This weeklong hiking adventure explores some of our favorite Provençal landscapes, from the Dentelles de Montmirail to the grandiose Mont Ventoux.
Begin in the town of Vaison la Romaine, home to France’s most expansive set of Roman ruins. You’ll spend two nights there, admiring its ruins, its medieval hilltop village, and sprawling main square with cafés and shops. Behind the hills of Vaison the paths lead you to the lost medieval village of Le Crestet.
After two nights you leave Vaison behind, heading southbound, passing the village of Séguret, listed among the most beautiful villages of France. You’ll reach Gigondas – your second base – known worldwide for its vineyards, tucked under a set of tall limestone pinnacles: the Dentelles de Montmirail. And within these mountains you’ll find a veritable playground of hiking paths, taking you high above the plains, and through nonstop postcard-worthy scenes, with expansive views above the Rhône Valley. One (or a few) of Gigondas’ wine estates will be glad to host you for a tasting along the way…
And last but not least you head to Mont Ventoux, where you can hike anywhere from its Mediterranean foothills to its Alpine slopes. And even up to its barren summit, where one of the world’s best panoramas awaits.
Stay in cozy and small hotels along the way, and enjoy some of the region’s famed Provençal cuisine.
Day 1: Welcome to Vaison-La-Romaine
Arrive in the town of Vaison la Romaine, and settle in for a two-night stay. Explore the grandiose set of Roman ruins, tucked behind the cafés and shops of the “new” town. Enjoy the sprawling market stalls on Tuesday mornings. Admire the Roman bridge that spans over the Ouvèze River. Climb through the labyrinth of cobbled streets of the medieval village, where time stands still, and up to the castle ruins, perched dizzyingly above the plains.
Day 2: Le Crestet loop
Distance: 10km
Climbing: +/- 300m
Behind the town of Vaison, the last of the houses give way to ancient paths, carpeted with thyme and rosemary, heading into the hills. This warm-up walk takes you to the perched medieval village of Le Crestet, with just a handful of cobbled streets and ancient homes. A panoramic café adorns the top of the village, with a close-up view of Mont Ventoux. Loop back to Vaison on a leisurely farming track, and spend your 2nd night in town.
Day 3: From Vaison-la-Romaine to Gigondas
Distance: 16km
Climbing: +300m/-150m
Hike on wooded paths above the Rhône Valley and its vineyards, stretching into the horizon. You reach Séguret, listed among the most beautiful villages in France: just a few cobbled streets framed by imposing stone gates, forgotten in time. Climb to the castle ruins above the village. You can enjoy a café or lunch in Séguret before continuing along the paths, reaching the wine-making village of Gigondas by foot. Check into your accommodation for a 2-night stay.
Day 4: Dentelles de Montmirail loop
Distance: 6 to 14km
Climbing: +/- 150m to +/-400m
Climb above your hotel to reach a scenic pass, nestled directly under the soaring cliffs of the Dentelles de Montmirail. A veritable playground of hiking paths crisscross the imposing rock formations, and we’ve picked a few of our favorite options for you to choose from. While the easiest of the options remains along the farming tracks between the famed vines of Gigondas, the more adventurous hikes head to the crests, where jaw-dropping views of the Rhône Valley await.
Day 5: From Gigondas to Bédoin
Distance: 14km
Climbing: +550m/-450m
A short private transfer of 20 minutes will take you to the quaint village of Malaucène, set at the western foot of Mont Ventoux. Above a 12th century chapel, you climb through the forest of oak and then cedar trees, in the heart of Ventoux’s wilderness. Enter a scenic canyon to reach the southern slopes of the mountain, hovering high above the cherry and truffle oak plantations. Follow the scenic path eastward to the tiny hamlet of Sainte Colombe, where the awe-inspiring summit of Mont Ventoux looms above. Check into your cozy hotel for a two-night stay.
Day 6: Loop, on the slopes of Mont Ventoux
Distance: 9 to 20km
Climbing: up to +1000m
Several options are available for today’s loop walk from your hotel. The easiest remains in the foothills, in between paths and farming tracks, through the vineyards, cherry orchards, and truffle oak plantations. You can also choose to climb into the heart of Ventoux’s forests, and up to remote shepherds’ huts set high up on the slopes, with far-reaching views of the Rhône Valley. Or tackle the very summit of Mont Ventoux, its famed moonscape carpeted with Alpine and even arctic flowers, with views extending across the chain of the Alps to the north-east… and to the Mediterranean in the south.
Cozy category
- Days 1 & 2: Hotel Le Beffroi 3*
- Days 3 & 4: Hotel Les Florets 3*
- Days 5 & 6: Hotel la Garance 2*
What is included in the price of your stay
- Nights and breakfasts in your hotel(s) for the duration of your stay.
- Transfer of your luggage between hotels.
- Welcome and end-of-stay briefing.
- Concierge service for advice and reservations for restaurants or activities.
- Your routes loaded onto a GPS application.
- Assistance in case of problems 24/7.
What is not included in the price of your stay
- Transfer to reach the starting point of your stay.
- Transfer at the end of your stay.
- Lunches and dinners.
- Activities during your stay (wine tasting, visit to a wine estate, etc.)..
