Footsteps of Van Gogh Hike, 7 days

In 1888, Van Gogh left Paris for Arles in Provence where, after a 16-hour train journey, he started the most ambitious and productive period of his life. This self-guided walk traces his footsteps through some of the places that he painted and would have known well.

Van Gogh worked under luminescent skies and the bleaching Provencal Sun painting the fields, drawbridges, cypress trees, cafes, local folk and ancient Abbey Ruins. Strolling in Les Alpilles, a small massif standing out as its white peaks rise apparently sheer from the plain of the Rhône valley, its slopes covered in vineyards along with olive and almond trees.

Discover the many images of the Alpilles’ landscapes which Van Gogh painted from St-Rémy to the Baux-de-Provence and onto Arles. We are confident that you will have a better time than Van Gogh did!

The walk is mainly easy – some of the days are short, and most are on gravel forest and mountain roads. Some trails are rough and stony. There is a roller coaster walk along the Alpilles ridge – you can avoid the hardest part of this section if you really want to. You should be able to walk for a few hours each day, with some steep ascents and descents.

Trip duration: 7 days

You need to have a spirit for adventure, independence and self-management on this self-guided trip.

Activity	Hiking, Self-Guided
Country	France
Hiking Grade	Grade 2+ – Beginner Plus
Season	03 – March, 04 – April, 05 – May, 06 – June, 07 – July, 08 – August, 09 – September, 10 – October, 11 – November

Itinerary

Key Highlights
~ Walk through painted provencal landscapes;

~ Interesting hiking in the Alpilles;

~ Stay in beautiful Avignon and Arles;

~ The vineyards and olive groves;

~ Retracing the life and brush strokes of Van Gogh;

~ The cafes and restaurants of Saint Remy de Provence;

~ The perched medieval village of Les Baux de Provence.

Day 1 Arrive Avignon

Explore this medieval bastion of religion and power politics. Find time to visit the Palais des Papes, one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. Once a fortress and palace, the papal residence was the seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century. There is also the famous ‘pont’ in Avignon, sung about by generations of French children. Its narrow design was in order so that no more than one or two riders abreast could cross the River Rhone at a time and could be controlled. The city is also filled with interesting cobbled streets churches, gardens and of course plenty of restaurants.

Meal: nil

Stay: hotel, Avignon

Day 2 Avignon – Saint Remy

Take a walk around Avignon covered market in the morning (except Mondays). Transfer with your luggage from Avignon towards the Alpilles to Saint Remy.

On your warm-up walk, discover Saint Rémy de Provence, the adopted home of the Marquis de Sade and Van Gogh. You may visit the Greco-Roman site of Glanum (closed Mondays).

Set only a stone’s throw from the old city gates of Saint Rémy de Provence, the accommodation for 2 nights is hidden in a quiet courtyard, and whose old buildings surround a swimming pool. A simple and very comfortable hotel within a short walk of Saint Rémy’s monuments and quiet landscapes immortalized by Van Gogh.

Meal: Breakfast

Stay: hotel, St Remy

Hiking Duration: 1.5 hours approx.

Day 3 Saint Remy Circular Walk

St Remy de Provence market is opened on Wednesdays & Saturdays.

Walk from St. Remy into the Alpilles, with great views of the Rhone Valley all the way to the Luberon. This is the hardest walk of the tour with some steep, stoney sections but the views are terrific! Walk up to a mountain cliff wall with weathered holes for a different view of Provence. The day can be made easier and a couple of hours saved, by missing out the circular ridge section of the walk. Take the time to visit the Saint-Paul de Mausole monastery where Van Gogh created 150 paintings in a year.

Meal: Breakfast

Stay: hotel, St Remy

Hiking Distance: 10 KM OR 18 KM approx. Hiking Duration: 3 hours OR 6 hours approx.

Accumulated Elevation: +250 M / -250 M OR +550 M / -550 M

Day 4 Saint Remy – Maussane

St Remy de Provence market is opened on Wednesdays & Saturdays.

Back to the ridge of the mountain, follow a track through the brush among thyme and citrus flowers with open views of the mountains to the north and the flat lands to the south. Descend a winding track through a forestry path and reach the village of Maussane through the olive groves.

Stay in Maussane for 2 nights in a family run hotel with great character in the heart of Maussane (with swimming pool).

Meal: Breakfast

Stay: hotel, Maussane

Hiking Distance: 13 KM approx. Hiking Duration: 4 hours approx.

Accumulated Elevation: +270 M / -290 M

Day 5 Maussane – Les Baux de Provence – Maussane

Maussane market is opened on Thursdays.

From Maussane, stroll through the golf course and then via a hidden path, climb up to the Medieval village of Les Baux de Provence. Exiting the village from its medieval gate, descend back into the plains, and via canals and olive groves you return to Maussane.

