Hiking Tour of Provence & the French Riviera CME

9 Days
Fall
$7,300
Categories: ,

Hiking Tour of Provence & the French Riviera CME

Hike from Provence to the Mediterranean!

This exciting Wilderness and Travel Medicine conference takes place in fabulous Provence!

Provence is synonymous with colorful landscapes, the French Riviera, wonderful wine tours, french dishes and aromatic plants and perfumes. This is a land that boasts thousands of years of history: ancient chapels, walled villages, hidden ruins and lively towns.

Walking is a wonderful way to explore the small villages, towns, and countryside of this fabulous part of France. Van support allows us light day-packs and customized hikes.

Our colorful, bilingual, knowledgeable guides will take us off the beaten path to hidden gems and treat us to a truly “authentic” Provence experience.

We’ll enjoy fabulous French cuisine and charming accommodations. We’ll also do some wine tasting in this mecca’ of French wine areas.

The Wilderness and Travel Medicine conference lectures will take place in the evening each day.

CME ACCREDITATION INFORMATION
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of the Center for Emergency Medical Education and Wilderness and Travel Medicine. The Center for Emergency Medical Education is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Center for Emergency Medical Education designates this live activity for a maximum of 16 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.

Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

TRIP ITINERARY*

Day 1: Arrival Day
Group transfer from the Marseille airport at one o’clock, to your hotel. A two-hour transfer takes us to our hotel ‘la Garbine’. At six o’clock, you will meet your guides who will explain the ‘workings’ of the trip followed by a welcome dinner. The dinner is a gastronomic delight at a restaurant in the nearby village of Ramatuelle, a typical ‘provincal’ community where we will have time to tour the village before our meal.
Hotel La Garbine (D)

Day 2: Hiking along the coast around the St Tropez Peninsula
Leaving the hotel on foot we will hike along the coast passing many of the famous beaches such as the Pampelone Beach where we may see some famous celebrities. The trail takes in some of the most beautiful coastline of the area. The hike continues around the peninsula where we will transfer into the town of St. Tropez where you will have a couple of hours to peruse the shops, the citadelle, or just enjoy a beverage and admire the expensive yachts. Dinner will be at a restaurant about 10-minute walk from our hotel.
3-4 hrs. 6 miles.
Hotel La Garbine (B/D)

Day 3: Cap Lardier
Continuing the “sentier du littoral” sometimes called the Coastguard Path we are in a nature conservation area with colourful shrubs and flowers, umbrella shaped pine trees (pin parasol), and views of tiny islands like “Crocodile Island.” This is a National Marine park where the hundreds of species of flora and the fauna are protected. Especially the rare land and marine birds we will see. 5 hrs. 8 miles. Sea level. Transfer to our hotel.
Eden Rose Grand Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 4: L’ile de Porquerolle
After a transfer to the small port we board a ferry. Approximately, a half hour boat ride takes us to the historic island of Porquerolle, also part of the National Park, protecting flora et fauna since 1971. We will see the Agatte fort, walk to the lighthouse and see the vineyards, beaches and cliffs of this small beautiful island which has been a military post for centuries. There will even be the opportunity to bathe in the sea. We finish the afternoon back on the ferry to take us back to the mainland. This hike is weather dependent. 4 hrs. 4-5 Miles.
Eden Rose Grand Hotel (B/L)

Day 5: St. Nary
A long drive takes us to St. Nary where you will be free to explore this small coastline town and have lunch on your own. In the afternoon we will transfer to the Bandol vine growing region to visit a vineyard and taste some wine. Short ride to La Cadière. La Cadière-d’Azur is a small, old, medieval hilltop village where our hotel is situated. A 14 century cloister building. Dinner in Le Castellet only 5 minutes away. Another charming Provencal hilltop town.
Hotel Bérard & Spa, la Cadière (B/D)

Day 6: La Montagne St. Baume
Today we abandon the coast for the mountain of St. Baume, 1,048m. high. Along the way we will discover the Mediterranean Glacier! This consists of buildings, which take advantage of the cool air from the hillside for making ice. Our beautiful trail takes us above the limestone cliffs, which rise up above the garrigues with views of the sea and Provence interior. Transfer 50 minutes to our hotel. Gourmet dinner at the hotel.
6hrs. 8 miles. 2,500ft.
Hotel Bérard & Spa, la Cadière (B/L/D)

Day 7: Le Cap Canaille
An easy day with superb scenery. We hike along the trail to the summit of Cap Canaille – one of the highest cliffs in Europe giving stunning views of the coastline. Waves crash against the foot of the cliff 400m below. We descend this cliff by a trail that takes us to the port of Cassis. A very pretty trail along the coast.
5 miles, 4 hours. Dinner on your own tonight.
Hotel de le Plague Mahogany, Cassis (B/L)

