Want a good breath of fresh air? For a walk along the shore, head to the Route du Sel [Salt Road] in Hyères, the Chemin des Basses Gorges du Verdon or the Sentier des Douaniers, which goes along the coast including a section between Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer and Bandol. If you’re in a sporty mood, head to the Montagne Sainte-Victoire. Finally, a jaunt in the hills of the Garlaban are an immersion in Marcel Pagnol’s Provence.
In Provence, you can gallop on the vast beaches of the Camargue, atop one of their famous white thoroughbred horses. Many equestrian centres also can be found in the Parc Régional Natural des Alpilles, in the Luberon, or in Provence Verte. A horse ride lets you explore exceptional flora. You might also be tempted by a walk with a pack donkey, who will be happy to carry your picnic!
Provence offers a thousand landscapes to explore on a bike ride with friends, your family, solo, or as a couple. On the quiet roads of the Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon between two perched hillside villages, or in the Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon, a short walk from the Gorges. Or try going full tilt in the vast, windy expanses of the Camargue or in the green hills of the Parc Régional Natural des Alpilles.
A short walk from Marseille or Cassis, the Calanques, and their azure and transparent sea, are essential for anyone who wants to hike in Provence. That uniquely blue water can also be found a little further north, in the Gorges du Verdon at the Parc Régional Natural du Verdon. Take the Sentier Martel to admire them. Finally, a hike to the summit of Montagne Sainte-Victoire, known for the sixty works of Cézanne that it inspired, promises you an unforgettable panorama.
Provence is teeming with parks and gardens which will help you explore the region from various angles. Some green spaces, like the garden of the Abbaye de Valsaintes, offer you a historical approach. Others, like the Jardin des 5 Sens et des Formes Premières [The Garden of the 5 Senses and of First Shapes], will delight lovers of contemporary art and new experiences. You can also stroll in the verdant paths of classic French gardens.
