Provence | ||
Provence: |
Day 1
Day 2
Walking: an optional circular walk to the restored ‘Village des Bories’, then climb gently on stone pathways back to Gordes. Cycling: an optional circular route via the hilltop villages of Opède-le-Vieux and Ménerbes. Gentle roads through vineyards and short but steep climbs to the villages. (20 miles)
|
Provence: |
|
Provence:
|
Terrain
Walking: the paths over the hills are stony and dry underfoot. In the
valleys there are wood and farmland tracks, open country paths, and occasional
quiet asphalt lanes.
When to go Start any day from 01 Apr to 24 Jul and also from 01 Sep to 24 Oct
|
|||||||||||||
|
On Route
* Cavaillon: centre of an area renowned for the production of vegetables, colourfully displayed in the town's streets. The historic town itself was the seat of a bishop until 1790, and the 12-13C church was formerly a cathedral.
** Fontaine-de-Vaucluse: named after the huge resurgent spring which emerges near here. The attractive stone village is overlooked by its ruined castle and is otherwise famous as the home of the 14C Italian poet Petrarch who wrote his 366 poems to 'Laura', and whose house it is possible to visit.
** Gordes: very picturesque village built in terraces high above the Imergue Valley and surmounted by its Renaissance château. Nearby is the Cistercian abbey of Sénanque (one of the few with all its original 12C buildings remaining), past which we walk on our way to Gordes.
** Roussillon: named after the huge nearby quarries of red ochre, the rock from which the houses of this unusual hilltop village are made. From the castrum at the top of the cliff are views of the Vaucluse plateau and the Grand Luberon.
* Buoux: isolated village with nearby fort. Although demolished by Richelieu in the 17C, it still retains many of its castle buildings.
** Lourmarin: picturesque village, notable as the burial-place of the writer Albert Camus, and overlooked by its 15-16C château (open to visitors).
Flights & Transport Recommended Destination Airports: Marseilles There are international and domestic flights to Marseille. The airport bus takes you to Marseille station, from where you can catch a direct bus – or train – to Cavaillon. Lourmarin and Lauris are connected by bus to Avignon, from where you can take a bus or a train to Marseille or Paris.
Taxis
Notes No. of nights with half board (dinner included): Standard 2, Superior 3
Cycle hire: £60 / $108 Shortest / Longest days walk: 3 / 6.5 hrs |