Meal: Breakfast

Stay: hotel, Maussane

Hiking Distance: 11.5 KM approx. Hiking Duration: 4.5 hours approx.

Accumulated Elevation: +250 M / -250 M

Day 6 Maussane / Les Baux de Provence – Chapelle Saint Gabriel – Arles

Morning transfer to Les Baux de Provence to the start of your walk. After climbing to the rounded summit above the village, it’s an undulating stroll along the ridge. Walk along the entire western edge of the mountain, and until its very end, as it descends into the plains, to the Romanesque St. Gabriel chapel. Transfer to Arles.

Stay in a beautifully restored house with an inner courtyard and a swimming pool.

Meal: Breakfast

Stay: hotel, Arles

Hiking Distance: 16 KM approx. Hiking Duration: 5.5 hours approx.

Accumulated Elevation: +100 M / -350 M

Day 7 Depart Arles

Simply rest and relax until it’s time for your onward journey or check out (1100 hours) and the tour concludes.

Arles market is opened on Wednesdays & Saturdays.

Meal: Breakfast

Inclusions

~ 6 nights accommodation;

~ 6 Breakfasts;

~ luggage transfer where necessary, 1 piece per person not exceeding 20 KG;

~ transfers on day 2 from Avignon to St Remy and on day 6, Maussane to Les Baux & St Gabriel’s Chapel to Arles;

~ digital information pack including route notes & maps;

~ emergency service hotline.

Exclusions

~ air/rail travel to Arles, France;

~ visa arrangement, if required;

~ comprehensive personal travel insurance;

~ expenditure of personal effects;

~ meals not mentioned in the itinerary;

~ anything not specified in the itinerary and inclusion.

Important Notes

~ Non – refundable deposit, 30% of total tour price is required at the time of booking.

~ Full or balance payment is 60 days prior to departure.

~ This self-guided trip is good for 1 hiker to go.

~ Should you require a visa to enter France, it is your responsibility to obtain such a document before departure.

~ Our utmost priority is always the safety of the hikers. Therefore inclusion of the itinerary may be altered due (not limited) to bad weather, local conditions, accommodation book out, the skill levels of the hikers and/or other unexpected circumstances beyond our control. We reserve the right to make changes necessary and there will be no refund should you decide to discontinue with the trip.

~ Because hiking requires a certain level of cardio and stamina exertion, it may not be suitable for participants with chronic and/or acute disease. Please consider your physical condition before booking. Hikers must ensure they are medically and physically able to hike/walk.

~ Trip grading is an indication on the difficulty of the activities included. Preparation and engaging in regular exercise to maintain good physical condition and active lifestyle prior to the trip will be most beneficial in ensuring you have full enjoyment of the trip. We are glad to discuss your concerns and answer your queries.

~ All hikers are strongly encouraged to be appropriately dressed in the right footwear (covered hiking shoes) and attire suitable for hiking.

~ Every effort is made to ensure the trip and included experiences take place during the ideal time or period of the year, however certain sights are subject to weather conditions and seasonal variations that are not within the control of Travel Wander. Although you may get to see and/or experience, we cannot guarantee the sightings.

~ Provision of meals during the trip showcases local authenticity, cuisine and food culture of the places we are visiting. All food allergies and dietary restrictions must be disclosed to Travel Wander at the time of booking. We will use reasonable efforts to accommodate special requirements or requests but this is not always possible given the nature of the destinations visited and availability of options. We cannot guarantee that dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated. Travel Wander is not liable for failure to accommodate or fulfil such requests. Meal supplementary charges may be imposed to meet your dietary needs.

~ If hiker presents difficulty in completing the hike of the day, we strongly discourage the hiker from continuing for the day with top priority on the safety of the hiker (and travel companions) in mind. The hiker can fast track to the next accommodation making use of public transportation (where available) or booking private transfer at hiker’s own expense. Hikers can use mobile applications such as Google Search, Google Map, etc. to source for fast-track options.

~ Hiker may choose to terminate the hike early during any time of the planned hiking day or make it a rest day, and fast track to the next accommodation by making use of public transportation (where available) or booking private transfer at hiker’s own expense. Should the hiker wish to partake in other activities or sightseeing on the rest day, it will be at the hiker’s own expense. Hikers can use mobile applications such as Google Search, Google Map, etc. to source for fast-track options.

~ There is no refund for uncompleted hiking distances or missed inclusions.

~ Purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See HERE for details.

~ By making a payment to Travel Wander LLP, you (and on behalf of the rest of travelling companions) acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to Travel Wander’s Booking Conditions and Other Important Information: Cancellation and Amendment, Modes of Payment, Privacy Policy, Indemnity Policy, and Terms & Conditions.

Footsteps of Van Gogh Hike, 7 days