Walking Tours in france

Much of this excellent route follows fairly closely the GR4, a long distance trail which crosses France from the Cote d'Azur to the Atlantic. As we walk from the rugged Alpine terrain around the Grand Canyon du Verdon to the more open cultivated landscape of the Plateau de Valensole, we are following the steps of the ancient Roman legionaries, who marched this way between the Alpine passes on the frontier with Italy and the opulent centres of Lower Provence.

From the pretty town of St. Andre, traverse the hills high above the Lac de Castillon and spend a night in Castellane, a remote town with echoes of Napoleon’s march on Paris, as well as battles between maquisards and retreating German occupiers in 1944. A full day is spent traversing the best section of the Grand Canyon du Verdon - France’s most spectacular gorge, with 1500 feet high cliffs towering above the river. We explore the alleyways of the historic ceramic town of Moustiers, where our hotel, indeed the whole town, is built on the edge of a ravine with waterfalls. Beyond Moustiers, the scenery abruptly changes; you are suddenly out of the Alps. Across the Plateau de Valensole, you walk through fields of lavender and cereals with truffle oak plantations. We then walk through the historic town of Riez, with its ancient fortifications and Roman columns and wander onto an attractive country chateau. The next morning you are transferred to Manosque railway station (the train cost is not included) to travel to the beautiful old market town of Aix en Provence for your final night, Aix is famous for its flower market, its fountains and The Cezanne Museum. You can also take a stroll down the wonderful Cours Mirabeau past cafes and restaurants. Everywhere along the tour you will be amazed at the contrast between the narrow streets and tall, densely clustered houses of the Provencal villages and the virtually uninhabited landscape. This is an ideal tour from spring through to autumn but if you opt to travel in the height of summer it can be very hot.