ITINERARY | HIGHLIGHTS | WEATHER | ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFO PROVENCE 2010 – FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE DEEP BLUE SEA Sainte Baume to Calanques de Cassis An exceptional self-guided walking route, from the Provence hinterland down to the Mediterranean; from Sainte Baume, where a limestone escarpment offers an extensive panorama over the sea and where peaceful Provencal villages hide in its folds, to Cassis and La Ciotat Calanques, with their fjord-like landscapes and vertical cliffs and idyllic sites for bathing. A singular walk for its huge variety of landscapes and colours. And, furthermore, good hotels and typical provencal food.
PRICE£575 per person based on 2 people sharing (less £60 per person if 7
thnight omitted). Single room supplement: £140. For person travelling alone, further supplement of £55 for cost of luggage transfer.
INCLUDED
7 nights half board (bed, dinner and breakfast), luggage transportation, route notes and emergency back-up.
NOT INCLUDED
Arrival and departure to/from Provence. Drinks and lunches. Local bus and boat journeys where required (probable total cost about 40 euro). Insurance. Anything not specifially mentioned in the programme.
DEPARTURES
1 March until 29 June and 16 September until 30 November 2010 (impossible in summer because of heat and fire risk).
Average daily distance: 18kms/10 miles
Day 1: Meeting point at 6pm at your Hotel in Pont de l’Etoile (2 km from Aubagne). At the foot of Mont Sainte Baume, your hotel is a real haven, right in the middle of cicada country.
Day 2: Aubagne to Pland’Aups (Mont Sainte Baume)
Splendid route to reach Plan d’Aups – lots of flowers as you climb to Bertagne and Espigoulier passes.
Walking through woodland you reach Plan d’Aups, a lovely village in the Varoise, perched at 682 m, complete with Roman remains. Dinner and overnight in Plan d’Aups.
Time: 05h30. Up 803 m down 287 m
Day 3: Plan d’Aups to Plan d’Aups (Mont Sainte Baume)
Today’s walk takes you to the northern and western slopes of Mont Sainte Baume, one of the symbols of Provence. Following the crest line at about 1000m, magnificent walking to the Marie-Madeleine Cave, a well-known pilgrimage shrine, passing by Grotte aux Oeufs (“eggs cave”).
Time: 04h00 to 05h00. Up 516 m down 516 m
Day 4: Plan d’Aups to Gemenos / bus to Cassis
Walk across Sainte Baume from north to south, breathing in all the perfumes of wild Provence. From the top a magnificent panorama over the sea and islands, towards Mont Ventoux and to the Pre-Alps. Walks down to Gemenos via “La Glaciaire” (used in the XVII and XIX centuries to make ice) and Saint Pons Parc offering shade and fresh air even during the summer, thanks to the waterfalls of Sainte Baume. Pass a chapel and a Cistercian abbey dating back to the XIII century and then take a public bus for the 30 minute drive to Cassis and your hotel near the sea.
Time: 05h00. Up 184 m down 722 m
Day 5: Cassis/La Ciotat to Cassis
Take a bus to La Ciotat and then a walk along the hills overlooking the sea: passage via “La Grande Tête” (Great Head) and Semaphore du Bec del’Aigle (Eagle Beak), at Cap Canaille, before going down to the lovely port of Cassis. The arrival in Cassis is spectacular. Overnight in Cassis.
Time: 05h00. Up 580 m down 580 m
Day 6: Calanques de Cassis
Boat (not included) to Morgiou Calanque. Then a beautiful walk in wild Provence towards Sugiton creek, then either to Gineste pass and back to Cassis by bus, or else up to Candelle pass, then En-Vau calanque (the most spectacular and vertiginous) and back to Cassis. Dinner in local restaurant. Overnight in Cassis.
Time: 05h00 to 07h00. Up 400 or 700 m down 200 or 700 m
Day 7: Calanques de Cassis
A beautiful walk up to the Port-Pin Calanque. Back to Cassis in the afternoon. Overnight Cassis.
Time: 03h00. Up 200m down 200 m.
Day 8: departure after breakfast
The colours and perfumes of the countryside. Beautiful views and the contrast between the mountains and the sea. The delightful port of Cassis.
ACCOMMODATION
The accommodation is based on half-board (evening meal + overnight + breakfast), in double room (or individual room with supplement depending on availability), in Hotel**, bathroom and toilets en-suite.
1st hotel : Hôtel de l’Etoile in AUBAGNE
2nd hotel : hotel Lou Pèbre d’Aï in PLAN D’AUPS
3rd hotel : Cassitel in CASSIS
DIFFICULTYModerately demanding. No climbing or scrambling but you should be used to walking on various terrains and to be in a good health. Paths are extremely variable and in the Calanques, some paths are very stony. Level difference is around 400 to 700 m per day. You will walk an average of 5 to 6 hours per day.
GETTING THEREPLANE: nearest airport is Marseilles.
CAR: Aubagne - “Pont de l’Etoile” is located on the A501 road about 23 km North East of Marseille. Take exit N° 7 “Aubagne Nord, Aix en Provence, Frejus-St Raphaël”. Follow N96 road for 3.5 km to Pont de l'Etoile. The hotel is clearly indicated.
You may leave your car in the car park of the hotel in Aubagne (free of charge – just call hotel reception to let them know before).
TRAIN: Marseille Saint-Charles (train station) to Aubagne (15 mins), then bus for short journey to Pont de l'Etoile (8 mins).
WHAT TO TAKE
Comfortable, well aerated clothes in keeping with the season. Always bring a pullover, good walking boots (already worn-in) and several pairs of cotton or wool socks. For your daily needs, you are advised to have a plastic bag to line your day-pack (to protect the contents from rain), rainwear, a sun-hat, sun glasses, sun block, a water bottle, plastic picnic boxes (for transporting your lunches), first-aid kit, camera and film, torch/flashlight, mobile phone.
WHEN TO GO
1 March until 29 June and 16 September until 30 November 2010 (impossible in summer because of heat and fire risk).INSURANCE
We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.
To book, contact
worldwalks at:
email:
walking@star.co.ukT: (44)
(0)1242 254353