Northern Provence

Northern Provence Overview

A self-guided hike near Mont Ventoux in northern Provence, from Venasque to Vacqueyras, including a circuit in the Dentelles de Montmirail. Add a night or two in Avignon at the end.

Lacy mountains and gourmet food

To the east of Avignon and its nursery rhyme bridge is an area of extraordinary geological features. At the centre lies ‘le Mont Ventoux’ (the windy mountain), beloved – or perhaps not – of Tour de France cyclists. The view of its lonely summit is a constant theme to our walking, although we opt for its greener foothills in this less-visited area of Provence.

The walk starts in a village perched atop a cliff: medieval Venasque, climbing high for views to the peaks of the ‘Dentelles de Montmirail’ (lace points) where you will walk later in the week. From Venasque you’ll walk to Mazan, tiny Le Barroux, and finally to a top restaurant with comfortable rooms just outside of Vacqueyras for two nights, your base for an exploration of the Dentelles.

And of course as this is France, the food and wine are most definitely not of secondary importance. Three of the four hotels boast a good kitchen delivering meals of greater or lesser complexity and opportunities for tasting not only the well-known regional wines but also Vacqueyras whites and a variety of ‘marcs’. Why not add a night or two in historic Avignon for the Palais des Papes, the bridge and also the fascinating side streets and museums?

Five and four night versions of this holiday are also available. See the On Foot Holidays website for details of prices and dates.