Featured holiday The Alpilles of Provence walking holiday Provence, France

This town, rich in its two thousand years of history, is located in the south of Provence, and is the gateway to the Camargue. It is renowned for its Roman and Mediaeval monuments and buildings, some of which – including the amphitheatre, the Alyscamps, Saint Trophime Cloister, and the beautiful portal of the Saint Trophime Church – are listed by UNESCO as world heritage monuments. The city is also associated with the artist Van Gogh, who spent a productive 15 months here in 1888-1889 and many of his best-known works feature places in Arles or the countryside nearby. Stroll through this city of art and history and discover all these monuments and more. Allow time to check your kit, pack your rucksack and study your guides and maps. Accommodation is on bed and breakfast in a 3-star hotel. Dinner is not included tonight but there is plenty of choice in the city.

Transfer by taxi to the abbey of Saint Pierre de Montmajour. This Benedictine abbey was built in the 12th century on a rocky spur in the middle of marshy land that has since dried up and been turned into rice fields. In the 18th century, after a period of decadence, monks added new, magnificent buildings, but they were sold as national property during the Revolution. Today, only the 12th century buildings – the Church of Notre-Dame and the cloister, one of the most beautiful in Provence – have been restored. After the visit, you will head back to Arles through the plains and along the canals that were so often painted by Van Gogh. Spend your evening wandering the narrow street of Arles and discovering the art in the city’s architecture. Bed and breakfast at the same hotel.
Distance: About 15 kms
Time: About 4.5 hrs

This morning you are transferred by taxi to the Saint Gabriel chapel, a beautiful Romanesque building at the foot of the Alpilles. You start from here through the forest covering this part of the Alpilles before reaching Fontvieille, a picturesque small town with ancient houses built from local stone, also used to construct the arena in Arles. You begin climbing towards the famous Alphonse Daudet windmill, which has a lovely view of the Alpilles landscape and the Montmajour Abbey. It was here surrounded by the ‘caillesse’ or stony landscape, and amongst the olives, pines and oaks of the hill-top that Daudet found his poetic inspiration. The hike continues through the Alpilles to the ruins of the Aqueducts of Barbegal. The Romans built these aqueducts on the slope of the cliff and used them as hydraulic mills for processing food. You continue across the Alpilles countrysise and through the olive groves to the typical Provencal village of Maussance-les-Alpilles. Overnight with breakfast in a 3-star hotel.
Distance: About 20 kms
Time: About 6.5 hrs

Your walk continues today through the picturesque scenery of vineyards and olive trees to Les Baux de Provence, a stone fortress that dominates the whole of the valley. This old village, abandoned in the 18th century, was restored to life in the 20th century by those who bought the old houses and mansions that had been left behind. Take the time to stroll through the narrow streets, admire Saint Vincent’s church, Penitents Blancs Chapel and the château. There is a breathtaking panorama from the keep of the château over the Crau Plain and Camargue. You leave the village by way of the Val d’Enfer, a narrow valley cut out of the plateau and framed by abrupt cliffs, and walk through the Alpilles towards Lake Peirrou to enter Saint Remy. This is a delightful, ancient town with narrow streets, elegant houses of blond stone adorned with pastel-coloured wooden shutters, and fountains in shady squares. The town is important historically, with the Roman town of Glanum just to the south of the modern town, and there are several museums of local history and culture in the centre. Tonight, have dinner, bed and breakfast in a 3-star hotel.
Distance: About 20 kms
Time: About 6 hrs

This morning starts with a taxi transfer to the Saint Sixte Chapel, just outside the charming village of Eygalières, from which rises a square-shaped keep, all that remains of an ancient château. Surrounded by olive trees and with the Alpilles as backdrop, Eygalieres is one of the most beautiful villages in Provence and has attracted painters and photographers for years. You follow the Alpilles range and climb the mountain along the Vallorgue Pass and the Pas de l’Aigle to reach the Caume Plateau. The landscape is beautiful!  The white peaks of the Alpilles (no more than 350-400 metres high) stand out in contrast to the deep blue sky. The environment is wild, rocky and covered with a few small Mediterranean bushes renowned for their fragrance. You follow the downward slope of the Vallon de Saint Clerg to the ancient Roman city of Glanum. For many centuries this city was an important commercial centre on the road to Avignon. Today there remains, among other things, the Arc de Triomphe, the gate to the ancient city that stands as a symbol of Rome’s victory over La Gaule and Le Mausolée. Today ends in homage to Van Gogh, with a visit to the monastery of Saint Paul de Mausole where Van Gogh lived for a year, during which time he completed numerous paintings. Return to your hotel in St Remy de Provence for bed and breakfast.
Distance: About 20 kms
Time: About 6 hrs

Today you are transferred by taxi to Barbentane. You visit this beautiful village built against the north slope of the Montagnette. Dominated by the Tour Angelica (keep and former castle), it has retained two gates of its 14th century fortified walls (Porte Calendale and Porte Seguier) and a beautifully classical 17th century chateau with Italian style gardens. Your hike then takes you across the limestone hills and through the fragrant forests, towards the Saint Michel de Frigolet Abbey. The abbey takes its name from the Provencal word for thyme, the ‘ferigoule’ that grows in abundance in the surrounding hills. Founded in the 12th century, it is renowned for the elixir of Pere Gaucher, the golden-green liqueur, produced within its walls. The church houses a chapel with lovely gilt panelling. After visiting the abbey, you will continue your walk through the wild hills covered with Mediterranean scrubland towards the River Rhone and the entrance of Tarascon near an ancient feudal castle. Tonight, you stay on bed and breakfast in a 3-star hotel.
Distance: About 20 kms
Time: About 6 hours

Today, before leaving Tarascon, take some time to visit the city with its well-preserved feudal castle, the Cordeliers cloister, the Sainte Marthe church, the town hall, the arcades of the Rue des Halles and the famous Souleiado fabric museum. Own transport onwards.