Light Walking holiday in Provence Luberon

Provence: Tour du Luberon

Surf here for a standard package of this walk

Surf here for all details on the superior package

Access to the first hotel: Train to Avignon or Cavaillon; Taxi to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.

Tour du LuberonPlus**/*** packages

Discovering villages amongst the mauve of lavender fields of the Luberon and the different ochres of the earth will leave lasting impressions for your minds eyes.

You start this walk in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.
You will walk from Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
to Abbaye de Senanque and Gordes on your first walking day in the Luberon. Following are walks from one village to another you will see the authentic character of St.Saturnin-les-Apt, Rustrel, and the Colorado Provençal. Saignon.Buoux and Bonnieuxwill be the last stages in the Luberon mountain.

Self Guided Walking
4 to 10 days, 3 to 9 nights
3 to 8 days walking
Days of 10-15 km or 15-22 km walking

Villages of the Luberon
The Luberon is a unique regional park offering visitors an infinite variety of colourful and fragrant landscapes. Part of Provence and yet separately identifiable due to the rolling hills and beautiful villages, it makes an excellent base for a holiday.
The Luberon is full of romantic villages, dramatic ruins, deep gorges and pretty valleys - you will probably not want to venture beyond its boundaries!

The Luberon, a rugged, wooded region stretches for about 65 kilometres between Cavaillon, in the West, and Manosque in the East, at its Western extremity. The Western end is known as the ‘Petit Luberon’ and the Eastern end as the ‘Grand Luberon’. The two sections are divided by the Combe de Lourmarin (the old pathway), which cuts across the mountains between the charming villages of Bonnieux and Lourmarin. It's a beautiful region, rich in colour and contrasts, with vivid sprays of scented lavender, bright green vines, ochre coloured villages and austere white limestone hills. This is an area that has attracted artists and writers for centuries, with dozens of lovely villages to explore, ancient forts, spectacular abbeys and countless other geographical and historical sites. There are some marvelous walks in the area, following the GR9 from the medieval village of Viens to picturesque Rustrel, or hiking across rocky escarpments down into dramatic gorges, where ochre was once mined. Provence is also known for its food, with garlic, olives and olive oil playing an important role in the preparation of many dishes.

First day of arrival in Avignon or Fontaine-de-Vaucluse

(It is possible to start and end this walk from/in Avignon instead, You will not go to l'Isle sur la Sorgue)
Night in hotel ** in Avignon or *** Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.
Evening meal not included.

Fontaine-de-Vaucluse via Senanques and/or Gordes to Joucas.
After breakfast you get a transfer to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, the famous and impressive resurgence of an underground river.

19 km, 5h30 effective walking past Abbaye de Senanque and Gordes to your hotel in Joucas at 5km from Gordes. or 15 km without walking along Abbaye de Senanque.
Night in hotel ** in Joucas. Evening meal at the hotel restaurant.

Joucas to St.Saturnin-les-Apt

Past the ochres of Roussillon, l'un des plus beaux villages de France you walk the GR-6 to the slopes of the Monts de Vaucluses with panoramic views on the Petit and grand Luberon.

18 km, 6h30 effective walking past the last effective ochre mines of Gargas.
Night in hotel** in St.Saturnin-les-Apts. Evening meal at the hotel restaurant.

St.Saturnin-les-Apt to Saignon

Transfer to Colorado Provençal.
Past discovery paths around The Colorado Provençal you walk on the GR-9 and the GR-6 and some PR-walks to Saignon. Saignon is a peaceful little village that you can easily explore on foot. Opposite the town hall there is a pretty 12th century Roman church and while walking through the narrow streets you will see ancient fountains, picturesque shady squares and beautiful old houses with intricate doorways. It is worth climbing up to the ‘Rock of Saignon’ where you can enjoy a marvellous panoramic view of the plains and the Luberon range. If the weather is fine, you can see Mont Ventoux, the Lure Mountains, the Alps of Haute Provence and even the heights of Avignon! Thanks to its rock, Saignon played a key defensive role for the town of Apt, attacked through the centuries by numerous invasions... although not yet by tourists!

12 or 15 km, 4 or 5 hours effective walking. -140m altitude, +250m.
Night in guesthouse in Saignon** with a pool. Evening meal at the hotel restaurant.

Saignon to Buoux

Saignon - Sivergues - Buoux of 10 km

You first walk to Sivergues. The cliffs for alpine climbing are impressing. You then continue to your ‘auberge’ just outside Buoux.

Night in hotel at Buoux. Evening meal in restaurant
5h30 effective walking , +450m altitude, -625m, 11km. (without extra option)

Buoux to Bonnieux

A walk from Buoux allows you to discover the many layers of history in this region, with impressive views of the Aigue Brun Valley. The limestone cliffs around Buoux are equally interesting; they were once a retreat for hermits, in the 15th century, and now they offer an exciting challenge for rock-climbers. You continue, towards Bonnieux, and doubtless you will spot its church tower long before the rest of the village comes into view. Built on a plateau above the valley, it is one of the finest villages in the area. Some of its houses date back to the 16th century and, if you climb the 86 stone steps to the old church, you’ll enjoy an outstanding view of the mountains of the Vaucluse, with Mont Ventoux towering in the distance. While here, don’t miss the Boulangerie Museum that houses an interesting display on bakery and bread production.

