Luberon Trails

Introduction
Provence France
With each turn in your path, the Luberon Mountains offer a new discovery: 1000 year-old perched villages rising spectacularly from the valleys below, open fields laden with poppies and wildflowers, centuries’ old stone huts that offer the most intimate of picnic spots... and much more! 

Beginning in the town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, with its antiques and Venice-like canals, your journeys will take you through the mysterious springs of Fontaine de Vaucluse, the spectacular Aiguebrun river, and some of France’s most beautiful villages.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Picturesque village of Isle sur la Sorgue, and its famous Sunday morning market
• Senanque abbey surrounded by lavender fields 
• Beautiful perched villages of Gordes and Bonnieux

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive trip, so you will be staying in different establishments along the way. 

Description
We favour small local establishments, often family-run hotels or B&Bs, that employ local people. Selected by our track finders, our accommodations are chosen based on the friendliness of the owners, the quality of the service, the charm of the establishment and, quite often, the quirkyness (of both accommodation and owners!) that makes where you sleep an integral part of your adventure. 

Your package includes standard accommodation (with all basic comfort and services) but it is possible to upgrade to more comfortable accommodations for an extra fee.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel Cantosorgue in Isle sur Sorgue
Night 2 & 3: Mas de la Beaume in Gordes
Night 4 & 5: Hotel Le César in Bonnieux
Night 6: Auberge des Seguins in Buoux
Night 7 (extension): Hotel Les Ambres in Roussillon

Hotel Cantosorgue in Isle sur la Sorgue
This recently renovated hotel is ideally located close to the historic city center. It offers 35 comfortable rooms housed in 3 different buildings surrounding the hotel swimming pool. Each room has air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, an ensuite bathroom with shower and free Wi-Fi internet.

Le Mas de la Beaume in Gordes
This charming guesthouse offers 5 bedrooms, each with its unique décor. All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, a coffee/tea machine and private facilities.
Guests are encouraged to explore the Provencal garden and take a dip in the pool, with great views over the Alpilles mountains.

Hotel Le César in Bonnieux
This small family run hotel offers panoramic views over Bonnieux. Each guestroom is equipped with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV and private bathroom.

Auberge des Seguins in Buoux
Hidden at the base of the Aiguebrun gorge, beside the river, this auberge is both scenic and peaceful. With no television, nor Wifi, or cell phone reception, this is the perfect place to unplug. The rooms are simple but comfortable and all come equipped with heating and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms can be private or shared depending on the room. There is a garden and an outdoor pool where guests can relax and enjoy the view.
If clients do not want to stay at the Auberge we can book a taxi to drive them to Bonnieux where 3* hotels and guesthouses are available. This requires another transfer next day to the start of the walk (extra fees apply - upon request only).

Hotel Les Ambres in Roussillon
This 3-star hotel has 17 bedrooms, each with its own décor. All rooms have air conditioning and a private bathroom.
There is a lovely garden and an outdoor pool where guests can relax in the evening.


Meals
All breakfasts are included as well as one dinner (on Day 6).

Breakfast will be provided by the accommodations.

Dinner on Day 6, at Auberge des Seguins features home-cooked Provençal specialties – like lamb shoulder braised with olive purée – served in a large casserole for the whole table, near the huge roaring fireplace. 

Riding

Trip Difficulty: Moderate
You are keen to set off on all-day walks and can handle walking uphill (slowly) for up to two hours at a time. Walks are generally under 5 hours, on various types of terrain -- though nothing technically difficult -- with up to 600m/2000ft of climbing per day.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

WARNING – Path restrictions
From July 1st until September 15th access to forest paths may be forbidden or partially restricted (access until 11:00am) if the risk of forest fire is high.
Walks may vary due to weather conditions and dry season (lack of rain = forest fires).
It is the client's responsibility to get this information that is featured no later than 6pm a day ahead. Clients can ask the reception to call for them, if they want to make sure they understand the instructions correctly.
Any extra cost due to those restrictions (or to any other reason) will be at the clients’ charge (extra transfers).
If the paths happen to be restricted or forbidden, we will do our best to propose alternative options.

