The pale whites of the limestone cliffs, deep black-greens of lone cypress trees, bright yellow sunflowers, carpets of red poppies, silvery olive trees. And all basking under an intense blue Provençal sun. You won’t be the only ones amazed by the quality of light and color of the Alpilles Mountains: Van Gogh spent the last chapter of his life here in Saint Rémy de Provence. Attracted by the beauty of the region, he did some of his most prolific work, including his Starry Night. You’ll be following Van Gogh’s footsteps through the Alpilles mountains, admiring the sites and vistas that haven’t changed a great deal since his stay in 1889.
You’ll begin in the artists’ town of Saint Rémy de Provence, with its beautiful stone architecture, cobbled streets, lively markets, and bustling cafés. You’ll hike to the crest of the Alpilles Mountains, with 360° panoramas atop thyme-laden hills.
Crossing the ridge of the Alpilles – through olive groves and vines – you reach the medieval village of Les Baux de Provence, listed among France’s most beautiful villages. Perched on a rocky outcrop, overlooking the Plains of the Camargue, just a handful of homes nestled under castle ruins.
Day 1: Welcome to Provence
Arrive in the town of Saint Rémy de Provence, birthplace of Nostradamus, and home to Van Gogh centuries later. Settle into your hotel for a two-night stay. Explore the town’s cobbled streets, art shops, cafés, and beautiful stone architecture. You can visit the monastery-turned-asylum where Van Gogh spent a year in 1889, or the ancient Greco-Roman ruins of Glanum.
Day 2: Loop the Alpilles ridge
Distance: 10km
Climbing: +/- 300m
From your hotel, climb above the village of Saint Rémy by foot. Enter a wooded and shaded valley lined with cedar and pine, following a signed botanical path; it leads to the crest of the Alpilles Mountains, where an impressive lookout affords a 360° panorama, including the Mediterranean Sea beyond the vast plains of the Camargue. Finish your loop in Saint Rémy via ancient olive groves and vineyards.
Day 3: Baux-de-Provence Loop
Distance: 12km
Climbing: +250m / -125m
Leave the center of Saint Rémy by foot once again. Atop the crest of the Alpilles Mountains the views are far-reaching. Though small in stature, the jagged limestone mountains stand alone among the plains of the Rhône Valley. Follow the scenic crest with views above the olive groves. Reach the perched medieval village of Les Baux de Provence, its centuries-old stone buildings nestled and camouflaged in the rocky crags. Settle into your hotel for a 2-night stay.
Day 4: Loop: Discovering Maussane-les-Alpilles
Distance: 6 to 14km
Climbing: +/-150m or +/-300m
Two options are available for you today, both exploring the sun-baked southern slopes of the Alpilles Mountains, through vineyards, and olive groves. While the shorter option remains close to your accommodation, the longer option reaches the village of Maussane-les-Alpilles; complete with a sprawling main square with cafés, scenic market, and an olive mill, the village of Maussane is the perfect stop for a lengthy pause.
Day 5: Goodbye Provence
End of holiday after breakfast
Cozy category
- Day 1 & 2: Hotel Gounod 3*
- Day 3 & 4: Hotel le Mas d’Aigret 3*
Comfort category
- Day 1 & 2: Hotel de l’Image 4*
- Day 3 & 4: Hotel Benvengudo 4*
Luxury category
- Day 1 & 2: Hotel de Tourrel 5*
- Day 3 & 4: Oustau de Baumanière 5*
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.)..
