Run Provence: A Self-Guided Trail Running Vacation

Arrive in Buis-Les-Baronnies, in the Baronnies Provençales Natural Park and settle into your hotel in the old town. A transfer is provided from Avignon, which is accessible via France’s ultra-fast TGV, the train grande vitesse, from either Paris, or direct from Paris’s Charles de Gaulle airport. Dinner is provided at your hotel restaurant tonight.

Run a loop to the north of Buis-les-Baronnies over the Montagnes des Plates. A mix of dirt roads and single track take you on a climb out of town, past vineyards and olive orchards. Smooth single track then takes you across two passes, before you run through the Gorges d’Ubrieux, through which the Carthaginian warrior Hannibal passed. Afterwards, relax in the hotel pool and spa or take in the cobblestone streets, shops and cafes of Buis-les-Baronnies and choose one of the many excellent restaurants for your dinner this evening.

You’ll run right from the hotel again today, up through the forest to the towering limestone fin of Rocher Saint-Julien. At the top, you’ll enjoy views of the surrounding mountains before descending to the Menon valley. Here, gentle gravel trails and local roads take you alongside the river, through pastures and vineyards, with the chance to stop at the lovable La Grangette de Biquette for lunch. Run by a local couple, this hidden little bistro is well known for its local delicacies. Dinner is at a restaurant of your choice in town this evening.

You’ll say goodbye to Buis-les-Baronnies and take a private transfer to the ancient village of Montbrun-les-Bains to start today’s run. You’ll pass the 12th Century Château d’Aulan, followed by some short climbs over the Col des Arles and Col du Puits. Then you’ll follow gravel trails and dirt tracks over mostly rolling terrain, with some twisty single track and great views of Mont Ventoux just across the valley. 

After, you may want to wander around your home for the night, Montbrun-les-Bains, a Roman village that dates back nearly 800 years, with steep cobbled streets and a medieval fortress. Montbrun-les-Bains is regarded as one of the most beautiful villages in France– and we’d agree!

Today, you’ll get a private transfer to the village of Malaucène, then start your run on small roads, between the vineyards. Gravel trails, then narrow single track, lead you up above treeline to a ridge, and the summit of Arfuyen mountain. There are great views of the Dentelles de Montmirail rock towers, your running route for the next day. A section of more technical downhill leads to Col de la Chaine, then the last few miles of rolling smooth single track bring you back to Malaucène. You’ll spend the night at the notable Hotel Ventoux, a charming small estate enclosed by ancient walls and featuring a beautiful garden, just a few minutes stroll from the village center. Many dinner options are available in town, such as at the wonderfully cozy Chez Laurette.

The last trail run of your tour is a varied traverse from Malaucène to Gigondas. On your run, you’ll pass Arfuyen mountain and climb to Pas de Loup, or the “wolf step”, then follow the ridge to the summit of Crête de St-Amand with extensive panoramic views. From here, rolling trails lead past local vineyards and the impressive rocky fin of the Dentelles de Montmirail, and down to your last stop, Gigondas. This pretty village was founded by the Romans and is enclosed by medieval ramparts. In the heart of the Côtes-du-Rhône wine region, Gigondas is surrounded by kilometers of rolling vineyards. This evening, enjoy a celebratory dinner at a village restaurant of your choice, and perhaps some of the outstanding local wines.

After a delicious breakfast in your hotel, today it’s time to bid adieu to the Provence region and head home, or off to your next destination. Run the Alps will provide a a return taxi from your hotel in Gigondas to Avignon.