Day 1: Isle sur la Sorgue
Arrive in the town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, a village surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the Sorgue river, where you will be greeted for an information meeting. The town’s Sunday market is among the most colourful in Provence, while its canals are bordered by quaint cafés, restaurants, and antique shops. Lose yourself among a labyrinth of narrow streets and in the town’s warm, Provençal charm.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

Day 2: Fontaine de Vaucluse to Gordes
Optional transfer to Cabrières for a shorter walk (see details in the road book). 
A short transfer by taxi will take you to Fontaine de Vaucluse, the mysterious spring that heads the Sorgue River. Through cedar forests you follow a 300-year old stone wall (mur de la peste) built to protect Provence from the 1720 plague. After walking through Cabrières and its castle, the path leads to Gordes, a town built of majestic grey limestone, rising dramatically out of the valley and crowned by its Renaissance castle.
Hiking about  13km (4h15) +450m/-200m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Gordes

Day 3: Sénanque Abbey
Today’s circular walk takes you through thyme-laden fields dotted with old stone huts, and down into the Sénancole valley. Soon Sénanque Abbey will appear: built in 1148, and still in use, the abbey is one of the best conserved Romanesque buildings in France. You will have time to explore the abbey before returning to Gordes via a cobbled path.
Hiking about 10km (3h15 ) +250m/-250m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Gordes

Day 4: Goult to Bonnieux
Short morning transfer to the village of Goult. Crossing the Calavon valley you pass the ruins of ancient stone farmhouses before reaching the town of Lacoste. Crowned by the ruins of the castle of the Marquis de Sade, Lacoste offers a stunning ensemble of old village gates and cobbled streets, not to mention the haunting allure of the castle and its Marquis... A great place to have a picnic, or a lunch in the very nice restaurant “Café de France”. You then continue to Bonnieux, another gem of the Luberon, immortalized in Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence. Visit its beautiful town squares and the old cobbled steps leading to its 12th century church.
Hiking about 11km (3h30) +320m/-250m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Bonnieux

Day 5: Cedar Forest Walk
Climbing to the highest reaches of the Luberon mountains you reach a cedar forest, its dark green canopy providing the perfect shade and shelter for a picnic lunch, and awe-inspiring views extending from the Alps all the way to the Mediterranean Sea.
Hiking about 14km (4h) +400m/-400m > Optional forest loop: add 2.5km (45mn) +100m / - 100m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Bonnieux

Day 6: Bonnieux to Buoux
The first half of the walk is leisurely, along back country roads. Look back from time to time before the village of Bonnieux disappears from view. On the plateaus you walk through truffle oak plantations and by exquisite stone villas. After the Col du Pointu pass you’ve reached the Grand Luberon. A quaint path through the oak forests leads to the Château de Buoux, then up to the 12th century Chapelle de Ste. Marie. Passing the tiny village of Buoux you walk alongside imposing cliffs before taking a magical cobbled mule track descending in hairping turns to the base of the Aiguebrun Valley. At the bottom, you’ll find the charming and surprising Auberge des Seguins, your accommodation for tonight.
Hiking about 14km (4h) +250m/-150m
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Buoux

Day 7: Departure
Transfer to Isle sur la Sorgue after breakfast.


OPTIONAL 2-DAY EXTENSION

Day 7: Saignon to Rustrel
Short morning transfer from Buoux to Saignon to start your walk in the Colorado Provencal.
Crossing the Calavon valley you reach the world’s largest ochre deposit: a rainbow of yellow, orange, and red sands. The maritime pine trees with their long and bright needles offer a beautiful contrast to the ochre soils.
Transfer from Rustrel to Roussillon after your walk.
Hiking about  12 km (4 hours) +400m / -300m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Roussillon

Day 8: End of the trip
Transfer to Isle sur la Sorgue after breakfast.

Rates and Dates for Luberon Trails

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Isle sur la Sorgue
Airport: Marseille
Transfer:

Climate:
                                            Gordes area