France - The Arles Route from Arles to Lodéve
Self-guided walk - the Arles Way or Via Tolosana - from Arles to Lodeve.
Chemin d’Arles or Voie d’Arles in French or Via Tolosana in Latin, was traditionally the route used by people from Italy and the South of France on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
Along the Arles Way, you will be enchanted by stunning landscapes, rich heritage and culture, as well as delicious food. Walking from Arles to Montpellier through the Camargue is an immersion in a “green environment”. Along the Arles Way you will discover towns and villages of great beauty such as St Guilhem le Desert on this section.
In this 8 day section the walk starts in Arles and ends in Lodeve in 6 walking stages ranging from 14 to 22 km per day
Day 1
ARLES
Arles is such a beautiful little town where Roman and romanesque heritage live together where Van Gogh’s spirit is still alive. This is the Capital of Camargue with a bullfighting tradtion. Ste trophime Church, the arenas, the cloister are some of the sightseeings of the wealthy city.
Day 2
ARLES to ST GILLES - 20 km – 5h00 of walking.
A pleasant walk to discover the vast flat stretches of Camargue along the Petit Rhone. To visit : St Gilles Basilica and the underground crypt, the tower bell stairs and the amazing portal
Day 3
ST GILLES to VAUVERT and taxi to MONTPELLIER- 17 km – 4h00 of walking
Walk through large cultivated plains and small villages. To visit : Notre Dame de Vauvert sanctuary
Taxi transfer to Montpellier
Day 4
MONTPELLIER to MONTARNAUD – Stage :18 km – 4h30 of walking
The scrub scenery spreads as far as the eye can see, fragmented with oak and pine tree woods giving off mediterranean scents.
Day 5
MONTARNAUD to ST GUILHEM LE DESERT – 22 km – 5h30 of walking
Before reaching Saint Guilhem le Desert and the entrance to the Herault Gorges, you walk through scarce villages.
Day 6
ST GUILHEM to ST JEAN DE LA BLAQUIERE - Stage : 22 km - 5h30 of walking
After leaving St Guilhem, take the historical path, walk up to the plateau and then descend through almond trees orchard towards St Jean de la Blaquière.
Day 7
ST JEAN DE LA BLAQUIERE to LODEVE 14 km – 3h30 of walking
Short stage and time to visit the Ancient Priory of St Michel de Grandmont, and make a detour to admire the 12th century Church of Soumont as well as the 17th century sacerdotal clothing.
Day 8
LODEVE
End of the walk after breakfast
Included : (see details in Dates and Prices section)
2 and 3 star hotels and guest houses- 4 dinners
Luggage transfer
An English road book and a map.
English speaking email or phone assistance
Starts in : Arles
Ends in : Lodever
Access : train station. TGV from Paris to Arles (4h trip)
Information : click on "ask for more information"
cecile@chemins-de-france.com
Phone Cecile : +33 5 58 48 71 65
Customize your tour : add or remove one night or more,combine with another tour
See also :
Other routes on the Camino or Way of St James
MORE PHOTOS IN OUR BLOG : CLICK HERE
Highlights
Arles and its treasures
Tha Camargue
Montpellier
St Guilhem le Desert
