Walking in Haute Provence

Make your way to St. Andre-Les-Alpes, a small village set between forested hills and the Lac de Castillon. There are a couple of narrow streets to explore and the church displays some plaques remembering Resistance fighters from the area. There are a couple of bars to relax and enjoy a cool drink. Parapente (paragliding) is quite popular in this area, they jump off the ridges around the town and land on a flat area by the lake. The centre of the old village is worth exploring; there is a small street market on Saturday mornings. Accommodation:Our accommodation is in a 2* hotel or gite-hotel offering simple rooms with ensuite facilities situated above the village.

Follow narrow trails over the hills high above the western side of the Lac de Castillon. Along the way, in spring, the intense yellow flowers and honeyed scent of wild broom and rosemary, contrast with the deep green shades and resinous air of the pine forest. You are greeted by the stunning outcrop of Notre Dame de Roche above Castellane; you should have plenty of time before dinner to climb up to the little chapel there and take in the sunset. Approx ascent: 600m /descent:750m Accommodation: Our 2* hotel overlooks the main square of the historic mountain town, right on the ‘Route Napoleon’, all rooms are ensuite. There is a fine Provencal large windowed restaurant serving good evening meals and many people eat out on the terrace.

The well waymarked GR4 long distance trail from Castellane follows an ancient Roman route high up on the side of the deep winding Verdon Valley. Ancient villages, with their tightly clustered ochre-walled houses, seem to grow naturally out of the rugged landscape. There is a tiny village called Chasteuil, which maybe a good place for a picnic, before heading off over the high limestone moors and pastures before dropping down to Rougon and thence to Point Sublime. Approx ascent: 650m /descent:500m Accommodation: This is the only hotel in the area, a rather neo Victorian establishment. This 2* hotel is situated above the Verdon and across from the vertical cleft in the limestone plateau that marks the entrance to the gorge. Good rustic food is the norm, there is a nice terrace bar and there is a pleasing old-fashioned air about the place. All rooms are ensuite. During the high season it may be necessary to spend two nights in La Palud and do the gorge walk with a taxi transfer back to Point Sublime. Please note that the hotel restaurant is closed on Wednesday evenings. If you happen to be at the hotel on a Wednesday, we will organise for a “cold plate” meal to be left for you in the lounge.

After breakfast, a taxi transfer takes you to the start of the walk. Today you tackle the traverse of the spectacular Gorges du Verdon, France's Grand Canyon, following the famous Sentier Blanc Martel in it's traditional direction, from La Maline to Point Sublime. High up on the towering red and grey limestone walls of the gorge you may spot rock climbers pitting their skill against the force of gravity. The gorge is quite challenging for hikers too, as there are a number of metal ladders to negotiate along the way. The walking is not as daunting as it may sound and only a modest head for heights and an ability to walk on rocky paths is required. Halfway along is a delightful spot to picnic by the river. From Point Sublime, either take the shuttle bus or a taxi to your hotel in La Palud (option will depend on when you are travelling). In case the gorge is closed there is another walk you can do to the beautiful viewpoint at Rancoumas, overlooking the gorge and the surrounding mountains. Accommodation: Our 3* modern hotel sits inside the ancient centre of the village. Its 20 spacious rooms have full ensuite facilities. The cuisine is usually of a high standard. *Note that on Thursdays their restaurant is closed and as such we will book you on bed & breakfast base and a discount will be added to your invoice.

After a stiff ascent above La Palud through some interesting limestone scenery and shady forests, this walk follows a high forested ridge overlooking the turquoise-blue Lac de Ste. Croix, before making a steep descent and gradual climb to the little town of Moustiers Ste. Marie. This is clustered at the foot of towering crags and long famous for its ceramics and waters. The walking is dramatic, wild and beautiful and on the descent, you wind through giant limestone crags and rock towers. Approx ascent: 550m /descent: 800m Accommodation: Our comfortable small 2* hotel was originally a mediaeval building centrally situated in this popular village overlooking a series of waterfalls. It has an outside restaurant terrace where you can relax over dinner.

This morning you walk abruptly up over the scarp slope and out of the Provencal Alps into a new landscape: the broad vistas and immense arching skies of the Plateau de Valensole. There are views of the whale-backed peak of Mont Ventoux, familiar to Tour de France cyclists. The plateau is cultivated for cereals, lavender (at its best in July) and truffles (hidden underground between rows of specially planted Downey Oaks). Descend to the village of Roumoules, perhaps have your picnic in the square under the plane trees. Next there is a gentle climb along a woody ridge and then a short steepish descent down to the town of Riez, where the columns of a Roman temple remind you of its historic past. After a Pastis, head into the town centre to your Chambre d’hotes. Approx ascent: 400m /descent: 550m Accommodation: This 17th century townhouse converted to a Chambre d'hotes is in a quiet location. It has a rustic elegance, there is a mixture of old and new features and the rooms (all ensuite) are much commented on. A superb place to unwind, it is also in a handy location for restaurants, lavender oil shops and for visiting the Roman columns.

After breakfast you will be transported to Manosque (included) to take a late morning train to Aix en Provence. The train takes about 50 minutes and costs approx 15 Euros (not included). This is a beautiful artistic city with a profusion of fountains, cafes spilling onto the streets, interesting architecture including St. Sauveur’s Cathedral with its beautiful triptych of ‘The Burning Bush’ by Nicholas Fromant (1476) and nearby there is the Cezanne Museum. It is an easy city to walk around and the flower and fruit markets on Saturdays are exceptional. Excellent restaurants can be found in the maze of backstreets, representing Provence, France and its colonial backwash. Accommodation: We offer a modern 3* hotel near the centre of Aix en Provence. All the rooms are ensuite.

Tour ends after breakfast. The hotel is situated a 15 minute walk from the coach /bus station for Nice or Marseilles.