Wander through vineyards and olive groves to perched medieval villages and stay in delightful hotels, full of character along the way.
This 8-night walking holiday is based in the glorious Luberon National Park, taking in the lush Provencal countryside and its world-famous hilltop villages, with stunning views across mountains, valleys and plains. This is a land whose natural light and lavender-scented summers have inspired generations of poets, painters and writers from Petrarch in the 14th century right up to modern-day, bestselling author Peter Mayle.
Your itinerary is a real treat for the senses, starting in the striking hilltop village of St-Saturnin, nestled on the edge of the Plateau de Vaucluse. Heading south you’ll pass cherry orchards (with white cherry blossom in spring) and take in wonderful aromas of pine forests, lavender and wild herbs, before arriving in Roussillon with its 17 colours of once-quarried ochre. Vineyards and olive groves dot your route as you head towards Les Imberts and the charming village of Gordes whose architectural delights and tiny streets full of shops and cafes are just perfect for exploring. With the Luberon hills providing an enviable backdrop, you’ll make your way to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, with the option to visit the pretty riverside town of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, before heading north across the Vaucluse plateau for your final day and stunning views of Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail.
Highlights
Delightful walking through the timeless Luberon landscape
Heady mix of lavender, wild herbs, olives, pine and colourful flowers
Dazzling ochre cliffs; stunningly beautiful villages; endless swaying vines; superb views of Mont Ventoux
Wonderful regional wines and classic Provencal cuisine
Quality hotels full of local character, all with swimming pools
Key Information
8 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of 3-star hotels
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Headwater navigation app
Route notes and maps provided
Countries visited: France
What's Included
All continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals
Standard transfers at the start/end of the trip (if booking inclusive flights)
Luggage transfers between hotels
Walking transfers
What's Not Included
Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Solo traveller supplements (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
Visas and vaccinations
4Days of Walking & Trekking
Terrain:
Varied walking, mostly along marked paths (with some rocky sections) and quiet country lanes. There are a few ascents and some short sections where the surface may be loose so walking boots are highly recommended.
Day 2
16 km / 9.9 miles
Day 4
16 km / 9.9 miles
Day 6
11 km / 6.8 miles
Day 8
14 km / 8.7 miles
Sustainability and Impact
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
No departures found.
Itinerary
Pernes-Les-Fontaines
Pernes-Les-Fontaines
London
London
Day
1
Arrive in Pernes-Les-Fontaines
Arrive at your hotel, located just north of the town of Pernes-les-Fontaines. (Staying at Hotel l’Hermitage)
Meals included: Dinner
Day
2
Pernes-Les-Fontaines to Roussillon
Today we’ll take you to medieval St-Saturnin on the edge of the Plateau de Vaucluse. Start the day with a stroll through its narrow streets up to the sprawling chateau ruins which overlook the village and offer your first superb views over the entire Luberon valley. Then head south through classic Provencal countryside – vineyards, cherry orchards, fig trees, olive groves and fragrant lavender – enjoying a magnificent panorama across the Apt plain. Pass the village of Gargas, home to the vast Ochre Mines of Bruoux and continue through pine forest along ochre-red tracks, before descending into Roussillon. (Staying at Les Sables d’Ocre)
Distance covered: 10mi (16km)
Activity hours: 5
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
3
At Roussillon
Roussillon is famous for its streaked ochre cliffs and is the starting point of the Ochre Trail. It’s also considered one of the Plus Beaux Villages of France, with the winding streets full of brightly coloured houses in wonderful shades of red, pink, orange and yellow. You could, perhaps, visit the perched village of Bonnieux, full of art galleries, pavement cafes and little restaurants just perfect for lunch. (Staying at Les Sable d’Ocres)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
4
Roussillon to Les Imberts
You set off today through vineyards, passing the Domaine de Tara wine estate before following footpaths and quiet country lanes with fabulous views south across the Luberon valley and north to the perched village of Gordes. After a short climb along pine-scented footpaths, you’ll descend into Les Imberts where your hotel awaits with a swimming pool and spa. (Staying at Mas de la Senancole)
Distance covered: 10mi (16km)
Activity hours: 5
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day
5
At Les Imberts
Just a few kilometres away is the picturesque hilltop village of Gordes, one of the region’s most famous and another of France’s Most Beautiful Villages. Made up of wonderfully photogenic houses, terraces and gardens, Gordes is dominated by its Renaissance chateau, which also houses a museum. Explore its streets, crammed with cafes, restaurants and shops. (Staying at Mas de la Senancole)
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day
6
Les Imberts to Fontaine-De-Vaucluse
You begin today following quiet lanes past olive groves and vineyards before arriving at the medieval village of Cabrieres-d’Avignon with its golden stone houses and old castle (now a private residence). You’ll then head up into the hills under the shade of beautifully scented pine forests, past a section of the 27km-long Mur de la Peste, a wall built by locals in 1720 in a vain attempt to stop the spread of the Plague. Continue over the north edge of the valley for spectacular views of the whole Luberon. Descending, the views switch to look north across the Vaucluse, as you head into Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. (Staying at Hotel du Poete)
Distance covered: 7mi (11km)
Activity hours: 4
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
7
At Fontaine-De-Vaucluse
Today you can explore the village, home to the Fountain of the Vaucluse (the biggest spring in France and the fifth largest in the world). You’ll also find the crumbling ruins of the castle of the Bishop of Cavaillon, a museum about the Resistance and a number of lovely cafes and restaurants. Or why not visit the ‘island city’ of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, surrounded by the clear waters of the Sorgue River? With its many riverside shops and cafes it makes a good choice for lunch. (Staying at Hotel du Poete)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
8
Fontaine-De-Vaucluse to Pernes-Les-Fontaines
Ascend through pine and oak forest, then out across the Plateau de Vaucluse for stunning views of Mont Ventoux and the jagged peaks of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Head down through cherry orchards to popular St-Didier; perhaps enjoy a drink before your transfer to Pernes-les-Fontaines. (Staying at Hotel l’Hermitage)
Distance covered: 9mi (14km)
Activity hours: 5
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day
9
Leave Pernes-Les-Fontaines
Essential Info
Is this trip for you?
