Zeste French Tours A Walking tour in France

through the Rhone Alpes, Provence and Hautes Alpes. 16-30 May 2016 Lyon to Lyon 3,900

Beginning in the Chartreuse Mountains with views to Mont Blanc and hidden valleys, then south to the Luberon Valley in Provence, with walks to hill top villages and spectacular countryside, past Mont Sainte Victoire near Aix en Provence, to stay in beautiful Cassis where we walk through the National Park to the Calanques on the Mediterranean. Return via Gap to spend three days in the Hautes Alpes. Stay in comfortable accommodation and enjoy fine cuisine. Easy and medium difficulty walks. Four different regions of France, four different landscapes and experiences.

Day 1: Monday 16 May [St Pierre d’Entremont]Meet at Lyon airport, at about 11am. Drive towards the Chartreuse Mountains, to stay at our chambre d’hote at St Pierre d’Entremont for 3 nights. This will be our base for walks in the Chartreuse Mountains.

The Chartreuse Monastery

After lunch spend the afternoon with a walk to the Chartreuse Monastery. A tour of the Monastery museum. Dinner in the village.

Day 2: Tuesday 17 May [St Pierre d’Entremont]A walk to the Col de l’Alpette [40 mins to beginning of walk]An easy to medium circular walk on the plateau with spectacular views.

Day 3:Wednesday 18 May [St Pierre d’Entremont] A full day walk of medium difficulty to Charmon Som. Dinner at our chambre d’hote [45 mins to beginning of walk].

Day 4: Thursday 19 May [Buoux in the Luberon Valley, Provence]Drive to Apt via Montelimar, [3 1/2 hours travelling time]Visit Montelimar for lunch.Arrive Buoux mid afternoon. Several choices to be made amongst the group for walks from this area.

Day 5: Friday 20 [Buoux] Walk from Buoux – a day walking and exploring the old fortress, Aiguebrun Mountains, nearby villages. Stay in a chambre d’hote at Buoux.

Our chambre d’hote at Buoux Day 6: Saturday 21 [Buoux] Walk in the Colorado Provencal through the Ochres at Rustrel.

Day 7: Sunday 22 [Luberon Valley] Walk in the Vaucluse mountain range, Fontaine de Vaucluse.

Day 8: Monday 23 [Cassis] Drive to Cassis [1hr 40mins] Boat trip to the Calanques and swim at the beach

Day 9: Tuesday 24 [Cassis]

Walk to the Calanques: A day walk through the national park to the turquoise inlets for a swim and return.

Day 10: Wednesday 25 [Cassis] Relax a day to walk/ swim/sleep- your choice.

Day 11: Thursday 26 [Gap] On the way to Gap, drive through and visit Aix en Provence, Sisteron and les Gorges de la Meouge. Visit the citadelle at Sisteron. [2 hour drive]Stay at Maison d’hote la Rotonde des Granes a la Batie Neuve 12kms from Gap.From Gap there is a wide choice of walks: to Lake Serre Poncon,

Gorges de la Meouge

Day 12: Friday 27 [Gap]

Lake Serre Poncon

A full day walk to Pic de Morgan, the mountain with 360o views overlooking the lake.

Day 13: Saturday 28 [Gap]

Visit local market in the morning and walk from our chambre d’hote to the mountain range in the afternoon.

Market day at Chorges Our chambre d’hote

Day 14: Sunday 29 [La Cote St Andre]Drive back through the valley in the Vercors Mountains, via St Maurice en Trieves [afternoon walk]. Stay at la Cote St Andre.

Day 15: Monday 30 May Back to Lyon airport at about midday.

Included: Accommodation -all gites and chambre d’hotes and hotels. All breakfasts 6 Dinners All travel in France in bus. Boat trips Entry fees to museums, galleries, places of interest Interpreting. Max 8 people on the tour.

Not included: Airfares Travel insurance Walking equipment Other meals

Further details of the walks will be sent closer the date.