Provence Walking
From Les Baux to the Luberon
Journey with Backroads through a landscape captured on canvas by Cézanne, Picasso and van Gogh, where leisurely strolls through timeless villages and rugged countryside await. Walk along the herb-scented trails of the Alpilles to the hilltop towns of the Lubéron, relishing dramatic vistas and enjoying intimate glimpses into the daily lives of the Provençal people. Savor Michelin-starred cuisine, and learn the ins and outs of French cooking during a class with a local chef! And all the while, you're treated to gracious hospitality in exquisite accommodations - the perfect way to experience the charms of this distinctive region warmed by the Mediterranean sun.
- Sunny walks through limestone hills, olive orchards, vineyards and perched villages
- Exclusive tours and tastings at an organic winery and a family-run olive oil mill
- Private cooking class with a Provençal chef
- Savor Michelin-starred cuisine and regional wines
- Marie-Charlotte Bouton, local art historian and van Gogh expert
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Les Baux-de-Provence
Meet in Avignon 
Walk amid the Alpilles, a world of windswept crags dotted with oak, pine and cypress trees Enjoy views of medieval Les Baux, perched high on a rocky plateau above the Val d'Enfer, an eerie landscape pockmarked with caves and wildly eroded limestone Savor a Michelin-starred dinner.
Days 2-3 St-Remy-de-Provence
Hike along limestone hills to Moulin du Calanquet, a family-run olive oil mill, and stop for a tour and tasting Expand your culinary skills during a private cooking lesson-using fresh local ingredients, learn special culinary tricks of French cuisine and appreciate the intricacies of Provençal flavors Discover the vibrant village of St-Rémy, filled with fountains, gardens, cheery cafés and tree-lined boulevards Join our local guide and scholar for a visit to St-Paul-de-Mausole, the asylum where Vincent van Gogh secluded himself and produced a few of his most significant works Enjoy a private tour and tasting at an organic winery.
Days 4-6 Gordes
Head into the Grand Lubéron Stroll through the charming village of Roussillon, adored by artists for centuries for its striking natural surroundings, namely the Chaussée des Géants, a canyon radiant with 16 shades of ochre Visit the Bonnieux market in search of the perfect Provençal handicraft Explore the fragrant foothills of the Grand Lubéron and the limestone cliffs beyond Buoux Accompanied by our local guide, dive into the history of Gordes on a walking tour of this picture-perfect hilltop town.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
Best trip of my life.Thank you soooooooooooo much! We also lucked out with great weather and the accommodations were outstanding. We felt like every day was the best and then the next day was even better!- Charlotte, NC More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Provence tour experts. For walking tours and hiking tours in Europe France, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Europe France walking tours and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe France biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe France multisport tours click here.
Provence Walking
PROVENCAL INDULGENCE: Premiere Inns
La Cabro d'Or
Les Baux-de-Provence (1 night) An enchanting Relais & Châteaux member with a Michelin-starred restaurant and ivy-covered buildings surrounded by fountains, gardens and a pool.
Le Chateau des Alpilles
St-Rémy-de-Provence (2 nights) An elegant 19th-century manor house, nestled within 17 acres of peaceful parkland, and offering an inviting outdoor pool and spacious rooms appointed with period décor.
La Bastide de Gordes & Spa
Gordes (2 nights) A 12th-century fortress with splendid hilltop views, a swimming pool cradled by stone ramparts and a decadent Daniel Jouvance spa.
Provence Walking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insider Trips | Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more. | ||
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 2.8, 4.3 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- 6, 8.6, 12 miles
- 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 4.5, 5.6, 10.9 miles
- 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 3 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 7.4, 10 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- 4.8, 7.6 miles
- 1000 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Guided Walking Tour 1 hour
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain