France - Provence in Spring

Tour Code: FRA10

An 8-day holiday focusing on the wonderfully rich spring flora, butterflies and birds found in Provence and the Camargue.

8 days from
£1,895 (Inc flights)

Land only price from
£1,745

book now

Add to Saved Tours

Highlights

Summary

This 2-centre holiday is based initially in the charming countryside of the Vaucluse, in the hills between Provence’s coastal plain and high mountains to the north. We’ll have the opportunity to explore many different habitats, at varying altitudes and all within a relatively small area, from our two comfortable, family-run hotels. In spring, Provence is carpeted in wild flowers including the fragrant maquis blooms, an impressive array of colourful butterflies will be on the wing, and by the time of our visit a host of summer migrant birds should have arrived to join resident species. Two days in the Camargue, from our second base at Saint-Gilles, will be a highlight.

An ideal spring holiday for the keen all-round naturalist
Over 40 species of butterfly possible
Cleopatra, swallowtails & Spanish Festoon plus local specialities
Alpine flora including sedges, rock jasmines, & Mount Cenis Violet
Raptors include Eagle Owl, 4 species of eagle & 3 species of vulture
Tasty Provençal cuisine & legendary Naturetrek picnic lunches
Magnificent architecture & scenery in a tranquil region of France
Led by an expert naturalist guide

Grading

Grade A/B. Easy to moderate walks only.

Situated in the south-east of France, and with a Mediterranean coastline, spring comes early to Provence, heralded by a veritable carpet of colourful wild flowers. This is truly a region of contrasts, from the commercialised coastal fringe and the famous Camargue marshlands in the delta of the Rhône, to the high mountains of the Alps. Between these extremes, there is another Provence that is not so well known, an area away from the main throng of tourists, where small villages cling to craggy hilltops, and where one can be at peace with the magnificent scenery. This is the charming countryside of the Vaucluse, where the hump-backed range of the Montagne du Luberon rises up parallel to the coastal plain to the south. From here the views are magnificent. To the north, across the high Plateau de Vaucluse, stands the mighty Mont Ventoux, its dark wooded flanks rising to a barren white limestone summit at 1,909 metres; to the west lie the jagged and spectacular rocky crags of the Dentelles de Montmiral.

During this 2-centre holiday we will be staying at small, family-run hotels, set in delightful and picturesque village settings, and enjoying tasty local Provençal cuisine. From here we will make daily excursions into the surrounding countryside — as often as possible on foot — in search of flowering plants, butterflies and birds. Our carefully chosen locations will give us the opportunity to sample many different habitats at varying altitudes, all within a relatively small area.

This time of year is the peak flowering period for the extremely rich Mediterranean flora of southern France, with fragrant herbs being particularly numerous in the maquis. Spurges, brooms, tree heathers, thymes, sages and colourful Cistus are all characteristic of this habitat, while many orchids include Provence, Lady, Elderflowered, Violet Limodore, the very impressive Giant Orchid, and a bewildering variety of early flowering Ophrys species. Amongst the birds of the area, such summer visitors as Hoopoes, Golden Orioles, Bee-eaters, shrikes and warblers should have arrived to join the resident species, and an impressive range of birds of prey is present. Amazingly, over 70 different species of butterfly have also been recorded on the wing in April here. These include such colourful species as Cleopatra, Southern and Scarce Swallowtail and Spanish Festoon, plus others such as Rosy Grizzled Skipper, Chapman’s Green Hairstreak and Provence Chalk-hill Blue which are restricted in France just to this area.

On Mont Ventoux, in effect the most westerly extension of the Alps, we will find a good mountain flora, including alpine sedges (Carex sp.), the rock jasmines Androsace vitaliana and A. chaixii, the exquisite little blue Mount Cenis Violet, an Alpine poppy (Papaver aurantiacum) and the endemic little white candytuft (Iberis candolleana). Birds on these high slopes include Rock Thrush and, on the tree-line, Citril Finch. Lower down, Crossbill, Crested Tit, Siskin may be found in the pine woods, whilst Goshawk, Redstart and Black Woodpecker favour the deciduous woodland.

