Exploring Provence

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Exploring Provence allows for so many fun things to do in combination, especially for those who love both history and outdoor sports, in particular hiking, climbing or biking.

Many of the chapels, castles/chateaux and historical monuments are located in areas that you can reach only by foot or biking. When coming to Provence with the intention of hiking and seeing the sites, there are a few things you should know and/or do before preparing for your adventure.

When I first started to explore Provence, I wasn’t an avid hiker, cycler or mountain climbing person. Sure, I was an outdoorsy kind of girl, but growing up and living most of my life next to the coast in Southern California meant that you would find me passing the time at the beach or jet-skiing and water skiing at the local lake. I never hiked, biked or mountain climbed until I moved to France. Consequently, I knew nothing about it. I don’t just mean safety tips, I also mean where to go, how to get there, how to navigate my GPS and how not to get lost.

There are so many hikes in Provence that there would be no way to conquer them all in a single life time, though I would like to. Driving down any country road you will inevitably see cars pulled off to the side of the road because a hike is nearby.

Don’t Try and Be a Hiking Guru by Yourself

Now, in the beginning or my infancy on hiking-know-how, I would just follow the lead of others. That meant me saying, “Oh look there’s a hike! Let’s go”, and proceed to park my car and start on the trail. The only problem with that in my zealousness I never knew where I was going. Some of the trails I have found actually start off as one trail only to end up at a crossroads with several trails jutting out and not knowing which one is the right one to take. Believe me, there are wrong ones. After several experiences of following the wrong trails my husband starting getting upset with me and told me that I had better start to do my research before going on anymore hikes or he would refuse to go with me and I’d be going alone……with the wild boars.

Not wanting to fight off the beastly animals by myself, I set about to find a few sources on hiking the surrounding area. I wanted not only sources that told me about where the hikes were, but also GPS locations, topographical maps, colored trail lines, the difficulty of the hike, how long the duration of the hike was and any other information I would need before setting out.

My Top Picks for Information about Hiking in Provence

For my first adventures, I was able to weed it down to a book, a box of walking cards and one hiking magazine. Though there are infinitely more, here are my top suggestions so you can have both an interesting and safe hiking experience while on vacation.

Walking in Provence by Janette Norton

Product: Walking in Provence – West: Drôme Provençal, Vaucluse, Var

Price: $11.75 for Kindle, $21.45 Paperback

Where to Purchase: Amazon.com

My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

Walking in Provence hits it right on the money for me and not just because it concentrates on the area in which I live. Firstly, the writer gives you some background history on Provence, the specialties of the areas, the markets, the historic monuments, etc. This is a really good and quick overview to give some nice background and helpful information, especially if this is the first time you will be in Provence or the first time you’re going to go out on a limb and hike this beautiful region.

Next, the writer breaks everything down into three areas of Provence and within those areas she breaks it down even further to tell you about the best hikes in those areas, along with an overview map. I love this because I’m a visual person and I want to be able to centralize where I am headed and what else is around there.

Thirdly, she tells you about 30 different hikes that are her favorite and gives you detailed information about those hikes, which is all the stuff necessary to ensure you have a great time and don’t get lost. That not getting lost part is essential!

Lastly, there is a nice, little appendix that gives some both fun and important information. My favorite fun-bit being the glossary of Provencal words.

All is all, Walking in Provence is nicely put together, a good read and it gives all the information required to have a good, safe trip.

Walker’s Provence in a Box by Adrian Woodford

Product: Walker’s Provence in a Box

Price: $19.95 a box

Where to Purchase: Amazon.com

My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Walker’s Provence in a Box is, without a doubt, one of the more ingenious things I’ve ever come across. It’s literally a box of 35, laminated cards, which has a walk/hike on each of them. Each card has:

· The distance of the walk

· How difficult the walk is

· Place to stay near your walk

· A map of the walk

· An itinerary of the walk and

· Beautiful photos of Provence.

The walks/hikes can range from a short stint to a couple of days depending on how much of an avid hiker or newbie you are. The cool thing about the laminated cards is that you can take the one card you want for the day, put it in your pocket or backpack and leave the box behind. No worries if it’s rainy or you’re building up some sweat, the lamination protects the cards!

