dossier

Provence In Van Gogh's Steps

TravelInformation

Season: Any day from March  to mid-June and mid-September to November

It is very hot in this area in July and Augustand those months are avoided. This is an ideal trip for spring, early summer orautumn: times of early flowers or golden hues rather than the Lavender blues!Both spring and autumn can bring rain spells and electrical storms.

Travel: Fly toMarseilles Airport (Nimes airport is another possibility).

Transfers to and from Avignon TGV / SNCF are not included.

If you are flying into Marseilles:(i.e in town at the SNCF-French Railways) there are trains every 1 to 2 hours toAvignon, taking around 30 minutes (TGV). Non-TGV services are also possible but take over an hour.

Marseille: http://www.marseille.aeroport.fr

There is a bus that goes from the Marseilleairport to the Aix TGV station (closer than Marseille train station).  Thetravel time is about 15 minutes and the one-way price is 4.50 euros (2007price), approx US$6.50.  Buses leave every 30 minutes.  After thatthe TGV from Aix to Avignon TGV is 20 minutes duration. From Avignon TGVtransfer to town centre by shuttle bus.

If you are starting from Marseille GareSaint-Charles (i.e in town at the SNCF-French Railways) there are trains every1 to 2 hours to Avignon, taking around 30 minutes (TGV).  Non-TGV services are also possible but takeover an hour.

If you are flying into Nimes:

Nimes: http://www.nimes.cci.fr

There is a bus that goes from theNimes airport to the Nimes SNCF station. The travel time isbetween 15 minutes to 30 minutes (depending on which bus).

The one-way price is 4.50 euros (2007price), approx US$6.50. Buses leave after plane's arrival. The train fromNimes SNCF to Avignon Centre is 30 minutes.

Travelling from Paris:This is also quite straightforward! The TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon takes only2 hours 40 mins.

Arrival: Anytime during the day, rooms may not be available ifyou arrive very early, but you will be able to leave your luggage and explore.

First hotel: In Avignon.

End of Tour:  In Arlesafter breakfast on Day 8. Transfer included to Arles SNCF station by taxi.Train to Marseille St. Charles about every two hours, takes 55mins, thenairport bus to Marseilles Airport. (Train & Bus not included).

Accommodation & Meals

6 continental breakfasts and 4dinners are included. Dinners normally include entree, main course and dessert;occasionally this is a two course meal. Picnic lunches are not included in thetour cost but are available from hotels or can easily be obtained from localshops. We indicate in the route notes where there are suitable restaurants orcafes for lunch stops, or recommend you carry food if there are none convenientto the trail. 

Double occupancy with private facilities:

Night1: in a ** hotel inside Avignon’s fortified centre. Thisis an attractive small town hotel on a quiet boulevard; only 10 minutes walkfrom the town centre, and Palace of The Popes.

Nights2&3: in a ** hotel in the antique heart of Saint Remy deProvence, you will be welcomed to a picturesque and intimate family run hoteloffering guests very comfortable bedrooms with shower or bath, color televisiontelephone with direct outside line. Local specialities are served at dinner inthe garden, as is breakfast. 

Nights4&5: at a small, charming hotel in the heart ofthe Baux de Provence, overlooking the valley below and the Medieval Castleabove. Restaurant with panoramic view, lounge with period fireplace andtraditional Provençal cuisine using local produce: garlic mayonnaise, marinatedpeppers, leg of lamb with garlic pickles.

Night6: in Arles in a very rustic and typically Provencalstructure, our ** hotel is Located a few steps away from the Roman theatre andthe St Trophime cloister. The hotel was, formerly the cloister cleric residenceand was built upon 12th century vaults. You may wake up wondering if you havebeen transported back to a mediaeval World!

Please note that in the case oflate bookings or hotel closure we may use various other hotels, which offer asimilar standard of accommodation and cuisine.

Levelof Difficulty

The walking on this tour ismainly: Easy - some of the days arequite short. Note however that some trails are quite rough and stony. You don’thave to be super fit to do this tour, but you should be able to walk for a fewhours each day. Carry plenty of drinking water and adequate protection againstthe sun, including a sun hat. 

Day stages: 3 –5 hours of easy walking.

Waymarks: The trail follows in the main well-established paths,much of the way being waymarked with local waymarks or the white/red/white GR(Grande Randonnee) paint marks and presents no special difficulties. A compassand the skill to use it can be desirable at one or two points.

Transfer: Taxis andhotel vehicles transfer clients' bags from one hotel to the next on days 4 &6. Clients bring their bags with them days 1 & 2 on the bus.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1:Flight to Marseille. Transfer from airport to railway station to Avignon. Stayinside Avignon’s fortified city for the first night.

Discover the beauty of one of Provence’s greatcities. From the “Palais des Papes” to the “Pont d’Avignon,” a stroll throughhistory. The city was a strategic site in the Rhone valley, owing its origin tothe Doms rock, which made a great defensive site over looking the river. With thearrival of the popes in the 14th Century, the city became a second Rome. It wasenriched by art in the 17th and 18th Centuries and it remained Papal propertyup to the French revolution. Stroll around the shopping streets in thepedestrian area (Joseph Vernet and St Agricol streets), the district of laBalance and along the large Ave de Republic. You will find Provencal materials,ceramics and pottery, terra cotta figurines (santons), handicrafts, and otherspecialities of the region.

You may want to try a cruise on the RiverRhone. There are cruises of various lengths that you can book up. There is a1-hour cruise around Avignon to see the Bridge, the Rocher des Doms, Fort StAndré and Philippe Le Bel tower, in order to look at the bridge and town from thewaters edge. (cruises may not operate early or late in the season). (Dinner notincluded). HotelAvignon.

Day 2: Saint Remy discovery walk(1 hour 30). Transfer from Avignon towards the Alpilles. (by local bus)  On your warm-up walk, discover Saint Rémy deProvence, the adopted home of the Marquis de Sade and Van Gogh. You will walkvia the 1st century BC Greek Glanum and into the surrounding hills. Hotel SaintRémy. (Dinner included) (1½ hours)

Day 3: Walk from Saint Rémy intothe Alpilles hills with great views of the Rhone Valley all the way to theLuberon. Take the time to visit the Saint-Paul de Mausole monastery where VanGogh created 150 paintings in a year. Hotel Saint Rémy. (Dinner included) (5hours)

Day 4: A beautiful day fromSaint Rémy into the Baux valley. You’ll be staying in the heart of the Baux deProvence (10th century AD) at the summit of the Alpilles with views across tothe Camargue. (baux means escarpment in Provençal). A wonderful hilltop townthat belonged to the Grimaldi family until 1790. Today, Prince Albert of Monacoretains the honorary title of  Marquisof Les Baux. Hotel inthe Baux de Provence. (Dinner included) (2 ½ hours).

Day 5: A walk in the BauxValley, to the typical village of Maussane. Enjoy the centre’s cafés, morningmarket and producers of local wonders like the 17th century Cornille mill whereyou can taste one of Provence’s best olive oils or try a tapenade at JeanMartin. Hotel in the Baux de Provence. (Dinner included) (4 hours)

Day 6: Morning walk from lesBaux de Provence to the 12th century Roman Saint Gabriel Chapel. Afterwards, ashort transfer to Arles and your hotel in the heart of the city to discover VanGogh’s second home and the city’s Roman centre! Hotel Arles. (Dinner notincluded) (3 ½ hours)

Day 7:  Depart Arles after breakfast. Transfer included to Arles SNCF,for trains to Marseilles or Nimes. Extra nights are possible  any where along the route!

Extra nights are possible anywherealong the route!