A Provençal Story; Wild Scenery & Art in Haute-Provence
Introduction
Experience wild scenery, hiking off the beaten track, with dramatic geology, fascinating fossils, and inspiring landscape art. This trip unfolds in two parts: the first highlights the remarkable installations of Andy Goldsworthy, an English sculptor, photographer, and environmentalist known for his site-specific sculptures and land art in both natural and urban settings.
https://andygoldsworthystudio.com
The second part explores the stunning Verdon Gorge, a river canyon in southeastern France, carved by the Verdon River, featuring white-water rapids and towering cliffs. Trails along the GR4 showcase breathtaking scenery and geology. Within Verdon Natural Regional Park, visit the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, home to the 12th-century Notre Dame de Beauvoir Chapel and the Musée de la Faïence showcasing exquisite ceramics.
A highlight of this journey is the unique accommodations and delicious home-cooked Provençal cuisine, for this reason we have a maximum group size of 7.
Join us for this adventure in late April, May, September, or October.
Walk from the river/road, climbing winding stony path arriving meadows, up to the first of AG Refuges d’Art installations at Vieil Esclangon – abandoned village with one restored ‘bothy’ containing the sculpture. Climb a little higher to a viewpoint of the ‘Velodrome’ huge limestone folds. Picnic. Descend meadows and tracks to the newer village of Esclangon in the river valley to meet transport.
6km + 300m ascent - 400m descent
2 hrs +
Optional walk to the AG Refuge d’Art Col de L’Escuichiere. Climb up through forest onto a shoulder and return the same way.
2km + 400m ascent to Col and - 400 descent returning same way.
1 hr
Drive to Draix and walk into the AG Refuges D’Art Ferme Belon (farmhouse used by Resistance in the war...found and burnt by Germans). Walk across ‘collines’ unusual stone landscape into meadows. Picnic en route or lunch in Digne.
2.5km + 170m ascent - 170 m descent and return by same route.
1 hr
Afternoon walk up to AG Refuge d’art Chappelle Ste Madeleine. Stone tracks up to the Chapelle and beautiful views.
1km +200m ascent + 200m descent – return same way.
1hr
Option to have a look at medieval Thoard.
Walk La Bannette to Courbons (lovely hillside village overlooking Digne). Beautiful undulating and contouring walk through meadows, woodlands, 'macquis' around the hills to Courbons. Picnic Courbons.
10km + 300m ascent - 300m descent
3 hrs
Option to explore Medieval Castellane and visit Notre Dame du Roc (chapel with great views, 1 / 1,5 hr return hike) enjoy coffee in square.
2 star hotel in the heart of Castellane.
Dinner at a local restaurant in Castellane.
3 star hotel in the heart of Castellane with pool.
Dinner at a local restaurant in Castellane.
The morning is free to relax and wander the historic streets of Castellane.
In the afternoon we will offer an optional hike along a section of the GR4 to Chasteuil or you can simply go directly to this beautiful little hamlet and relax with a book.
O/N Gite de Chasteuil, 2388 Route de Chasteuil, 04120, Castellane. Dinner at a local restaurant in Castellane or if we have taken lunch in Castellane, then dinner at Chasteuil.
Walk the GR4 from our accommodation to the perched village of Rougon. We climb by way of ancient tracks to a grassy plateau of the ‘Suech’ then descend the hillside to Rougon with amazing views of the start of the Gorge du Verdon (one of Europes largest). Lunch at Restaurant Rougon ‘Creperie’.
6.5km +350m ascent- 250m descent
3 hrs
'La Table du Château welcomes you in an elegant setting and a cozy atmosphere in the heart of the medieval Château de Trigance, where Hortense Quevatre and her dining room team will meet your expectations.'
Gite de Chasteuil. B&B Run by Nancy & Pascal.
Walking the GR4 also known in the gorge as the Sentier Blanc-Martel. We begin through two tunnels and then follow the gorge below 800m cliffs on an undulating path above the turquoise river, sometimes open and rocky sometimes through trees until we descend to the river. Picnic by river. Return by same route.
2hrs 5.5km into picnic spot and same on return.
Option to do full gorge trip Chalet de la Maline to Couloir Samson/Pointe Sublime –
13.5km +900m ascent -900m descent on rocky underfoot ladders committing trip as there is no alternative to the through trip.
Well placed for Village - Hotel la Bonne Auberge, Quartier Saint Michel, 04360, Moustiers Ste Marie. 3 stars with outdoor pool.
Close but a 5min walk. Hotel le Colombier, 166 Rte de la Palud, 04360, Moustiers. 3 star with pool.
