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Vineyards and Villages of Provence - 8 Days
FranceProvence

Vineyards and Villages of Provence - 8 Days

8 Days
Easy to Moderate

Vineyards and Villages of Provence - 8 Days

from £1,910 / person

Overview

This walk begins in Chateauneuf du Pape, after a transfer from Avignon, and finishes in the medieval town of Vaison la Romaine. Wine is a religion in this part of the world, and the route reflects that at every stage, passing through some of southern France's most celebrated wine villages across five days of walking.

The journey opens in Chateauneuf du Pape, southern France's most prestigious wine village, where grapes have grown for over 700 years. The route continues through Séguret and Gigondas, two medieval villages perched high above the Rhône valley and surrounded by vineyards in every direction, before moving on through Vacqueyras, Le Barroux and Malaucène and concluding in Vaison la Romaine. Wine-tasting opportunities present themselves throughout, with the region's most renowned wineries lining the path from start to finish.

Highlights

  • Exploring the lovely Chateauneuf du Pape, with optional half-day wine tour (at extra cost)
  • Stroll along beautiful farming tracks between wineries
  • Wine tasting at Chateau Vaudieu, Nalys and Solitude
  • Walk along tracks about the Rhone Valley, marvelling at the views
  • Untamed slopes, church ruins and ancient cave dwellings
  • The stunning approach to Mont Ventoux, Provence's highest peak
  • Did we mention the 3/4* accommodations and wine?!

Itinerary

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nights), 3-star Hotel (4 nights), B&B (1 night)

Meals

7 breakfasts, and 3 dinners

Transfers

  • Private Vehicle Transfers
  • Luggage Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

2

Stroll Walking Grade

Easy to Moderate

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Mostly flat terrain with some gentle inclines. Suitable for anyone with basic fitness who enjoys walking.

View Fitness Guide

6

Days on the trail

7-17 km

Daily distance range

119-557 m

Daily ascent range

5/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Accommodation on this tour spans elegant guesthouses, charming hotels, family-run auberges and a ski lodge, all at three to four stars with en-suite facilities throughout. Seven nights are included, with every property handpicked for its location and the way it sits within the landscape and character of Provence.

The accommodation listed is an indication of what will be booked and may vary depending on availability at the time of booking. Should any displayed option be unavailable, we will ensure any alternative meets the same standard.

What You'll Eat

You can enjoy seven continental breakfasts throughout the trip, each one with all the standard accompaniments to set you up before heading out on the trail. Lunch is yours to find along the way, and Provence makes that a pleasure in itself. Three dinners are included at key points along the route, on arrival in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, on day three in Séguret and on day five in Le Barroux. Each is a three-course meal ordered from the menu, Provençal in style and worth looking forward to. For the remaining evenings, your walk notes will include a handpicked dossier of restaurant recommendations to point you towards the best eating along the route.

Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source along the way.

Note: Drinks and alcohol are not included with meals, with the exception of tea, coffee and juice served with breakfast.

More About This Trip

The walk starts in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and finishes in Vaison-la-Romaine, with Avignon serving as the practical arrival and departure point. The most convenient airport is Marseille (MRS), with good international connections, from where a shuttle bus connects to the train station and trains reach Avignon in around 1 hour. High-speed TGV services from Paris reach Avignon in around 3 hours. Note that Avignon has two train stations: the TGV station, situated 2km outside the city centre, and the central SNCF station. A shuttle runs between the two every 15 minutes. A transfer from Avignon to Châteauneuf-du-Pape is included on arrival at 4.30pm. Private transfers from Marseille airport to Avignon can be arranged on request.

The walk ends with a transfer back to Avignon, from where trains reach Marseille in around 40 minutes and Paris in around 3 hours. An extra night in Avignon can be arranged on request.

This walk is available from 1 March to 15 November, with departures Sunday to Thursday. Spring and autumn are the finest seasons for walking in Provence. April, May, September and October offer the best combination of mild weather, quieter villages and beautiful scenery. Autumn is particularly rewarding, with the vineyards turning gold and the wine harvest under way. July and August can be hot; early starts are advisable. This route books up well in advance, so early booking is recommended.

Paths are well-maintained, following sometimes ancient routes through the Provençal landscape, with only gentle ascents for the most part. There are options to add distance or cut days short depending on preference and energy levels.

