A Week in Provence - Rail Travel from London

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    [title] => Arrival Day
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Meet your HF Holidays Tour Manager at London St. Pancras and board the Eurostar to Lille. At Lille, change to the TGV train for your onward journey to Aix-En-Provence. A short coach transfer of about an hour will take you to your hotel.
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    [title] => Introducing Gréoux: between river and plateau
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Today both walks start and finish at the hotel.
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                    [title] => Up to the Valansole plateau and discovering Greoux
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Distance: 6 miles (10km)
Total ascent: 1,000 feet (300m)
In summary: The walk starts following the Verdon River and we will climb up to the vast Valensole plateau on the long distance GR4 trail behind the town, taking in the wide sweeping horizon towards the village of Valensole and the mountains. Using an old livestock droving route and crossing the area known as the "Marchand de nuages" we travel across the plateau with the possibility of seeing poppies, lavender fields and olive trees, depending on the season. Towards the end of the walk and before getting back to the hotel we have time to explore the old town of Greoux and the castle. You can then choose to explore its narrow streets and linger over a drink or continue back to the hotel for a swim perhaps. 
Highlight: Spectacular views down to the Verdon mountains from the Valensole plateau.
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                    [title] => Crossing the Verdon to the hamlet of Les Maurras
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Distance: 10 miles (16km)
Total ascent: 1,650 feet (500m)
In summary: The harder walk takes us in the opposite direction to the easier group, starting by crossing the Verdon River on Gréoux’s ancient bridge. We follow the river bank for a short time before climbing steeply up on wooded tracks. Views open up as we travel towards the remote hamlet of Les Maurras, an area known for its truffles. Continuing to climb we pass over the subterranean route of the old Verdon irrigation canal which we will see later in the week. Arriving at the highest point of the day we are greeted by a view of Gréoux’s castle in the distance, before descending and climbing again to pass the remote chapel of Notre Dame des Oeufs, enjoying views over the lower Verdon valley. Our final descent leads us back over the river and into town.
Highlight: Visit the Notre Dame des Oeufs and discover it's local custom.
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    [title] => Forcalquier and the Abbey of Salagon at Mane
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Today both groups take the coach to the bustling hill town of Forcalquier and its thriving atmospheric weekly market.
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                    [title] => Forcalquier to the Abbey of Salagon at Mane
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Distance: 4½ miles (7km)
Total ascent: 500 feet (150m)
Total descent: 800 feet (250m)
In summary: The easier group will have time to explore this historic town and its market, perhaps climbing to the Citadel to see the carillon and observe the magnificent view before setting off. Our tracks are stony in places but never too steep as we cross the wooded limestone plateau on our journey to Mane. Along the way, we pass a series of fascinating bories (traditional dry-stone huts) and old shepherds’ shelters, offering a glimpse into the region’s rural heritage. If time permits, there is also the opportunity to visit the ancient Abbey of Salagon and its beautiful ethnobotanical gardens. Please note that a small entrance fee applies for those who wish to explore the site.
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                    [title] => Discovering the sculpted landscape from Forcalquier to Mane
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Distance: 7½ miles (12km)
Total ascent: 1,000 feet (300m)
Total descent: 1,300 feet (400m)
In summary: After a brief look around the market we make a steady climb out of Forcalquier to the plateau of Les Mourres to see the strangely shaped limestone rocks created by water and wind erosion over the centuries. On descending we will pass dry stone bories (huts) and old shepherds’ shelters before passing the abbey to arrive at Mane for welcome refreshments.
Highlight: The limestone rocks at Les Mourres.
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    [title] => Céreste and the Luberon
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Today both groups will travel by coach to the village of Céreste for walks in the majestic Luberon valley.
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                    [title] => Céreste and the Lubéron
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Distance: 6 miles (10km)
Total ascent: 800 feet (250m)
This varied hike in the Luberon starts in the village of Céreste. After a steady climb, we reach a scenic ridge with beautiful views over the Calavon Valley on one side and the Luberon on the other. Our walk leads us to the old citadel of Montjustin, which we will visit. On the return, we'll cross Roman and medieval bridges and discover rich flora and ancient ruins. The picturesque village of Céreste, with its delightful pavement cafés, will be the start and finish of our route.
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                    [title] => Céreste, the Luberon and the Carluc Priory
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Distance: 8.5 miles (14km)
Total ascent: 1,000 feet (300m)
Today’s more challenging walk follows the same route as option 1 before parting ways by crossing a valley and climbing to the other side. Here we'll find the remains of the medieval Carluc Priory. Believed to have been built in the 11th century and surrounded by an even older necropolis, this ruined chapel once served as a welcome resting spot for Christian pilgrims making arduous journeys between Italy and Spain. We’ll finish our journey by returning to Céreste.
