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self guided |
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Luberon in luxury |
Luberon in luxury: if you had to pick the one place in Provence that regrouped the most stunning perched villages, landscapes, and walking trails, it would be here, in the Luberon. And now you we offer this region in absolute luxury. We've hand-picked the most sumptuous and awe-inspiring hotels and guesthouses along the way, to create a magical once-in-a-lifetime experience. |
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| Day 1 : The Antiques capital of Provence
L'Isle sur la Sorgue
Your walking tour begins in Isle sur la Sorgue, one of the prettiest towns in Provence, surrounded entirely by the green waters of the Sorgue river. The quays are lined with antique shops and cafés while the town's Sunday market is a feast for all the senses. Dinner and night included in l'Isle sur la Sorgue at the hidden and intimate La Prévôté guesthouse in the centre of town.
Day 2 : From ancient walls to a towering village
Fontaine de Vaucluse>Gordes
- walking time about 4 hours and 15min. - 13km - +450m/-200m
Short transfer to the town of Fontaine de Vaucluse, where its mysterious spring has attracted poets, scientists, and travellers from around the globe. Your walking path climbs through brush and cedar forests and up to a stony plateau, from where the views extend to the entire Luberon range. You walk alongside a “plague wall”, a portion of a 30km wall built in 1721 to prevent the plague from reaching the Provence of the Popes. You reach Gordes, your base for two nights, listed as “one of the most beautiful villages in France”, its homes rising out of the Calavon valley and perched vertiginously on a rocky spur (Tuesday market). Dinner and night in Gordes at the spectacular 5* Bastide de Gordes.
Day 3 : To an 850 year-old abbey surrounded by lavender
Gordes>Senanque>Gordes
- walking time about 3 hours and 15min.- 10km - +250m/-250m
Your walking tour continues along hidden paths to Sénanque Abbey, a jewel of 12th century architecture. Built in 1148, the abbey has housed an order of Cistercian monks for over 850 years. A guided tour of the abbey will allow you to visit the medieval parts of the monastery. Your path then climbs out of the Sénancole valley, with breathtaking bird’s-eye views of the abbey. Your descent back to Gordes is just as scenic, walking along ancient stone walls and among bories – dry stone dwellings. Dinner on your own and and night in Gordes.
Day 4 : Lacoste and Bonnieux, villages from A Year in Provence
Goult>Lacoste>Bonnieux
- walking time about 3 hours and 30min. - 11km - +315m/-250m
A 10 minutes taxi transfer takes you to the authentic stone village of Goult. With wide sweeping views you walk along a shelf path above the Calavon, passing the ruins of bories and farmhouses. You reach Lacoste, crowned by the ruins of the castle of the Marquis de Sade, (in)famous for his writings that would send him to prison for half his life, ideas that would spawn a widely-used term drawn from his name... Dipping back into the valley you make your way to Bonnieux, a picture perfect Provençal village, on top of which stands a 12th century church surrounded by century-old cedars. Meander through its cobbled streets and relax on the terrace of a café overlooking the valley and the mountains beyond. Dinner included in town and night in Bonnieux at the guesthouse oasis La Maison Valvert.
Day 5 : The cedar forest
Bonnieux>Cedar Forest>Bonnieux
- walking time about 3 hours, 30mn - 12km - +400m/-400m
A pleasant and gradual climb through the forest leads to the ridge of the Petit Luberon mountain. By the time you reach the top the views extend from the snow covered Alps to the north to the Mediterranean Sea to the South. At the top of the mountain is a plateau, where you stroll under the canopy of a majestic cedar forest, the perfect place for a picnic. On a seldom-used path with wide-sweeping views of the Luberon you drop down to the plains for a leisurly return to Bonnieux. Dinner on your own. Night in Bonnieux.
