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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted Walking Tour

Walk & Tour: Portraits of Provence

Seven-day escorted walking tour through Provence by Eurostar and TGV

Illustration of Walk & Tour: Portraits of Provence

Great Rail Journeys operates this seven-day escorted walking holiday combining rail travel from London through Paris to Provence. You depart London St Pancras on Eurostar Plus class, switch to TGV First Class in Paris, and arrive in Gréoux-les-Bains, a spa town in the heart of Provence. From this single base hotel, you walk daily through the region's most striking landscapes: the Lower Verdon Gorge with its emerald river, the ochre canyons of the Luberon, and the forested slopes of Mont Sainte-Victoire where Paul Cézanne painted. Each walking day offers two routes, ranging from 4.5 to 6.9 miles, led by expert guides. You also visit the Roman city of Aix-en-Provence, the village of Moustiers Ste Marie perched on a limestone cliff, and taste olive oil at a local producer. The pace is relaxed, with one overnight in each location and a Tour Manager accompanying you throughout. This suits repeat rail travellers and guided-comfort seekers who want to combine first-class train journeys with daily active exploration in a well-known French destination.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure listed in the current schedule: October 2026
  • Lunches on Days 3 and 5 are not included; you dine independently at those times
  • Most walking days offer two route options; final choice depends on fitness level and group pace on the day

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Gréoux-les-Bains

    By First Class rail to Provence

    Your walk and tour holiday begins at London St Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager and travelling group ahead of a Eurostar journey to Paris. Travelling in spacious Plus class, enjoy a light meal at your seats before arriving in the French capital. Switch stations and board the First Class carriages of the high-speed TGV bound for Aix-en-Provence. On arrival, transfer by coach to the spa town of Gréoux-les-Bains. Overlooked by the 12th-century Templars Castle, this attractive Provençal town exudes charm from its narrow streets. The hotel is opposite the thermal baths on the edge of the ancient Old Town. After checking in, gather for the first dinner together.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Gréoux-les-Bains

    Walking the Lower Verdon Gorge

    After breakfast, set off on the first walk with a picnic lunch to enjoy en route. On each walking day there is a choice of two routes, each led by expert guides. Today's walks explore the Lower Gorge from Quinson after a short drive through wooded Provençal woodland. The river enters a twisting canyon with footpaths constructed along the course of the river. Option A: 5.4 mi (8.6 km) – walk briefly beside the lake and enter the gorge via an ascent on steps and a descent. Option B: 6.9 mi (11 km) – longer route following Option A along the base of the gorge and into the ancient woodland. Return to the hotel for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Gréoux-les-Bains

    Moustiers Ste Marie & Grand Canyon of Verdon

    A coach journey takes you across the Valensole Plateau, pausing to admire the vista across the huge Lac de Sainte Croix. Continue to Moustiers Ste Marie, a charming village clinging to a limestone cliff, listed among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Visit the Chapel of Notre Dame de Beauvoir and see the iconic golden star suspended above the village. After free time for lunch, drive along the winding road skirting the Upper Verdon Gorge, pausing for breathtaking views of the 'Grand Canyon of Verdon' – up to 2,300 feet deep and 15.5 miles long. Evening at leisure; dine independently in Gréoux.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Gréoux-les-Bains

    The colourful canyons of the Luberon

    Explore 'Provençal Colorado', a striking area of rich ochre deposits with dazzling colours of yellow, orange, red and mauve – exposed through quarrying and sculpted into winding canyons by natural erosion. Afterwards, discover historic local villages dramatically perched on hilltops. Option A: 4.5 mi (7.2 km) – shorter route beginning close to the quaint village of Rustrel in the heart of the Luberon Natural Park. Option B: 5.9 mi (9.45 km) – longer route starting the same way as Option A, following the riverside path away from Rustrel. Return to the hotel for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Gréoux-les-Bains

    Exploring Aix-en-Provence & olive oil tasting

    Founded as a Roman spa town in 123BC, Aix-en-Provence is the first destination today. A guided tour showcases its timeless appeal – narrow streets, small squares, flowing fountains and the plane tree-lined Cours Mirabeau. Time at leisure to explore independently and learn about famous residents including Paul Cézanne and Émile Zola. This afternoon, visit an olive oil producer for a tour of the olive groves and a tasting of olive oil and tapenade. Return to Gréoux; evening at leisure, dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Gréoux-les-Bains

    Artistic inspiration on the Cézanne Balconies

    Set out to find landscapes that inspired Paul Cézanne. Walks lead through a rich, forested landscape of limestone escarpments, deep gorges and sparkling reservoirs with Mont Sainte-Victoire in near constant view. Option A: 4.9 mi (7.8 km) – starting from the village of Le Tholonet, often depicted in Cézanne's paintings, ascending steadily. Option B: 6.6 mi (10.6 km) – like Option A, begins in Le Tholonet and continues through the pine forest. Return to Gréoux-les-Bains for a farewell dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, transfer to Aix-en-Provence station and board First Class carriages of the TGV direct to Paris. In the French capital, switch to the Eurostar and continue in Plus class back to London St Pancras, where the walk and tour holiday draws to a close.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Walk through the Lower Verdon Gorge from Quinson, where footpaths run alongside the river as it winds through limestone canyon walls
  • Day 3Visit Moustiers Ste Marie, a village clinging to a limestone cliff with a golden star suspended above it, and view the Upper Verdon Gorge plunging over 2,000 feet
  • Day 4Explore the Luberon's ochre canyons near Rustrel, where quarrying and erosion have exposed dazzling yellows, oranges, reds and mauves
  • Day 5Tour Aix-en-Provence and visit an olive oil producer to taste local oils and traditional Provençal tapenade
  • Day 6Walk from Le Tholonet through forested limestone escarpments with Mont Sainte-Victoire in view, following landscapes that inspired Paul Cézanne

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 6 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus class travel
  • First Class TGV rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Expert walking guides
  • Carefully planned walking routes
  • 4.5–6.9 mi (7.2–11 km) walking per day
  • Eurostar light meals
  • Breakfast each day
  • 1 lunch
  • 4 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions
  • Transfers and local transport for guided walks
  • Entrance fees and permits for guided walks

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Lunches on non-walking excursion days (dine independently)
  • Optional stops for lunch, snacks or drinks on walks
  • Additional attractions payable locally

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar Plus class from London St Pancras to Paris and TGV First Class from Paris to Aix-en-Provence and return, plus all coach and local transport for walks and excursions.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is fully escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides a Tour Manager from London through the entire holiday, plus expert walking guides for each walk.
How much walking is involved each day?
Daily walks range from 4.5 to 6.9 miles (7.2 to 11 km). Each walking day offers two route options, typically a shorter and a longer route, so you choose based on your preference.
What is included in meals?
Breakfast each day, one picnic lunch (Day 2), four dinners, and Eurostar light meals on Days 1 and 7 are included. Lunches on Days 3 and 5 are not included and you arrange independently.
Where do we stay?
Great Rail Journeys books all six nights at Hôtel & Spa Villa Castellane, a four-star hotel in Gréoux-les-Bains, a Provençal spa town that serves as the base for daily excursions.
When does the tour depart?
The operator lists one departure: October 2026. Contact Great Rail Journeys to confirm availability and check for additional dates.

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