Hiking in Provence: Once upon a time lavender
Duration : 5 days
France, Southern Alps, Provence
Level : moderate
from 790 € / p. from 4 to 8 persons
Infos & Booking
Description
Join me and discover lavender and its secrets!
This hiking trip on the theme of lavender will allow you to discover the emblematic panoramas of upper Provence. We will begin by exploring the wild fields of the Albion plateau at the foot of the Mont Ventoux, before moving on to the famous Valensole plateau, at the gateway to the Verdon, and ending up on the majestic Lure mountain range, where you will meet the men and women whose know-how has shaped these exceptional landscapes.
On the program: Lavender fields, visits to distilleries, discovery workshops, local products, etc. The hikes are enhanced by encounters that allow you to "fill your senses".
And if you want to discover my beautiful region in a different way, I suggest you these literature hikes in Provence, these gourmet hikes in the Lubéron and a discovery of the Calanques of Marseille and Cassis.
Program
D1: Arrival in Provence, hike and settle in Banon or Simiane-la-Rotonde.
Meet at 2pm at Avignon TGV station, then transfer directly by minibus to the Lubéron.
Our first hike takes us to one of the many stone villages of the Lubéron. We then continue to the lodge where we will settle in for the next 4 nights.
2 hours of walking, positive difference in altitude: 100 meters.
D2: Albion plateau and Sault country.
With the magnificent Mont Ventoux as a backdrop, you will walk through the lavender fields where you can observe the different varieties and the cultivation.
Visit of a distillery which produces and distills about thirty aromatic and medicinal plants in organic agriculture and for more than 50 years.
From 4 to 5 hours of walking, D+: 250 m.
D3: Discover Lure mountain.
The Lure mountain is a superb citadel overlooking the Durance valley and one of the gateways to the Hautes-Alpes. Mont Ventoux's "little sister", it offers magnificent panoramic views of the Alps and the foothills of Provence.
We will climb to the summit and learn about the history of the people who have boldly frequented this area: shepherds, charcoal burners, peddlers, etc.
At the end of the day, we visited and tasted the products of a beekeeper.
4 hours and a hlaf of wakling, D+ 450m.
D4: Valensole plateau.
With an area of 800km², the Valensole plateau is recognized as one of the largest in France. It is here, among other things, that splendid blue fields of lavender stretch out, undulating between the gold of wheat and barley and the purple of clary sage. A wonder for the senses.
You spend the day discovering the plateau, between typical villages of Provence and rainbow fields.
4 hours of walking, D+: 250 meters.
D5: Visit of Banon and Colorado of Provence.
We are off to discover the Provencal village of Banon, famous for its goat's cheese and Le Bleuet bookshop, the largest of its kind in France.
We meet the people of Banon and one of their beekeepers, and taste their products.
We part company in the afternoon after a final walk to discover the ochres of the Colorado of Provence.
3 hours of walking, D+: 300 meters.
Note: Itineraries may be modified according to weather conditions or participants' physical condition. In the final analysis, I am the only judge of the program, which I can adapt according to the various imperatives that may arise.
The price includes
- Supervision by the mountain leader.
- Transfers on site.
- Lodging in a lodge or B&B, based on twin room.
- Picnics.
- Dinners.
- Luggage transport.
The price does not include
- Return transport to the meeting place.
- Drinks.
- Personal expenses during the visits.
- Visits.
- Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".
Accommodation
- The simple and clean lodges or guest rooms are of standard category and are chosen for their privileged location. You will be accommodated in a double room with private bathroom.
- You will discover the specialties of the country. Breakfasts and dinners are taken on site. Lunch is taken in the form of picnic baskets and consumed on the field (remember to bring your cutlery, individual Tupperware and a cup).