Rural (5 min drive) La Bastide de Moustiers, chemin de Quinson, 04360, Moustiers. 4 stars with pool & 1* Michelin restaurant (Alain Ducasse).
Departures. No public transport. Transfer to Nice airport. Train possible from Mezel (same train as arrival on the Digne/Nice line).
Reading List: Nonfiction
A to Z of French Food, a French to English Dictionary of Culinary Terms (G. de Temmerman, 1995). This is the most complete (and priciest) menu reader around — and it's beloved by foodies.
At Home in France (Ann Barry, 1996). An American author describes her visits to her country house.
The Course of French History (Pierre Goubert, 1988). Goubert provides a basic summary of French history.
A Distant Mirror (Barbara Tuchman, 1987). Respected historian Barbara Tuchman paints a portrait of 14th-century France.
French or Foe? (Polly Platt, 1994). This best seller, along with its follow-up, Savoir-Flair!, is an essential aid for interacting with the French and navigating the intricacies of their culture.
A Goose in Toulouse and other Culinary Adventures in France (Mort Rosenblum, 2000). This series of essays provides keen insights on rural France through its focus on cuisine.
La Seduction: How the French Play the Game of Life (Elaine Sciolino, 2011). Sciolino, former Paris bureau chief of the New York Times, gives travelers a fun, insightful, and tantalizing peek into how seduction is used in all aspects of French life — from small villages to the halls of national government.
Portraits of France (Robert Daley, 1991). Part memoir, part travelogue, this is a charming reminiscence of the writer's lifelong relationship with France, including marrying a French girl on his first trip there.
Postcards from France (Megan McNeill Libby, 1997). This perceptive account tells the adventures of an American exchange student adjusting to life in France.
The Road from the Past: Traveling Through History in France (Ina Caro, 1994). Caro's enjoyable travel essays take you on a chronological journey through France's historical sights.
Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong (Jean-Benoit Nadeau and Julie Barlow, 2003). This is a must-read for anyone serious about understanding French culture, contemporary politics, and what makes the French tick.
Travelers Tales: Paris and Travelers' Tales: France (edited by James O'Reilly, Larry Habegger, and Sean O'Reilly, 2002). Notable writers explore Parisian and French culture.
Two Towns in Provence (M. F. K. Fisher, 1964). Aix-en-Provence and Marseille are the subjects of these two stories by the celebrated American food writer. She also writes about her life in France in Long Ago in France: The Years in Dijon (1929).
A Year in Provence and Toujours Provence (Peter Mayle, 1989/1991). Mayle's memoirs include humorous anecdotes about restoring and living in a 200-year-old farmhouse in a remote area of the Lubéron.
The Yellow House: Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Nine Turbulent Weeks in Arles (Martin Gayford, 2006). This historical account vividly chronicles Van Gogh and Gauguin's tumultuous stay in Arles.
Q. Is the accommodation listed in the itinerary guaranteed?
A. While we endeavour to ensure that the accommodation listed on the itinerary will be where you stay, open occasion it may be necessary to switch to an alternative.
When this happens we work hard to ensure that the alternative accommodation is of the same or a better standard, that it's location is close to the original destination, and that the overall impact is minimised in every way.
Accommodation details will be finalised and shared close to the trip departure (4-6 weeks in advance), however remains subject to change up to and following departure.
Q. How challenging are the treks / hikes?
A. we have graded this trip as a level 2
You / your party members should also be comfortable carrying your personal possessions required for the day in a rucksack, which might include items such as:
A water bottle
Snacks
Camera / phone / electronics
Waterproof / windproof jacket / trousers
Warm top / sun hat / sun cream
Any other items you would want to access while out for the day
If you would like further advice on the suitability of this trip for you or your party, please contact us.
Q. Do I have to do the planned activities, every day?
A. Not necessarily. Clients can request a 'rest day' or perhaps the opportunity to break from the scheduled itinerary.
It should be noted that on some days our excursion may form the transit between overnight locations, so a rest day may require the guest to make their way to the next location under their own initiative or at their own expense - in all cases we will work with guests to best accommodate their request.
Live Breathe Hike focuses on providing unique travel experiences that connect you to your natural environment and leaves you feeling invigorated and refreshed. We focus on attention to detail, exceptional customer service, and a strong commitment to environmental and ethical standards. LBH have been designing and running trips for over 25yrs (we started in 1997!) and pride ourselves in doing nothing less than 100%. Our ethos is simple…..we want our clients to have the most amazing, life-changing experiences, and create lasting memories