Provence: Vaucluse & the Luberon

What sort of weather can I expect?

Meteorological records for the area, taken over a period of more than 10 years, are represented in the Weather Chart provided with each itinerary. In the Spring mornings are cool with clear afternoons; it rarely rains. From mid-June until mid-September it is generally clear skies and pleasant, but it can be very hot in the afternoon. In the later part of the season there are some clouds and rain but generally nice weather, cooler. As a result, there are many pretty autumnal colours.

What sort of walking can I expect?

This fitness level of this walking holiday is  Grade 2-3 .

Throughout these walking holidays in Provence the terrain is varied and interesting, including arid hills of limestone and sandstone, and lush plains, fertile valleys and farmland. The paths over the hills are stony and dry underfoot (even after rain) and require light walking boots for comfort and support.  In the valleys there are quiet asphalt lanes, woodland and farmland tracks and paths across open country.

Walks are offered on 5 days (7-day tour) or 3 days (5-day tour). The walk lengths vary from 2.5 to 10 hours (see detailed itinerary. Hours of walking, which may vary from individual to individual, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing or rests. On certain days the walk takes you into the hills where the paths cross a more rugged terrain – please make sure that your footwear provides sufficient ankle support.

What if I don't want to walk?

You don’t have to! You can get a lift with the Route Manager to the next hotel when your bags are moved on, or we can arrange taxis and advise you of local transport options to facilitate shortening the walks.

How do I get to the start of the route?

TRAVEL TO FRANCE

The recommended destination airports for this walking holiday in France are Marseille and Avignon. With the Channel Tunnel and high speed trains it is now also possible to travel from London St. Pancras to Avignon in approx 7 hrs. You will need to pre-book this journey.

TRAVEL TO THE FIRST HOTEL 

7-day itinerary

Travel to the First Hotel by Public Transport

From Marseille (Marignan) airport:

Take the navette (shuttle bus) from the airport terminal to Vitrolles train station (runs every 10 minutes; takes 10 minutes).

From Vitrolles, there are several direct trains daily to Isle sur la Sorgue, which is the station for Fontaine de Vaucluse. Others require a change at Avignon or Miramas. Check times at en.oui.sncf/en. The average journey time is 1 hour, ~€15.

From Isle sur la Sorgue station, the easiest option is to take a taxi to Fontaine (~€17, 15 mins). If you know which train you will catch, you can organise a taxi in advance through ATG. It is also possible to turn right out of the station and walk into town, where you can usually find a taxi at the taxi rank beside the Caisse d’ Epargne bank on the canal.

Alternatively, there are a few buses daily (bus route 21) from Isle sur la Sorgue to Fontaine de Vaucluse. Journey time 15 mins, ~€2. 

They run from bus stop Robert Vasse, direction Fontaine de Vaucluse (in front of the post office). Please note it is a 10-15 minute walk to the first hotel from the bus station in Fontaine. Check timetables here:  www.pacamobilite.fr

Alternatively, a taxi from Marseille airport to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse takes around 1 hour and costs approximately €140.

From Avignon airport: 

Avignon airport only has two daily bus links with Avignon town. 

The combined journey by taxi to Avignon station, train to Isle sur la Sorgue, and taxi from there to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse takes much longer and costs slightly more than taking a taxi direct to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse from Avignon airport.

A direct taxi costs around €75 and takes about 35 minutes, and is our recommended choice of transport.

From  Avignon central (and Avignon TGV) train stations:

There are several train or train/bus departures daily for Isle sur la Sorgue. Check times and prices at www.trainline.eu.  Journey time 25-45 mins, €5-€6.

From Isle sur la Sorgue station, see above.

5-day itinerary

From Marseille (Marignan) airport:

There is a navette (shuttle bus) from the airport terminal to Vitrolles train station (runs every 10 minutes; takes 10 minutes). From Vitrolles, there are regular direct trains to Cavaillon (50 mins, ~€16.30), from where a taxi to Gordes costs ~€45. Train times: www.sncf.com/en. There are also 4 buses per day between Cavaillon and Gordes (line L17). Journey time 30 mins, ~€2. Bus timetables:  www.pacamobilite.fr. Alternatively, a taxi from Marseille airport to Gordes takes around 1 hour and costs ~€145.

From Avignon airport: 

As public transport options to Gordes are very limited, we recommend taking a taxi: Journey time 35 minutes, ~€60.

