At a Glance
An adventure that feeds your fascination with every landscape, scenery, and activity; experience southern France in all its beauty. Witness the melodies of the cicadas, jagged sage-decorated cliffs, pristine waters, and glamorous beaches. Taste luscious dishes and wines and learn the ways of the French on this 6-day walking adventure from Provence to the French Riviera.
Kick off your exhilarating trip in the spellbinding Aix-en-Provence. Traverse old shepherds' paths through the jagged hills and soak in views over a peaceful reservoir. Admire the striking massif of Mont Sainte-Victoire, which the likes of Cézanne and Picasso have painted. The gorgeous town of Cassis gives you a magnificent welcome to the coast with its unique calanques and tapered coves where crystalline water swishes at the cliffs. Observe the calanques up close on ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- All meals as specified
- 5 nights of accommodation in luxury hotels on a twin-share basis
- Private guided tours; an average of 6:1 guest-to-leader ratio.
- Van shuttles to support various route options.
- All luggage transfer and porterage
- Park and other entry fees
- Comprehensive travel planner with detailed pre-trip information.
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Itinerary
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TWO HIKING OPTIONS: On the first day of the trip, meet your tour leaders at 10 a.m. at the Aix-en-Provence central train station (Gare d'Aix-en-Provence) in Aix-en-Provence, France. Note: This is different from the Aix TGV train station, so if you arrive in Aix via TGV, you'll need to take a 15-minute taxi ride to the train station in the city centre. Please, ensure you come dressed in your hiking clothes and bring your luggage and a daypack containing your rain gear and anything else you may want for the day's hike (your luggage will be transported to our first night's accommodations). After meeting, we head to Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon, a small village near the Sainte-Victoire mountain range, for our first hike. Make tracks through the dense green pine forests and rocky outcrops before we eat lunch at Maison Sainte Victoire. We dine with magnificent views of the mountain made popular by artist Paul Cezanne who painted it more than 36 times. Savour your first French meal and head back out to look at this special place. Pass the balconies where Cezanne spent several hours painting. Following that, descend through the evergreen forest en route to the Bimont Barrage, a vaulted dam architect Joseph Rigaud constructed in the mid-19th century. |
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From here, we return to Aix-en-Provence and Villa Gallici, a Relais & Chateaux member and our home for tonight. This gorgeous Italian-style hotel balances on the hilly northern part of the city, just five minutes from its centre. Settle in your sophisticated room, stroll through the Florentine Garden, relax on the sunny terrace, take a refreshing dip in the pool or switch to vacation mode at the spa (spa at own expense). We convene for a festive dinner at the hotel featuring refined cuisine that seamlessly mixes luxury and tradition in an elegant and rustic atmosphere. Tonight, we toast an exciting week ahead with some of the restaurant's decadent vintage wines. |
Villa Gallici, Aix-en-Provence (5*)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
TWO HIKING OPTIONS: We start the day with a delicious breakfast before moving closer to the sea. Our walk begins at the Regional Natural Park of Sainte Baume, a charming ancient forest decorated with majestic trees, gushing brooks, and dappled sunlit paths. Our rustic footpath, shaded by massive pines, passes a quarry and a small chapel. Witness the various hues of the rich landscape as you reach the top of your hike and soak in panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. The trail brings us to our lunch spot at a local honey producer, where we relish a sweet rest as we test some of the honey varieties along with our French lunch. Then, we bid goodbye to the mountain as we shuttle to the striking landscape of Cap (Cape) Canaille. Stretch your legs on a lovely loop walk that introduces us to the jagged pine-covered headlands typical of this coast, expansive views of the town of Cassis in the distance, and, of course, a thousand shades of Mediterranean blue. |
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Retire to our home for the next two nights, Les Roches Blanches, meaning the "White Rock Hotel," which is a reference to the limestone cliffs of the Mediterranean coast. It sits above the sea and offers stunning panoramas across the port to the Calanques. Dinner tonight is on your own at any of the sublime restaurants in Cassis. Surely, you'll enjoy your first taste of French seafood accompanied by the sound of the waves. |
Les Roches Blanches, Cassis (5*)Breakfast, Lunch |
THREE HIKING OPTIONS: Today, we traverse this stretch of coastline's claim to geologic fame: the Calanques, rocky coves projecting inland from the open sea where cliffs encompass narrow lagoons of azure water. We get an early start on the trail to beat the heat, as there are plenty more ups and downs today. The arid landscape is brilliant in the sub as we hike through a world of scented pines, sun-heated stones, and occasional whiffs of salty sea breeze. On the way, we hop from calanque to jewel-like calanque, savouring an ever-changing viewpoint on the hidden coves from above. In the afternoon, we make our way to the old port of nearby Cassis, whose beauty was immortalised by Provencal poet Frederic Mistral when he wrote: "Who has seen Paris but not Cassis has seen nothing." Here we board a private charter boat to experience the Calanques from another viewpoint. We get up close and personal from the sea level with these hidden coastline treasures. You'll get the chance to dip into the dazzling waters of the Mediterranean directly from our boat as we spend the afternoon touring the area. At the hotel, we enjoy a sumptuous dinner prepared with fresh ingredients from the area and accompanied by Cassidian rose. However, dinner only comes after we play petanque, a traditional French game similar to bocce ball. It will test your hand-eye coordination and your throwing arm. |
Les Roches Blanches, Cassis (5*)Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
