Green Provence & Verdon
A Long Weekend through perched villages, wild plateaus, and Europe’s deepest canyon.
A long weekend through the quieter, greener heart of Provence, where stone villages rise above valleys and limestone plateaus stretch toward the Verdon.
Ancient forests, turquoise waters, vineyard roads, and canyon trails shape a journey that moves fluidly between hiking, biking, time on the water, and slow evenings in sun-washed villages.
HIGHLIGHTS :
• Discover cliff-perched villages like Cotignac, Tourtour, and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, set between wide plateaus, ancient forests, and dramatic canyon edges.
• Hike limestone ridges and sacred forest paths, from the mystical woods of Sainte-Baume to sweeping viewpoints above the Verdon gorges.
• Move through turquoise waters and wild landscapes, combining lake cruising with aqua-hiking or rafting through sculpted canyon corridors.
• Taste, see, and feel Provence, through olive oil and rosé, lavender and sunflower fields, lively village plazas, and sunset dining over glowing valleys.
• Bike quiet country lanes and vineyard routes, following old rail tracks, château estates, and rolling countryside shaped by light and stone.
At a Glance
Start / End
Aix-en-Provence, Marseille or Nice
Season
Mid-April → Mid-October
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Comfort
From €2,950
Signature
From €3,250
ITINERARY
DAY 1 & 2 :
Move through wooded slopes and limestone viewpoints of the Sainte-Baume | Climb into the cliff-set village of Cotignac, exploring carved dwellings and narrow streets | Cycle vineyard corridors and river flats past château estates, farms, and quiet farmland | Taste the land through olive oil and regional wines in small producers and village cellars | Spend time in Tourtour, one of Provence’s highest villages, taking in wide views across hills and plateaus | Gather on the main square for pastis and pétanque before a sunset dinner overlooking the landscape.
DAY 3 & 4
Descend into the Verdon for an active water experience through narrow passages and clear currents | Enter the stone-lined streets of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, set between towering rock walls | Walk exposed paths along the canyon rim with wide views across cliffs and water | Take to the water on Lac de Sainte-Croix, gliding through calm inlets and along steep-sided shores | Cross the Valensole plateau, moving through open highlands and wide agricultural landscapes.
What’s Included
• Expert Blue Dune trip hosts for all daily activities and hosted meals
• Daily breakfasts, curated lunches, selected dinners, snacks & beverages
• Luxury boutique accommodations (final hotels confirmed with your dates)
• All multi-adventure activities with equipment and professional guides
• Special visits, tastings, and cultural experiences as outlined in your Trip Doc
• All local transport during the trip — shuttles, ferries, trains, and boat travel
• Park and reserve fees
• Baggage transfers
• Comprehensive Trip Doc with practical information and daily guidance
• All gratuities for hotels, restaurants, guides, and activity partners
What’s Not Included
• International flights and travel to/from trip start or end locations
• Explore meals
• Additional alcoholic beverages and personal purchases
• Personal travel insurance
FAQ
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We select small, character-driven hotels and guesthouses that reflect the region.
Comfort focuses on charm, location, and simplicity
Signature elevates the experience with standout properties, stronger design, and a more refined atmosphere
Both prioritize warmth, cleanliness, and sense of place. Your Trip Doc will confirm exact properties once dates are finalized.
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Blue Dune trips are designed for active travelers of all levels.
By choosing your trip level—Easy-Going, Dynamic, or Adventurous—you already set the overall rhythm and intensity of the experience. Within that framework, daily activities remain adaptable, with pacing options, terrain variations, and built-in flexibility.
Beginners, families, and mixed-ability groups are welcome on many trips. Your host will help shape each day so everyone feels engaged, supported, and comfortable.
Your Trip Doc will explain activity levels and daily expectations in detail before departure.
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No. Participation is always optional.
Each day has a core experience, but lighter alternatives, rest time, or cultural exploration are always available. Blue Dune is about engagement, not obligation.
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Explore Meals are meals intentionally left open so you can discover local food at your own pace, usually one lunch on Long Weekend, one lunch and one dinner on Casual Journeys, two lunches and one dinner on In-Depth escapes.
Your Blue Dune host will always share recommendations and may join when it fits the flow.
Explore Meals are meals intentionally left open so you can discover local food at your own pace.
Outside of Explore Meals, your Blue Dune host will be with you throughout shared dining experiences to ensure everything runs smoothly and to enjoy those moments together. These meals are an important part of the trip rhythm—time to slow down, connect, and share the experience as a group.
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Yes. A Blue Dune host travels with the group for the full journey.
Your host manages logistics, activities, and daily flow, while also sharing key moments with the group—including lunches and dinners—creating a balanced, social, and relaxed experience.
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Trips are private by default.
If a departure is opened to other travelers, it will be clearly listed on our Open Trips page, allowing others to join the same dates.
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Group size depends on whether the trip is private or open.
Private trips have no fixed minimum or maximum. For the best overall experience, we generally recommend keeping groups under 16 guests. For very small private groups (under 4 guests), a small-group premium may apply to cover fixed logistics and staffing costs.
Open trips are intentionally capped at around 16 guests, ensuring smooth logistics, strong group dynamics, and a more personal experience.
Any group-size considerations will be clearly confirmed during the planning process and detailed in your Trip Doc.
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What happens after I send my Trip Request?
We contact you within 48 hours to review your details, clarify any questions, and discuss your vision for the trip if needed.
Once your dates and preferences are confirmed, we prepare your Trip Doc — a detailed itinerary outlining your proposed journey.
You review it, refine it with us, and once it feels perfect, we finalize your trip.