Start planning for your walking holiday in Provence
After a 10-week isolation period, France is coming back to life! Shops, markets, museums, cinemas, beaches, restaurants and bars are all re-opening much to our delight. OK, so things are not quite how they used to be and for a while at least, the restrictions in place will become the new norm… but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
One of our track finders spent a post-isolation day on the trail, making the most of the beautiful early summer Provencal weather. Here is a summary of her day walking in Provence. Enjoy!
On this beautiful sunny morning in June, I jumped out of bed, excited at the thought of finally being able to head to my local market in Isle sur la Sorgue. The bi-weekly market is back, from 7am to 1pm every Thursday and Sunday and the stalls are overflowing with seasonal fruit : juicy peaches, huge apricots, sweet nectarines, ripe and colourful tomatoes in shades of red, black and yellow and large melons from Cavaillon. I stock up on fruit, some delicious slices of cured meat, some cheese and still-warm-from-the-oven bread and I’m ready for my Provence walking tour!
Walking through the lavender fields of Provence
I head to Gordes, a beautiful perched medieval village in the Lubéron. My hike begins here, heading out into the lavender fields of Provence and towards the Senanque Abbey. It is a gentle and easy loop walk, about 3h30 long, to the beautiful Abbey founded in 1148 by Father Pierre de Mazan who brought along 12 monks, as per the tradition. It is possible to enjoy a guided visit of the Abbey. The tour is in French but there is a very detailed brochure in English that provides all the information you need to know.
The Abbey is surrounded by lavender fields that are just beginning to change colour. In a few weeks, there will be an explosion of purple and the sweet-smelling plant will fill the air. This is such a peaceful place to just sit for a while and contemplate the life that we have led these last couple of months and to look ahead to a brighter future. My stomach starts to rumble, and I remember all the delicious food I have in my backpack, so I enjoy a picnic, here, by the lavender fields of Provence.
From here, I take the path that climbs up to the pass offering a magnificent view of the Abbey before enjoying a gentle descent via pastures dotted with ‘bories’ – old stone huts, and low dry stone walls, back to Gordes. And what a delight it is to see this village come back to life with cafés and restaurants open, people wandering through the pretty streets, smiling and enjoying the simple pleasure of being outside.
Provence is back, ready and waiting for you to come and explore!
See our self-guided Provence walking stay via the Senanque Abbey here
