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Day 1. Arrive Marseille and transfer to Avignon, the italianate city of the Popes and our base for the next three nights in a wonderful, centrally located hotel. 4* Hotel d’Europe. Day 2. We leave the town and drive north from where we explore the foothills of the Mont Ventoux. Our walk leads us from the glorious village of Séguret past the wine town of Sablet and on to the magnificent lacy peaks of the Dentelles de Montmirail. We end our walk in Gigondas at the wine-tasting cave. Overnight Avignon. Hrs walking: am 3.30 - pm 2.00 Day 3. This morning we drive into the hill country near the river Gardon. We walk along the river itself before continuing to the famous Pont du Gard and exploring the aqueduct in the afternoon. Overnight Avignon. Hrs walking: am 3.15 - pm 2.30 Day 4. We drive south to the ridge of the Alpilles, scene of many of Van Gogh’s later works, which we walk along past the village of Les Baux to our picnic lunch. In the afternoon we continue along the ridge with superb views in all directions. Return to Avignon by road. Hrs walking: am 3.00 - pm 2.50 Day 5. We drive west to start our walk from the Vaucluse plateau and make our way along a gorge as we follow small paths towards the Cistercian monastery at Sénanque. We continue this afternoon to the town of Gordes and on to the little village of Joucas where we stay in the magnificent 4* hotel Le Phébus, a Relais et Châteaux property whose superlative chef Xavier Mathieu boasts a Michelin star. Hrs walking: am 3.00 - pm 2.40 Day 6. We cross the Lubéron to the south, climbing up from an ancient fortified village to forest of cedars of Lebanon that crown the ridge. Our descent is marked by an endless succession of magnificent panoramas to the south as we slowly make our way off the spurs of rock that drop into the Durance valley below. Return to Joucas by road. Hrs walking: am 2.30 - pm 3.00 Day 7. A drive to the south is followed by a final walk up the great Montagne Saint-Victoire, so often painted by the local artist Cézanne. Our walk leads up to the summit and the Cross of Provence before descending to the village of Vauvernargues where Picasso had his home. Return to Joucas by road. Hrs walking: am 3.00 - pm 3.00 Day 8. Return to Marseille airport for flights home. Avignon - Hotel d'Europe. Four star.
Average hours walked per day: ~5.5 Average miles walked per day: 12 The altitude varies from sea level to over 3300ft. It is not possible to be met by vehicle on days 6 and 7. Maximum number of walkers: 16.
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