Get your hiking shoes ready: Country Walkers invites you to stroll through the lavender-scented hills on the guided Lavender in Provence walking tour. This relaxed 10-day itinerary, offered in June and July, averages about 4.8 miles a day over easy to moderate terrain. Travelers follow cobblestone lanes in picturesque villages like Gordes, where a honey-colored castle overlooks the Calavon valley, and explore oak-shaded slopes of Mont Ventoux. Highlights include tastings at renowned vineyards, including Châteauneuf-du-Pape, browsing the outdoor market in Vaison-la-Romaine for lavender soaps and regional crafts, a dinner and wine pairing with a master cheesemaker, and an overnight stay at an historic estate once owned by the Marquis de Sade. Prices start at $6,198 per person, based on double occupancy.
If you prefer a quicker pace, VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations runs a 10-day Provence: The Alpilles cycling itinerary that covers 18–45 miles per day at an easy-to-moderate level. This small-group trip accommodates up to 20 participants and includes a custom bicycle and helmet, two bilingual VBT trip leaders, and full van support for any times you’d rather relax and enjoy the views. The route traverses landscapes that inspired Van Gogh and features a visit with a local historian in Saint-Rémy, the medieval Abbaye Saint-Michel de Frigolet, and the storied city of Avignon. Additional experiences include a picnic and wine tasting on a local farm, an evening dinner in the home of a French pastry chef, and a walk across the Pont du Gard, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Rates vary depending on airfare, departure city, and other options, with departures available throughout September and October.
Both options emphasize small-group travel, local experiences and regional cuisine, making them ideal for travelers who want to combine gentle exercise with cultural immersion. Whether you choose to walk through lavender fields and hilltop villages at an unhurried pace or cover more ground by bike while still enjoying hands-on encounters with local winemakers and artisans, Provence delivers scenic routes, historic sites and culinary highlights that showcase the best of southern France.