If, however, you wish to go via Avignon, there are 2 daily buses from the airport to the centre, or you can take a taxi (15 mins, approx. €25).

From Avignon Centre station or Avignon TGV station:

There are several train or train/bus departures daily for Cavaillon. Timetables: www.sncf.com/en

From Cavaillon a taxi to Gordes costs ~€45. There are also 4 buses per day between Cavaillon and Gordes. Journey time 34 mins, ~€2. Check times here: Vaucluse.fr 

A taxi from Avignon centre to Gordes costs ~€90

By taxi 

Marseille airport to Gordes: From €145, duration 1.5 hours. 

Avignon airport to Gordes: From €60, duration 35 minutes.

First hotel (7-day itinerary)

Hôtel du Poète:The hotel is a short walk from the Place de la Colonne in the village centre, where the buses from Avignon arrive. Head west on Avenue Robert Garcin and take the first left at Descente de la Cristallerie. The hotel is on your left after approx. 130 metres.

First hotel (5-day itinerary):

Le Jas de Gordes (standard):

The bus goes straight past this hotel on the way into Gordes.
Ask the driver if he can drop you off at the gates of the hotel.  Please note that Le Jas de Gordes is 1.5km outside the village of Gordes and has no restaurant.  If you would like us to pre-book you a taxi into Gordes (~€25) for dinner, please advise the office. Alternatively, the walk is approx. 20 minutes.

Les Bories (superior):

The hotel is located approximately 1 mile outside of Gordes.  You can take a bus to the centre of Gordes and then take taxi to the hotel (Your taxi will need to be pre-arranged – please contact ATG if you would like assistance arranging this). The cost of a taxi  from the centre is ~€25. Alternatively you can take a taxi directly from Avignon for ~ €70.

Taxi bookings

Please place your booking with the ATG office at least two weeks before departure. The cost of the taxi will be confirmed to you once the booking is secured. Payment of the taxi fare should be made locally, not to ATG. The driver will have your flight details and will be waiting in Arrivals with a sign showing your name or ATG.

• If you change your flight please notify us  so we can contact the taxi company to reschedule the taxi for you. 

• If, on the day of departure, your flight is cancelled or you miss or change it, please immediately contact the ATG emergency number (number is provided in trip documentation) so we can contact the taxi company to reschedule or cancel the taxi for you. 

• If your flight is delayed and you have arranged for the taxi to meet you at the destination airport, your taxi driver will wait for you. 

• If you are delayed and you have arranged for a taxi to meet you at a non airport location (e.g. train station) it is essential that you contact your Route Manager or call the ATG emergency line to notify us at the earliest possible moment, so we can contact the taxi company to re-schedule or cancel the taxi for you. 

• Please note that failure to advise ATG that you cannot meet the taxi booked for you, may result in the taxi costs being passed back to you.

Important: Taxi prices quoted apply to the local firm used regularly by ATG – and are guaranteed only if you book through the office in advance. If you get a taxi off a taxi rank please ask the driver to confirm the price for the journey before departing. 

Taxi costs are generally 50% higher on Sundays, holidays and after 7pm.

Where can I leave my car if I drive to the route?

The Bories Hotel (superior) in Gordes has limited free parking for guests, but this needs to be booked in advance (please double check with ATG to ensure they can accommodate your vehicle). Le Gordos (standard) in Gordes also offers free parking but you must leave your keys with reception.The Mas de Guilles in Lourmarin has a large, secure, free carpark. Alternatively there are public parking lots in the village.

What should I bring?

Bring whatever clothes and footwear you find most comfortable for everyday wear, and a change or two for the evenings – smart/casual.
Some trips include quite distinguished hotels and restaurants, for which you may wish to ‘dress up’ in the evening, however on Independent trips you have more flexibility in determining how casual you wish to be. For walking we recommend lightweight walking boots with firm ankle support (make sure you wear them in before the trip!), a small daypack for your lightweight waterproof clothing, camera, fleece etc. An increasing number of people bring telescopic walking poles. For a comprehensive packing list click here: what to bring

What sort of food can I expect?

On one of our walking holidays in Provence you can expect cooking that is characterised by the inventive use of a wide variety of locally grown vegetables and fruit, e.g. salads of fennel, figs, dessert grapes, peaches, apricots and cherries. Aubergines, artichokes and peppers are often roasted over charcoal fires with garlic, olive oil and chopped parsley or cooked with courgettes and tomatoes to make ratatouille.

