France - Wine & Walking around Mont Ventoux
A walking holiday through Provence’s famous wine growing are starting in Avignon, the World Unesco Heritage site and finishing in the medieval town of Vaison la Romaine. Chateauneuf du Pape is southern France’s most prestigious wine village: grapes have been grown here for 850 years. The Popes brought the vines to this area in the 14th century and thanks to the amazing growing conditions many world renown and prized vintages have been produced. The best way to discover these vineyards is by foot, strolling between the vines from one estate to the next, run by the same families for generations, you’ll have lots of wine-tasting opportunities. You will pass through Séguret and Gigondas, two medieval villages perched high over the Rhône valley, framed by never-ending seas of reputed vineyards. From Gigondas you approach the Dentelles de Montmirail, a set of jagged limestone teeth that soar high and defiantly over the Rhône Valley: a playground for magnificent walking and scenery. You then walk through orchards and vineyards, with extraordinary panoramas and a large diversity of landscapes.
Highlights on this tour
- Wander through the famed vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape
- Great local market on Tuesday morning in Vaison offers a glimpse into the everday life in Provence
- Take in views of Mont Ventoux, the Giant of Provence
- Walk in the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail
- Stay in the picturesque villages of Séguret, Le Barroux and Vaison la Romaine
Itinerary See all daysClose all days
You arrive in Avignon and at 4.30pm you are transfered to Chateauneuf du Pape where you check into your first hotel.
Today, you explore Chateauneuf du Pape and its famous vineyards. Literally “New castle of the Pope”, this village was chosen as the summer residence of the Popes of Avignon, complete with a castle built atop the hill, today only a set of ruins from which the views extend far into the horizon. It was the popes who brought the vines here in the 14th century, making wines that have been famous for centuries.
You can select two different walks today (or do both)
1. Distance 7 km Elevation + 100m / - 100m
Walking time about 2h45
You walk through the vines, alongside tracks packed with the red rocks that were deposited here 15 000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age. They absorb the heat during the day and emit it at night, keeping a constant warmth in the vineyards, and helping produce powerful and spicy reds
2. Distance 11 km Elevation + 150m / - 150m
Walking time about 4h15
With shortcut 3h15min, 8,5km +100m / -100m
A splendid loop walk stays within the heart of the Chateauneuf appellation, strolling on farming tracks in between the parcels of vines of the Vaudieu & Nalys & Solitude wineries, which lead from one estate to the next. The itinerary takes you to 3 widely-known wine estates - Vaudieu, Nalys, and Solitude - all centuries-old, all happy to share their savoir faire with you during a wine-tasting. The reds are deep and heavily spiced, while the surprising whites have notes of almond, spice, and honeysuckle.
After breakfast you are transferred to Séguret. You walk along quiet farm tracks above the Rhône Valley to Gigondas, world famous for its sublime red wines. From Gigondas you climb to get a closer view of the spectacular Dentelles de Montmirail, a veritable playground for walking and hiking, before descending to Vacqueyras, also reputed for its wine.
You continue through the untamed slopes, and reach the ruins of a church, set beside ancient cave dwellings.
From there, you descend to Beaumes de Venise, where you can indulge in a glass of Muscat. Then it’s onward to Le Barroux, a hilltop village crowned by its 12th century castle and quiet streets, even off the beaten walking holiday path.
Today you make your approach towards Mont Ventoux, its giant silhouette as a backdrop for your hike, its barren white peak glistening in the sun. Through shaded paths of pine and cedar you reach the chapel of Piaut, where in generations past locals climbed during periods of draught to pray for rain. Descend the pilgrimage path to Malaucène.
Option
If you are up to it you can add another loop from Malaucene
Distance 17 km Elevation + 400m / -400m Duration 5h
Your walk takes you into the heart of Mont Ventoux, through its densely forested northern slopes, far from the beaten tourist paths. Along a forestry road 400m above the village, your views extend far into the Barronies mountains to the north, before you reach a most improbable chapel on a plateau (great picnic spot). A steep descent leads you down to the small hamlets in the plains, and you are led back to Malaucène via quiet country roads, laden with truffle-oak plantations and orchards of all kinds.
From Malaucène, you walk northward on thyme and rosemary drenched hills to the perched, authentic village of Le Crestet. You continue to the Gallo-Roman village of Vaison la Romaine, take time to visit the largest archaeological site in France.
Walking: approx. 6 hours
Distance: ca. 18km
+400m / -280m
Hotel (example): Le Burrhus**
Transfer back to Avignon. End of tour. Bye bye la Provence!
Price includes
- 6 nights in carefully selected 2-star and 3-star hotels
- Breakfast every day
- Day 1: transfer from Avignon to Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Day 3: transfer from Châteauneuf-du-Pape to Séguret
- Day 7: transfer from Vaison to Avignon
- Luggage transfer between hotels
- Detailed travel information (route maps or overview maps, route description, tourist attractions, important telephone numbers)
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Transportation to/from France
- Tourist tax (if due)
- Handling fee (EUR 20)
Practical info
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "single room" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Please note: All of the wineries are closed on Sunday: therefore the wine session can not be done on Sundays, and will be switched to the Saturday if needed
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Nice, Marseille or Paris are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
Where to arrive
Marseille
The closest airport is Marseille. From here you can take the train - which has several daily departures - to Avignon. The trip takes roughly 35 minutes.
Via this link to Rome2Rio you can get an overview of how to get from Marseilles to Avignon.
Nice
The other option is to fly into Nice and from there take the train to Avignon. From Nice there are several daily departures to Avignon and the trip takes roughly 3 hours.
Via this link to Rome2Rio you can get an overview of how to get from Nice to Avignon.
Paris
The last option is to fly into Paris and from there take the train to Avignon. The train ride takes roughly 2-3 hours with the high-speed train, but notice that the price of the high-speed trains are quite steep.
Via this link to Rome2Rio you can get an overview of how to get from Paris to Avignon.
Book a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 48 working hours). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
On this tour you will be accommodated in 2-star and 3-star hotels with breakfast included.
In the itinerary you can see some examples of the hotels we use on this tour. Notice that the hotels are examples and you may end up staying in different hotels. It depends on availability when you book the tour.
Breakfast is included every day on this tour. Lunch can be purchased in the accommodation towns and it is recommended that you stock up before the hikes so that you have water and refreshments with you.
It's easy to find evening meals every night. Where the hotels may be some distance from restaurants, we can reserve a table for you at the hotels' own restaurant. We will provide information about this where relevant.
You will recieve the following documentation
Upon booking
You recieve practical information about the tour in a digital format
One month before arrival
You recieve your hotel list and your voucher (hotel list is often supplied upon booking)
Upon arrival
You recieve the welcome package which contains the printed version of the road book, luggage tags, local specific vouchers and if you have rented bikes then they will also be delivered and fitted at the first hotel.
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)
This tour has difficulty grade 2.
Grade 2
Easier walking at reasonable good paths. The walking time will be 4-6 hours usually in hilly terrain. Every one in good health and a normal physical fitness can participate. Luggage is mostly transported and you only go with a lighter backpack. Requires good footwear such as trekking shoes or hiking boots.
Read more about our Grading System
It can be hard to plan your trip according to the weather, but to give an idea of the local climate, you can see the data below:
The statistics are from yr.no.
We are members of the Travel Guarantee Fund (nr. 2529) and have all available insurances. This covers you regardless of your nationality. Read more about that here.
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Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
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Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
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