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Provence Inn-to-Inn: Self-guided 2009

Gorges of Verdon and Luberon
Inn-to-Inn

The Trip

While hiking Provence at 3 miles an hour, you will become part of the rich and varied scenery that is Provence: eucalyptus trees, cypress, deciduous and pine forests, lavender fields, rocky limestone cliffs, Roman roads, vineyards, ancient cliffside villages. Starting in the high Alps of Provence, you will follow the GR 4 (Grande Randonnee 4) from Annot to Castellane through the Grand Canyon du Verdon across the Durance River and into the Regional Parc of the Luberon. North of the Luberon, you will continue your hike on the GR 6 and GR 97 punctuated with charming villages perchés (perched villages) and end your journey in Roussillon and Gordes.

In 12 days, you will have the opportunity to experience the diversity of Provence. In the Verdon Region, the scenery is that of 1,500' limestone cliffs, high jagged mountains and the deep Verdon River gorge. From Moustiers to Cereste, you will hike out of the Alps and cross the open plateau of the Valensole with its lavender fields, cherry orchards, vineyards and poppy fields. Hiking up along the high ridge of the Grand Luberon, offering great views of the entire area, you will descend down into the once fortified village of Saignon, where you will spend two days. From Saignon you can explore “classic Provence” with hikes to the “villages perches” of Roussillon and Gordes.

If you have hiked in the high Alps and like the thought of hiking Inn-to-Inn in Provence, we think you will really enjoy this hike. The small hotels, great food, remarkable hiking and scenery combine to make this hike “a must do.” We have endeavored to select a route that has the best of both classic Provence as well as the smaller, less well-known villages. This is a great and varied trip.

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Itinerary

This itinerary is only one of many possibilities. Please contact us for other options.

Day 1: Individual transfer from Nice by train to the small picturesque village of Annot. This scenic train trip takes about 2 hours. If you arrive early in the afternoon there is a short stunning hike called the Chambre du Roi.

Day 2: From Annot you will hike to the village of St. Andre les Alpes. The pleasant village square and old town are fun to explore.

Day 3: From St. Andre you will hike to Castellane. This trail follows the narrow route high above the western side of the Lac de Castillon. Part of this hike will be on jeep roads, through forests and on high overlooks. The village of Castellane is characterized by a huge, hovering rock outcropping that looks as though it’s guarding the village. Castellane has been inhabited since before Roman times. Evidence of these early settlers is still visible.

Day 4: Departing Castellane, you hike through what some guidebooks refer to as “the most dramatic and natural scenery in all of France.” The scenery is impressive. The limestone and rock outcroppings rise up in pinnacles while the Verdon River flows below. We end our day with a descent to the town of Rougon, with its red-roofed houses perched along the hillsides, is situated right on the edge of the Gorges of Verdon.

Day 5: Today’s leads down into the spectacular Gorges du Verdon, through tunnels, up ladders and along the river. This is a dramatic, stunning hike.

Day 6: The hike from La Palud to Moustiers St. Marie takes you through the Forest of Gorges du Verdon and the Forest of Montdenier with the trail frequently opening up to afford great views of the huge dammed lake of Lac de Sainte Croix. The GR 4 leads up to the Col de l’sAnes (donkey pass) and to the high point of the day Signal de l’sOurbes. The final descent leads off the high rocky plateau of the Gorges du Verdon and to the village of Moustiers St. Marie.

Day 7: Free day. You will enjoy browsing through this wonderful village.

Day 8: A shorter hiking day leads from Moustiers to Riez. This will allow time for browsing around both these interesting villages. On today’s hike, the landscape changes dramatically as we descend from the mountains and begin to hike across open plains. With the mountains serving as a backdrop, your trail leads you by oak forests, encouraging the growth of truffles, as well as through lavender and poppy fields.

If you are short on time it is possible to spend your last night in Riez and depart for Aix-en-Provence the next morning.

Day 9: From your hotel you will transfer by private van across the Durance River to the small town of Montfuron. you continue on foot into the Luberon Park and to the Roman village of Cereste, where you spend the night. The route today leads through vineyards, hilltowns and hardwood forests.

Day 10: From Cereste you head into the heart of the Luberon. Though not a high Alp, the hiking is rewarding and a bit demanding as you gain steady elevation from Cereste, cross the Grand Luberon ridgeline and finally reach the top of Mourre Negre at 3,712'. All along the ridgeline, you have 360 degree views. You then descend to the quiet perché village of Saignon.

Day 11: After breakfast you will transfer to Gordes and enjoy the historic village before hiking to Roussillon.

In Gordes the narrow alleys, vaulted arcades and town squares have been restored beautifully. Roussillon is a perfectly picturesque village, with its buildings and houses painted in nearly all the different hues of the ochre that was once mined in the area, pale yellows, oranges to deep reds and everything in between.

Day 12: Depart by van to the TGV train station in Aix-en-Provence.

This hike has several options regarding starting and ending points. Please call us with your travel questions.

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Additional Information

Included: This may vary depending on final itinerary.

2 hours of general consulting regarding hiking dates and abilities, travel information, maps covering the route, detailed trail notes. We make and prepay all overnight accommodations, breakfasts and all dinners. We make and pre pay all private taxi transfers as detailed in the final itinerary; transfer to the TGV train station in Aix en Provence from Saignon, great hiking and memories!

Not Included:

Airfare, travel to starting point in Annot, luggage transfer, lunches, optional transfers or excursions, items not on set dinner menu, beverages, insurance, tips to taxi drivers, items of personal nature.

Luggage:

This hike does not include luggage transfer. Luggage transfer costs for one transfer from the start of the hike in Annot to to the end of the hike in Saignon: from $450 total cost to be divided among the “group”.

If you would like luggage transferred each day please allow from $650 total cost to be divided amount the "group". Please contact us for more information about luggage.

Accommodations:

The hotels on this route are very comfortable though not fancy. Most are pleasant 2-star hotels. All have private bathrooms. Two overnight stops have swimming pools. Breakfast and dinners are served at the hotel. Lunches will be picnic style along the trail.

Travel:

It is easiest to fly into Nice and from Marseilles.

For a more detailed itinerary or to register please call.