The only Con with respect to the many Pros is that you should bring a guide book or map as a backup because some of the information is not always complete enough to get you by. If you know the area well enough, you should be fine, but if you don’t you will need additional guide book or source. Still, it’s well worth the purchase.

En Balade La Provence- Magazine

Product: En Balade La Provence – Magazine

Price: 2,80 Euros per issue

Where to Purchase: laprovence.com

My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

I’m an avid reader of this magazine which is all about hiking in Provence and Corsica. I first came upon this nice piece of helpfulness while waiting in the checkout line at the supermarket. The very first hike I took from one of their suggestions lead me to an all day love affair with the Mediterranean and I was hooked for life.

The first part of the magazine features several hikes (normally 10) and devotes a few pages to each hike. There are lots of photos, practical information like difficulty, distance, where to park, where to start the hike, etc. It also gives a very nice and lengthy article on what you will expect to find and see and also the history of the area and any historical monuments you will see on your hike. It also gives information on a good restaurant selection in the area, a recommend place to stay and what other things to see and do.

Towards the back of the magazine, it gives a short synopsis on weekend hikes and outdoorsy things to do, groups to contact in order to do outings with other like-minded people and different suggestions of what to do in the region based on what time of the year you are planning a visit.

Hiking near Cabasson on the Mediterranean in Provence

I love this magazine and practically eat it up when I get the next issue. It’s really contributed to me meeting other people who also love to hike or just enjoy getting out in nature and having fun with the regional festivities.

There are two Cons with regards to this magazine:

As far as I know, it only comes in French. So I would not recommend it as sole guide it if you don’t know any French at all. The one exception would be if you are an avid hiker. From the information given and your experience you could easily figure out the necessary information. However, if you are not an avid hiker then I recommend using it along with another guide book in English to help you out.
I’ve only been able to find it at the supermarket or online here.

The magazine is only 2.80€ for each issue so well worth the investment even if you get it just to see the wonderful photos of the area and hikes. It could also help you to decide what hikes you would like to take and then combine that with a hiking book in English.

Final Thoughts on Hiking in Provence

So there you have it, my three recommended sources for having a wonderful time while hiking and sightseeing in Provence. Besides just knowing the area and where to go, as always, be safe and follow some simple rules (this is not a complete set of rules by any means):

Bring plenty of water (especially in the summer months when it is extremely hot and humid)
Bring food and extra snacks
Avoid getting run down. Take breaks
We’re appropriate clothing for the weather. It gets very cold in Provence in the winter so always bring or wear a jacket and warm clothes.
Wear long pants in the summer to protect against scraps and scratches from the plant life and bug bites.
Avoid hiking in areas where signs are posted saying “chasse”or “chasse gardée” or chasse en cours”. This means hunters are around and the season here runs from October 1 through February 28/29. Stay far way during hunting season!
Even if you are hiking on clearly marked trails during hunting season, invest in a bright orange jacket/vest/sweatshirt. That way you can be clearly seen in the event that hunters are present.
Have fun and always respect nature and our precious monuments so others can enjoy them in the future.

I would love to hear how your adventure went and also if you find my suggested guides helpful so please let me know by leaving me a comment below.

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If you enjoy a nice, quiet walk in the forest, then a stroll to the Chartreuse de Montreiux (also known as Chartreuse Notre-Dame de Montrieux) is just what’s called for.

Parking

The walk starts at the parking lot just off of the road D202. You can’t miss it because there is a large, white, iron cross to mark the entrance.

You will also see a sign which designates you are entering the Forêt Domaniale de Morières Montrieux.

Certain times of the year and certain times of the day, the parking lot may be full, so you will have to drive along the D202 to park on the side of the road.

The Walk

I call this a “walk” and not a “hike” since the road to the Chartreuse in entirely paved and anyone can enjoy it. It is a very easy walk. You can bring strollers and wheelchairs and children can bring their scooters.

The paved, tree-lined road — The road that takes you to the Chartreuse

To start the walk, leave the parking lot going up the main road into the forest. The road winds around the beautiful forest on its way to the Chartreuse. As you follow the road, be sure to stop often to listen to the birds and to take photos of the surrounding area. The trees are lovely and the area is calm and serene.