Through the limestone Plateau de Vaucluse, rivers have carved their way through the soft rock to form spectacular gorges over the millennia. These provide nesting sites for many raptors, including Eagle Owl, Peregrine, and Golden, Short-toed and Booted Eagles, together with Egyptian, Griffon and, occasionally, Black Vultures. The latter two species are starting to re-colonise this area from elsewhere, and at one particular spot we should be able to (unusually) observe them from above as they glide effortlessly by below us. The flora of these calcareous rocks is also very rich, with typical species including Montpellier Milk Vetch, Martagon Lily, Nodding Star-of- Bethlehem, pink, yellow and white flaxes and various orchids, whilst nearby meadows hold sheets of white Poet’s Eye Narcissus and the little yellow Narcissus requienii.

Across the River Durance, les Alpilles, another lower range of limestone hills, rises up precipitously from the plain, with the picturesque village of Les Baux-de- Provence clinging precariously to its flanks. These are also good for birds of prey, Alpine Swift, Crag Martin and Rock Thrush.

We will spend the second part of our tour exploring the Camargue. With its herds of white horses and black bulls, interesting coastal flora, orchids, and rich selection of wetland bird species, including Slender-billed Gulls, Temminck’s Stint and Spectacled Warbler, there will be plenty here to occupy us before it is time to return to Marseille for our journey home.

This holiday offers the chance for the all-round naturalist to enjoy a great diversity of species at a leisurely pace, whilst at the same time appreciating the magnificent architecture and scenery of one of the most beautiful and tranquil regions of France.

DETAILED INFORMATION

Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1

Fly Marseille and drive to the Luberon region of Provence

Day 2/4

Daily programme of natural history walks and excursions in the Luberon region of Provence

Day 5/7

Daily excursions in the Camargue

Day 8

Fly London

Download Full Itinerary

What's Included

What's Included?

Flights
Accommodation:
Two charming village hotels, with private facilities and serving excellent local food.
Food:
All included in the price.

Reviews

This was such a fantastic, well organised tour. I have to say, Neil and Bruce were just brilliant; so knowledgeable and passionate about what they do. They took great care of us, their picnics were so well-catered and all inclusive, and Ttheir attention to detail and care became all the more relevant when our flights were cancelled. I have been praising your company and the handling of the issue. The way the two guides continued to take care of us, showing us around , feeding us etc was exemplary!
N.W. North Yorkshire, April '24
Quite simply - I had a thoroughly lovely time. We were met at the airport with a smile from Neil, our tour leader which set the scene for a very happy, laid back natural history tour. Both hotels that we stayed at were of a very acceptable standard as was the transport which we were provided with. Neil, our tour leader, was a font of easily accessible knowledge with the patience of a saint (how many times did he have to repeat himself as people gathered to observe the latest find!). Just a great holiday all round. Not really much to say - everything is so orderly and seamless that it seems as though your holiday has begun the moment that you contact them. Everyone is just so very helpful, information and instructions are clear and concise. Love them.
A.D. Northamptonshire, Apr 23
From the moment we arrived at Heathrow all the arrangements were taken care of. All we had to do was relax and enjoy a very interesting and active holiday. The two contrasting centres in such a beautiful part of the world worked very well. The group of people including leaders was great.
G. & J.P. Cheshire, Apr 19

A regular visitor to France when our children were young, it now must be 10+ years since we were there as we have been doing "The World". This holiday reminded me just what a fantastic country France is. The area's we visited; the Vaucluse and the Camargue, we so very different, but each had spectacular scenery and such a varied flora and fauna. Each day saw us visit a different terrain: gorges, mountains, woodland, salt marshes, each with its own differing flora and fauna. I enjoy bird-watching, and many years ago did a weeks bird-watching holiday. While very enjoyable, I was birded up at the end. Having both a botanist and ornithologist with us, gave the trip much more variation. Butterfly spotting was new to me but by the end of the week I was hooked. French food needs no introduction and I really enjoyed my re-acquaintance with it. A super week.
S.E. East Sussex

This was a holiday based in both Provence (Sault) and the Camargue. It was a typical Naturetrek holiday with excellent guides and good choices of hotel. This holiday was aimed at people with a broad knowledge of nature - birds, animals and plants. The weather was good and we saw a good range of species. Although my speciality is birds, the guide Lizzie enthusiasm for plants was infectious and I found myself checking out different types of orchid! Exotic butterflies were also seen. We managed to see a good range of species across a number of well chosen locations within a reasonable distance of the hotel. Meals at both hotels were good as were the rooms. There was a good friendly group that worked well together finding orchids, rare birds and butterflies. Meals were taken together which helped the group to get to know each other.
M.C. Suffolk

