Pictures of Provence
To see more pictures of
our tour in Provence visit: www.roberthinchliffe.com
Robert took this Sherpa Holiday in August 2001, and you can see
some of his fantastic photographs on his website.
WALKING IN HAUTE PROVENCE
Southern Alps to Classic Provence
Much of this excellent route follows fairly closely the GR4, a long
distance trail, which crosses France from the Cote d’Azur to the
Atlantic. As we walk from the rugged Alpine terrain around the Grand
Canyon du Verdon to the more open cultivated landscape of the Plateau de
Valensole, we are following the steps of the ancient Roman legionaries,
who marched this way between the Alpine passes on the frontier with Italy
and the opulent centres of Lower Provence.
From the pretty town of St. Andre, traverse the hills high above the
Lac de Castillon and spend a night in Castellane, a remote town with
echoes of Napoleon’s march on Paris, as well as battles between
maquisards and retreating German occupiers in 1944. A full day is spent
traversing the best section of the Grand Canyon du Verdon - France’s
most spectacular gorge, with 1500 feet high cliffs towering above the
river. We explore the alleyways of the historic ceramic town of Moustiers,
where our hotel, indeed the whole town, is built on the edge of a ravine
with waterfalls. Beyond Moustiers, the scenery abruptly changes; you are
suddenly out of the Alps. Across the Plateau de Valensole, you walk
through fields of lavender and cereals with truffle oak plantations. We
then walk through the historic town of Riez, with its ancient
fortifications and Roman columns and wander onto an attractive country
chateau. The next morning you are transferred to Manosque railway station
(the train cost is not included) to travel to the beautiful old market
town of Aix en Provence for your final night, Aix is famous for its flower
market, its fountains and The Cezanne Museum. You can also take a stroll
down the wonderful Cours Mirabeau past cafes and restaurants. Everywhere
along the tour you will be amazed at the contrast between the narrow
streets and tall, densely clustered houses of the Provencal villages and
the virtually uninhabited landscape. This is an ideal tour from spring
through to autumn but if you opt to travel in the height of summer it can
be very hot.
7
nights/8 days - Our Provencal tour includes some fine
country hotels with an ambiance en famille! This starts in St.
Andre at our quiet logis on the edge of town with rich panoramas
of the Verdon Valley and surrounding massifs. Our 2* hotel in Castellane
is on the central square. At Point Sublime our rather quaint
hotel occupies a terrace overlooking the chasmic jaws of the Verdon
Gorge. In the centre of ancient La Palud we stay in a
friendly modern 2* hotel boasting a fine restaurant. In the lively
little town of Moustiers, our sensitively modernised hotel
overlooks a series of waterfalls underneath the towering limestone
cliffs. Near the lavender capital of Riez you will stay in a
rustic old chateau. Our final night in Aix en Provence is
spent in a centrally located, modern town hotel.
All
hotels are 2* except at Point Sublime where a gite is used.
Note:
Luggage transfers throughout except on the stage between Riez
and Aix en Provence when you take your luggage with you on
the train.
Sherpa Notes
Waymarking
The trail follows well established paths, most of which are well
waymarked with the white and red GR symbols and easy to follow.
Accommodation
and Meals Dinner, bed and breakfast 5 nights, bed and breakfast 2 nights,
in country inns and small hotels.
Arrival
Airport bus to Nice railway station and then by train to St Andre,
tickets can only be purchased locally.
End
of Tour
On your return journey take the bus or train from Aix en Provence to
Nice.
