A companion volume (Walking in Provence - East) covers the Alpes Maritimes, Alpes De Haute-Provence and Mercantour.
Guidebook to a range of 30 varied, graded day walks in the sunny south-east of France in the Drome Provencale, the Vaucluse and the Var regions of Provence. Provence's lower western regions offer wonderful walking - the vineyards, lavender fields and rolling hills of the Drome Provencale, the historic old towns and castles set in the river valleys and gorges of Vaucluse and low sheltered valleys and craggy ridges on the Sainte-Baume massif in the Var. There are charming bases from which to explore the regions, including Nyons, Apt and Aix-en-Provence. None of the routes require special equipment although some may be a little exposed. All should be suitable for walkers of average fitness. Routes are described step by step, with clear maps and profiles to help you assess them, along with the standard route summary table at the back of the guide.
Introduction
A short history of Provence
Provençal writers and artists
Plants and flowers
Wildlife
Regional specialities
Markets
Travelling to Provence
When to go
Accommodation
Clothing and equipment
Using this guide
Drôme Provençale
Location of Walks
Walk 1 Nyons Olive Walk
Walk 2 Ferme de la Lance
Walk 3 The Cougoir
Walk 4 Serre de Crema
Walk 5 Rocher de Bramard
Walk 6 Gorges de Léoux
Walk 7 Grande Javonière
Walk 8 Château d’Ubrieux
Walk 9 Around the Rocher de St-Julien
Walk 10 Gorges de Toulourenc
Walk 11 Lavender Walk from Aulan
Vaucluse
Location of Walks
Walk 12 Vaison-la-Romaine to Crestet
Walk 13 The Gambade from Gigondas
Walk 14 Dentelles de Montmirail
Walk 15 Le Barroux to La Roque-Alric
Walk 16 Gorges du Curnier
Walk 17 Gorges de la Nesque
Walk 18 Fontaine-de-Vaucluse and the Wall of the Plague
Walk 19 Abbaye de Sénanque
Walk 20 Colorado Provençal
Walk 21 Fort de Buoux
Walk 22 Mourre Nègre
Var
Location of Walks
Walk 23 Montagne Ste-Victoire
Walk 24 Marcel Pagnol Country
Walk 25 Mont Olympe
Walk 26 Montagne de la Ste-Baume
Walk 27 Ste-Croix from Nans-les-Pins
Walk 28 Old village and castle of Rougiers
Walk 29 Mourre d’Agnis
Walk 30 Circuit de Latay
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Maps
Appendix C Tourist information
Appendix D Market days
Appendix E Glossary of Provençal words
Janette Norton was born in England but lived in the Geneva region for over 40 years. After her first book, on the Haute Savoie, she explored and wrote about Provence, the Cevennes and the Dordogne. Janette died in January 2013, while preparing a new edition of Walking in Provence. This volume was completed on her behalf by her husband Alan and her friend Pamela Harris-Andrews.