Hiking in Provence, the Perfect Gals’ Getaway

What better way is there to celebrate a milestone birthday than with an active girls trip to the French Riviera for hiking, wine tasting, and exploring French towns & villages?

For our group of eight women, it was absolute perfection.

In June of 2026, we enjoyed two weeks filled with beautiful trails, wonderful food and wine, charming hotels, and the kind of shared experiences that make travel feel especially meaningful.

Designing the Trip: Provence & the French Riviera

Our itinerary took us through some of the most beautiful places in Provence and along the French Riviera. Each stop had its own personality, from historic city streets to seaside views and hilltop villages.

Towns & Cities visited:

• Avignon
• Bonnieux
• Aix-en-Provence
• Cassis
• Saint-Raphaël (near Saint-Tropez)

To craft the trip, we worked with a company that specializes in hiking trips in Provence.

They were wonderful and customized the experience for our group. Every place we stayed added something to the trip, and we would happily return to each property!

Our favorite hotel group was Beaumier Hotels, including Capelongue in Bonnieux and Les Roches Rouges in Saint-Raphaël.

We also had the pleasure of staying in Cloître Saint Louis in Avignon, a charming former Jesuit school in a fantastic location. Each location was perfect for our needs and I am excited to send my travelers to them to experience their charms for themselves.

Hiking Around & Discovering Hidden Gems

One of the things that made this trip so special was having a private hiking guide who tailored each day’s journey to our group’s needs.

That flexibility mattered, especially because hot, hot, HOT weather was just starting to hit the region – June of 2026 was an unusually warm summer for Europe. We snuck in just at the right time, right before the major heat wave was upon us. We were fortunate to have a great guide who did an excellent job of taking us to hiking spots with shade, cool breezes, and beautiful trails.

Beyond the hikes, the itinerary included even more unique and fun experiences. We enjoyed a cooking class and wine tasting at a country estate in Chateauneuf du Pape, a private yoga class, and a visit to a lavender farm in Provence and Bonnieux.

We explored the cities and markets of Avignon and Aix en Provence and lounged at the beaches in Cassis and Saint Raphael on the French Riviera. It was two weeks of pure bliss, with both active and restorative moments woven in.

Making Friends & Savoring Local Flavors

As beautiful as the scenery was, the people of Provence were one of the true highlights.

We connected with the region through our private hiking guide, the attendant who led our wine tasting and cooking class, the vendors at the local markets and shops, and the staff at the friendly neighborhood restaurants. Everywhere we went, people were kind, open, and welcoming.

The food was exactly what you hope for in southern France: melt-in-your-mouth delicious and full of flavor.

I still think about the juicy, zingy lemons, fresh-baked bread (there’s nothing in the world like it), sweets & treats, French wine, and delicious coffee. Sharing meals with our group of women and our guides was a great way a way to slow down, talk, laugh, and enjoy exactly where we were in beautiful southern France.

We had a fantastic time and I can see this kind of trip appealing to many travelers. It is of course well suited to women’s travel groups like ours, but couples would also love the mix of hiking, food, wine, luxurious lodging, and culture. For us, it was the perfect balance of movement, connection, and celebration—and a perfect way to mark a milestone birthday together.

– Theresa Wain, Luxury Travel Advisor

Interested in your own Southern France adventures? Reach out to Theresa Wain for more info and to start planning your next trip of a lifetime!