Get your hiking shoes ready: Country Walkers invites you to wander through fragrant lavender fields on its guided Lavender in Provence walking tour. This relaxed 10-day journey, offered in June and July, averages about 4.8 miles a day over easy-to-moderate terrain. The route takes you along the cobbled lanes of Gordes, where you’ll see honey-colored stone houses and a castle overlooking the Calavon valley, and through oak-shaded slopes on the hills of Mont Ventoux.
Highlights include wine tastings at regional vineyards, including Châteauneuf-du-Pape, browsing the outdoor market in Vaison-la-Romaine where you can shop for lavender soaps and local crafts, and a special dinner with wine pairings hosted by a master cheesemaker. Accommodations feature distinctive properties, such as an overnight stay at an estate once owned by the Marquis de Sade. Prices start at $6,198 per person based on double occupancy.
If you prefer a faster pace, VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations offers a 10-day Provence: The Alpilles cycling adventure. This active trip covers 18–45 miles per day at an easy-to-moderate pace and is limited to small groups for a more personal experience. The package includes a custom bicycle and helmet, two bilingual VBT trip leaders, and full van support for times when you’d rather ride in comfort.
The cycling route passes through landscapes that inspired Van Gogh, includes a meeting with a local historian in Saint-Rémy, and visits sites such as the medieval Abbaye St. Michel de Frigolet and the ancient city of Avignon. Along the way you’ll enjoy a picnic and wine tasting at a local farm, a dinner hosted in the home of a French pastry chef, and a walk across the Pont du Gard, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Rates vary based on airfare, departure city, and other trip details, with departures available in September and October.
