Walking in Provence - West
Drôme Provençal, Vaucluse, Var
Walking in Provence - West
Drôme Provençal, Vaucluse, Var
Guidebook to 30 varied day walks in the west of Provence in the Drome Provencale, the Vaucluse and the Var, with practical information for the walker. Walks span from the Baronnies in the north to the Ste-Baume ridge in the south and can be tackled from charming bases such as Nyons, Apt and Aix-en-Provence.Explore western Provence and discover one of southern France's most varied and evocative landscapes, stretching from the lavender fields and gorges of the Drôme Provençale and Vaucluse to the forested ridges and perched villages of the Var. Rich in Roman history, medieval abbeys, arcaded market towns, and wild natural scenery, western Provence offers an exceptional walking destination in every season.
Suitable for beginner and experienced walkers alike, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook describes 30 circular day walks across three distinct areas of western Provence: the Drôme Provençale, the Vaucluse, and the Var. Routes range from 4 to 16km (2–10 miles) and can be enjoyed in 2–7 hours, graded from easy to difficult to suit a range of abilities and fitness levels.
- Choose from 30 circular day walks across the Drôme Provençale, Vaucluse, and Var, exploring dramatic gorges, mountain ridges, lavender country, perched medieval villages, ruined castles, and the famous Colorado Provençal ochre landscape near Apt.
- Discover the highlights of western Provence, including the Dentelles de Montmirail, the Gorges de la Nesque, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, the Abbaye de Sénanque, Montagne Sainte-Victoire, and the Sainte-Baume ridge and massif in the south.
- Navigate with confidence using sketch maps included for each route in western Provence, with downloadable GPX files to support your planning and navigation on the ground.
- Plan your Provence walking holiday from charming key bases including Nyons and Buis-les-Baronnies in the Drôme Provençale, Vaison-la-Romaine and Apt in the Vaucluse, and St-Maximin-la-Ste-Baume and Aix-en-Provence in the Var.
- Choose the best time to walk in western Provence with guidance on seasons, showing why spring and autumn are the most pleasant times to visit, while most walks at lower elevations are accessible and enjoyable year-round.
- Deepen your experience of the region with introductory sections on the history of Provence, its plants and flowers, wildlife, regional food and drink, and the art and literature inspired by this exceptional corner of southern France.
- Extend your walking with the companion volume, Walking in Provence: East, which together with this guide covers the full breadth of Provence's varied and beautiful landscapes.
Explore the gorges, villages, and wild landscapes of western Provence with confidence using this trusted Cicerone guidebook. From the lavender country of the Drôme Provençale to the forested ridges of the Var, this is the essential companion for walking in one of France's most beloved regions.
Walking in Provence: West – Quick Facts
Guide name: Walking in Provence: West – Drôme Provençal, Vaucluse, Var
Location: France – western Provence, covering the Drôme Provençale, Vaucluse, and Var
Routes covered: 30 circular day walks (4–16km/2–10 miles)
Typical duration: 2–7 hours per walk; range of half and full-day options
Difficulty: Graded from easy to difficult; suitable for beginner and experienced walkers; difficult walks may include precipitous or navigationally challenging sections
Terrain: Mountain ridges, river gorges, lavender fields, ochre landscapes, medieval village paths, forested massifs, and coastal lowland trails
Navigation/mapping: Sketch maps included for each route; GPX files available to download
Key centres: Nyons and Buis-les-Baronnies (Drôme Provençale); Vaison-la-Romaine and Apt (Vaucluse); St-Maximin-la-Ste-Baume and Aix-en-Provence (Var)
Highlights: Dentelles de Montmirail, Gorges de la Nesque, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, Abbaye de Sénanque, Colorado Provençal, Montagne Sainte-Victoire, Sainte-Baume ridge and massif
Accommodation & logistics: Practical information on travelling to Provence, accommodation, clothing and equipment, and local markets
Best time to go: Year-round for most walks; spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons
Companion volume: Walking in Provence: East (also available from Cicerone)
Author Highlight
“ The Drôme Provençale, the northernmost region, is a sunny land of vineyards, lavender f ields and rolling tree-covered hills. The 12 walks here vary from the olive groves of Nyons to the rocky crests and gorges of the Baronnies where vultures soar overhead. The Vaucluse further south is a frequently visited region of old towns and castles, well known for its wine… The Var borders on the Mediterranean, yet behind the coast are fertile valleys and low hills, dominated by the long craggy ridge of the Sainte-Baume massif. Some of the walks here are lower, around small villages, while others are up peaks with spectacular views over the distant sea.”
