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Highlights  
Itinerary
Planning
Accommodation   ||   Booking
Walk from the market town of Cavaillon to the villages of Lourmarin and Lauris • Discover idyllic Provençal country, as featured in ‘Jean de Florette’ • Find countless images that inspired the impressionists Van Gogh and Cézanne • Picturesque villages such as Gordes built in terraces, Fontaine-de- Vaucluse with Europe’s largest resurgent spring, and Roussillon with its ochre quarries • The Luberon, with its purple rows of lavender (in summer), rocky pastures, notable vineyards and flower-filled meadows in spring.
A shorter 5-day itinterary is available from Gordes to Lourmarin.

Provence:

 Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive in Cavaillon

Day 2
Cavaillon to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
Walking: quiet lanes through market gardens, then over hills, farmland and scrub woods to Fontaine, exploring en route the ruins of the Mur de la Peste. (10.4 miles, 5 hrs).
Cycling: quiet lanes through the market gardens, then roads through forests of the Vaucluse to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (10 miles). A longer route explores the villages of the Petit Luberon. (18 miles)


Day 3
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to Gordes
Walking: up a dry ‘gorge’, across hills of the Vaucluse, down to the 12C abbey of Sénanque and uphill to Gordes. (Standard 10.5 miles/Superior 9.5 miles, 5 hrs)
Cycling: short route (10 miles) across hills to Gordes. A tougher more scenic route (28 miles) up into the Vaucluse via Venasque, and down to the 12C Sénanque abbey and uphill to Gordes.


Day 4
Free day in Gordes

Walking: an optional circular walk to the restored ‘Village des Bories’, then climb gently on stone pathways back to Gordes.

Cycling: an optional circular route via the hilltop villages of Opède-le-Vieux and Ménerbes. Gentle roads through vineyards and short but steep climbs to the villages. (20 miles)


Day 5
Gordes to Roussillon
Walking: through old streets of Gordes, olive groves and across open country, walk through a valley with lavender, wheat and poppies, then up to Roussillon (1,150ft). (6 miles, 3 hrs)
Cycling: quiet lanes along the Coulon valley to Goult, then up to Roussillon (12.5 miles). Option to extend route to visit the village of Lacoste and the château of the Marquis de Sade (21 miles).


Day 6
Roussillon to Buoux
Walking: a path through ochre quarries and farmland, across a plain then up into hills, crossing a stream by a Roman bridge, to Buoux. (12.5 miles, 6 hrs 30)
Cycling: cross the valley into a relatively easy climb to Bonnieux, then crossing the Combe de Luberon on to Buoux. (12.8 miles)


Day 7
Buoux to Loumarin
Walking: up through forests to the ridge of the Luberon (2,950ft), wooded descent, then across farmland and along quiet lanes to Loumarin (7 miles, 3hrs 30)
Cycling: descend from the Luberon to ‘Jean de Florette country’ and Lourmarin village. (9.7 miles)


Day 8
Return to the airport.

 

Provence:

 Accommodation

 

Night 1

   
Cavaillon
** Hotel du Parc
Traditional hotel situated in town centre. B&B

 
Night 2
   
Fontaine de Vaucluse
*** Hotel des Sources
Renovated 17th century building along the river, set in private park. HB

Nights 3 & 4
Gordes
*** Le Gordos
Converted farmhouse with terrace and pool. 1 mile outside village. B&B
Gordes
**** Bastide de Gordes
Restored 17C Provencal house with outdoor pool and beautiful views. B&B.
Night 5
   

Roussillon
** Rêves d'Ocres
Modern hotel close to village centre. B&B


Night 6
   
Buoux
** Auberge des Seguins
Simply converted farm complex in beautiful remote valley, small pool. HB
 
Night 7
Lourmarin
*** Mas de Guilles
Restored farmhouse outside Lourmarin with gastronomic restaurant, park and pool. B&B
Lourmarin
**** Moulin de Lourmarin
Elegant converted mill in village centre with acclaimed restaurant. HB

 

Provence:

 Planning

 

Terrain

Walking: the paths over the hills are stony and dry underfoot. In the valleys there are wood and farmland tracks, open country paths, and occasional quiet asphalt lanes.
Cycling: quiet country roads with occasional farm tracks and dedicated cycle routes.


When to go

Start any day from 01 Apr to 24 Jul and also from 01 Sep to 24 Oct


 

 

*
Of interest.
Worth travelling to see if you are in the area.
**
Of great interest.
Worth travelling to see if you are in the country.
***
Of outstanding interest.
  Worth travelling to see if you are in Europe.

 

 

On Route

 

* Cavaillon: centre of an area renowned for the production of vegetables, colourfully displayed in the town's streets. The historic town itself was the seat of a bishop until 1790, and the 12-13C church was formerly a cathedral.

 

** Fontaine-de-Vaucluse: named after the huge resurgent spring which emerges near here. The attractive stone village is overlooked by its ruined castle and is otherwise famous as the home of the 14C Italian poet Petrarch who wrote his 366 poems to 'Laura', and whose house it is possible to visit.

 

** Gordes: very picturesque village built in terraces high above the Imergue Valley and surmounted by its Renaissance château. Nearby is the Cistercian abbey of Sénanque (one of the few with all its original 12C buildings remaining), past which we walk on our way to Gordes.

 

** Roussillon: named after the huge nearby quarries of red ochre, the rock from which the houses of this unusual hilltop village are made. From the castrum at the top of the cliff are views of the Vaucluse plateau and the Grand Luberon.

 

* Buoux: isolated village with nearby fort. Although demolished by Richelieu in the 17C, it still retains many of its castle buildings.

 

** Lourmarin: picturesque village, notable as the burial-place of the writer Albert Camus, and overlooked by its 15-16C château (open to visitors).

 

Flights & Transport

Recommended Destination Airports: Marseilles

There are international and domestic flights to Marseille. The airport bus takes you to Marseille station, from where you can catch a direct bus – or train – to Cavaillon. Lourmarin and Lauris are connected by bus to Avignon, from where you can take a bus or a train to Marseille or Paris.

 

Taxis
Marseille Airport to First Hotel - approximately 75 Euros.
Last Hotel to Marseille Airport - approximately 75 Euros.

 

Notes
No. of luggage moves included: 5

No. of nights with half board (dinner included): Standard 2, Superior 3

 

Cycle hire: £60 / $108

Shortest / Longest days walk: 3 / 6.5 hrs

 
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