A regular training routine of three to four times per week, with some longer walks incorporated as departure approaches, is recommended in preparation. Daily walk notes, maps, and GPX tracks are provided.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

August 2026

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Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Provence reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Your main luggage is transported between accommodations each day while you walk — it will be waiting for you when you arrive each evening. You carry only a daypack on the trail. All transport on and off the track and luggage transfers are included in the package.

The terrain in Provence is beautifully varied — long stretches through lavender fields and sunflower meadows, oak and chestnut forests, dramatic limestone gorges, vineyard tracks, and the ancient mule paths of the Luberon hills. Villages appear on hilltops with extraordinary regularity, and the route regularly passes Roman ruins, Cistercian abbeys, and historic fortifications. The walks are generally graded as moderate and suit walkers with a good base fitness. The pace is relaxed, and the scenery rewards those who take their time.

Provence is extraordinarily rich. Avignon's Palais des Papes — the palace that housed seven popes during the 14th century — is one of the great medieval buildings in Europe. The hilltop village of Gordes, clinging to its limestone escarpment above the Luberon, is arguably the most beautiful village in France. Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with its papal castle and some of the world's finest vineyards surrounding it, is essential. Isle-sur-la-Sorgue — often called the Venice of France for its river canals — is one of France's most charming and underrated small towns. And then there are the lavender fields of the Valensole Plateau, the ochre cliffs of Roussillon, the ancient Roman theatre at Orange, and the quiet Cistercian abbeys of Thoronet and Sénanque hidden in forest valleys. The region that inspired Van Gogh, Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, and Peter Mayle has no shortage of reasons to slow down and look.

A: Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are the ideal walking seasons. April and May bring wildflowers, mild temperatures, and the Luberon at its most lush and green. June sees the lavender beginning to bloom in the lower fields. The famous lavender peak is generally mid-June to mid-July — visually breathtaking but also the beginning of the hot season. July and August are the peak tourist months and can be very warm — if you're walking in summer, early starts are essential. September and October bring cooler days, the grape harvest, and a golden light that photographers come from around the world to capture.

A comfortable daypack with a waterproof cover. Key items include a quality waterproof jacket (storms can arrive quickly in the hills even in summer), warm layer for evenings, sun hat, sunscreen (the Provençal sun is fierce), sunglasses, at least 1–2 litres of water, snacks and lunch supplies, a personal first aid kit, cash in Euros, your phone, and your walk notes and maps. Walking poles are optional but useful on some of the hillier sections.

France uses the Euro (€). Cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and larger shops throughout Provence. Carry some cash for village markets, small boulangeries, and rural farm stalls where card readers may not be available. ATMs are easy to find in larger towns like Avignon and Gordes, but can be scarce in smaller villages — stock up when you have the opportunity.

Tipping is not mandatory in France, but rounding up a restaurant bill or leaving a few Euros for good service is always appreciated — especially at smaller, family-run establishments.

Provence is dense with churches, abbeys, and ancient ruins — many of them still active places of worship or serious archaeological sites. Dress modestly when entering religious buildings — covered shoulders and knees are generally expected. Speak quietly and follow any posted guidelines. Many of the Roman sites and abbeys charge a small entry fee; having some cash on hand makes this easier. At the Palais des Papes in Avignon, booking tickets in advance during peak season is strongly recommended.

Flag any allergies or dietary needs at the time of booking so your guesthouses can be informed in advance. Provençal cuisine is largely Mediterranean in character — olive oil-based, vegetable-rich, and full of fresh produce — which makes it relatively accommodating for a range of diets. That said, smaller rural guesthouses can have limited menus, so the simpler your requirements, the smoother the experience. Reconfirm your needs with each host on arrival.

Want to Know More?

The Provence Experience

Wonder
Stroll Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s historic vineyards beneath ruins of the Avignon Popes’ summer castle
Walk where every path leads to something beautiful like Séguret and Gigondas, medieval villages perched high above the Rhône Valley
Descend to colourful Menton, passing Sainte-Agnès and sweeping Mediterranean clifftop vistas
Wellness
Lavender, limestone and master the art of going nowhere fast on moderate trails through cedar, pine and olive groves with uplifting sea air
Cool off in Malaucène and Vaison-la-Romaine hotels with welcoming swimming pools
A feast for the senses, savour Châteauneuf tastings, Provençal cuisine and market mornings in Vaison-la-Romaine
Nature
Climb towards Mont Ventoux’s barren white peak through shaded pine and cedar paths
Follow ancient paths through lavender fields, wooded valleys and rosemary-drenched hills
Marvel at Dentelles de Montmirail, Bausson Pass and broad alpine-to-sea panoramas