Provence: Walking holiday in Luberon

Stairway to the fortress of Buoux

Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
or Avignon ~ Gordes ~ Roussillon ~ St.Saturnin-les-Apt ~ Rustrel ~ Saignon ~ Buoux ~ Bonnieux

Hike in the Luberon - walks for everyone from easy to challenging, taking in the beautiful countryside of the Luberon in Provence.

Plus packages. Start in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
(this page). For a start in Avignon click here .

Packages 4 - 9 days, 3 - 8 nights, 2 - 7 days of walking Daily walks of 10-15 km

Small groups discount p.p. : 6% (3 personen ) to 14% (8 personen).

Selfguided hotel based light walking trip from, Avignon, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
or l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

 Find here for all details of the superior*** package

Tour du Luberon plus 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 can start this walk in l'Isle sur la Sorgue, in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
or in Avignon, if you want the visit the town of the festival and the French popes.
Starting in l'Isle sur la Sorgue, center of art and antiques you will get a transfer to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
and walk to Abbaye de Senanqueand/or Gordeson your first walking day into 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. Saignonand or Buouxand Bonnieuxwill be the last stages in the Luberonmountain.

Self Guided Walking
4 to 9 days, 3 to 8 nights
2 to 7 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 perchés, 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!

Abbaye de Senanque

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 marvellous 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.

Programme and Description of the various stages.

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

Night in hotel *** Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. Visit of the resurgence.

Fontaine-de-Vaucluse via Gordes to Joucas.

17 km 5 hours walking. Night in hotel *** in Joucas. Evening meal at the hotel restaurant. (19 km if you want to go to the Senanque Abbey. If you want a transfer to shorten the stage by 4 km tell us when booking)

Cumulative elevation :  - 610 m  and  +751 m
Altitude at start : 84 m |Altitude  at arrival : 225 m
Altitude Maximum : 461 m | Altitude Minimum : 83 m

Joucas to Roussillon

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

8 or 14 km, 3 or 5h effective walking , At arrival visit of the museum ochre mine of Roussillon.
Night in hotel *** in Roussillon. Evening meal at the hotel restaurant.

Cumulative elevation :  - 428 m  and  +335 m
Altitude at start :319 m |Altitude  at arrival : 226 m
Altitude Maximum : 403 m | Altitude Minimum : 116 m

Roussillon to Villars via St.Saturnin-les-Apt

Walk the GR-6 to the slopes of the Monts de Vaucluse with panoramic views on the Petit and grand Luberon.

14 km, 5h effective walking past the last effective ochre mines of Gargas.
Night in hotel ** in Villars. Evening meal at the hotel restaurant.

Cumulative elevation :  - 232 m  and  +296 m
Altitude at start : 302 m |Altitude  at arrival : 375 m
Altitude Maximum : 417 m | Altitude Minimum : 297 m

Villars to Apt

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

Villars or St-Saturnin  to Rustrel

Short walk to Rustrel. At arrival you visit the Colorado Provençal at 20 minutes walk from La Forge.

14 km, 5 hours effective walking. -140m altitude, +250m.
Night in guesthouse in Rustrel *** with a pool. Evening meal at the hotel restaurant nearby.

Cumulative elevation :  - 210 m  and  +262 m
Altitude at start : 323 m |Altitude  at arrival : 375 m
Altitude Maximum : 417 m | Altitude Minimum : 297 m

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!

12 km, 4 or 5 hours effective walking.

Cumulative elevation :  - 301 m  and  +445 m
Altitude at start : 337 m |Altitude  at arrival : 481 m
Altitude Maximum : 520 m | Altitude Minimum : 252 m

Night in guesthouse in Saignon *** with a pool or in Apt ***. Evening meal at the hotel restaurant.

Saignon to Buoux

Walk of 10 or 16 km

Night in Auberge des Seguins hotel at Buoux. Dinner in hotel-restaurant des Seguins 6 hours walk,

10km
Cumulative elevation :  - 382 m  and  +314 m
Altitude at start : 481 m |Altitude  at arrival : 414 m
Altitude Maximum : 569 m | Altitude Minimum : 414 m

16km
Cumulative elevation :  - 760 m  and  +693 m
Altitude at start : 481 m |Altitude  at arrival : 414 m
Altitude Maximum : 569 m | Altitude Minimum : 414 m

Buoux to Apt

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
11 or 16 km, 3 or 5h effective walking ,

11km
Cumulative elevation :  - 649 m  and  +466 m
Altitude at start : 414 m |Altitude  at arrival : 232 m
Altitude Maximum : 534 m | Altitude Minimum : 232 m

16km
Cumulative elevation :  - 1046m  and  +864m
Altitude at start : 414 m |Altitude  at arrival : 232 m
Altitude Maximum : 984 m | Altitude Minimum : 232 m

Villars to Rustrel

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

By the GR-9 and the GR-6 to Rustrel, a small village built against the slopes of the Monts de Vaucluse.

15 km 5 hours effective walking.
Night in hotel*** in Rustrel. Evening meal at restaurant 200m from the guesthouse "de charme". La Forge.

Rustrel to Apt

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!

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

Longer packages via Viens, Saignon and/or Buoux, with a taxi-transfer from Viens to Apt or Saignon

Viens - Apt (13 km after transfer)
Viens - Saignon (11 km km after transfer)
Saignon - Buoux (11 or 17 km)
Buoux- Apt (11 km)

Leaving the Luberon (8-days walk)

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

LEVEL :
Hiking trip on good trails, without technical difficulties, but a good physical condition needed..
3h30 to 8 hours walking per day (15 - 22 km a day).
We also provide a customized Luberon walk with daily 15 to 22 km .
Elevation gains: cumulative from 300 to 650 m per day up and from -400 to -570m per day down.

INCLUDED :
3 to 9 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).