Next Step’s Provence Walking Tour

  • The Luberon to St. Remy to Uzès
  • Available for Custom Departures
  • 7 days / 6 nights
  • Price per Person: $5250
  • Single Supplement: $850

Book Now Detailed Itinerary

Provence. The word itself has taken on a meaning that somehow signifies much that is desirable in life: beauty, art, fine food and wine, and an irresistible “joie de vivre.” It’s no wonder that Van Gogh and Cezanne found so much inspiration here. On this walking tour, we’ll experience three exquisitely distinct regions: the Luberon, Les Alpilles and Le Gard. Revel in the sights, scents and tastes of Provence as we meander through fields of lavender, to medieval hamlets, and to some wonderful cafes and bistros!

What’s Included?

Next Step Walking Tours are all-inclusive. Everything but your transportation to the initial meeting place is included. All accommodations, meals including fine wines, admission fees, tips and transfers are included. From the time you check in to the time of your departure, the only money you may need is for personal shopping or spa treatments.


Day By Day


Day 1

Our trip begins at the stylish yet casual Provencal farmhouse, Hostellerie le Phebus. The views from your private terrace or the shaded pool offer a calm panorama of the entire Luberon region.

Tonight we enjoy our first “taste” of Provence at the hands of our master chef, Xavier Mathieu. He and his staff bring Provencal traditions, such as “gigot” (slow roasted lamb shanks), to a new level of sophistication.

Day 2

Our walk today winds through scented pine forests and secluded vineyards to the village of Goult. At a visit to the “caves” of the Domaine de Verriere, we often cross paths with locals for whom the Domaine is a favorite place to fill their 52-liter jugs with this year’s latest vintage. We will sample some of the light whites and roses before continuing on to Goult and the Café de la Poste for lunch.

After lunch we head to Roussillon and visit the local ochre quarries. This is a totally unique landscape, more reminiscent of the American southwest than France. All surfaces glow with rich burnt oranges and reds, and a walk through these gardened quarries is truly memorable.

Day 3

From our trailhead at the eastern edge of the rugged Alpilles chain of hills, we walk along an isolated path surrounded by boulders and scrub oak. The bulk of Mont Ventoux is often in view to the northeast.

Eventually we drop down into the bustling village of St. Remy de Provence. With its decor of boulevards shaded by plane trees, fountains splashing in the square, and charming old-town alleyways, St. Remy symbolizes the heart of Provence. A jambon (French ham) and Camembert sandwich on a crusty baguette or steak hache with a plate of twice-cooked “frites” awaits for lunch.

This afternoon, we have arranged for a private guide to give us a tour of historic Glanum, once a thriving Roman village and now a fascinating archeological treasure.

Day 4

This morning we discover the eerie landscape and ruins of Les Baux des Alpilles. Eight hundred years ago, this was the fortress of the lords of Provence who fought the House of Barcelona for control of Provence.

By the time any bus-borne tourists arrive, we will be blissfully walking in the surrounding pine forests on our way to lunch with our friends David and Nito at their perfectly restored Provencal farm house. Nito Carpita, the owner and principal instructor of the Seasons of Provence Cooking School, has trained in France at the Le Notre and Alain Ducasse professional schools. He is also certified by the International Association of Culinary Professionals, so one can only imagine the treat this meal will be.

After a dip in the pool or a game of “boules,” choose between a short walk or van ride directly back to town.

Day 5

We say good-bye to St. Remy and head by private coach to the Gard river area and its lovely vineyards and orchards to begin our walk to Colias. This is a lovely, gentle landscape with small medieval villages dotting the surrounding hills.

Enjoy an elegant lunch of (perhaps) duck with fresh herbs in the garden of an exquisite “auberge” in the village of Colias. Next we continue to the Roman Aqueduct known as the Pont du Gard. One of the wonders of ancient times, this aqueduct dates from the 1st century B.C., and once carried water 60 km from Uzes to Nimes.

The Hotel Marie D’Agoult is a resplendently renovated 18th-century chateau, and our home for our final two nights.

Day 6

The ruined towers of medieval Uzes serve as our beacon this morning as we slowly approach this bustling village. Lush trees and wide arcades comfortably shade the streets and squares of Uzes. Within the maze of streets and alleys, every type of artisan and vendor can be found. Uzes is the perfect spot to relax with a cafe au lait or perhaps a refreshing glass of chilled rose.

For lunch we will sample the traditional “gallette,” a wheat crepe filled with ham, cheese and egg or mushrooms, and chocolate and bananas or sweet cream for dessert.

Afterward, we follow a path down from the city’s park to the meandering Alzon River. The clear waters of the Alzon were so prized by the Romans that they built the entire aqueduct system of the Pont du Gard in order to bring these waters to Uzes.

Day 7

Transfer by private coach to Avignon for our departure.

Whatever your travel plans, we will go over them with you and make sure that your continuing journey is as easy and effortless as possible.

Au revoir!

 

Accommodations

Hostellerie le Phebus Hostellerie le Phebus

Our trip begins at the stylish yet casual Provencal farmhouse, Hostellerie le Phebus. The views from your private terrace or the shaded pool offer a panorama of the entire Luberon region.

 

 

 

 

 

Hotel de L’Image Hotel de L’Image

The Hotel de L’Image offers a contemporary and refined universe in the heart of St. Remy de Provence. Transformed from a stately hotel and an historic cinema into a truly unique environment, the property has pools, waterfalls and more than five acres of gardens right in the heart of the bustling village.

 

 

 

Chateau d'Arpaillargues Chateau d’Arpaillargues

The Chateau d’Arpaillargues, restored and rejuvenated today, is not just a reminder of its extraordinary past, but also an elegant, discreet residence in the heart of the Uzès countryside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”

~ John Muir 

 

 

Custom Tours

All of our walking tours can be customized to your needs or designed to fit your personal departure dates. Learn more about our custom tours.

 

Newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on our latest European walking tours.

 

 

More from Next Step

FAQs

Travel Resources