Wine and Walking Provence, France (7 Day Centre-Based Tour)

DAY 1

Walking Distance 2 miles

You will be met by your driver / guide at Avignon TGV Station. Enjoy travelling through the Provençal countryside at a leisurely pace (transfer time one hour). On arrival at Malaucene, we will have an introductory chat whilst running through the itinerary for the week ahead. Then it’s time for your first sample of the Rhône’s finest wines at the winery. After an evening meal al fresco we can enjoy a stroll through the lanes and fields of vines that surround the house.

Meals Included:  Lunch and Dinner including wine.

DAY 2

Walking Distance 6 miles

We begin this morning with a walk from the beautiful hillside village of La Roque-Alric.  Enjoy the scents of the wild flowers, the wide vistas of the Rhone Valley, and the interesting nature lessons from our knowledgeable guide, Pierre.  This afternoon we can visit the town of Beaumes de Venise, famous for it’s sweet wine appellation Muscat de Beaumes-de Venise.  We will travel into Carpentras this evening for a meal where you can put your wine tasting skills to the test!

Meals Included:  Breakfast and Lunch.

DAY 3

Walking Distance 9 miles

This morning we travel off for the day to the Dentelles de Montmirail for a walk in this beautiful part of Provence. The Dentelles (‘laces’) are located in the Rhône Valley: they are low hills ranging from 500 to 750 metres. We wander through the trails of Holm Oaks and Aleppo pines, all the while looking up to the domineering crests of limestone carved by wind and weather.  We will then return to the Auberge for Linda’s wine-tasting lesson where she will introduce you to the winemaking history of the Rhône region with a tasting of six different wines. We will travel into Mazan this evening for a meal at Chateau du Mazan where you can put your wine tasting skills to the test!

Meals Included:  Breakfast and Lunch.

DAY 4

Walking Distance 7 miles

Today we visit Châteauneuf-du-Pape, (translated as New Castle of the Pope). In the 13th century the Roman Catholic Popes of Avignon brought vines to this area. Our walk today will be through the village and surrounding countryside. The areas surrounding the village produce Châteauneuf-du-Pape and it is an Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) in the southern Rhône wine region. We can take lunch at the castle ruins and enjoy the expansive views. Our walk will end with a visit to the Ogier Winery for some tasting. We will then return to the Auberge with time to relax before a French cookery lesson with Chef Pascal Poulain.  Of course, we then must eat what we have prepared!

Meals Included:  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner including wine.

DAY 5

Walking Distance 8 miles

Today we hike through the forests of the Luberon. This area will enchant you with it’s flora and fauna including blackbirds, squirrels, wild boar, forest mushrooms, etc.  We can visit Rustrel and the Colorado Trail: an enchanting area famous for its colourful ochre quarries. When the sea dried up millions of years ago, pouring rain slowly transformed the accumulated layers of limestone into ochre-bearing sands. Ochre was first used as a natural paint in the caves of prehistoric man.  Later being rediscovered at the time of the French Revolution, it was sold throughout the world.  Our evening meal will be taken at the farmhouse restaurant Domaine la Camarette.

Meals Included:  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner including wine.

DAY 6

Walking Distance 8 miles

Today’s walk takes you through the most incredibly beautiful countryside. We will hike through cherry orchards and vineyards. After stopping for a lunch break we walk towards the handsome village of Gordes. Finally we head for the town of Joucas. And of course, we will enjoy a final meal together reflecting on the week’s activities whilst imbibing the finest of the Rhône’s wines.

Meals Included:  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner including wine.

DAY 7

Time for goodbyes after breakfast, then transfer back to Avignon TGV Station.

Meals Included:  Breakfast.