The trees in autumn — The trees are at their most beautiful in the autumn

First Monument

About half way to the Chartreuse, on the left hand side of the road, you will see a small monument with a statue of Mary holding baby Jesus. It is usually covered in flowers and sometimes there will be candles there. Just above, is a plateau you can climb up in order to take a look around or have a snack. It’s a nice area to have lunch, as well. I would definitely encourage you to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the lovely scenery. Please note: There are no trash cans, so in order to maintain the beauty of the area; you will have to take all your trash with you when you leave.

The Small Bridge

A little further down the road is a small bridge, or aqueduct. A favorite thing for people to do is go down and walk across it or stand in the middle of it and take a photo. I don’t encourage this, but if you do try it, you do so at your own risk. The stones can be slippery, especially in fall and winter. If you are wondering if I’ve tried this, yes I have. Happily I am still in one piece! I have, however, seen people take a tumble. They did not get hurt, but risk-taker beware.

You are allowed to leave the paved road and walk amongst the trees at anytime during the hike. Just remember to respect the area at all times.

The Arrival

As you head up the road, the Chartreuse will appear out of the forest just on the left-hand side. It is surrounded by a large wall. Continue walking up the road and you will arrive at the front of it. The outside is magnificent with the look of both a monastery and a castle. Since this is still a working monastery, you may not enter. The only part of it you can see is the little chapel Saint Roseline, of which the door is the last one on the right-hand side of the building as you are facing it. Here you may sit and rest for as long as you like.

Front of Chartreuse — The main entrance of the Chartreuse

The main building — A view of the main, front area of the monastery

Side view — Chartreuse with both towers.

A few times I have been on the walk, the monks were selling honey. I believe this is seasonal, but I would encourage you to buy some to help support the monks and the monastery.

Statue of Mary — The statue above the main doorway

Seasons

For me, the fall season in Provence is lovely. Growing up in southern California, I didn’t see much of a fall with all the beautiful trees turning color. A Provence autumn is by no means comparable to an autumn of the New England states, but it still provides some lovely colors between the end of October and the beginning of December.

Forest — The forest is beautiful with the fall leaves

By far, my favorite season to do this walk is in the autumn. I love the cool, damp air, the yellow, red and orange colors on the trees. I enjoy seeing the leaves sparkle when the sun hits the dew on them. The vines on the Chartreuse also change color and give it a wonderful vibrant look. This is the time of year I can be found here quite often. It’s not unusual for me to be here a couple of times a week during this season.

Chartreuse in Autumn — The monastery vines are changing colors.

The other time of year that I do this walk is in the spring time, when everything is just blooming and the green on the trees are the most vibrant. By late April, the forest is all fluffy with the leaves now full on the trees. The front of the Chartreuse is covered in green vines and practically hidden away.

The Chartreuse

The forest was planted in the middle ages. It is said that a Carthusian monk traveled to the Orient at this time and when he returned he brought with him seeds and went about having them planted all around the monastery which then became a large forest.

A hiking trail — There are many hiking trails just after the monastery

The monastery as you see it now, was built between the 17^th and 18^th century and was restored during the 19^th century. There has been a monastery on this site since the 1137 A.D. Unfortunately, between that time and the 17^th century, the many buildings that occupied the site were destroyed.

A view from the side — A view from the outer rim of the walls

Just across from the main building is a small fountain with an inscription dedicated to those who were part of a small resistance group that travelled over the hills of the Siou Blanc to liberate the village of Le Revest during World War II.

During the French Revolution, the monastery was abandoned, but monks returned to occupy it in 1843. They lived here peacefully until being expelled in 1905. In 1928, the monks were once again permitted to occupy the site, but this time, they decided to close off the monastery from visitors in order to protect themselves and to ensure privacy.

Another view outside the walls — Another view from just outside the large wall of protection

In the year 2008, the monastery was occupied by 12 monks of the order.

The tower and tree — A view before heading back

More Information

If you would like additional information on the life of the monks you can visit the Catholic Diocese official page here. The page is only in French.

I would love to hear how your adventure went so please let me know by leaving me a comment below.

The location map, along with my Google Local Guide review, is here.

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