Day 8: The “Calanques”
The Calanques are a succession of narrow canyons with white limestone cliffs jutting into the azur blue sea. Probably the highlight of the trip as far as beauty is concerned, a photographer’s paradise. Our trail takes us along the coast meandering in and out of these little ‘fjords’ with breath-taking views. This is a well-known region for hikers and climbers of the South of France and was classed as the tenth National Park of France in only 2012.
4hrs. 5 miles. Farewell dinner at the harbour.
Hotel de le Plage Mahogany, Cassis (B/L/D)

Day 9: Morning Group Transfers to Marseille Airport
There will be a morning transfer to the airport for mid-day flights. If your flight is very early then you will need to arrange a taxi separately. It takes around 1 hour to travel to the airport.

Changes of itinerary
Changes of the proposed itinerary may become necessary for reasons beyond our control. Weather/sea conditions particularly, may affect the hike on the island of Porquerelle in which alternative plans will be made.

La Garbine Hotel –Information

Hostellerie du Cigalou – Information

Hotel Brard & Spa – La Cadire – Information

Hotel Le Mahogany – Information

Departure Dates:

2025
September 18-26

2026
September 17-24

Trip Length: 9 Days
Trip Price:

2025
$7,300 per person, based on double occupancy

2026
$7,700 per person, based on double occupancy

Additional CME cost: $789 (16 Hours AMA PRA Category 1 Credits)

Deposit: $1,000

Add a review

5 reviews for Hiking Tour of Provence & the French Riviera CME

  1. Please comment on your overall impression of the trip. Did it meet your expectations?
    Wonderful trip. Exceeded my expectations.
    What did you think about the quality and the knowledge of your guide staff?
    Off the charts- fantastic!

    Would you consider traveling with Bio Bio Expeditions again? If so, which trips interest you most?
    Yes
    If you were to tell a friend or colleague about your overall experience on this trip, what would you say?
    Guides were incredible. Guests were very warm. Hotels were great! Hiking was stunning. Very well-organized.

  2. Please comment on your overall impression of the trip. Did it meet your expectations?
    An amazing, well-organized trip, pretty much exactly as advertised. The guides worked very hard and were super nice to boot. The chosen hotels and restaurants were all excellent except for the 3rd one (see below).
    What did you think about the quality and the knowledge of your guide staff?
    Off the charts- fantastic!

    Would you consider traveling with Bio Bio Expeditions again? If so, which trips interest you most?
    Yes. Kilimanjaro, Galapagos.
    If you were to tell a friend or colleague about your overall experience on this trip, what would you say?
    Fabulous hiking trip, with amazing guides, sights, food and wine.

  3. Superlatives fail me. This was a trip that exceeded my expectations in every way. The guides were brilliant, and my admiration for them is boundless. The hikes were terrific. Laurent took us to places that were areas we might have never discovered without him, and he made the hikes fabulous with his knowledge and general charming personality and humor. We saw lovely medieval towns and ate incredibly well.
    What did you think about the quality and the knowledge of your guide staff?
    Off the charts- fantastic!
    Please share with us any improvements you would suggest for future trips.

  4. Please comment on your overall impression of the trip. Did it meet your expectations?
    This trip gave me a wonderful taste of Provence. Beautiful hikes with delicious picnic lunches followed by incredible dinners in picturesque villages.
    What did you think about the quality and the knowledge of your guide staff?
    Off the charts- fantastic!
    Please share with us any improvements you would suggest for future trips.
    Can’t think of a thing.
    Would you consider traveling with Bio Bio Expeditions again? If so, which trips interest you most?
    Yes! The hiking/trekking trips.

  5. The trip exceeded my expectations. I had an incredible experience. What made this trip so wonderful is that I got to enjoy the many of the facets that make Provence so remarkable. Each of the hikes revealed a different section of the stunning beauty that is Provence. Each bend in the trail revealed a more stunning vista than before. But, what made the trip exceptional is that our guides introduced us to the culture and cuisine of the area. The dining selections were fabulous, the little villages we visited were sublime in their beauty and character. The wonderful people we met along the way only enhanced the experience.
    What did you think about the quality and the knowledge of your guide staff?
    Off the charts- fantastic!

    I wouldn’t change a thing. But, if there would be a way to include a hike along the Cap Canaille and spend an extra day in Cassis.
    Would you consider traveling with Bio Bio Expeditions again? If so, which trips interest you most?
    Absolutely. Torres del Paine and many others.