Classification: Self-Guided
Average daily distance on move on days: 14.25km (9 miles).
No. of days walking: 4
Terrain: Varied walking, mostly along marked paths (with some rocky sections) and quiet country lanes. There are a few ascents and some short sections where the surface may be loose so walking boots are highly recommended. From early July until end September, the local fire authorities restrict access to forested areas. Temperature can be up to 40 degrees. We recommend to choose a departure before or after this period.
Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can walk at your own pace.
It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies.
Your itinerary is a real treat for the senses, starting in the striking perched village of St-Saturnin, nestled on the edge of the Plateau de Vaucluse. Heading south you’ll pass cherry orchards (with white cherry blossom in spring) and take in wonderful aromas of pine forests, lavender and wild herbs, before arriving in Roussillon with its 17 colours of once-quarried ochre. Vineyards and olive groves dot your route as you head towards Les Imberts and the charming village of Gordes whose architectural delights and tiny streets full of shops and cafes are just perfect for exploring. With the Luberon hills providing an enviable backdrop, you’ll make your way to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, with the option to visit the pretty riverside town of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, before heading north across the Vaucluse plateau for your final day and stunning views of Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail.
Joining Instructions
The tour only prices for this holiday include our standard transfers. If you require alternative transfers (because you will be arriving at a different time to our standard flights), then we can usually arrange these for you (there may be an additional charge). Transfers included from Avignon TGV train station at 14:33, and back to Avignon TGV train station at 12:46.
Alternative flights, onward rail to your holiday area, and connecting private transfers can be arranged from most UK airports.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Standard transfers
For flight inclusive bookings transfers are included from Avignon TGV train station at 14:33, and back to Avignon TGV train station at 12:45. For land only bookings transfers are available for a supplement.
Alternative transfers
If you require alternative transfers (because you will be arriving at a different time to our standard flights), then we can usually arrange these for you (there may be an additional charge).
Vaccinations and Health
France
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Whilst not the most sophisticated of the French cuisines, most dishes use the excellent tasting local fresh produce. Cooking à la Provençale uses local olive oil, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, courgettes, aubergines and wild herbs, all ripened by the sun to give an intensity of flavour. You can browse among the colours and smells, and make picnic purchases at the lively local markets.The proximity of the sea makes fish and seafood an important element of the local cuisine. Regional dishes include the famous bouillabaisse, a rich fish stew served with aioli and rouille; the bourride – a lighter version of the bouillabaisse; pistou soupe (summer vegetable soup with a blend of garlic, basil and olive oil); authentic ratatouille, large colourful salads an delicious courgette flower fritters. Tapenade and anchoïade are savoury dips made with local olives and anchovies; pissaladière is an onion tart with olives and anchovies and is very likely to have come from the Romans.
Making wine, particularly rosé, has been Provence’s specialty for a long time. The grapes and soil throughout the region vary a lot, but the hot, sunny and dry climate is ideal for the local wines. The local red grape varieties are used because they cope well with strong sun exposure and poor soils: Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Tibouren and Calitor. The rosés are made out of the same varieties but the musts only macerate for a few hours so the fruits’ skin don’t darken the juice or release too many tannins.
Weather
Temperatures tend to average around 30°C during the summer months and fall to an average of 15°C during winter. The infamous Mistral wind can have a great effect on the temperatures, particularly in the western part of Provence.
July and August are very warm with little to no rainfall. Temperatures tend to climb up to 30°C during the day. At night it cools off considerably, especially on the coast, near a lake or in the mountains. In general, the farther away from the coast the more oppressive the heat becomes during the day.
The months around the high season are the most pleasant (May, June, September, October) with average temperatures between 22°C and 27°C . October is the most uncertain month of the four, but of course it can also be a splendid month with warm, sunny days and practically no rain.
Hotels
We’ve hand-picked high quality hotels for you to stay in, all of which boast swimming pools in their extensive grounds. Your accommodation includes a 19th century stately manor house with its own orangery and swimming pool; a charming hotel with heated outdoor pool and spa facilities including a sauna, hot tub and massage room; and a converted water mill whose millstreams are now a tranquil water garden. We’ve included four evening meals, so you’re free to choose from some great nearby restaurants on your remaining nights.
Reviews
This trip has not yet been reviewed, be the first to add a review.