Walkers' World
Guided Rambling Holidays
Lower Provence, France
May and September,
2009
LOWER PROVENCE
ITINERARY (based in the town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue):
We stay at our hotel in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
for six nights and each day our private bus takes us to the start of our
walks and picks us up at the end to bring us back to the hotel. On many
walks we divide into two groups - one easy and one more energetic.
Day One: Pick up at
Avignon Rail Station at 4.30 pm and transfer by private coach to
the town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (about 30 minutes).
DayTwo: Sunday is market day in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
and this bustling event is especially noted for its antique stalls which crowd the
sidewalks along the river. Wine merchants, fruit and vegetable sellers, bakers, craftsmen
and artists fill the back streets and the town square. Strolling musicians, jugglers and
mimes entertain while local people meet and gossip over a coffee and a beignet. It is a
cultural experience not to be missed and the perfect opportunity to shop for bargains,
take photographs and sample gourmet delicacies.
We spend the morning
at the market and go walking in the afternoon.
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse - coach transfer
to Fontaine de Vaucluse, a shaded valley where a magical spring cascades sparking green
water from deep in the earth -the source of the Sorgue River. There are many legends about
Fontaine de Vaucluse. This was home to the 14th century poet Petrarch who penned sonnets
about his unrequited love for Laura who died during the Great Plague. Included in our walk
is a stretch of "Le Mur de la Peste" (the Plague Wall) which was built to divide
those who were afflicted from the healthy.
Day 3: Buoux
and the Aiguebrun Valley - full day with options of two levels of walking- coach
transfer to the Luberon National Park where we begin our walk at the tiny village of
Buoux. Hear stories about the historic Fort of Buoux which centred in the bloody religious
wars of Southern France at the time of the Inquisition. The walk begins high above the Aiguebrun Valley and gradually winds its way down rocky trails lined with wild orchids to
a lovely wooded valley. Relax over a picnic lunch in an idyllic setting by a cool stream
near caves which once sheltered prehistoric man. The walk continues to the tiny hamlet of
Sivergues (six virgins) with its narrow cobblestoned streets and then ends at Les Séguins
where our two groups meet up at the Auberge for a cold drink. Les Séguins was made famous
by Peter Mayle’s book A Year in Provence.
Amble 5 hours 10 km / Ramble 6 hours 16 km
Day Four:
Abbey of Senanque and Gordes -
This is a lovely walk starting at a beautiful 12th century
Cistercian Abbey set in a remote valley amid lavender and herb fields. We
have a chance to visit the abbey where monks to this day still grow
lavender. From the abbey we walk through wild "garrigue" stopping at the "Bories"
which are stone dwellings thought to have been inhabited by prehistoric man.
We continue on to the village of Gordes, one of the most spectacular of
Provence's hill-top medieval villages. At Gordes we stop for a drink at a
cafe and there is a chance to explore the galleries and the old cathedral.
The ambling group has a bus which will help them up the last uphill stretch.
Day Five: This is a non-walking day. You may choose to
explore Isle-sur-la-Sorgue with its cafes and antique shops or you
can take an optional tour to the interesting town of
Arles. In Arles one finds a Roman arena where Roman
gladiators once fought and great spectacles took place. Republic Square
contains an Egyptian obelisk and the Church of St Trophime where, in the
Middle Ages, crownings of emperors and royal weddings took place. Arles is
also the site of the Alyscamp - the Greek and Roman burial ground which
eventually became a holy Christian burial ground associated with many
miracles. .
Day Six: St Rémy and Les Baux - Full day walk -
After a 30 minute transfer by coach we arrive at the Provençal town made famous by the
painter Van Gogh. Just outside St Rémy is the famous Roman archeological site of Glanum
including the Triumphal Arch where victorious Roman legions once marched. From the ruins
we walk up a long slow incline amid pine and oak forest to the top of the Alpilles where
the great Roman General Marius lay in wait for the Teutonic barbarians. Over the centuries
the Mistral winds have carved fantastic shapes into the limestone rocks. We walk a
spectacular hilltop route to the enigmatic hilltop village of Les Baux. Here we explore
the village and castle with its dungeon and listen to legends about the "Court of
Love" and of the warlords of Les Baux who forced unransomed prisoners to jump from
the cliffs. We then have an optional short walk in the lower regions of Les Baux amid its
famous olive groves. The Alpilles region is noted for producing some of the finest olive
oil in France.
Day Seven: Ménerbes to Lacoste - After a short private coach ride,
this half-day walk begins at the village of Ménerbes whose name comes from
the Provençal word "masco" which means "witch" and the old village is
definitely bewitching. On leaving Ménerbes we amble through the quiet forest
trails of the Petit Luberon and end the walk with an ascent to the eerie
village of Lacoste where the castle is said to be haunted by the ghost of
the infamous Marquis de Sade. The Sade family played a great role in the
history of Provence with Bishops and warlords as well as the notorious
Marquis. 10km or 3 hours. One steep ascent at the end of the walk. At the
end of the day we return to Avignon and stay at a hotel just
outside the walls of the quaint old city. After a
stroll through the city to see the Papal Palace (we don't go inside the
palace) and the famous bridge we end with a "bon
voyage" farewell dinner.
Day Eight: Tour ends after breakfast in Avignon.
Final selection of walks is made by the guides. The itinerary may vary due
to weather, local conditions and the abilities of each group.
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