Day 6 : The shining south face
Bonnieux>Lourmarin
- walking time about 3 hours, 30mn - 10km - +300m/-400m
You climb up to through the heart of the Luberon mountain to reach its crest, where the view suddenly extends towards the southern face: tiny villages that dot the foot of the slopes and in the backround the Sainte Victoire mountain, Cézanne's muse. The strong scent of Mediterranean brush -- aromatic herbs and pine needles roasting in the sun -- accompanies you as you wind your way down to the village of Lourmarin. Listed among the most beautiful villages in France, Lourmarin boasts a handful of narrow streets lined with elegant houses, old fountains and cafés. Dinner included in town and night in Lourmarin at the exquisite Côté Lourmarin guest house.
Day 7 : Vineyards of the southern Luberon
Lourmarin>Cadenet>Lourmarin
- walking time about 3 hours, 30mn - 10km - +150m/-150m
The Southern Luberon is known for its châteaus and vineyards, setting the scene for your penultimate walk. With 5 walks under your belt, this last one will feel like a breeze as you make your way to the village of Cadenet. Unassuming and authentic, the pretty village of Cadenet is the perfect setting for your last Provençal lunch before looping back to Lourmarin. Dinner on your own and night in Lourmarin.
Day 8 : Au revoir!
Lourmain>Avignon or Aix en Provence
Transfer from Lourmarin to either Avignon or Aix en Provence by taxi, your choice. End of your Provence walking holiday.
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- 7 nights double occupancy with private facilities
- 7 breakfasts, 4 dinners, 3 picnic lunches
- Day 2: transfer by taxi to the beginning of your walk
- Day 4: Short morning transfer to Goult, to the start of your walk to Bonnieux
- Day 8: transfer by taxi from Lourmarin to either Avignon or Aix en Provence (your choice)
- Luggage transfers days 2 to 8
- Our Road Book with detailed walking itineraries and a map.
Not included
All lunches & dinners not noted on itinerary, entrance fees into museums, insurance, drinks, items of personal nature
Important: from July 1st to September 15th access may be restricted in the Luberon mountains if the risk of forest fire is high. There is a risk that the paths may be closed as of noon on any given day or in exceptional circumstances the paths may be closed altogether. Information is available at 6:00pm for the following day by calling an automatic message service.
Some dates become very busy, book early if you want to be sure to get space for your next holiday!
All Provence, May, long weekends - Avignon, July 5 to 30, Theater Festival - Isle sur Sorgue, April 7 to 9, Easter Antique Market-
Extend your stayYou arrive in Provence before your tour or you would like to extend your stay. You can book extra nights and transfers on the dates that suit you, directly using the online reservation form.
Discover La Provence
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| Highlights |
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> The perched medieval villages of the Luberon: Gordes, Lacoste, Bonnieux
> The contrast between the Luberon's forested north and its vineyards and thyme-laden hills on the south
> Accommodations so amazing that you won't want to go home |
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| Hotels |
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| La Prévôté |
In the heart of the antiques capital, Severine hosts you in a 17th century convent restored with taste, set atop the flow of the Sorgue river. 5 warm & refined rooms. Jean-Marie proposes his gastronomic cuisine in the former church and its charming courtyard, combining local and Mediterranean products in the purest Provençal tradition. |
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| La Bastide de Gordes |
Set atop the village of Gordes, this luxury 5* hotel hovers dizzyingly above the Calavon valley, with awe-inspiring views. Each one of its rooms exudes elegance. The hotel offers a swimming pool, spa, gastronomic cuisine and an equally gastronomic breakfast buffet. Access to the spa is included on your first of two nights to soak your cycling/walking muscles... |
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| La Maison Valvert |
Hidden in the countryside and just a short (10 minutes) walk from Bonnieux, La Maison Valvert boasts elegant and refined rooms in the most serene of environments. This intimate guest house -- only 5 rooms -- a sumptuously devine place to relax after a day's walk in the hills. |
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| Côté Lourmarin |
This intimate and elegant B&B opened only a year ago, hidden in the centre of Lourmarin, on a cobbled street lined with cafés. There are only two rooms here: above and beyond the antique linens and furnishings, the stylish modern-meets-antique decor, resides your host Christine Delatour. She designed the B&B herself, she'll pamper you, and she'll make you feel like part of the family. |
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