Have you hiked/walked/bicycled a wonderful route in Provence? Please tell us about it! We're based in le Sorgue, but also have a car.

Last year, I basedin Vaison la Romaine( interesting town with lots of Roman ruins and medieval buildings) and used buses to do several walkings. Besides the research done at home,I got some good walking maps from local tourist info also. One route is from Vaison to Le Crestet(very tiny town high upon hill,excellent views to see surrending mountains, a famous outdoor museum nearby).Another one from Vaison to Seguret(was selected the most beautiful village in France one year, with an excellent restauant on top of the village) and took bus back to Vaison. another day took bus to Malaucene(small,with huge old plane trees surrend the whole town,interesting church) and walked to Le Barroux(a repaired castle on top,600 years old monastery dearby)and took bus back to Vaison.Another route was taking bus to Les Baux and walked back to St.Remy.All these are very easy walks,about 3 hours each(I usually stoped to look around a lot)and all along vine yards ,olive trees and beauiful countryside.and with good restaurants at the end of the walk.I find it is easier to use public transportation without having to retrive the car.You could find quite a few books about walking in France in the library.I will do a 10 days walking in Brittany at the end of this mouth,The scenery shall be quite different.I think walking or hiking is the most enjoyable way to appreciate a place.Unfortunately, most of the walking tours are quite expensive,so,I always do it on my own.

Judy, <BR>Thanks for your informative post. I am very interested in doing this myself when I go to Provence next month. Did you travel alone? I would appreciate any other advice you could give concerning routes, precautions, public transportation. Again, thanks for setting my imagination spinning.

Message: Santa Chiara <BR>I am glad to hear your are interested in walking trip too. Walking and good food are my two passions. <BR>Have been doing walking tours alone 3-4 times a year in Europe for several years (just done one in Tuscany last month). Because budget concerned, always do it in Fall, late Winter and Spring( cheap flight,hotel;easy to get a table in good restaurants;no crowd). 2 bases in one area but with different sceneries for a 10 days trip from medium size towns(better transportation network,varities in eating and sleeping choices; less travel time on the bus to/back starting points),prefere to spend less than 2 hours in the transportation each day, so hard to work out if starting from big cities. Because physical capabilities,I always do day trips from one base,only carry a small backpack with raingears, suncreen,water,some food, maps,some warm clothes and a good book for waiting for bus/train. For woman walking alone,some precaution is necessary(the same as in big cities) and dress conservatively;so far,I never have had any problem in the countryside(touch wood!).Reaserch some good maps and travel books to decide where to go,Sometimes, just from some whim from a book I read.This Fall,I am going to try Auvergne area because Stevenson's"Travel with donkey",and along the tow pathes by Thames River because the book"Three men in a boat". <BR>To decide where to walk I think it all depands on personal taste, physical conditions and budget.The best thing about walking alone is the freedom and tranquility (which lacks in most people's everyday life). <BR>There is another area in Prevence near Moustiers Ste-marie with some good,easy walks too.

to,the top for Danni and Dani and Wendy. Vaison is in Povence