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A Week in Provence
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A Group tour of the Luberon, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence |
Ref: EX-DFW
8 days
from £629 (minimum 1 passengers)
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Destination:
France
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Highlights: Rural farmhouse accommodation - Avignon - Aix-en-Provence - Guided tour for 7 days
In the south of France, basking in the favourable sunny climate of Provence is historic Forcalquier, nestling between the crest of the Lure and the gentle forested slopes of the Luberon. Located by an ancient spring and on a major Roman thoroughfare, this pretty town flourished in the Middle Ages, setting the character for what we see today. There are many fascinating things to see in the town and Monday is market day where the display of local goods and produce provides a real flavour of traditional Provence. Forcalquier is within easy reach of the great cities of Aix-en Provence and Avignon, both of which we visit during the week. In Avignon the Palais des Papes and the famed bridge are the obvious sights. Aix, once a Roman Spa, is now a stylish academic centre of elegant avenues and squares with plenty to explore. Other days are spent in and around Forcalquier and the surrounding countryside. Little-visited villages, fromageries, vineyards and wide tracts of pristine landscapes let us discover the real Provence .
Optional activities and excursions:
You can arrange to go to one of the wineries for which the region is famous, or perhaps take your self off on one of the many circular walks from town. If you wish to take a different mode of transport you can explore more of the surrounding countryside on a hired bike.
Trip Profile:
Is this trip for you? Expect some early mornings to make the best of our sightseeing days. Rural location some ten to fifteen minutes walk into town for shops and restaurants. Walking on paths, tracks and quiet country roads for 2 to 5 hours across undulating landscapes.
Group & Staff:
min. 8, max. 14, plus leader.
Accommodation:
This trip is based on lodge-style accommodation in 'Le Paradis', a charming old farmhouse with a scattering of outbuildings set in beautiful surroundings with views across the countryside. There are eight comfortable single or twin rooms with en suite facilities. Four rooms are on the ground floor and are accessed from the terrace, the other four rooms are apartments on the first floor. Our hosts, Giles and Nathalie, add authentic French hospitality to our visit. It is easy to walk into Forcalquier to sample the atmosphere of this attractive little town.
Food:
Forcalquier has a fair selection of restaurants most of which we will visit during the week to experience a wide selection of cuisine. Drinks are not included in restaurants. Vegetarians should be aware that the normal French diet is heavily meat-based, and the selection of vegetarian dishes maybe limited. If the weather is favourable the leader may arrange a barbecue on one evening. Breakfast is buffet style at Le Paradis with a selection of, (but not necessarily all on each day) tea or coffee (reasonably unlimited), bread, jam, honey, marmalade, yoghurt, cheese, fruit juice, local fruit. Lunch is not included. On most days you can choose a restaurant/café meal or have a packed lunch. A packed lunch is available for approx 5 Euros from Le Paradis. |
Day 1 | Fly from London Gatwick to Marseille on the BA scheduled services and transfer to Forcalquier. Those with land-only arrangements should meet the group in Forcalquier. | Day 2 | Today we explore some of the countryside and villages of the Luberon on foot, looking into the lifestyle of the local people and admiring the landscapes. Small towns such as Gordes and Roussillon are the essence of Provencal rural life. | Day 3 | Forcalquier is buzzing this morning - it is market day, a traditional time for local producers, stallholders, craftsmen and the population of the town and surrounding area to meet. The market spreads its smells and colours enticingly through town, and we plunge in to discover the tempting delights on offer. After lunch a two-hour walk takes us to the nearby village of Mane to visit the Priory of Salagon. | Day 4 | An early start for the journey to Aix-en-Provence, (approx. 1 hr drive). This has been a major Provencal settlement since Roman times. King Louis II of Anjou and then his son King Rene became generous patrons of the arts. Louis II founded the University and it is this student culture that still largely defines life in Aix today. Rene encouraged the development of the arts which was to define Provencal culture in the following centuries. The more recent works of Cezanne provide a focus for the day and we can follow the Cézanne circuit through the town. Enjoy the old quarter, with its small squares, churches and bell towers, or sit in a café in the Cours Mirabeau, soaking up the atmosphere. | Day 5 | A free day to simply relax, to stroll into Forcalquier or even hire a bike. | Day 6 | An early journey to Avignon, (approx. 1 1/2 hrs drive), for a day in this former centre of Papal power on the banks of the Rhone. The popes arrived here in the 14th century, and the city became a second Rome, Papal Palace and all. There is the famous Pont d'Avignon, plenty of museums, covering natural history, archaeology, Provencal literature and fine art, together of course with many restaurants and bars. | Day 7 | An optional walk takes us through the country north of Forcalquier, perhaps on part of the GR6 for anything from 3 to 5 hours of walking - there are excellent views to the Lure Mountains as we approach 900m in altitude. The rest of the day is free to shop, relax or take a last stroll through the mediaeval streets. | Day 8 | Transfer to Marseille airport for the flight to London. Those with land-only arrangements will leave us in Forcalquier. |
Departures Between | Price from | 09 Oct 04
16 Oct 04 | *£629 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
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FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICE
Local payment €125 (approx. £90)
Single room supplement £195
Insurance £25
This holiday is operated by Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582.
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A Week in Provence
A Group tour of the Luberon, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence
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