• Luberon: Classic Provence

• Everyday (subject to availability) from beginning of March to end of October (except July and August)

• From £1170
• From €1295
• Prices per person based on 2 sharing
• Please consult us for single supplement prices
• Loyalty scheme reduction applies for returning customers (see terms and conditions)

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• 8 days/7 nights: 6 days self guided walking moving between guest houses

• A great circular trail visiting stunning hill-top, historic villages
• A multitude of landscapes and vegetation with lavender, vines, olives, orchards and forest
• A warm and sunny climate, ideal walking in spring or autumn
• Easy walking with plenty of time for taking in the sites

• "All (guest houses) were accommodating and friendly. The combination of scenery, accommodation and food made it great." A & J Jerse, Canada
• "The Provence countryside was beautiful, the hotels good, distances manageable. Lovely hilltop villages. The stay at Sieste en Luberon was exceptionally good. Very helpful, personal communication with William. Extremely supportive & helpful arranging taxi transport in the heat." A Pickup, UK

• 7 nights accommodation in several charming guest houses and 3 star hotels, double or twin rooms with own bathroom.

1. 7 nights accommodation, all breakfasts, 4 evening meals, 2 lunches, full walking notes and maps, transport of luggage between guest houses, taxi transfer between Avignon and first and last guest house at the start and end of your walking holiday. (Reduction in holiday price if you decide to take bus from Avignon TGV to Beaumettes followed by a shorter taxi transfer. Bus costs 2 euros).
2. Read more information about our independent walking holidays

1. Travel to Avignon, France, 2 evening meals, drinks with meals, 3 lunches, any excursions or visits, travel insurance.

1. See also: Highlights of Provence: Best of Les Alpilles & Luberon
2. Return to list of self-guided walking holidays

Walking Profile

7 days independent walking moving between hotels and guest houses. The days include about 4 to 5 hours walking with an average of 13-14km and +300m of ascent per day. You'll be walking on a mixture of small path, tracks and quiet roads. The paths in the Luberon are often stony due to the nature of the geology, and so walking boots are recommended. Easy to moderate walking days with plenty of time for exploring the historic villages.

Holiday profile day by day

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome in Avignon and transfer to hotel near Gordes.

Day 2: Walk from Gordes

Choice of walks depending on your interests and length of walk desired. Explore the historic perched village of Gordes - probably the most famous village in the Luberon - and undertake a circular walk via Abbaye de Sénanque. Your walking tour takes you to Sénanque Abbey. Built in 1148, the abbey has housed an order of Cistercian monks for over 850 years. A guided tour of the abbey is possible and will allow you to visit the medieval parts of the monastery. Your path then climbs out of the Sénancole valley, with breath taking views of the abbey. Your descent back to Gordes is just as scenic, walking along ancient stone walls and among bories – dry stone dwellings. Short walk through the historic streets of Gordes and through fields to your hotel just outside the village. 13km, +250m/-250m.
Other options include exploring the Vezoule Ravine or a shorter walk around the village of Gordes.

Day 3: Gordes – Goult

From Gordes your walk passes through vines and then thyme and rosemary scented hills before reaching the hamlet of Saint-Pantaléon. You then continue towards the perched village of Goult, a wonderful historic village far less popular than Gordes but nonetheless charming, its alleyways twisting around the ruins of its castle. From Goult you descend through old terraces into the Calavon valley. 14km, +240m

Day 4: Goult – Bonnieux 

Your walking trail takes you off the beaten path but provides an overview of so much of what makes the Luberon special: tiny hamlets, vineyards, an ancient church, bories, an old lavoir and amazing views. You then reach the beautiful perched village of Lacoste, where you can climb on cobbled streets all the way to the top and visit the ruins of the castle of the Marquis de Sade.  You then make your way to Bonnieux, another wonderful Provence village, on top of which stands a 12th century church surrounded by century-old cedars. The view from Bonnieux is wonderful out across the valley floor with its patchwork of orchards and vineyards, towards Lacoste across the Vaucluse plateau. 14km, +390m

Day 5: Petit Luberon & Cedar Forest or rest day

After exploring Bonnieux climb onto the Petit Luberon hills for stunning views and a walk through its Cedar Forest. Visit a borie village on the way. Or you can decide to have a rest day. 14km, +450m

Day 6: Bonnieux – Roussillon 

You’ll head back to the Calavon Valley on paths that follow the route of an old Roman road lined with cherry orchards and vineyards and cross the river by means of the Pont Julien, a 2,000-year-old Roman bridge. Ascend to the beautiful village of Roussillon.  You can also explore the nearby ochre mines with their startling array of orange and red colours that are also visible in the handsome houses of the village, classed as one of the most beautiful in all of France. 15km, +150m

Day 7: Roussillon to Gordes

In the morning you can visit the sentier des ochres before heading west back towards Gordes via the pretty hamlet of Joucas set above the vines. Enjoy lovely views towards Gordes on your return. Relax at your beautiful 3 star hotel with swimming pool. 12km, +50m

Day 8: Departure

Transfer to Avignon after breakfast for your onward travel