This was our fourth Naturetrek holiday and once again very enjoyable. The weather was excellent. The tour leaders were very patient and determined to show us as many birds and plants as possible.
P.P. Nottinghamshire

Mark was a good, knowledgeable and considerate leader of our group. I certainly enjoyed all the walks every day in all the areas we went to.
M.B. Kent

The leaders were knowledgeable and very helpful. In general I liked the mixture of walks and drives, with breaks.
U.M. Wiltshire

Both leaders were very good indeed, and a great laugh was had by all.
G.H. Dumfries

The leaders were both good. Philip's knowledge is excellent on both birds and plants. Keith was excellent as a driver and to support the group. The picnics were well chosen and met the needs of the group. The hotel was typical French old style, but with modern facilities with a nice location and excellent food.
C.H. Hertfordshire

Le Louvre' had a remarkable set of menus and we received a very warm welcome from the patron and staff.
C.A. Leeds

All the French people involved were particularly helpful and very nice people. The lady who owns the hotel made every effort to accommodate my difficult food requirements.
Mr. W. & Mrs. H. Essex

I was delighted with the holiday. The first time I had been away with experts and I certainly learned a lot.
S.E. Cornwall

I particularly enjoyed being in a small like minded group. Both Neil McMahon and Graham Poynter were excellent in their particular fields and I very much enjoyed visiting the remoter areas of Provence. I have taken walking holidays with various companies over the past years and am new to wildlife watching and found the bird life particularly interesting. I was continually amazed at the way Neil could spot a well camouflaged bird in remote scrubland with such ease. Both Neil and Graham put in an enormous amount of energy into making the holiday such a success and I was very impressed by their knowledge and also their never ending patience and hard work, they never stopped.
J.M. Cornwall

I would like to say that my wife and I enjoyed the trip immensely. Of course, the fine weather helped but our two leaders were excellent and took us on a wonderfully varied series of expeditions, and their knowledge was superb. The hotel was great fun and the food and service very enjoyable. We both thank you for a memorable holiday.
C. & M.S. Devon

Show More Reviews Show fewer reviews

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost

Thu 17th Apr – Thu 24th Apr SPACES £1,895

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£1,745

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£245

Tour Leader:

Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary

Neil McMahon

Tour Leader: Neil McMahon

Neil McMahon grew up in Northamptonshire and, from a very young age, developed an interest in the natural world. His first love is the study and identification of wild birds and he enjoys the challenge of trying to identify birds by the way they move and act as well as by their calls and songs. His passion for bird and wildlife-watching has taken him all around the world and he's visited more than 50 countries. Neil is a retired Police Officer and, when not leading Naturetrek tours, spends much of his time completing various conservation and wildlife management surveys as well as volunteering for his local Wildlife Trust. He is also a licensed Bird Ringer and Trainer. During the winter months he maintains numerous wild bird feeding stations in central Northamptonshire and is a serving committee member of the Northants Bird Club.

  Array
(
    [167] => stdClass Object
        (
            [id] => 167
            [parent_id] => 165
            [level] => 2
            [path] => tour-focus/botanical-holidays
            [title] => Botany
            [alias] => botanical-holidays
            [description] => Botanical Tours – See Wild Flowers with our Expert Botanical Guides
There are few more pleasing sights in the natural world than a meadow filled with wildflowers. Seeing plants in their native habitat is always exciting and our flower tours offer you an incredible choice, from dazzling tropical blooms and the thrill of finding elusive orchids or delicate alpines, to seeing island endemics or British flora. Our tours range from week-long holidays focusing on the ‘Alpine flowers of the Swiss Alps’, the ‘Italian Dolomites’ and the ‘Alpine Flowers of Slovenia’s Julian Alps’, to orchid-hunting on Italy’s Gargano Peninsula and searching for the Autumn Plants of Greece’s Peloponnese. We also visit more remote areas of the world in search of plant-life, from the Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan where we look for wild tulips, to the rainforests and spiny deserts of Madagascar where over 80% of the flora is endemic.  
Many of us want to know more about the plants we see around us. Whether inspired by an appreciation of the aesthetic appeal of flowers, or a more focused desire to identify individual species, everyone with an interest in botany will derive pleasure from joining one of Naturetrek’s flower tours.
Why choose Naturetrek’s botanical holidays?

All our botanical holidays are led by expert botanist guides
All levels of interest and expertise are catered for, from hobby gardeners and complete beginners to keen botanists who wish to explore a new area with the help of a knowledgeable leader
We keep the overall focus on flora, though expert guidance is also given on other wildlife

What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek botanical holiday?

