Malaucène, Provence
At the heart of rural Provence, one of the most beautiful regions in
France, lies Malaucène, our base for gentle rambles through the
rich vineyards and orchards or more challenging walking to the regions' limestone
hills. This is a land filled with the scent of wild flowers and dotted with
little hill towns and villages; the perfect countryside for walkers. Our guided
walks take you to the wooded slopes of Mont Ventoux, the impressive Nesque
Gorge and the charming village of Gordes in the Luberon Hills.
The sleepy village of Malaucène, oozes the charm of rural France, and
is ideal for a tranquil and relaxing holiday.
- Stay in the tranquil Provençal
village of Malaucène
- Walk through vineyards to
limestone hills and gorges
- Popular and friendly three-star hotel
Detailed information
| Classic Walking programme details |
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On these holidays there is a choice of two guided walks for varying abilities each day. For maximum choice we offer
two weekly itineraries - ideal if you wish to book a 14-night holiday or return for a second visit.
ITINERARY ONE
Weeks of 3, 17, 31 May; 14 June; 6, 20 September 2008
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Day 1: arrival day
Day 2: explore Malaucène and enjoy walks onto the
lower slopes and wooded combes of Mont Ventoux.
Day 3: traverse the jagged limestone ridge of the
Dentelles that rises dramatically above the fertile vineyards, on walks to the wine-producing village of
Gigondas.
Day 4: wander through woods and cherry orchards to the
medieval village of Crestet and the old Roman town of
Vaison-la-Romaine.
Day 5: free day - perhaps take an excursion to the walled
city of Avignon with its famous 'pont'.
Day 6: walk to an ancient village at the foot of the
Luberon Hills or take a more challenging route across the
plateau to a rock face noted for its birds of prey.
Day 7: enjoy scenic walks through the rolling hills of
Malaucène.
Day 8: departure day |
ITINERARY TWO
Weeks of 10, 24 May; 7 June; 30 August; 13, 27 September 2008
Day 1: arrival day
Day 2: walk north from Malaucène through rolling
countryside to the Chapelle St Sepulcre with its elaborate
architecture.
Day 3: explore the wooded slopes of Mont Ventoux,
perhaps ascending to the summit of Tête du Gros
Charne, on walks to the bustling village of Bédoin.
Day 4: visit Fontaine de Vaucluse, a popular tourist spot
where the River Sorgue emerges from beneath the
limestone plateau.
Day 5: free day - either visit Avignon's Papal Palace or
just relax around the village and the hotel pool.
Day 6: wander through fields of aromatic lavender to the
12th century Abbey de Sénanque and then on through
shady woodland to the historic hilltop village of Gordes.
Day 7: walk through rich orchards, or along the rugged
Dentelles ridge, from Le Barroux to Beaumes de Venise.
Day 8: departure day
Please Note: The above programme should give you a good feel for the walks at this resort but is subject to change. Each year we listen carefully to the views of our guests and make improvements to our walking programmes. Further information will be sent to you prior to your holiday; however the final selection of walks will be made by your walking leaders. Local transport to and from walks:
Local transport is not included in the cost of your holiday.
Please allow €80 (approx £55) per week for
transport, excluding your free day. Payable locally in Euros.
Maps
Your leaders will of course carry all the necessary maps needed
for the walks. However if you would like one for your own
personal enjoyment then the best general purpose maps are
from the French IGN 1;25,000, 'Top 25' series. Sheets 3140ET
'Mont Ventoux' and 3040ET 'Carpentras' cover the majority
of the walks. Maps can be obtained by mail order from The
Map Shop, Tel: 01684 593146. Alternatively all the local maps
can be bought from local shops.