Fish is one of the glories of Provençal cooking, prepared in every possible way including exotic fish stews and soups. Classic regional dishes include Bouillabaisse (a rich fish soup), Bourride (fish and vegetable stew) and Brandade de Morue (salt cod and potato gratin).

There are a number of Michelin restaurants along
the route.

And wine?

Vineyards around St Rémy de Provence produce many delightful local wines. You can also try wines from the Luberon and Tavel. Côtes de Luberon produces splendid, full-bodied red wines with qualities characteristic of the magnificent craggy terrain, and also some interesting crisp, dry whites, whilst Tavel is famous for its limpid, fragrant rosé.

Several of our independent routes pass through well-known wine producing regions, with opportunities for wine tasting along the route. If you are particularly interested in wine this trip is an excellent choice! You may also like to consider...

• Classic Alsace

• Siena to Florence

• Southern Tuscany

• Ancient Volcanic Landscapes

• Tuscany & Siena

• Tuscan Hills

• Roman Roads to Orvieto

• Etruscan Lanes to Orvieto

• Umbria & Assisi

• Sintra & the Portuguese Coast

Breakfast

Most of the hotels we use offer a buffet-style breakfast with a wide range of both hot and cold choices. 4- and 5-star hotels almost always offer ‘cooked’ breakfast. Occasionally, in more remote areas, or in some 2 or 3-star hotels, breakfast can be a decidedly more ‘Continental’ affair – i.e. bread, croissant, juice, coffee.

Lunch

The ATG Route Booklets and our ‘Sustainable Shopping Guides’ are filled with information about markets and shops in which to buy your lunch. From seasonal fruits, local cheeses, cured hams and freshly baked breads, you are limited only by what you can carry in your pack!

Dinner

On some routes, usually where there is no other restaurant within walking distance, half-board accommodation is included (see ‘what is included’ for this trip). In other areas where there is a selection of restaurants, ATG includes a list of recommendations in your ATG Route Booklet. Some restaurants are recommended because they have provided meals that have been regularly enjoyed by ATG clients; other restaurants are renowned internationally (e.g., within the Guide Michelin).

Please note there is no restaurant in Le Gordos Hotel (standard), in Gordes. However, a taxi can be reserved from the hotel to the village, the distance is about 1.5km and the price for a return is approx €20.

Restaurant bookings

Your Route Manager will be delighted to book restaurants for you if required, ensuring the places you eat at are...

•Your first choice

•The highest standard

• The best value

...and you are not disappointed by finding the restaurant full.

What if I have a dietary restriction or food allergy?

When you book, let us know about any restrictions. Most dietary restrictions do not present a problem on our routes due to the wide variety of shops and restaurants available. Your Route Manager will provide you with advice and recommendations at your briefing.

What should I bring to wear in the evenings?

There is no need to dress up for most restaurants, but if you decide to treat yourself to a smart, expensive one,  men may want to wear a jacket and the ladies, a skirt, dress or smart trousers. The Bastide de Gordes, Moulin de Lourmarin (superior route) and the various Michelin starred restaurants along the route are smarter and a jacket would be appropriate, but a tie is not required.

Do the hotels have WIFI, hair dryers, laundry service?

All have WIFI and hair dryers; most offer laundry service.

How much should I budget for items not included?

You can get an idea of transport costs in the ‘getting there’ section of
the trip page. For lunches, costs will depend on whether you choose to buy picnic items or eat in bars/restaurants. Dinners: some are included (see ‘what’s included’). For evening meals not included, the route book provides restaurant recommendations to suit a wide range of budgets. Entrance fees to museums, churches, galleries and other sightseeing costs will vary considerably depending on how much you want to see and how old you are (!). Over 60s enjoy significantly reduced prices at many attractions, so it is worth carrying (safely) some form of identification showing your age. Other costs are items of a personal nature, shopping expenditure and transport if you choose to limit your walking with public transport or taxis.

What if I want to extend my trip?

We are delighted to book extensions for you at either end of your trip. We only book hotels with which we have an established relationship and where we can ensure a high level of service and enjoyment. If you would like an extension booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.

Where can I find general FAQs?

For FAQs relating to the Company and general trip questions, click here