- Janette Norton, author of Walking in Provence - West
Printed book
A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps - everything you need on the trail.
ISBN
9781852846169
Availability
Published
Published
3 Nov 2014
Edition
First
Pages
272
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.80cm
Weight
300g
eBook
The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device. To access your eBook, you will need an eReader app. For more details, visit the eBook FAQs.
Map key
Overview map
Preface
Introduction
A short history of Provence
Provençal writers and artists
Plants and flowers
Wildlife
Regional specialities
Markets
Travelling to Provence
When to go
Accommodation
Clothing and equipment
Using this guide
Drôme Provençale
Walk 1 Nyons Olive Walk
Walk 2 Ferme de la Lance
Walk 3 The Cougoir
Walk 4 Serre de Crema
Walk 5 Rocher de Bramard
Walk 6 Gorges de Léoux
Walk 7 Grande Javonière
Walk 8 Château d’Ubrieux
Walk 9 Around the Rocher de St-Julien
Walk 10 Gorges de Toulourenc
Walk 11 Lavender Walk from Aulan
Vaucluse
Walk 12 Vaison-la-Romaine to Crestet
Walk 13 The Gambade from Gigondas
Walk 14 Dentelles de Montmirail
Walk 15 Le Barroux to La Roque-Alric
Walk 16 Gorges du Curnier
Walk 17 Gorges de la Nesque
Walk 18 Fontaine-de-Vaucluse and the Wall of the Plague
Walk 19 Abbaye de Sénanque
Walk 20 Colorado Provençal
Walk 21 Fort de Buoux
Walk 22 Mourre Nègre
Var
Walk 23 Montagne Ste-Victoire
Walk 24 Marcel Pagnol Country
Walk 25 Mont Olympe
Walk 26 Montagne de la Ste-Baume
Walk 27 Ste-Croix from Nans-les-Pins
Walk 28 Old village and castle of Rougiers
Walk 29 Mourre d’Agnis
Walk 30 Circuit de Latay
Appendices
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Maps
Appendix C Tourist information
Appendix D Market days
Appendix E Glossary of Provençal words
Seasons
most of the walks are not high and can be made at any time of the year, especially near the coast; the most pleasant seasons are spring and autumn.
Centres
Nyons and Buis-les-Baronnies (Drôme Provençale); Vaison-la-Romaine and Apt (Vaucluse); St-Maximin-la-Ste-Baume and Aix-en-Provence (Var)
Difficulty
circular day walks, suitable for averagely fit people and graded Easy, Medium or Difficult, depending on length, total ascent and terrain; easy walks are short, while difficult ones take up to eight hours and may include sections that are precipitous or difficult to navigate; no special equipment is needed
Must See
dramatic mountain ridges and deep river gorges; perched medieval villages, arcaded streets, fountains, ruined castles, abbeys and churches; from the Baronnies in the north to the Ste-Baume ridge in the south
May 2026
Walk 24 – Marcel Pagnol Country
Page 215
The paragraph reference to taking a narrow bushy path to the left of the house entrance is no longer valid. Extensive fencing has been put in place and the path is no longer maintained. We were unable to determine a workaround so we backtracked and ascended the trail heading towards waypoint 5. We explored the grottes and then turned back towards La Treille.
Thank you to Peter Dowd for the update
May 2023
Walk 12
The path has become very overgrown at point 4.
January 2018
Updates
Page 79 fourth paragraph additional comment added at the end .
A notice from the Mairie is displayed here permanently closing the original Sentier du Leoux route into the gorge, because of the acute risk of stonefall and it should no longer be followed.
Page 79-80 fifth / sixth paragraph removed up to the Red Point 1 and replaced with alternative route below :
Instead, cross the grassy track taking a narrow path opposite for a short distance to the D570 road and turn right to a hairpin bend. At the bend turn right immediately onto a stony jeep track, which re-joins the tarmac road higher up the hill. Turn up right and follow the road for just under a kilometre to the top of a hill with good views into the upper gorge. Descend on the road for a short distance until a jeep track rising from the gorge on the right is met at RED POINT 1, where there is a footpath sign at Rochesourde, 787m. (The jeep track here could be descended to the river which would be a good place for a lunch stop, before retracing your footsteps to the road).”
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