Medieval Villages, Fields of Lavender, St. Paul de Vence

Hiking Haute Provence

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"A wonderful trip that has everything—hiking, art, good food, great accommodations, and beautiful scenery." Joyce Spencer, New York NY

From the wild gorges of Haute Provence to some of the most magnificent perched villages in France, we explore on foot the dreamy, dazzling, sensuous world of Provence. One spectacular hike crosses a balcony trail overlooking the immense Gorge du Verdon, the Grand Canyon of Europe, with its herb-scented oak forests. Further south, we hike to medieval hill villages that rise like stone islands in a green sea of olive orchards. Near the celebrated Cote d’Azur, our lodging is in the renowned artists’ haunt of medieval St. Paul de Vence. Our picturesque hotels of character include a country house among fields of lavender, a beautifully transformed 15th century olive oil mill, and a medieval hilltop chateau in Trigance—and the cuisine throughout is pure Provence!

Below is an Itinerary-in-Brief. To view a complete Detailed Itinerary, Download Full Itinerary or Email our Area Specialist

Itinerary-in-Brief

Days 1-4
Aix-en-Provence / Moustiers / Trigance / Grand Canyon du Verdon

In medieval Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, with the scents and sights of Provence all around us, our hikes bring us through fields of lavender with beautiful panoramas across the Alpes de Provence. We descend into the spectacular Grand Canyon du Verdon, with its red limestone walls and rock pinnacles, and hike in the rugged topography surrounding Castellane, a quaint 16th century village tucked in the gorge.

Days 5-6
Fayence / Seillans / Grasse

We hike an ancient Roman path through the rosemary-scented hills of the Verdon Valley and through spectacular Provençal countryside to Seillan, with its steep, narrow, cobbled alleys. Overnights are in Fayence, one of Provence’s most beautiful perched villages, with a cascade of Roman-tiled roofs, open-air market, and village fountain.

Days 7-9
Grasse / Gourdon / St. Paul de Vence

After a hike through the gorge of Sagne River, lush with Mediterranean blooms and scents, we head to Grasse, perfume capital of France since the 16th century, to visit one of the historic perfume houses. A breathtaking hike along a Roman aqueduct brings us across the gorge of the Loup River to amazing medieval Gourdon, featured in Hitchcock’s classic film To Catch A Thief. Overnights are in the fabulous walled village of St. Paul de Vence, famed artists’ mecca of ancient fountains and shady squares and meeting place of Picasso, Bonnard, Chagall, and Modigliani. Depart via Nice on Day 9.

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Tour Costs $4095 (13-15 members) $4395 (10-12 members) $4595 (6-9 members) Single supplement: $595 *Prices are for 2008 dates only **Airfare is not included in Tour Cost unless indicated

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