Provence on Foot: An 8-Day Luberon Hiking, Family & Nature Escape
Discover the tranquility of the countryside in a corner of France famous for sunshine, vineyards, olive oil, medieval villages, great food and a relaxed way of life together with the family. A self-guided 8-Day walking holiday that starts from the city of Avignon, the Pope’s Palace, follows quiet paths and tracks through vineyards, olive groves, herb covered hills and ochre colored valleys. Additionally, you will experience pretty stone hamlets with wide ranging views across the countryside to a number of picturesque villages including Gordes, Goult, Bonnieux and Roussillon. As you walk, your bags are transferred each day so you can take in all the interest of each new place to arrive relaxed and ready for your evening. A detailed route pack containing route notes, maps and local contact details is provided. A great time to visit is in the spring and the autumn but all times of year have a mild Mediterranean climate and are therefore suitable for a walking holiday in this part of Provence for all ages.
What's included
Itinerary
On arrival, your English-speaking guide will meet you and accompany you to your hotel in Avignon, a city where Roman foundations and cafe-lined squares come together in one atmospheric introduction to southern France. After check-in, set out on a guided exploration of Avignon's historic center. Walk along the fortified medieval walls, take in sweeping views over the rooftops and enjoy skip-the-line access to the Palais des Papes, the immense Gothic palace that once stood at the heart of Christendom. Continue through cobbled lanes toward Place de l'Horloge, admiring the town hall, clock tower, theater and elegant public spaces before ending the experience with a glass of Cotes du Rhone wine in an intimate historic setting.
After breakfast, leave Avignon behind for a guided wine experience in one of the most celebrated corners of the southern Rhone Valley. Over the course of the tour, discover the vineyard landscapes and stone villages that make this region such a favorite among wine lovers. Your route may include the characterful villages of Gigondas, Seguret and Chateauneuf-du-Pape, whose wines carry the respected Appellation d'Origine Controlee distinction. With the Dentelles de Montmirail rising in the distance, learn about local grape varieties, terroir and regional winemaking traditions before enjoying guided tastings with a specialist. This is a beautiful way to connect with Provence through its landscapes, villages and the wines that have shaped its identity.
Transfer today to the beautiful hilltop village of Gordes, which is considered by many to be the prettiest of the Luberon villages. Your walking maps and notes for the first days will have been sent to you in advance so that you can plan your days. Your bags will be transferred to your overnight accommodation to minimize your walking with bags. Today you can get lost through the streets of Gordes and its houses of yellow stone. Explore its steep narrow streets with wonderful views over the surrounding countryside. The walking for the first section of the holiday departs from Gordes via vineyards, fields and the dry-stone walls that are so characteristic of the region. The hill tops offer you great views with wild thyme and rosemary growing profusely. You walk via the tiny hamlet of Saint-Pantaleon and descend to the village of Goult. A lovely village of lesser pretension than some of the other villages of the Luberon but by no means less authentic and surrounded by the remains of its old castle. This evening is free for you to dine at one of the local restaurants or to simply relax and take in the atmosphere of the Luberon countryside.
Set off on another rewarding day of walking through the rural heart of the Luberon. This stage takes you away from the busier roads and into a landscape of tiny hamlets, vineyards, old stone features and quiet trails that reveal the region at its most intimate. Along the way, you may pass an ancient church, the historic Village des Bories and sweeping viewpoints across the valley. Continue toward Lacoste, a striking perched village of cobbled lanes and old stone houses, where the ruins of the Marquis de Sade's castle still look out over the countryside. Your walk then leads to Bonnieux, crowned by a 12th-century church and cedar trees. From the upper village, the views over orchards, vines and the valley floor are some of the most memorable in Provence.
This morning, return toward the Calavon Valley, following a route shaped by history, agriculture and the unique colors of Provence. The trail leads past vineyards, cherry orchards and traces of the old Roman road that once crossed this part of the region. One of the day's highlights is the Pont Julien, a remarkable Roman bridge that has stood for around two thousand years. From here, continue toward Roussillon, one of the Luberon's most visually striking villages. Famous for its ochre cliffs and warm red, orange and gold facades, Roussillon feels almost painted into the landscape. If time allows, explore the nearby ochre trails and former quarries before settling in for the evening in this unforgettable village.
Your final walking stage leads west through some of the Luberon's most graceful countryside. Follow scenic paths toward Gordes, with the lovely hamlet of Joucas set above the vineyards and wide valley views accompanying much of the route. For those who would like a longer and more immersive walk, there may be the option to take a route toward Murs, a small hamlet surrounded by orchards, vineyards, cherry trees and quiet rural landscapes. After time to rest and enjoy the final views, you will be transferred back to Avignon in the afternoon. The evening is free for you to chill, perhaps with a relaxed dinner and one last taste of Provence.
After several days on the trails, enjoy a full day in Avignon at your own pace. This is the perfect moment to linger over coffee, revisit favorite corners of the historic center, browse local shops or simply rest and enjoy the rhythm of Provence. Your detailed roadbook will offer ideas for places to visit, dine and explore, so you can shape the day around your mood. Whether you choose museums, markets, riverside strolls or a long Provencal lunch, this final full day gives you time to enjoy Avignon without hurry.
Enjoy your last breakfast of this trip at your hotel in Avignon on a relaxed morning before departure and transfer to Avignon TGV Station in time for your train connection. We hope you had a magical stay in the south of France, with many wonderful memories of stone villages and buildings, the stunning red earth cliffs, vineyards and pretty countryside, ancient Roman bridges and the elegant relaxed atmosphere that this region harbors for walking and for culture.
