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 10 to 15 km. Contact us for these short walks
Elevation gains: cumulative from 300 to 650 m per day up and from  -400 to -570m per day down.

INCLUDED :
5 to 8 nights Half board in **hotels (shower-bath en suite) and chambres d'hôtes, all dinners except day 1, 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 l'Isle sur la Sorgue, dinner Day 1 in l'Isle sur la Sorgue, beverages, picnics.

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 be ready 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 l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (departure every two hours). The ride takes about 30 minutes.
Info : 08.36.35.35.35.

- By train back from Cavaillon to Avignon Centre, ride of about 40minutes.
     Leave at railway station Cavaillon on Monday-through Saturday: 06:45, 07:34, 08:45, 13:32 and 17:02hr
    Leave at railway station Cavaillon on Sunday and Holy days 07:34 and 17:02hr

- 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).
 

PROGRAMME DAY BY DAY
 

Day 1:    l'Isle sur la Sorgue
The trip begins in l'Isle sur la Sorgue, and you can arrive at any time. Your room should be available by midday, or in the early afternoon.  Depending on your time of arrival you may choose to walk to the town known for its art and antique shops. 

1h30 effective walking, 1 km from the hotel.
Night in hotel** in l'Isle sur la Sorgue.  Evening meal (not included) in restaurant in town or at the hotel-restaurant.
 

Day 2:    l'Isle sur la Sorgue to Joucas
After breakfast you get a transfer to Fontaine de Vaucluse, the famous and impressive resurgence of an underground river.

Long walk: Transfer to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. 20 km via Senanque and Gordes, 8h00 effective walking past Abbaye de Senanque and Gordes to your hotel in Joucas at 5km from Gordes.

Short walk: 15 km. Transfer to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. Walk via Gordes and Joucas.
Night in hotel ** in Joucas.  Evening meal at the hotel restaurant.

Day 3:    Joucas to St.Saturnin-lès-Apt

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

Long walk: 18 km, 7h00 effective walking past the last effective ochre mines of Gargas.
Short walk: 14 km. Start with an Extra transfer to Roussillon. (supplement €10 p.party.)
Night in hotel ** in St.Saturnin-lès-Apts.  Evening meal at the hotel restaurant.

 

Next stages.

St.Saturnin-lès-Apt to Saignon.
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!

Short walk : 12 km, 6 hours effective walking.  -140m altitude, +250m.
Long walk : 15 km, 6 hours effective walking.  -140m altitude, +250m.
Night in guesthouse in Saignon** with a pool.  Evening meal at the hotel restaurant.
 

Saignon to Buoux.
The walk today goes up to Rocsalière and to the Claparèdes. Into a dry gully and up to Sivergues where you'll have a panoramic view to the South Alps.
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. The cliffs for alpine climbing are impressing. You then continue to your ‘auberge’ just outside Buoux, your base for the next one or two nights.

Night in hotel at Buoux.  Evening meal in restaurant
Long walk: 17 km 5h30 effective walking , +450m altitude, -625m.
Short walk: 8 or 11 km 2h30 effective walking , +252m altitude, -415m. 

 

Buoux to Bonnieux.
The 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 Bonnieux. 
Long walk: 17 km, 6h00 effective walking , +305m altitude, -305m.
Short walk: 12 km, 4h00 effective walking , +245m altitude, -245m.
 

St.Saturnin-lès-Apt to Rustrel.
St.Saturnin-lès-Apt - Aiguier Neuf - Cabane du Garde - Aiguier d'Auribeau - Lagarde d'Apt - Rustrel
Past discovery paths around St. Saturnin and the Massif de la Bruyère you walk on the GR-9 and the GR-6 to Rustrel, a small village built against the slopes of the Monts de Vaucluse.

Long walk: 21 km 8 hours effective walking.
Short walk: 10 km by the GR 6.
Night in hotel** in Rustrel.  Evening meal at the hotel restaurant.
 

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!

We recommend the brasserie-restaurant Le Bartavelle  in Apt (near the Hôtel de Ville) for lunch.

Long walk: 15 km, 5 or 6 hours effective walking.  -150m altitude, +250m.
Short walk: 12 km, 4 or 5 hours effective walking.  -150m altitude, +250m.
Night in guesthouse in Saignon **/*** with a pool.  Evening meal in restaurant.
 

Viens to Rustrel; transfer to Viens to begin with.
Surrounded by magnificent countryside, and perched on a rocky outcrop, Viens is an ancient village with a charming medieval atmosphere. It boasts a Renaissance château, restored in the 14th century, where you can enjoy a panoramic view from the Montee de la Pousterle to the Lure gorges.  Continuing along the GR97, in the direction of Rustrel, you have the opportunity to hike along the famous ‘ochre route’. The mining of ochre began more than a century ago, and Rustrel soon become an important production centre. Today, after a long decline, the exploitation is almost at an end, although the ‘Colorado Provençal’, as it is known, has received a second lease of life, attracting numerous visitors each year. Your route takes you past an incredible succession of rusty-coloured rocks, golden cliffs and red earthen chimneys that rise majestically out of the vegetation. Rustrel itself is dominated by a beautiful 17th century château, and during the summer months visitors can relax in the municipal outdoor swimming pool. The village is also known for its ‘Côtes du Ventoux’ wines.
According to hotel availability your night stop will be either at Rustrel or Apt (with an additional transfer at the end of the day from Rustrel to Apt)  This will be determined at the time of reservation.

Night in local hotel.  Evening meal in restaurant
Long walk: 5h30 effective walking , +235m altitude, -455m, 16km.

Last day: Leaving the Luberon
Your walk ends after breakfast and you will get a transfer (included) back to your car if you left it in l'Isle sur la Sorgue or to Cavaillon (railway station for a train at 11h44 to Avignon (12h19).