This guide offers 30 circular day walks in the western half of Provence, the large sun-kissed coastal region of south-east France. Spanning from the Baronnies in the north to the Ste-Baume ridge in the south, the walks are set in the areas of the Drôme Provençale, Vaucluse and the Var.
Provence’s sunshine and Mediterranean charm attract many visitors to its coast, yet the area also has much more to offer the walker. The countryside inland boasts a range of scenery from remote mountaintops to spectacular gorges. History is everywhere, in medieval villages, arcaded streets, abbeys, churches and castles. This guide covers the western regions, with its companion volume, Walking in Provence: East, covering the rest of this fascinating and historic landscape. The walking is incredibly diverse; from the green waves of the Barronies hills in Drôme Provençale, to the unforgettable silhouette of Mont Ventoux giving way to limestone plateaux cut with ravines in the Vauclause. Further south lies Var, containing rock and wood-strewn hills inland, and a coast full of knarled inlets and hidden beaches. Suitable for all walkers of average fitness levels, the walks range from 4 to 21 kilometres, and are graded for difficulty from short, easy routes to more challenging walks that can include precipitous sections, but no special equipment is needed.
- 30 day walks in the Drôme Provençal, Vaucluse and Var in the sunny south-east corner of France
- walks illustrated with clear sketch maps and height profiles, as well as inspiring photographs
- all the practical information required for a perfect trip from public transport to maps and market days
Seasons most of the walks are not high and can be made at any time of the year, especially near the coast; the most pleasant seasons are spring and autumn. Centres Nyons and Buis-les-Baronnies (Drôme Provençale); Vaison-la-Romaine and Apt (Vaucluse); St-Maximin-la-Ste-Baume and Aix-en-Provence (Var) Difficulty circular day walks, suitable for averagely fit people and graded Easy, Medium or Difficult, depending on length, total ascent and terrain; easy walks are short, while difficult ones take up to eight hours and may include sections that are precipitous or difficult to navigate; no special equipment is needed Must See dramatic mountain ridges and deep river gorges; perched medieval villages, arcaded streets, fountains, ruined castles, abbeys and churches; from the Baronnies in the north to the Ste-Baume ridge in the south
Drôme Provençale Location of Walks Walk 1 Nyons Olive Walk Walk 2 Ferme de la Lance Walk 3 The Cougoir Walk 4 Serre de Crema Walk 5 Rocher de Bramard Walk 6 Gorges de Léoux Walk 7 Grande Javonière Walk 8 Château d’Ubrieux Walk 9 Around the Rocher de St-Julien Walk 10 Gorges de Toulourenc Walk 11 Lavender Walk from Aulan
Vaucluse Location of Walks Walk 12 Vaison-la-Romaine to Crestet Walk 13 The Gambade from Gigondas Walk 14 Dentelles de Montmirail Walk 15 Le Barroux to La Roque-Alric Walk 16 Gorges du Curnier Walk 17 Gorges de la Nesque Walk 18 Fontaine-de-Vaucluse and the Wall of the Plague Walk 19 Abbaye de Sénanque Walk 20 Colorado Provençal Walk 21 Fort de Buoux Walk 22 Mourre Nègre
Var Location of Walks Walk 23 Montagne Ste-Victoire Walk 24 Marcel Pagnol Country Walk 25 Mont Olympe Walk 26 Montagne de la Ste-Baume Walk 27 Ste-Croix from Nans-les-Pins Walk 28 Old village and castle of Rougiers Walk 29 Mourre d’Agnis Walk 30 Circuit de Latay
