Highlights

  • Brilliantly colored wild landscapes
  • Picturesque towns and villages
  • Vineyards, olive groves, and almonds
  • Lourmarin, Bonnieux, Gordes, Menerbes, Fontaine de Vaucluse
  • Exceptional Provencal dining and Luberon wine tasting
  • Dramatic limestone gorges

Sunday Overnight: Moulin de Lourmarin

Meet in Avignon and transfer to our lovely hotel in one of France's most beautiful villages. We'll have a pre-dinner aperitif followed by a typically Provencal Welcome Dinner.

Monday Overnight: Moulin de Lourmarin

Walk in a landscape full of flowers, herbs and fragrances in springtime and a dazzling display of rich colours in autumn. We'll hike to Cucuron for lunch, and continue through vineyards in the afternoon, ending the day at the 14th-century castle of Lourmarin. Try an aperitif of pastis, a well-known aniseed beverage and symbol of the South, before dining in our hotel.

Tuesday Overnight: Domaine de Capelongue

Today's walk follows deep gorges bounded by dramatic cliffs, the kind inhabited only by birds of prey. An old packhorse trail brings us to lunch at a traditional auberge. This afternoon, on a walk punctuated by stunning Provençal panoramas, we'll hike to the hilltop village of Bonnieux, our home for two nights.

Wednesday Overnight: Domaine de Capelongue

Start the day exploring Bonnieux, then follow a winding path through woods and vineyards to the Marquis de Sade's picturesque village of Lacoste. The heady scents of rosemary, cedar and wild thyme accompany us past craggy stone walls and almond trees to old Ménerbes, a former Calvinist stronghold in the Middle Ages. We finish our day by visiting a local wine grower to taste the Luberon wine.

Thursday Overnight: Hotel les Bories

Walk to the beautiful multi-hued village of Roussillon for a guided visit to an ocres (ochre) museum and time to browse the market and village shops before lunch. We continue across the valley to the stunningly situated, tiered village of Gordes, perched on the rocky face of the Vaucluse plateau.

Friday Overnight: Hotel les Bories

We visit the source of the River Sorgue at Fontaine-de-Vaucluse and follow an ancient silk route to Cabrières d'Avignon for lunch. We return along rocky hillsides to Gordes where, in this village of centuries-old dwellings and vaulted passageways, we enjoy our Farewell Dinner.

Saturday

After breakfast, The Wayfarers will take you to Avignon TGV station.
Moderate
"The Walk Leaders are excellent and always engaged with you"
Terrain: Firm ground, contoured rocky paths. 8-12 miles walking per day.

TRIP DETAILS

6 nights from
US $4,995.00
per person, double occupancy
(Single Supplement US $865.00)
Our Wayfarers friends' Price is US $4,745.00

Dates

From Oct 11 to Oct 17 (more dates)
Request booking
Arrival: Avignon TGV Rail Station
Departure: Avignon TGV Rail Station
Provence October 2020 Map

Hotels - Where we stay

Moulin de Lourmarin

Moulin de Lourmarin

A former 18th century oil mill in the heart of one of the most beautiful villages in France, the Moulin de Lourmarin welcomes its guests to an enchanting setting surrounded by lime trees. The reception area sets the tone of charm and simplicity for the whole hotel with natural wood and stone, warm colours and traditional decor. Recently refurbished, the bedrooms are individually decorated in the glorious colours of Provence: ochres, blues, whites, ecrus and they offer the usual modern amenties including satellite TV, phone, minibar, safe, air-conditioning and ensuite bathroom with hairdryer. In the hotel's elegant restaurant, the new Chef, Mr Cyrille Wagner, offers a menu of tasty local Provencal dishes.

Domaine de Capelongue

Domaine de Capelongue

La Bastide de Capelongue (the Country House of Capelongue) was once a private country house perched on a hill and is set in 15 acres of grounds. Now beautifully rennovated, the decoration and furnishings have been carefully selected to exhude a feeling of calm and relaxation. Spacious bedrooms each have either a balcony or a terrace, air conditioning, ensuite bathroom, hairdryer, modern facilities including satellite TV, and have exceptional views over the countryside and the village. All are individually decorated in Provencal style, with locally-produced wooden furniture and delicate, personal touches. A highlight of your stay is the light and refined cuisine from Edouard Loubet, a remarkably talented young 2-star Michelin Chef, served in the very elegant hotel restaurant. He draws inspiration from authentic dishes of his childhood and, as the ingredients are taken directly from the garden and supplied by the best local producers, they reflect the changing Provencal seasons. In this remarkably peaceful setting, there is also a swimming pool surrounded by the scent of the lavender plants and with panoramic views across the valley of Bonnieux.

Hotel les Bories

Hotel les Bories

Located in 20 acres of fragrant gardens, hidden amongst olives, green oak and Cyprus trees, this hotel brings together the past and present in perfect harmony. Bedrooms look out across the stunning Luberon landscape and each features an en-suite bathroom with hair dryer, mini-bar, Satellite TV and video, phone and personal safe. Whether dining in the old house or outside on the dry stone terraces, the cuisine is enriched with typical Provence flavours. As well as an outdoor swimming pool with sun terraces, there is an indoor heated swimming pool as part of the hotel's luxury health spa, La Maison d'Ennea, including sauna and fitness room. A variety of spa treatments may be booked in advance - direct with the hotel.

Start planning your trip

What Is Included in the Price of My Vacation

  • Full-time services of two staff - a Walk Leader and Walk Manager
  • A backup vehicle for resting walkers and moving luggage
  • Comprehensive Travel Information Package and Reading List
  • Diverse itineraries with an emphasis on history, geography, culture, peoples, flora and fauna
  • Demonstrations, wine tasting, admissions to museums and historic sites
  • All ground transfers (ferries, cable cars, trains, etc.)
  • Maps and unique souvenirs to commemorate your trip
  • First-class accommodations with cultural and historical interest
  • All meals - with choices - (Special dietary requirements? No problem!)
  • Wine with dinner
  • On-trail snacks and refreshments
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants