France’s Van Gogh, Rosemary and Thyme Provence Walk
2008 Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in St. Remy de Provence at the hotel to meet your guide and other walkers.
Day 2 Today you will walk to the 12th Century Monastery St. Paul Mausole where Van Gogh was a patient and where he painted some of his most famous works. Then on to the Roman Ruins of Glanum. Lunch in a Buvette. From there you will walk about 7 miles to Les Baux, a medieval village built high on a rocky cliff. Then you will be transferred back to your hotel in St. Remy. Dinner on your own this evening, so you have the opportunity to try one of the many restaurants in town.
Day 3 After breakfast there is a short transfer up into the Luberon hills (locally called The Blue Mountains, which will be evident when you see them). You will walk to the village of Roussillon, famous for its Ochre Quarries. You will walk through vineyards and farmland, and picnic in the fresh Provencal air. After lunch you will walk up to the perched village of Bonnieux to your hotel, where you will enjoy wonderful views of Lacoste (the previous home of the Marquis de Sade and now home of Pierre Cardin, the French fashion designer) and the Mont Ventoux. Dinner at the hotel this evening.
Day 4 You will stay in the same hotel this night, so today’s walk takes you on a loop up into the Luberon hills, with views of the Alps and the beautiful Provencal landscape. Lunch at the top to really absorb the scenery and fresh air, with a pleasant stroll back to the hotel in the afternoon. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 5 Today’s walk takes you from Bonnieux to Buoux via the Plateau des Clapparedes with its fields of lavender, olive trees and bories, typical stone-made huts built in the Bronze Age. You’ll also see oak trees that produce the famous truffles. Another sumptuous picnic before your afternoon walk takes you to your Auberge in Buoux. Dinner at the Auberge this evening.
Day 6 You’ll return to the Auberge this evening, so your walk will be a loop along the beautiful valley of the L’Aiguebrun stream (which is the only permanent water supply in the Luberon Hills). Along the way you will see limestone cliffs within this micro climate, as well as orchids and the famous Climbing Area of Buoux. You will pass through the small stone built hamlet of Sivergues where about 20 people reside. You’ll also see the ruined fort of Buoux, the last stronghold of the Vaudois, a breakaway religious group from Avignon, who were exterminated by the government troops in the 14th Century. Your last dinner together is at the Auberge.
Day 7 An easy day today. A short transfer to the village of Lourmarin where the writers Albert Camus – the Nobel Prize winner – and Henri Bosco live, and the home of Peter Mayle who wrote “A Year in Provence”. You will see Camus’ house and the cemetery where he is buried. Friday is the market day in Lourmarin so you can do any last minute shopping here or visit the chateau. You will be transferred to the Avignon train station where you will say goodbye.
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ORDER A 2008 CATALOGUE