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    [title] => Free Day
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Each week there is a free day when no guided walks are offered. This is an ideal opportunity to relax around the hotel, walk independently or visit local places of interest. Some options for your free day may include:
Gréoux-les-Bains: Explore the town of Gréoux-les-Bains and learn about the therapeutic qualities of its natural spring - discovered by the Romans. Walk up to the Castle of the Templars before stopping for lunch at one of the town’s many restaurants.
Manosque or Aix-en-Provence: There are bus connections to Manosque and Aix en Provence. Aix-en-Provence the bohemian, chic university town with museums and sights painted by Cezanne.
Riez: Take a bus to Riez and discover this wonderfully preserved Provençal village with it’s traditional Wednesday market, old buildings, restaurants and Roman remains.
Hotel facilities: Enjoy the facilities of the Hotel Villa Borghese; swim in its heated pool, enjoy a relaxing lunch on the terrace or play a game of table tennis or boules.
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    [title] => The ridges above Moustiers Saint Marie
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Our walks today take different routes to finish in the medieval streets of Moustiers St Marie.
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                    [title] => Lac Saint Croix to Moustiers Saint Marie
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Distance: 6 miles (9½km)
Total ascent: 820 feet (250m)
In summary: We will be dropped off near to Lac Ste Croix and the first part of the walk follows the lake shore to Pont de Galetas where the river emerges from the upper Verdon Gorge. After leaving the lake we follow the line of a stream called La Maïre through woods to Le Petit Lac where there are good views of the craggy cliffs of the upper plateau. From here we climb through scenic fields to enter the village of Moustiers-Ste-Marie, famed for its ceramics and pilgrims’ church with a golden star hung high above in the cleft in the crags.
Highlight: Time to explore the streets of Moustiers-Ste-Marie.
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                    [title] => Above Moustiers Saint Marie
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Distance: 5½ miles (9km)
Total ascent: 1,640ft (500m)
In summary: This walk takes us steeply up to the craggy ridge of L’Oubes with great views over the Lac St Croix and the start of the Upper Verdon Gorge. After crossing the summit and descending to a dry riverbed the terrain becomes more open before the final spectacular descent to Moustiers St Marie on a twisting ancient road.
Highlight: Walk up to the chapel of Notre Dame de Beauvoir perched high on its rock for magnificent views.
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    [title] => Quinson and the Gorge of the Verdon
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A pleasant drive brings both groups to the lower Verdon Gorge. Both groups will have the opportunity to walk in the gorge and see the remains of the old Verdon canal, built to channel water to the city of Aix en Provence. The paths in the gorge are narrow in places but have handrails; there are also occasional metal staircases with handrails.
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                    [title] => The Verdon gorge from Saint Laurent du Verdon
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Distance: 6 miles (10km)
Total ascent: 650ft (200m) 
In summary: We start the walk from the ancient village of Saint Laurent du Verdon, the greenest of all villages along the Verdon gorge whose Gallo Roman ruins bear witness to its history. We'll walk in the direction of Saint Laurent du Verdon lake then follow a track around "Coteau Chiron" hill with superb views of the lower Verdon gorge. The rest of the walk continues along the Verdon river before returning to Saint Laurent du Verdon. We transfer by coach to Quinson to meet the grade 3 walkers allowing time to observe more views of the Verdon gorges from the Verdon bridge and get some well-earned refreshments. 
Highlight: The breathtaking Verdon gorge.
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                    [title] => Verdon gorge from Quinson to the chapel of St Maxime
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Distance: 8 miles (13km)
Total ascent: 1,300 feet (400m)
In summary: The harder walk starts in the gorge on a rocky, but fairly level, path with occasional steps cut into the rock. There are metal handrails and staircases in places and a timber walkway suspended above the river, before the path follows the top of the retaining wall of an old Napoleonic canal. After passing through a short tunnel we initially ascend through woodland before a final short steep ascent to the ridge and chapel of St Maxime. We return descending a steep, but stepped, route down the side of a gorge, to arrive back at river level, then follow the original route back to the Verdon Bridge and well earned refreshments. There is a short level river walk back to the village of Quinson where our transport awaits.
Highlight: Discover one of Europe's most beautiful river canyons.
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    [title] => Departure Day
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Depart for your relaxing rail journey back to London St. Pancras via Lille and the Eurostar
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