Trips & Tours: The Best of the Luberon

Your transferhas been arranged from Avignon TGV station, a journey of around 40 minutes. On arrival settle in with a welcoming aperitif, and join in the short briefing before supper.

Our hosts will prepare an excellent welcoming meal on the first night.

A gentle first walk from Maubec to Oppede le Vieux through lovely country with cherry orchards, vineyards and those famous Luberon farms.

An old track lead up to Oppede which is partly in ruins but a favourite artists' haunt and which has a very colourful history. We picnic in the village and then walk back through the forest to Maubec via the old village of Maubec.

Later on in the afternoon we explore Menerbes of Peter Mayle fame and finish with drinks in a local bar.

A delightful walk which leads from the historic village of Bonnieux on ancient trails through vineyards and orchards up into the famous cedar forest of the Grand Luberon.

There are excellent views over the Luberon Valley to the giant of Provence, Mont Ventoux. We’ll walk along the summit ridge to a viewpoint facing south where Mont St Victoire and the Alpilles of Van Gogh fame can be seen, then we return to Bonnieux by another trail for a relaxed stroll through the village before returning to the Mas.

We transfer to Buoux and begin the day with an exploration of the famous fort spectacularly situated on a spine of rock overlooking this ancient valley. We then continue up the valley, passing an old farm now converted to an auberge and onto the GR 5. This famous path leads up onto the top of the cliffs overlooking the valley, the farm and the fort... great views!

A shady spot is found en route to the village for a picnic and rest before descending through lavender fields and meadows to Buoux. We have time for a break in the shade before returning down into the valley along a tiny road and back to the minibus. We then drive the short distance to Apt for a leisurely stroll through the pedestrianised shopping centre.

A 40 minute transfer takes us from the Mas to the very attractive northeast corner of the Luberon Valley and Viens, a very attractive medieval village at the heart of a thriving farming community.

After thoroughly exploring the village our 3 hr walk leads down through lavender fields, orchards and forest to the famous Colorado Provencal ochre quarries. En route we stop in the shade for another picnic of local produce…pate, salads, tomatoes, cheeses, fresh fruits and, of course, some good red wine!

The bright colours of the ochre-coloured cliffs are a favourite of artist and photographer. The return to our base is via St Saturnin with its windmills, impressive fortifications and quaint atmosphere.

After a more leisurely start after yesterday's efforts we drive to Roussillon. This very attractive village is a photographers' delight and an added bonus is that today is also market day. You are free to explore the village at leisure and then enjoy a shaded lunch in one of the many attractive restaurants.

At around 2pm we depart for Gordes via Gargas, a truly delightful spot where we can enjoy a walk up through the village to the church before continuing to Gordes. There our guide Francesca will be waiting for us and she will lead the guided tour of the village explaining its history.

The day ends with a visit to the Abbey of Senanque before we then return to the Mas. We provide transport to Gordes for dinner tonight.

Our last day starts with an early breakfast and an 8am departure. The drive to Les Baux takes about an hour and we pass through St Remy on route.
Les Baux is a fascinating fortress village set on the hillside overlooking the Camargue to the south and the Rhone Valley to the north. After some time spent visiting the village we set off on hour 2 hr walk along a ridge and then down to St Remy. After the Roman reservoir there is a short climb over a ladder through a cave opening and then directly down to St Remy.

There’s plenty of time here to explore the Roman ruins or take the Van Gogh guided tour or to visit the town itself. Note: It may well be that we will have to change the itinerary around due to the availability of the guide for the Van Gogh Tour.

We drive back to the Mas in time for supper.

Sadly the end of the tour has arrived all too soon. We depart after breakfast for a 09.30am arrival in Avignon.