Outdoor & Active Provence: Hiking, Water Sports & Thrills

Between garrigue, gorges and limestone hills, the region is a vast playground for those who can't sit still. Hiking, canoeing, via ferrata, cycling, treetop courses: everything is within an hour of our houses, in summer and shoulder season alike.

Here are our favourite spots, by mood and by level — from the gentle family trail to the gorge descent that gets the heart going.

Hiking & mountain biking

Four terrains, four moods:

• The Gardon gorges — a classified Grand Site, the jewel of the area. Between Russan and Collias, the river has carved limestone cliffs you follow on shaded trails; you'll find caves, rock-cut chapels and turquoise pools. Best in the cool of the morning.
• The Alpilles — around Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Les Baux, this small white massif offers huge panoramas on paths scented with thyme and pine. The heart of a regional nature park, ideal on foot or by mountain bike.
• La Montagnette — between Tarascon and Barbentane, a hill of pines and garrigue crowned by the Frigolet abbey: short, easy loops, perfect for the end of the day.
• Around the Pont du Gard — the "Mémoires de garrigue" trail and the aqueduct paths blend walking and heritage (see our heritage guide).

On the water: canoeing the Gardon

The star summer activity. Starting from Collias, you paddle down the Gardon by canoe or kayak between the gorge cliffs, reaching the Pont du Gard on the longer routes. It's calm, swimmable, family-friendly (from age 6–7 depending on the operator, life jacket provided) — and the only way to see the Roman aqueduct from directly beneath it. You alternate paddling and swimming in the clear pools.

Thrills: via ferrata, climbing, treetops

For those who want some air under their feet:

• Via ferrata & climbing in the Gardon gorges: equipped rock faces and climbing routes in a dramatic mineral setting, with an instructor if needed.
• Treetop adventure: Escatte Aventure near Nîmes for the rope courses; King Loisirs in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, which adds paintball and laser tag for teens.
• Off-road scooters in the Alpilles with E-trott Aventura, in Saint-Rémy: guided descents, big sensations and no effort on the way up.

With younger ones, go-karting (baby-karts from age 3) and the farms round things out — it's all in our family guide.

By bike

The Uzès–Beaucaire greenway offers around thirty traffic-free kilometres between vines and garrigue, passing the Pont du Gard: perfect for families, flat, and easy to rent by the half-day. For something sportier, the trail networks of the Alpilles and the gorges will delight mountain bikers. Bike rentals (standard and electric) are based in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and near the Pont du Gard.

The Camargue side

The delta has its own playgrounds: horseback riding between lagoons and marshes, a 4×4 safari through the ranches, cycling along the sea wall, and birdwatching at the Pont de Gau park. It's all in our Camargue guide.

Our outdoor day

A great active day from base: morning, a canoe descent of the Gardon from Collias, with swimming stops. Picnic on the pebbles, at the foot of the Pont du Gard. Afternoon, depending on energy left: a hiking loop in the gorges, or a treetop course for the teens. Back home for the pool and the barbecue — the best reward.