In September of 2018, we cycled and hiked in France.
This year was all about exploring regions of France by foot, although we did do a little cycling. Our journey began in Avignon, a city we enjoyed in the past and it did not disappoint this time. We just love wandering around inside the walled city. After a restful visit in Avignon, we left our wonderful apartment to join seven other hearty souls on a ten day hiking trip through Provence. We wandered from the dramatic white limestone peaks of the Dentelles de Montmirail to medieval villages nestled in olive groves to the great vineyards of the Cotes du Rhone wine domains.
We rambled through forests and vineyards, experienced wine tasting as well as olive oil tasting, visited medieval abbeys, and climbed the coastal calanques' limestone inlets. We also enjoyed a private boat ride to explore the inlets of the calanques. Of course, the highlight was circumnavigating and summiting Mont Ventoux! The panoramic views of the Alps on the hike were spectacular. Vive la Provence!
The highlight of the entire trip, however, was hiking the Sentier Blanc-Martel trail in the Gorge du Verdon. We hiked down into a stunning gorge (the grand canyon of France) to a brilliantly blue-green river. This trail had everything, including long, dark tunnels, breathtaking stairways down cracks between the walls, and changing views around each corner. We spent five days in Moustiers Sainte-Marie hiking with our friend Debra Windus, and afterwards spent some time with her and her husband in their home in Bellenaves, France.
We then
explored Lyon for three days, and finished our trip with a cycling tour of
Bourgogne (the Burgundy region of France).
Select a picture below to see our photos
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ABOVE - Map of our travels in France
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ABOVE - 09/06 - Around the city of Avignon
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ABOVE - 09/07 - Bike ride to Fort Saint Andre
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ABOVE - 09/08 - Avignon at night
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ABOVE - 09/09 - Hike St. Remy to the Alpilles
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ABOVE - 09/10 - Hike to Les Baux de Provence
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ABOVE - 09/11 - Hike from Gordes to Senanque Abbey
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ABOVE - 09/12 - Hike from Bonnieux to Lacoste
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ABOVE - 09/13 - Hike in the Dentelles de Montmirail
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ABOVE - 09/14 - Hike in the vineyards above Gigondas
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ABOVE - 09/15 - Summit the lofty Mont Ventoux
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ABOVE - 09/16 - Hike the Calanques de Marseille to Cassis
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ABOVE - 09/17 - Around the Riviera town of Cassis
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ABOVE - 9/18 - Cruising the Calanques
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ABOVE - 9/19 - Welcome to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
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ABOVE - 09/20 - Gorges du Verdon Hike number one
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ABOVE - 09/21 - Hike to the Chapel and Grotto
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ABOVE - 09/22 - Hiking the Sentier Blanc-Martel
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ABOVE - 09/23 - Last full day in Moustiers
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ABOVE - 09/24 - 9/25 - Moustiers to Bellenave
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ABOVE - 09/26 - 9/27 - Churches of lyon
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ABOVE - 09/26 to 9/28 - Around Lyon
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ABOVE - 09/29 - Welcome to Beaune
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ABOVE - 09/30 - Bike Tour of Bourgogne (Burgundy)
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ABOVE - 10/01 - Last day in Beaune
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ABOVE - The fabulous food of France, vegetarian, of course
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ABOVE - Lace Curtains and Signs
