Provence: The Verdon Gorge
Walking Holiday

Walking Holiday in the Verdon Gorge, Provence, France. Provence Hits the Alps and the land of sun and olive trees meets the land of snow and melted cheese. The area is also known for lavender production. The harvest is in august; you will smell the little flower everywhere.

Famous for dishes such as bouillabaisse and ratatouille, this serene region of southern France is a food lover's paradise. With it's strong emphasis on fresh ingredients from the countryside such as olives, tomatoes, zucchini eggplant, and lemons, Provencal cuisine has earned the nickname "la cuisine du soleil" (cuisine of the sun). One bite and you'll understand why.

The first day, we will follow a small part of the imperial way, which napoleon follow in 1815 en route to Paris after escaping from Elba. For the next few days, we will follow the river Verdon and the gorgeous 25 km gorges du Verdon [also know as the Grand Canyon], the largest canyon in Europe slice through the lime stones plateau midway between Avignon and Nice. Carved by the turquoise water of the Verdon River, the gorges are 250m to 700m deep. The bottom is 8m to 90m wide, while the rims are 200m to 1500m apart!

At Night you will relax in lovely and traditional hotels, all room en-suite. These have been selected for their : comfort, locations, character, and the quality of the restaurant! One foot Abroad, provides you with focused maps and very detailed walking notes describing the route “step by step”. Navigation is made easy. The walking notes also enclose information about the culture, the flora & fauna, places of interest along the way.

As we manage you luggage, just take your day pack with you, we do the rest!

DAY 1 - Coming to Saint Andre les alpes.
After your flight to Marseilles or Nice, you will be pre-booked in a 2-star hotel in the heart of town close to all facilities. The bedroom have beautiful views on the mountains around and some views on the lake de Castillon. Saint Andre is a atmospheric provencal village set under his rugged 12th Century Mediaeval Castle built by the Templar Knights, with a commanding view over the turquoise waters of the Lac de Castillon.

St Andre des Alpes: Internet, ATM, Food shop. all facilities. Hotel: 2* hotel classified "Logis de France", Room en suite. Excellent food at the restaurant.. Meal: 3 Course dinner

DAY 2 – To Castellane[6h, 15km, +125m -286m].
From our hotel, ascent to the ridge on the western side of the lake, the views are splendid. Descent in order to catch up with the famous “voie Imperiale”, a trail return used by napoleon returning from Elba, in March 1815. Night in Castellane

Castellane: ATM, Food shop. Hotel: 2* hotel, in the hearth of town, overlooking the main plaza. Rooms en suite. . Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch, 3 Course dinner

DAY 3 – To Point Sublime [7h, 22km, +476m -413m].
From Castellane we take the GR4 that follows the old route used by the Roman to reach to Lyon. Our trail follows the Verdon valley with unspoiled sleepy village and their typical house, with their red tile and with washed walls. Don’t hesitate to stop en-route in one of them! Mid-afternoon we arrive in the “chalet du Point sublime” our hotel for the night. Not to miss the belvedere points sublime a great views point on the “Couloirs Samson”, narrow gorge and the Verdon River.

Point Sublime: 2* logis de France, in the hearth of the town. Great buffet and dinner. Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch, 3 Course dinner

Note that these hotels and guest-houses have been carefully selected for their comfort, location, friendliness and character, and are subject of availabilities. If the hotel described is not available we provide you with the same standard of comfort & Price.