Activity Reviews in Provence

With a long bank holiday weekend in store it made sense to venture to the outskirts of Provence to see what the Ardeche region and the famous Ardeche Gorge has to offer.

It was a very hot day when we decided to set out for a hike from Digne les Bains, and after a three course lunch with a cheese course to finish, we weren't feeling like moving around too much.

Interested in a lovely Provençal bike ride? Don't feel like going through the pain of climbing Mont Ventoux? That's OK! A perfectly peaceful bike route is waiting for you just across the river from Avignon. A spin around Île de la Barthelasse will take you past beautiful farm fields, orchards and views of Avignon – plus it's all flat.

Beginning at the statue of the artist beside Fontaine de la Rotonde; arguably the grandest fountain in Aix, follow the “C” shaped medallions on the ground for a walking tour with a purpose.

Riding around La Camargue on horseback is the perfect way to spend an afternoon in the company of experienced and well-trained horses trekking through marshland and along the dusty-paths of the famous region.

A small island in the middle of Provence, L’Ile-sur-la-Sorgue is famous for it’s markets, antiques, water wheels and canals. The name itself translates to Island on the Sorgue (the name of the river) and some have even dubbed it the ‘Venice of Provence’. Sounds cool right? I’m not sure about the whole ‘Venice’ thing, but this town is definitely worth a day trip.

Somedays you want it all, it was one of those days so we booked ourselves in for a day of golf, lunch and spa at the Terre Blanche in the foothills above the French Riviera.

Looking for a quiet walk and a bit of nature? Taking in sights, shopping and eating gelato in a busy city can be exhausting, even when it’s as charming as Avignon. Just minutes outside of the city walls, there is a beautiful canal and walking path that will make you feel miles away from the tourist filled plazas and gelaterias.

A late night decision over a sublime "soupe au pistou" and a bottle of red, ended up with an early morning alarm call to make for a dash to the summit of the Mont Saint Victoire.

We meet at the back of the tourist office in Arles where 3 white safari jeeps were already parked with the canopied roofs wide open.

Mont Ventoux for those who are not fans of the Tour de France or have not ventured inland past Avignon, is a mighty mountain which dominates the relatively flat surroundings north of the Luberon. With it's peak at 1912 metres, it is a mecca for cyclists (although it also appeals to hikers, mountain-bikers and skiers). Seen as I was passing by with my fold up bike in the boot I decided to find out what the fuss was about...

November in Provence is a month of showers, overflowing riverbeds and muddy paths. But in between the rainy days, the sun comes out again in shining form, reaching the wet ground for a temporary warmth. It's the time to head for the forests in search of hidden treasures, the wild mushrooms that spring up from the heavy dampness of the soil.

Provence Quad Location, situated in Graveson just a few kilometres outside St.Remy-de-Provence, offer guided tours through the Provençal countryside every day of the year. I was part of a group on the “Discovery” tour.