Provence Occitane’s two GR trails invite you to explore the natural treasures and unspoilt landscapes of our beautiful region. The GR42 and GR4 promise to take you on a journey of escape and discovery, where the southern light and breathtaking panoramas accompany you every step of the way. These routes will take you through unspoilt countryside, a rich cultural heritage and remarkable flora and fauna.
This emblematic trail takes you through contrasting landscapes, from the mountains to the sea, crossing the luminous heart of Occitan Provence.
The GR42 is a route that takes you from the gentle hills of Pilat to the sunny shores of the Mediterranean. As you cross through Provence Occitane, you’ll discover landscapes bursting with colour, where the purple of the lavender fields blends with the gold of the stones at sunset. The trail follows the balconies of the Rhône, offering breathtaking views of the valley, vineyards and Mediterranean forests.
This hiking trail is accessible to all and offers an immersive experience through human-sized villages, often nestling on the hillside or at the edge of the vineyards. You’ll pass through Codolet, a discreet little town with a gentle country feel, and Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres, renowned for its well-preserved medieval heritage. In Tavel, famous for its exceptional rosé wine, a stopover is a must to discover the local know-how, between cellars and wine-making traditions. The charm of the route is felt all the way along, particularly when the path skirts the balconies of the Rhône, offering breathtaking views of the valley and its natural treasures.
From the GR42, Provence Occitane is revealed in all its authenticity: luminous landscapes, a discreet but precious rural heritage and inhabitants proud to share the richness of their land.
The GR4 is the other GR of Provence Occitane. This itinerary crosses France from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, revealing the wild and luminous face of our region. By following this trail, you’ll enter an area where holm oak forests, limestone plateaux and southern vineyards create a soothing, ever-changing backdrop.
The route takes you to Pont-Saint-Esprit, the gateway to the region, famous for its impressive medieval bridge and lively shopping streets. Further south, the village of Saint-Paulet-de-Caisson marks a discreet stop-off, between fragrant garrigue and views over the Rhône valley. Continuing on, you reach Saint-Julien-de-Peyrolas, a natural lookout point over the Ardèche gorges, with its church overlooking a patchwork of vineyards and forests.
Each stage of the GR4 is an opportunity to come across small rural heritage sites – washhouses, capitelles, old mule tracks – that bear witness to the region’s agricultural history. Away from the crowded footpaths, the route here is one of encounters, silence and discovery, in an unspoilt setting where nature retains its rightful place.
Before setting off on the GR42 or GR4, take the time to choose your itinerary carefully, according to your level of fitness and your desires. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a leisurely stroller, these trails offer you a gradual immersion in a varied and unspoilt landscape. Remember to adapt your stages to the daylight and southern heat: setting off early in the morning allows you to enjoy the calm, the soft colours and the freshness.
Along the way, the villages and hamlets will welcome you for refreshing breaks. Take the opportunity to discover local produce, chat with the locals or visit a heritage site. These moments are all opportunities to slow down and soak up theauthenticity of the region.
Choose small-capacity accommodation or establishments that are committed to environmentally-friendly practices. By taking your rubbish with you, staying on the marked trails and observing the wildlife without disturbing it, you are helping to preserve this radiant region. Every gesture counts to ensure that this unspoilt nature continues to amaze future generations.
Finally, let yourself be guided by the rhythm of your footsteps, open your eyes and savour the experience. Here, walking becomes a way of living in the landscape, respecting its balance, and leaving with much more than memories.
Provence Occitane awaits you for a unique experience, where every step along our GR trails is a discovery and every landscape a treasure. Let yourself be captivated by this land of sunshine, where light, authenticity and conviviality combine to offer every visitor unforgettable moments.
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