Provence Hiking Retreat: Culture, Nature, Food & Wine

The base for all activities is a stunning, old farmhouse that offers a unique and peaceful retreat for those seeking a rejuvenating holiday. With extraordinary views from the house, terrace, and pool, you’ll gaze upon rolling hills stretching all the way to the sea.

This original farmhouse, with its added rooms over the years, has been recently renovated to a high standard. Inside, you’ll find a contemporary yet personal feel, while the exterior retains the charm of a classic Provençal home.

The surrounding land is adorned with numerous fruit and olive trees. Depending on the season, you might enjoy fresh figs, plums, mulberries, cherries, and lemons. The wild forest behind and around the house stretches for miles, teeming with colourful butterflies and wild animals.

The heart of our trip is hiking, designed for nature enthusiasts or those keen to discover the world of walking in the hills and eager to immerse themselves in the stunning landscapes of Provence. Over the course of four days, you’ll explore winding trails that lead you through thick green forests and fragrant wild lavender fields. These hikes take you off the beaten path into the wilderness, offering a truly unique and undiscovered experience surrounded by nothing but nature’s beauty.

We will be competing a variety of walks and hikes. These are tailored to suit all levels from beginners to advanced hikers. There are many route options in this region to suit everyone.

Vineyard Wine Tour: Provence is famed for its exceptional wines, from elegant rosés to characterful whites and reds. We’ll visit a nearby sustainable winery for a guided vineyard tour, an introduction to the winemaking process, and a tasting enjoyed at the source.

Medieval Village Exploration and Local Market: The hilltop villages of Provence offer sweeping views and timeless charm. With stone houses, narrow lanes, and historic architecture, each village reveals its own unique story as we explore. Plus a trip to a local village market.

Dining and Culture: Throughout the journey, we’ll enjoy Provençal cuisine in local cafés and restaurants, discovering the region through its food and culture.

Ah, the food! There’s something magical about the cuisine in this part of the world. Perhaps it’s the rich soil, or the French passion for culinary excellence, but the flavours here are simply unforgettable. Food is a cornerstone of our cultural hiking retreat, and we take great pride in offering a delightful gastronomic experience.

Home-Cooked Meals: During your stay, we will be preparing a variety of French and Provençal recipes. We work with local producers and almost without exception, we source organic produce to create delicious, wholesome meals. You’ll be eating mostly traditional dishes that reflect the culinary heritage of this beautiful area.

Dining Out: To complement our home-cooked meals, we’ll also dine out for one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner during our trip.

We are committed to responsible, sustainable tourism that protects nature and supports local communities. We minimise our environmental impact by using solar energy, limiting vehicle use, recycling locally, and sourcing food from our own land and nearby organic producers. We work in harmony with local wildlife and design nature-focused hikes that encourage respect for Provence’s biodiversity. We collaborate with a local vineyard and small-scale farmers. Our trips directly benefit local cafés, markets, artisans, and businesses. We employ local people, pay fair wages, and are inclusive of all. While our experiences require good fitness due to hiking, they are designed to create meaningful, low-impact travel that leaves a positive environment social and economic legacy.

Created by a Londoner with deep French roots, this experience is shaped by a lifelong connection to the landscapes and culture of Provence. The aim is to offer something intimate and meaningful, combining nature, local culture, and simple pleasures. Guests are invited to slow down, breathe in fresh mountain air, enjoy organic, locally sourced food, and savour excellent regional wines. Whether hiking through beautiful scenery, relaxing by the pool, or unwinding on the terrace, the experience is designed to leave you feeling rested, energised, and renewed. Inspired by a passion for the outdoors, travel, and cooking, each journey blends thoughtful hiking, nourishing food, and warm hospitality, encouraging a deeper connection with nature and a lasting sense of wellbeing.

Each bedroom in our villa is designed with a modern and contemporary aesthetic, while still maintaining an authentic Provencal feel. The rooms are spacious and filled with natural light, featuring high-quality furnishings and a design that reflects the beauty and simplicity of the region. Soft, neutral tones are complemented by tasteful accents, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere. The rooms are equipped with comfortable beds, quality linen, and all the amenities you need for a restful stay. You’ll find ample storage space, cozy seating areas. Every room offers breathtaking views of the hills, valley, and sea, providing a stunning backdrop to your stay.

Duration: 6 days – 5 nights

Hiking: Tailored to each group

Season: All year

Meals: All breakfast, lunch and dinner included with the exception any meals outside the villa.

Group Size: 8 people maximum

Pricing: £1250 – £1450 pp (depending on room choice)

Included:

Meals – 5 x breakfasts, 5 x lunches, 4 x dinners

Transfers to and from the airport and everything in-between

English and French speaking tour leader

Private accommodation at villa

All activities and excursions

Not included:

1 x lunch in restaurant, 1 x dinner in restaurant

Miscellaneous expenses such as snacks, drinks, gifts etc when out and about

Flights

“What a fantastic experience! He is the perfect host and a very accomplished chef. The setting of the house is superb with distant views towards the coast. The hikes were well thought out and provided panoramic views from the top of the surrounding mountains. The whole experience is well planned from the pick up at Nice airport to the hikes and the visits to local villages and restaurants. The food that was created was first class-it really is excellent quality and up there with high end restaurants. We were fortunate to meet friendly guests and it felt more like a house party than a hotel. A great experience and highly recommended.”

“This was one of the best holidays I’ve ever been on. The villa was beautiful, the hikes were breathtaking, our host, was an absolute delight. Everything was perfect, from the moment he collected us at the airport to the thoughtful details that made the experience so special.

When I arrived in my room, there was a handwritten card with my name on it, one of those small, heartfelt touches that made me feel instantly at home.

He is a wonderful host and a talented chef. Each day was perfectly planned from scenic hikes and wine tastings to exploring local markets, relaxing at the beach, and swimming by the pool. I loved meeting new people and felt an instant sense of belonging. Our host has this rare gift of making everyone feel included and at ease.

Thank you, truly.”

“Our recent holiday was an ideal mix of guided scenic walking, gourmet home cooked meals, and staying in a beautifully restored stone hillside villa with breathtaking views. What really stood out, though, was the warmth and attention to detail throughout. Nothing felt rushed, it was clear a lot of love and thought goes into everything they do.

We explored off the beaten track routes and charming villages, guided by our host, whose knowledge and enthusiasm brought the region to life. The walks were varied and manageable, with stunning views at every turn.

The food was a real highlight – from relaxed lunches to gourmet dinners and a memorable local wine tour and tasting, everything was fresh, local, and delicious.

We had a private group of 6 in mid June for a wonderful week in Haute Provence. Our base a beautifully appointed villa is set in a wild forested area near Seillans. Our host expertly tailored our trip with grace taking into account hot weather, differing abilities and specialized dietary requirements. Hiking hills and gorges, exploring medieval villages and tasting local wine and cheese and eating gourmet cooking was a truly immersive and sustainable way of experiencing the real Provence. I would highly recommend this trip.”

We are committed to responsible, sustainable tourism that protects nature while supporting local communities. Environmental impact is minimised through the use of solar energy, limited vehicle use, reduced plastics, local recycling, and sourcing food from our own land and nearby organic producers. We live in harmony with local wildlife and design nature-led hikes that encourage respect for Provence’s biodiversity. We work with biodynamic vineyards and small-scale farmers who avoid chemicals. Our trips support local cafés, markets, artisans, and businesses. Local people are employed and paid fair wages, and all trips are inclusive and LGBTQ-friendly.

We run our retreats all year.

Starting price per person is £1250.

Solo traveller discount available on private double bedrooms.

We will pick you up and drop you off at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport.