Page 234 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

232  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Horse Riding Walking, Climbing Water Sports
and Cycling
Although the wetland area Most coastal resorts have
of Camargue is famous for Long-distance walking and excellent facilities for both
its hardy white horses, said to climbing trails are known as experienced and amateur
be direct descendants of pre- Grandes Randonées (GR) sailors. Iles d’Hyères has some
historic horses (see p140), the and shorter trails as Petites top-class sailing schools, in the
whole region – from coast to Randonées (PR). Some trails tiny island of Bendor and the
mountain to rural areas – is are also open to mountain Porquerolles, the largest of
extremely popular with horse bikes and horses. the French Riviera islands.
lovers. For a detailed list of Parc Naturel Régional du For windsurfing, the reliable
pony-trekking and riding Luberon offers some excellent winds of the Bouches-du-Rhône
opportunities, contact the cycling and walking trails. The and the Var make for favourable
Ligue Régionale de Provence information centre, Maison du conditions. Other good
de Sports Equestres. Parc, provides a list of hikers’ locations include the Camargue,
accommodation and details of where the lively Mistral wind
two dozen walking trails. The blows, at Port St-Louis and
Naturism Camargue has many trails and Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.
The largest and oldest naturist walking paths. “Sentier Littoral”, The wind-surfing regatta in
colony in the region is the a splendid coastal path from St-Tropez in July is a particularly
easternmost of the Hyères St-Tropez, covers 35 km glamorous event, which is
islands, the Ile du Levant. It (22 miles) to Cavalaire. You always exciting and very
covers half the stretch of the can even break the journey well attended.
8-km (5-miles) long island. For at Ramatuelle. An excellent Scuba diving is popular,
more information on other French book, Promenez-vous à thanks to sparkling water, an
locations where you can bare P P Pied – Le Golfe de St-Tropez has ied – Le Golfe de St-Tropez has ied – Le Golfe de St-Tropez ample sprinkling of underwater
it all, contact the Fédération details of 26 walks in the area. wrecks and a wealth of marine
Française de Naturisme. Perhaps the most spectacular life. It is especially good in
trail in the whole of Provence Marseille and the Iles d’Hyères
is the GR 9, which crosses the and Cavalaire. The little island of
Skiing
Luberon range and the Monts Port-Cros has a special under–
The most important skiing areas du Vaucluse. water “Discovery Trail”. St-Raphaël
are in the Maritime Alps, at the For tough rock climbing, try is also a leading diving centre,
meeting point of the Alps and the Buoux cliffs in the Luberon, with several World War II ship-
Provence. The main resorts, or one of the 933 routes in the wrecks off the coast.
Auron, Isola 2000 and Valberg Gorges du Verdon. The creeks, For more on scuba diving,
(see p100) are only a few hours calanques, between Cassis and contact the Fédération Française
from the coast, making it Marseille are utterly picturesque. d’Etudes et de Sports Sous-
entirely possible to combine Easier ascents can be found in Marins in Marseille.
skiing and beach pleasures in the Dentelles de Montmirail, The most picturesque stretch
a single day. In the north of the despite the craggy rock faces. of the Rhône passes through
region in the Alpes de Haute- The area boasts excellent Avignon and Arles, otherwise
Provence are the ski resorts of vineyards, such as Gigondas, known as the “Cities of Art and
Pra Loup and Chabanon. For Vacqueyras and Beaumes-de- History”, and the Camargue –
more information, contact the Venise in which to enjoy a home to wild horses, bulls and
Fédération Française de Ski dégustation after a climb. flamingos. Several companies
in Annecy or the Fédération The Comité Departemental organize boat trips or river
Française de la Montagne de la Randonnée Pédestre cruises in floating hotels. For
et de l’Escalade. located in Cagnes-sur-Mer, details, contact the tourist
is equipped with detailed information centres in Arles,
information. For details of Avignon, Les Stes-Maries-de-la-
Spa Breaks trails in the region, contact Mer or Port St Louis du Rhône.
Set in the hilltop village the Fédération Française The calanques can be visited
of Gordes, one of France’s de Randonnée Pédestre. by boats from Marseille and
prettiest villages, is the Daniel Cycling tours of the lush Cassis. Contact Les Amis de
Jouvance spa, La Bastide de green Luberon in Vaucluse Calanques for more details.
Gordes. It is undoubtedly an are great for people of all ages. Many beaches are privately
ideal spot for relaxing breaks. In the upper Var, Figanières is owned and entry is by fee.
In the picturesque, gastro- famous for mountain-biking, Catamarans, dinghies, water-
nomic village of Mougins, while the Alps of Haute- skiing and surfing equipment
Le Mas Candille is an elegant, Provence boast around are all on offer.
individual hotel, complemented 1,500 km (900 miles) of marked For detailed information,
by a Japanese-style Shiseido tracks. For detailed information, contact the national sailing
spa. For the ultimate in luxury, contact the Fédération school, Fédération Française
visit the Thalazur spa in Antibes. Française de Cyclisme. de Voile.