Travel with a group of like-minded people
Stay at a comfortable hotel or lodge, close to an area of outstanding botanical interest
Enjoy a series of leisurely day excursions with ample time to appreciate the local flora

In addition to our dedicated flower tours, we also offer holidays with a wider theme to encompass birds, butterflies and other aspects of natural history as well as the flora. Our spring tours to 'Crete' and ‘The Island of Cyprus’ are both timed to allow us to enjoy the botanical highlights as well as the spring bird migration, whilst ‘Croatia and Slovenia – Spring in Istria’ also allows time to enjoy a little of the local culture. ‘Romania – the Wildlife of Transylvania’ combines an appreciation of the flora of the Carpathian Mountains with birding, butterflying and a trip to look for Brown Bears from a purpose built hide, and our holidays in both the ‘French Pyrenees’ and the ‘Spanish Pyrenees’ combine birds, butterflies and botany throughout the week.  

Our specialist recommends...


"I'd recommend 'Wengen – Alpine Flowers of the Swiss Alps', 'Crete' and 'The French Pyrenees', which all offer some fascinating European botany, along with plenty of wider natural history and some stunning scenery. If you’re keen to travel a little further afield, I’d suggest joining us in South Africa for our 'Wild Flowers of the Cape & Namaqualand' tour” 

David Tattersfield - Tour Leader

All Botany Tours
            [params] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [category_layout] => 
                    [image_az] => https://i.assetzen.net/i/RlWlvE3qiKAS/w:500/h:500/q:70.jpg
                    [image_alt] => Bird Watching
                )

            [metakey] => Botanical Holidays
            [note] => 10
            [parent] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [id] => 165
                    [parent_id] => 1
                    [level] => 1
                    [path] => tour-focus
                    [title] => Tour Focus
                    [alias] => tour-focus
                    [description] => 
                    [params] => stdClass Object
                        (
                            [category_layout] => 
                            [image_az] => 
                            [image_alt] => 
                        )

                    [metakey] => 
                    [note] => 
                )

        )

    [180] => stdClass Object
        (
            [id] => 180
            [parent_id] => 165
            [level] => 2
            [path] => tour-focus/birds
            [title] => Birdwatching
            [alias] => birds
            [description] => Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists
The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:

Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar

Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
 

Our specialist recommends...


"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader

  
 
All Birdwatching Tours
            [params] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [category_layout] => 
                    [image_az] => https://i.assetzen.net/i/RlWlvE3qiKAS/w:500/h:500/q:70.jpg
                    [image_alt] => Bird Watching
                )

            [metakey] => Birds
            [note] => 02
            [parent] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [id] => 165
                    [parent_id] => 1
                    [level] => 1
                    [path] => tour-focus
                    [title] => Tour Focus
                    [alias] => tour-focus
                    [description] => 
                    [params] => stdClass Object
                        (
                            [category_layout] => 
                            [image_az] => 
                            [image_alt] => 
                        )

                    [metakey] => 
                    [note] => 
                )

        )

    [192] => stdClass Object
        (
            [id] => 192
            [parent_id] => 165
            [level] => 2
            [path] => tour-focus/general-natural-history
            [title] => General natural history
            [alias] => general-natural-history
            [description] => 
            [params] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [category_layout] => 
                    [image_az] => https://i.assetzen.net/i/RlWlvE3qiKAS/w:500/h:500/q:70.jpg
                    [image_alt] => Bird Watching
                )

            [metakey] => General natural history
            [note] => 26
            [parent] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [id] => 165
                    [parent_id] => 1
                    [level] => 1
                    [path] => tour-focus
                    [title] => Tour Focus
                    [alias] => tour-focus
                    [description] => 
                    [params] => stdClass Object
                        (
                            [category_layout] => 
                            [image_az] => 
                            [image_alt] => 
                        )

                    [metakey] => 
                    [note] => 
                )

        )

)

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire

Tour Reports

Tour report - April 2017

Tour report - April 2016

Tour report - April 2015

Tour report - April 2014

Tour report - April 2013

Tour report - April 2012

Tour report - April 2011

Tour report - April 2010

Tour report - May 2009

Tour report - April 2009

Tour report - May 2008

Tour report - April 2008

Tour report - April 2007

CLICK TO SEE MORE

Click to see less

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!