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walking |
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self guided |
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Walking and Wine : Chateauneuf du Pape |
Chateauneuf du Pape is southern France’s most prestigious wine village: a small village of only 2000 people, its homes rising in circles to the ruins of its 14th century castle. Grapes have been grown here for 700 years; it’s a savoir faire mixed with privileged growing conditions, the hot Provençal sun and sweeping Mistral winds, the red rocks that carpet the vines like a warm blanket. The best way to discover these vineyards is by foot, strolling between the gnarled vines from one estate to the next, run by the same families for generations. Based in your B&B in the heart of Chateauneuf du Pape you’ll have lots of wine-tasting opportunities, including a half-day’s guided tour by a local wine expert. Your last day of walking is in the hills above Gigondas – also renowned for its powerful reds – where the vines hover high above the Rhône Valley, and the views are breathtaking. |
| Day 1 : Chateauneuf du Pape
Arrive in Avignon: your tour starts with a short taxi transfer to Chateauneuf du Pape. Literally “New castle of the Pope”, this village was chosen as the summer residence of the Popes of Avignon, complete with a castle built atop the hill, today only a set of ruins from which the views extend far into the horizon. It was the popes who brought the vines here in the 14th century, making wines that have been famous for centuries. The growing area is small, confined to only 3200 hectares, but constantly producing world renowned and prized vintages. Dinner and night in Chateauneuf du Pape.
Day 2 : Famed vineyards
Chateauneuf du Pape > Chateauneuf du Pape
2 hours and 45min., 7km, +100m /-100m
Leaving the village the homes and shops quickly give way to vineyards. With such a prized terroir every square meter is planted with vines, thick and low to the ground, seemingly gnarled hands reaching up from underneath the earth, proudly displaying bunches of Grenache and Syrah. You stroll on farming tracks in between the parcels of vines, which lead from one estate to the next. The itinerary takes you to three wine estates, all centuries-old, all happy to share their savoir faire with you during a wine-tasting. The reds are deep and heavily spiced, while the surprising whites have notes of almond, spice, and honeysuckle. Enjoy a leisurely picnic lunch with a fresh baguette, some charcuterie, cheese, and a bottle of Chateauneuf… Night in Chateauneuf du Pape.
Day 3 : Through the Papal Vineyards
Chateauneuf du Pape > Chateauneuf du Pape
3 hours and 15min., +100m/-100m or 4 hours and 15min., 14 km, +150m/-150m
Another day walking through the vines, alongside tracks packed with the red rocks that were deposited here 15,000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age. They absorb the heat during the day and emit it at night, keeping a constant warmth in the vineyards, and helping produce powerful and spicy reds. For a half-day, our local wine expert will unveil all the secrets of these vines, taking you on a tour and leading you through a wine-tasting session. You'll learn the concepts of terroir and appellation while perfecting your wine tasting technique. A private taxi transfer takes you to the town of Gigondas, to a hotel high above the Rhône Valley and hidden in the vines. Enjoy a gourmet meal amongst the vines, accompanied by a bottle of red from the local estate. Dinner and night in Gigondas.
Day 4 : Gigondas and the Dentelles de Montmirail
Gigondas > Gigondas
2 hours, 5 km, +200m/-200m or
3 hours and 30min., 11km, +300m/-300m or
4 hours, 12km, -450/+450m
Today’s walk is through the vines of Gigondas, 2nd of the cru wines of the southern Rhône. The town of Gigondas sits high above the Rhône, overlooking a sea of vines. The old stone houses with their clay tiled roofs are separated by narrow cobbled streets. Take the time to explore the village before heading into the vines: the walk takes you to the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, a set of chiseled limestone cliffs that soar almost improbably in the sky. The steep hills have been carved into terraces, planted with rows of seemingly inaccessible vineyards. Views of the Rhône Valley and of Provence’s highest mountain, Mont Ventoux, paint the backdrop. There are plenty of wine tasting opportunities in the village before returning to your hotel for a gourmet meal and night.
Day 5 : One of the most Beautiful Villages
Gigondas > Séguret
3 hours, 30 mins., 10 km, +300m/-380m
Today is the last day of the tour, and you can choose to either be transferred from Gigondas to Avignon in the morning, or complete a lovely walk to the town of Séguret, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. The walk follows underneath the cragged peaks and above the Rhône Valley, on paths and farming tracks through the vines and olive orchards. You pass above the village of Sablet before reaching the medieval wooden entrance gates of Séguret, its homes set in superposed rows and all clinging to the rock. Along the cobbled streets you’ll find a tea house with succulent cakes, in a setting overlooking the Rhône Valley: the perfect reward after a day’s walk. Transfer to Avignon and end of trip.
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| Included |
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- 4 nights double occupancy with private facilities
- 4 breakfasts, 1 picnic lunch, 3 dinners (local restaurants or dinners at the hotel)
- Day 2 or 3, winetastings with an expert (2 wine estates, 6 persons max, may be private!) with your guide vehicule if needed, depending on the estates)
- Day 1: transfer by taxi from Avignon to Chateauneuf du Pape
- Day 3: transfer by taxi from Chateauneuf du Pape to Gigondas
- Day 5: transfer by taxi from Séguret to Avignon
- Luggage transfers days 1, 3 & 5.
Extend your stayYou arrive in Provence before your tour or you would like to extend your stay. You can book extra nights and transfers on the dates that suit you, directly using the online reservation form.
Discover La Provence
- Our Road Book with detailed walking itineraries, including highlighted maps.
Not included
Entrance fees into museums, insurance, drinks, items of personal nature
From July 1st to September 30th there is a very small risk that the last walk around Gigondas may be inaccessible due to path closures if the risk of forest fire is too high. Restrictions are very rare in the Gigondas region however. Information is available at the local prefecture at 6:00pm concerning access for the following day by a phone message service or by internet.
Some dates become very busy, book early if you want to be sure to get space for your next holiday!
All Provence, May, long weekends - Avignon, July 5 to 30, Theater Festival-
Extend your stayYou arrive in Provence before your tour or you would like to extend your stay. You can book extra nights and transfers on the dates that suit you, directly using the online reservation form.
Discover La Provence
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| Highlights |
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> the famed vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape
> the fine cuisine of Les Florets hotel in Gigondas
> a wine expert to unveil the secrets of the Côtes du Rhône wines |
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| Hotels |
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| Maria & Andreas |
This quaint and intimate B&B, in the heart of Chateauneuf du Pape, was formerly the home of a wine producer, and offers two spacious suites.
A large home-made gourmet breakfast is served in the garden or downstairs dining-room.
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| Les Florets |
Small and charming 3* hotel, nestled at the base of the imposing limestone cliffs of the Dentelles de Montmirail, and set hidden among the reputed vines of Gigondas. At the dinner table you’ll taste local wines paired with cuisine made from fresh ingredients. Relax in the pool or on the terrace, in the shade of the plane trees. |
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