Night in hotel at Buoux. Evening meal in restaurant
10 or 16 km, 6h00 effective walking , +305m altitude, -305m.

St.Saturnin-les-Apt to Rustrel (8-days walk)

St.Saturnin-les-Apt - Aiguier Neuf - Cabane du Garde - Aiguier d'Auribeau - Lagarde d'Apt - Rustrel

Past discovery paths around St. Saturnin and the Massif de la Bruyère you walk on the GR-9 and the GR-6 to Rustrel, a small village built against the slopes of the Monts de Vaucluse.

22 km 7 hours effective walking.
Night in hotel** in Rustrel. Evening meal at restaurant 200m from the guesthouse "de charme".

Rustrel to Saignon

Past the Colorado Provençal and discovery paths around Saignon you walk to Saignon. Saignon is a peaceful little village that you can easily explore on foot. Opposite the town hall there is a pretty 12th century Roman church and while walking through the narrow streets you will see ancient fountains, picturesque shady squares and beautiful old houses with intricate doorways. It is worth climbing up to the ‘Rock of Saignon’ where you can enjoy a marvellous panoramic view of the plains and the Luberon range. If the weather is fine, you can see Mont Ventoux, the Lure Mountains, the Alps of Haute Provence and even the heights of Avignon! Thanks to its rock, Saignon played a key defensive role for the town of Apt, attacked through the centuries by numerous invasions... although not yet by tourists!

We recommend the brasserie-restaurant Le Bartavelle in Apt (near the Hôtel de Ville) for lunch.

12 or 15 km, 5 or 4 or 5 hours effective walking. -150m altitude, +250m.
Night in guesthouse in Saignon ** with a pool. Evening meal at the hotel restaurant.

Viens to Rustrel (Extra stage)
Stage from Viens to Rustrel (with a transfer to Viens to begin with) or Rustrel to Viens;

Surrounded by magnificent countryside, and perched on a rocky outcrop, Viens is an ancient village with a charming medieval atmosphere. It boasts a Renaissance Château, restored in the 14th century, where you can enjoy a panoramic view from the Montee de la Pousterle to the Lure gorges. Continuing along the GR97, in the direction of Rustrel, you have the opportunity to hike along the famous ‘ochre route’. The mining of ochre began more than a century ago, and Rustrel soon become an important production centre. Today, after a long decline, the exploitation is almost at an end, although the ‘Colorado Provençal’, as it is known, has received a second lease of life, attracting numerous visitors each year. Your route takes you past an incredible succession of rusty-coloured rocks, golden cliffs and red earthen chimneys that rise majestically out of the vegetation. Rustrel itself is dominated by a beautiful 17th century Château, and during the summer months visitors can relax in the municipal outdoor swimming pool. The village is also known for its ‘Côtes du Ventoux’ wines.
According to hotel availability your night stop will be either at Rustrel or Apt (with an additional transfer at the end of the day from Rustrel to Apt) This will be determined at the time of reservation.

Night in local hotel. Evening meal in restaurant
19 km and 5h30 effective walking , +235m altitude, -455m, 16km.

Leaving the Luberon (8-days walk)

Your walk ends after breakfast and you will get a transfer (included) back to the railway station of Cavaillon to travel back to Avignon, Aix-en-Provence or Marseille .

INCLUDED :
3 to 8 nights in *** and ** hotels (shower-bath en suite) and chambres d'Hôtes, all dinners except day 1 and in Rustrel, local specialties, continental breakfast, all local transfers, baggage transports, a folder with maps and written instructions. We assume you are able to read a map 1:25000. We don't encourage using a compass.
Not included: Travelling to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, beverages, picnics, dinners is Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
and in Rustrel.

STARTING DAY:
Any day of the week possible (March 25 - October 30) at the hotel in l'Isle sur la Sorgue.
l'Isle sur la Sorgue is accessible from Avignon by train.
In July and August best is to take a break at 12h00 of 2 - 3 hours for lunch in a restaurant, swimming, resting, seeing a museum etc..

If you start in August or September some trails might be closed for walkers, we'll take this into account and show you the free accesible trails.

If you start mid September you might encounter hunters and should beready to hear shooting and come across men with guns.

ACCESS :
- By train :
Many TGV from Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse directly to Avignon. From the railway station of Avignon Centre by train to Cavaillon and l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (departure every three hours). The ride takes about 30 minutes.
Info : 08.36.35.35.35.

- By train back

- By car :
Situation : Paris 742km - Lyon 271km - Marseille 80km - Avignon 56km - Aix en Provence 50km.
Highway from Paris, Lyon, Marseille to Avignon; N100 from Avignon to Apt (56km).

- By airplane:
Aiports : Avignon - Caumont, tel : +33 490 812 039, Marseille - Provence, tel : +33 442 141 414
Marseille - Provence, tel : +33 442 141 414 (From the airport take shuttle bus (3 times, every hour at 0,10, 0,30 and 0,50h) to SNCF railway station of Marseille. Train to Avignon (60 minutes) or to Cavaillon (1h45 minutes) and change on train to l'Isle sur la Sorgue (30 minutes).