• Panoramas of Provence: Grand Tour of Luberon

• Everyday subject to availability during April, May, June, September and October

• 12 Nights
• From £1795
• From €1995
• Loyalty scheme reduction applies for returning customers (see terms and conditions)

• or

• 12 nights: 10 walking days, moving between guest houses

• A great circular trail exploring the full range of landscapes in the Luberon
• Visiting stunning, historic hill-top villages
• A multitude of landscapes and vegetation with lavender, vines, olives, orchards and forest
• Choice of difficulty of walks on most days
• A warm and sunny climate, ideal walking in spring or autumn
• Delightful guest houses full of character, most with swimming pools

• "In many ways it has exceeded expectations on returning to the area after 11 years. The notes were the best of any offered by many companies used over decades." A. Wight, UK
• "A thoroughly enjoyable tour of the Luberon valley, accommodation that never failed to delight, with opportunities to meet very friendly & helpful local people. Will remain long in our memory, together with our other 2 successful High Point Holidays in France." C & M Duck, UK
• "Enjoyed the variety of scenery and accommodation, the opportunity to speak French with our hosts and the walks to wear off at least some of the excellent food." R. Hirning & A McConnell, Canada.

• 12 nights accommodation in several charming guest houses in historic buildings full of character and interspersed with quality 3 star hotels and auberges, double or twin rooms with own bathroom.

1. 12 nights accommodation
2. Meals: All breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 evening meals
3. Detailed walking notes and maps
4. Luggage transport between guest houses
5. Taxi transfer between Avignon train station or Avignon Airport and Luberon at start and end of 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)

1. Travel to Avignon, France; 3 lunches and 3 evening meals, any entrance fees or excursions, travel insurance

1. See also our 7 night self guided holiday in the Luberon
2. Highlights of Provence: Best of Les Alpilles & Luberon

Walking Profile

10 days independent walking moving between hotels and guest houses with two possible rest days. This holiday is suitable for walkers seeking both a moderate and more challenging walking trip. The moderate days have an average of 14km and +300m of ascent per day, whilst the more challenging options average 20km and +600m of ascent. You'll be walking on a mixture of small paths, tracks and quiet roads. The paths in the Luberon are often stony and rugged due to the nature of the geology, and so walking boots are recommended.

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.
Other options include exploring the Vezoule Ravine or semacole gorge. 13-17km, +250m or +450m.

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. The harder trail heads into the hills of the Luberon Massif rewarded by spectacular views in all directions, including the Alps. You descend to the beautiful perched village of Lacoste, where you can climb on cobbled streets and visit the ruins of its castle. 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. 14 or 22km, +390m or +780m

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 at your lovely guest house with swimming pool. 14km, +450m

Day 6: Bonnieux - Boux

An easier day as you head through olive groves and scrubland with wild herbs to reach the top of the wild and beautiful Aigue Brun Gorge. Your hotel is in a great location at the base of the gorge. 14km, +200 m. You have the option of an additional circular walk taking you to the pretty village of Sivergues or of visiting Fort Boux (depending on which walking option you intend to do the next day.)

Day 7: Boux - Saignon

The easy option walking trail follows the Aigue Brun Gorge before passing picturesque lavender fields to reach Saignon, another pretty hill-top village. The harder walking trail passes Fort de Boux, which is well worth a visit, before climbing to the grassy ridge of the Grand Luberon hills for great panoramic views. You’ll then cross an enjoyable lavender covered plateau south of Apt before a varied walk takes you to the pretty village of Saignon perched on a ridge. 10 -19km  up to +710m

Day 8: Saignon - St Martin de Castillon

Your walking trail climbs to a small plateau where tiny hamlets nestle among lavender fields & orchards. The easier walking option traverses through vine covered slopes with great views, whilst the harder option climbs to the summit of Mourre Negre, at 1125m, the highest point of the Grand Luberon for vast panoramic views in all directions, including the Alps. A fine ridge walk follows before descending to re-join the easier trail and cross the Calavon Valley. Transfer to your guest house.  15km or 24km, +350m, or +900m

Day 9: Cereste - Rustrel

Your trail leads you to the historic hill-top village of Viens with its chateau perched on the edge of a rock band. Here you have great views towards the Gorge of Oppedette. A great ridge walk follows that descends gradually towards Rustrel. Afterwards, explore the wonderful landscapes and colours of the Colorado Provencal where ochre deposits form wonderful towers, cliffs and fins of rock. A delightful woodland trail leads you to a desert of exposed rocks before making your way to Rustrel for your transfer to your guest house. 13km, +450m

Day 10: Rest day

Relax at your lovely guest house near St Saturnin with pool and great views.

Day 11: St Saturnin les Apt - Roussillon

Visit the wonderful hill-top village of St Saturnin les Apt, nestled along the base of a long, low cliff, with the ruins of a castle above. Explore its pretty streets and climb onto the cliff for beautiful views of the Luberon before heading west through vineyards and orchards. The easier walking trail stays below the wooded slopes whilst the harder option climbs to the north to follow the top of the impressive Madeleine cliffs overlooking the hamlet of Lioux, which are 100m high and over 1km in length. Great panoramic views as you progress before heading south and climbing to the pretty ochre coloured village of Roussillon, which sits on top of a small hill and is classed as one of the prettiest villages in France. 19km or 22km, +290m or +600m.

Day 12: Roussillon - Gordes

Visit the sentier des ochres walking through the old ochre quarries before heading west back towards Gordes via the pretty hamlet of Joucas set above the vines. The longer route heads into the hills to reach the charming hamlet of Mur surrounded by vines and cherry orchards. Your trail descends back to your guest house via the wonderful Vezoule gorge and a beautiful forest. 12km or 19.5km +50m or +350m

Day 13: Departure

Transfer to Avignon after breakfast for your onward travel