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| Footpath information |
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Easier Walks: 4 to 8 miles on good paths and tracks. 300ft to 1,100ft of ascent. |
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Harder Walks: 6 to 11 miles across rougher terrain to limestone hills. 900ft to 1,900ft of ascent with the exception of one walk with 2,450ft of ascent. |
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| Dates and prices |
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| Sat 3, 17, 24, 31 May 2008 |
£769 |
£585 |
£1, 199 |
£1,015 |
| Sat 7 June 2008 |
£769 |
£585 |
£1, 199 |
£1,015 |
| Sat 14 June 2008 |
£769 |
£585 |
- |
- |
| Sat 30 August; 6, 13 September 2008 |
£769 |
£585 |
£1, 199 |
£1,015 |
| Sat 20 September 2008 |
£769 |
£585 |
- |
- |
Single room supplement: £12.50 per night
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| Climate Information |
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| May |
21 |
12°C |
9 |
43mm |
| June |
25 |
15°C |
11 |
34mm |
| September |
24 |
15°C |
8 |
66mm |
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| Travel to resort |
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Transfer from airport - If you book this holiday 'with flight' you will arrive at Marseille airport. The onward journey by coach takes around 1½hours.
Latest HF Holidays Flight Information - updated 22/08/2007 (provisional)
British Airways
Gatwick - Marseille
Out 13:55 - 16:50
Return 17:25 - 18:15
Airport Parking: To book secure airport parking throughout the UK visit Purple Parking or Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Airport Hotels: To book airport hotels throughout the UK visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Airport Lounges: To book airport lounges visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Making your own travel arrangements
Flights to Marseille: The nearest major airport is at Marseille, which is served by direct scheduled flights from the UK and the rest of Europe:
www.ba.com flights from Gatwick.
www.easyjet.com flights from Gatwick & Bristol.
www.bmibaby.com flights from Birmingham..
www.ryanair.com flights from Bournemouth, Stansted & Glasgow Prestwick..
Flights to Avignon: about 45mins from here to Malaucene:
www.flybe.com flights from Southampton & Exeter.
www.jet2.com flights from Edinburgh.
By Eurostar to Avignon: In the Summer there are direct trains from London St Pancras to Avignon which take about 6 hours. Alternatively take the Eurostar to lille, then on by TGV to Avignon which takes 6hrs 40mins. Full details are available at www.eurostar.com.
Flights to Nîmes: There is also a smaller airport at Nîmes:
www.ryanair.com flights from Stansted, Luton, East Midlands & Liverpool.
• From Nîmes airport first catch a shuttle bus to the city centre. Next catch a train to Avignon and then on by bus and taxi to Malaucène (see below for more details).
By Rail to Avignon: The nearest station is at Avignon. The new high speed TGV line from Paris to Marseille and Nice runs through Avignon and stops at a new station on the outside of the city built specially for the TGV (other trains stop at the main railway station in the city centre). For train times and further information visit the French railways website: www.sncf.com. Trains from Marseille to Avignon take just under an hour; those from Nîmes take 30 mins.
To reach the hotel from Marseille:
 Our Airport Hoppa service operates at this resort, offering quick and easy transfers for guests booking their own flights. All prices are per person for single journeys, allowing you to mix and match different transfer options. Transfers must be pre-booked no later than 5 weeks before departure - we will then confirm all the details approximately 3 weeks before your holiday.
From Marseille Airport
- by transfer coach* £22 single
From Avignon TGV station
*The HF Holidays’ coach is timed to connect with the flight times above.
By Bus and Taxi to Malaucène: Avignon is approximately 40km from the hotel and it is not usually possible to make this entire journey by public transport. A good bus service runs approximately every half an hour as far as Carpentras, which is about halfway to the hotel. Buses leave from outside Avignon main station and take about 40 minutes to get to Carpentras (if you are arriving at Avignon TGV station then take the regular shuttle bus to the main station). Bus timetables are available at www.ville-carpentras.fr
For the final leg of the journey there are only a couple of inconveniently timed buses from Carpentras to Malaucène. Independent travellers will therefore probably require a taxi, either from Carpentras or from Avignon.
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| What the holiday includes |
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- Return economy class air travel - 'with flight' option.
- Airport transfers - 'with flight' option.
- 7 or 14 nights' accommodation in en-suite rooms.
- Half Board - Breakfast & evening meals.
- Services of 2 HF Holidays' leaders.
- 5 or 10 guided walks.
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