometimes stony and rugged.

Day 1: Arrival Your walking holiday in southern France starts with a welcome and pick up from Lyon or Avignon and transfer to guest house in Luberon, Provence Day 2: Tour from Cucuron This is a delightful introductory walk which explores the historic perched village of Cuceron, with its religious buildings, medieval walls, bell tower and ruined chateau. Your walk will also explore the olive groves and vines which cover the valley slopes encircling the village and the forests of the Grand Luberon above. Historic sites on route and chance to explore two of the beautiful nearby villages - Ansuois and Lourmarin. Wine tasting to end the day to try the local Cote du Luberon. Day 3: Gorges du Regalon On the southern slopes of the Petit Luberon is the amazing Regalon Gorge with its narrow passages between sheer rock walls. Your walk also explores the ravined slopes of these hills which offer lovely views south across the Durance Valley. Day 4: Gordes This is a delightful walk which includes the lovely preserved village of Gordes, dominated by its renaissance chateau and perched on the end of a promentory; the 12th century Senanque Abbey, which is still in use; and the ancient Borie Village of quaint, small dry stone houses. In between, the trail leads through forest and scrub on fairly level ground and follows the edge of a secluded valley. Day 5: Avignon and Boux A rest day to explore the Papal city of Avignon to explore its sights and feel the history of the place. Walk on the famous Pont d'Avignon, whilst singing the famous song, admire the imposing nature of the Palais des Papes and explore its attractive narrow streets. Afterwards we'll drive into the Aigue Brun Valley to see the world famous cliffs at Boux and the ruins of the medieval Fort de Boux with views over the gorge. Day 6: Colorado of Provence A great walking exploring the amazing "Colorado Provencal", a former ochre quarry which was used as a colouring material for building and painting. Valleys, cliffs and rock towers glow in countless shades including shimmering white, brilliant gold and deep orange as you pass from one small valley to the next. Topped by vivid green trees, beneath a deep blue sky, this magical place is a pure spectacle. Day 7: Fontaine de Vaucluse Today's walk will start from Fontaine de Vaucluse with its 14th century chateau sitting on the hill above. We'll start by visiting the famous spring nearby, which is the source of the Sorgue river - the outlet of an underground river which forms a spectacular site after heavy rainfall. Our walk ascends the Fontaine de l'Oule Valley surrounded by impressive rocky crags to climb onto the Vaucluse hills for impressive views, and returns by following the Wall of the Plague, constructed in 1721 to stop the population from fleeing from the disease. Day 8: Departure Breakfast and transfers to Lyon and Avignon

Once you have booked on this guided walking holiday in Provence, further information about the walking, the Luberon region and what to bring, will be sent to you. We do have a web page dedicated to what clothes and equipment you should bring. In addition, our travel shop has direct access to all the top walking and travel retailers. Please contact us if you need any further information.

Please note: Further information about the walks in the Luberon will be sent to you prior to your holiday. We will endeavour to keep to these walks as far as possible on our guided walking holiday; however they are subject to change. At the time of writing this page, access to the Gorge du Regalon is restricted and may require an alternative walk. In addition, we like to maintain a certain degree of flexibility to take account of the group’s abilities and interests, and the local conditions. The final selection of walks will be made by your guide during the week after consultation with the

Accommodation & Meals

You'll be staying in two delightful guest houses in two different parts of the Luberon Park on this walking holiday in France. They are small and very comfortable historic properties with plenty of local charm where you'll enjoy a warm welcome and have two different but enjoyable stays. Ensuite rooms. Great local cuisine served with wine from the local vineyards.

A hearty and healthy continental breakfast provides the perfect opportunity to discover the local specialities such as home-made jams. All evening meals will be taken at your guest house and will embrace the fine selection of local specialities from the Provence with its selection of fine herbs. Lunches are not included in the price of the holiday and can be bought from the local boulangries and in some cases from your guest house.

Examples of the guest houses used are shown below.

Name	Type	Details	Rating
Le Mas Jorel	B&B	A typical provence house in rural setting with beautiful views of surrounding hills, set in a hectare of gardens with swimming pool.	3 Corns
Un Patio en Luberon	B&B	A lovely 16th stone property on several levels in the heart of the fortified historic village of Ansouis	3 Corns

Travel Options

Transfers between Lyon Airport or Lyon train station and the Luberon region of France are included in the price of your guided walking holiday.

Flight Options

Transfers from Lyon airport

The airlines Easy jet, BMI and British Airways have scheduled flights from the UK - Manchester, Stanstead and Heathrow to Lyon St Exupery airport.

Please visit our travel shop for links to useful sites for reserving airport parking or booking train tickets to the UK airports

Note: Please check concerning the availability of a holiday before booking any flights. If you need further information or would like to discuss any aspect of your travel arrangements, please contact us, we’re here to help you. We would be happy to book travel arrangents to Lyon, France on your behalf.

Avignon Aiport: There are also regular flights from a number of UK airports as well as French airports to Avignon. Flybe has services from Exeter, Southampton, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. Please note that people arriving in Avignon may have to wait some time for their transfer, depending on the pick ups in Lyon.

By Train

Eurostar and the TGV provide a relaxing journey from London to Lyon Part Dieu changing at Lille. Please use Rail Europe's train finder to organise your train journey.

There is a practical train time leaving London at 9am and arriving in Lyon at 3pm. Please contact us before booking to check for other practical times. There are also TGV services which go via Paris.

Self Drive

Channel ferry crossings from Dover are provided by a number of operators including:

P&O Ferries 

Norfolk Line

 

Once in France, the journey from Calais to the Luberon takes about 10 hours (excluding long breaks).

Tolls amount to about 45 euros each way.

Non secured parking is available at the guest houses Please inform us of this at the time of booking so when can provide you with directions to the first guest house.