THREE HIKING OPTIONS: Today's adventure begins with us heading east into the heart of the Cote d'Azur. Our hike starts in the village of Gassin, one of France's Plus Beaux (Most Beautiful) Villages. Take your time to explore the town's cobblestone streets and postcard-perfect main square, complete with a bell tower and expansive bougainvillaea. Alleyways adorned with flowers deliver us to views of vineyards sloping gracefully down to secret coves and sandy Mediterranean beaches. Set out from town on a scenic trail overlooking the Maures and Esterel massifs and the gorgeous forested landscape with extensive sea views. We make our way, passing pine, mimosa oak trees, and belle epoque villas to Ramatuelle, a picturesque mediaeval village perched overlooking the Mediterranean; the perfect spot to enjoy lunch on your own. |
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Keep hiking to Althoff Hotel Villa Belrose, a 5-star luxury hotel balanced on one of the hills of Gassin, and our elegant home for the next two nights. Settle into your room, check out the spa, or lounge on the terrace to drink in views extending from the Mediterranean and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez to the snowy sunset-lit summits of the Alps in the distance. This evening, we're welcomed into a cosy family-owned Tropezien restaurant for a sumptuous dinner. Bon appetit! |
Althoff Hôtel Villa Belrose, Gassin (5*)Breakfast, Dinner |
TWO HIKING OPTIONS: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we board a shuttle to today's trail, a coastal route overlooking the brilliant blue palette of the Mediterranean Sea. As you climb, notice the rocky outcroppings that protrude dramatically into the water. These caps (capes) house dozens of species of birds and flora; treading the isthmus gives us a breathtaking view of the colourful landscape and coastline. It may be hard to resist after a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear blue water–jump in! After lunch, get on a private boat that takes you back to Saint-Tropez or spend the rest of the afternoon poolside at the hotel. You can also visit the spa to relax your hiking muscles. When you're ready, head into the legendary Saint-Tropez. Encounter restful cafes and old-timers playing petanque in the streets, holding glasses of pastis, juxtaposed against a stunning backdrop of chic jet-setters, high-end shops, and a display of luxury yachts in the harbour. |
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We come together tonight to relish an enchanting farewell dinner at Villa Belrose, where a panoramic view of the sun setting over the sea accompanies our toast to a week of joie de vivre. /p> |
Althoff Hôtel Villa Belrose, Gassin (5*)Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Level 1, Approx 3 km (2 miles), Elevation gain: 30 m (100 ft) If you don't want the adventure to end without a final tour of Saint-Tropez, eat breakfast and head out on a guided tour of the city. Get to learn more about its old harbour and secret streets, among other fascinating things about Saint-Tropez. Once a military stronghold and fishing village, Saint-Tropez became an internationally renowned seaside destination after WWII. This is partly owed to French artists like Brigitte Bardot, who shot multiple movies on its cobblestone streets. There is time to freshen up in the hotel and bid farewell before the shuttle leaves for Nice, where our trip ends. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
NoneBreakfast, LunchDates & Prices
Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. Single Supplement is available on request.
More Info
- The departure point is Aix-en-Provence
- The finish point is Nice
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Aix-en-Provence. The nearest major airport is Marseille Provence Airport which has international and domestic flights and is 27 km from the center of Aix-en-Provence. Another major airport is Avignon Caumont Airport which has domestic flights from Avignon and is 71 km from Aix-en-Provence. Alternatively, we suggest flying into Paris and traveling to Aix by train.
- From Charles de Gaulle Airport: It is possible to take the TGV (train à grande vitesse or high-speed train) from the airport to Aix-en-Provence. There are several daily departures to the Aix central station; the trip takes 3½– 4½ hours, depending on the train. (Note that you will need to switch trains in Marseille or at the Aix-en-Provence TGV station.)
- From central Paris: Catch one of the regularly scheduled TGV departures from Paris' Lyon station (Gare de Lyon). Travel time is about 3–4 hours and myou may need to switch trains in Marseille or at the Aixen-Provence TGV station.
-From Nice: Regularly scheduled departures are available from the Nice city station to the Aix-en-Provence central station. Travel time is around 3 hours and you may need to switch trains in Marseille.
- From Marseille: Shuttle buses are available every 30 minutes from the Marseille airport to central Aix, from 5:35 a.m. to 12:35 a.m. It is a 30-minute trip.
The Côte d'Azur is known for its sunny and relatively mild climate. However, July and August are usually quite hot, and humidity is often high in June and September. Rain is possible year-round—don't forget to bring waterproof, breathable rain gear.
The routes on this trip are rated Levels 2-4.
Level 1, 2-5 hours, 3-8km (2-5 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 244m (800 ft)
Level 2, 2-4 hours, 6-11km (4-7 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 396m (1300 ft)
Level 3, 3-5 hours, 8-14km (5-9 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 610m (2000 ft)
Level 4, 4-6 hours, 10-18km(6-11 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 914m (3000 ft)
Level 5, 5-7 hours, 11-21+ km (7-13+ miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 1219m (4000+ ft)
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 120 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 120 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 120 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 120 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a tour with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the tour has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any tour up to 60 days prior to departure if the minimum number requirement is unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the tour or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
In the genuine spirit of expedition travel, we encourage exploration and adventure offering flexibility in challenging environments. This itinerary is only a guide and is subject to change due to weather, sea and other conditions beyond our control.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
