This 4-night hiking escape explores some of our favorite paths and landscapes in the Luberon Mountains. You’ll begin in the village of Fontaine de Vaucluse, where the end of the fertile plains meet soaring cliffs. Here the pristine, emerald-colored waters begin their course, and even run under your hotel.
Your first hike rises above the village, on a seldom-used path that passes relics of stone walls and dry-stone huts called bories, which remain standing after 500 years. The trails will lead you to the lost village of Saumane de Vaucluse, once a home to the infamous Sade family, where the cobbled streets and stone homes seem lost in time.
Leaving Fontaine de Vaucluse you remain on scenic trails, the herbs of Provence and stone walls framing the paths. You’ll reach the perched medieval village of Gordes, stone homes rising dizzyingly in concentric circles above the valley, and crowned by a church and Renaissance castle. It’s undoubtedly the most jaw-dropping scene in the region. You’ll be based in Gordes for two nights, the village filled with cafés and even a Michelin Starred restaurant.
With Gordes as a base you head even farther into the heart of the Luberon park, where the trails lead to Sénanque Abbey, a jewel of Romanesque architecture, still housing an order of monks after close to 9 centuries.
Day 1: Welcome to Provence
Arrive in the village of Fontaine de Vaucluse, set at the emerald springs where the waters of the Sorgue River are borne. Settle into your hotel for a two-night stay, hidden in the center of the village, and just steps from the cafés and restaurants. Take the time to walk up to the mysterious spring: the rushing waters come from at least 300m below ground, though the system of underground caves and tunnels have yet to be mapped out. Visit the village’s former watermills, and walk along the banks of the river.
Day 2: Monts du Vaucluse loop
Distance: 12km
Climbing: +/- 500m
Fontaine de Vaucluse lies in a steeply encased valley, and you climb directly by foot from your hotel. The last of the villas give way to scenic paths, climbing between former terrace walls, where the villagers used to grow their crops. Centuries-old dry-stone huts and ancient farms line the paths. You reach the medieval village of Saumane de Vaucluse, with its cobbled streets, stone houses, and perfectly placed bistro for a timely lunch, with views overlooking the Rhône Valley. Follow an ancient cobbled track back to Fontaine de Vaucluse, where you spend your 2nd night.
Day 3: From Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to Gordes
Distance: 14km
Climbing: +350m/-250m
Leave your hotel by foot once more, climbing through a forest of pine trees and cedars. Beyond a scenic plateau you follow a 300 year-old Mur de la Peste, a wall built to protect Provence from the looming plague (spoiler: the wall didn’t work…). Pass through the pretty village of Cabrières d’Avignon and its medieval castle before continuing along scenic paths lined with stone walls. Reach a jaw-dropping lookout towards the village of Gordes, arguably the most spectacular hilltop village in the region. Settle into your accommodation for a 2-night stay.
Day 4: Abbaye de Sénanque loop
Distance: 10km
Climbing: +/-300m
It’s one of our favorite hikes in the region: beginning in Gordes you climb through a garrigue vegetation of aromatic herbs and sparse trees. Dive into the secluded Sénancole Valley before reaching 12th century Sénanque Abbey, surrounded by its lavender fields, and housing an order of monks since 1148. You can choose to visit the abbey and its medieval buildings before climbing to a scenic pass, where far-reaching views stretch across the Luberon Mountains and beyond. Return to Gordes for a 2nd and final night.
Day 5: Goodbye Provence
End of holiday after breakfast. Let us know if we can help you with your continuing travels.
Comfort category
- Day 1 & 2: Hotel du Poète 3* in Fontaine de Vaucluse
- Day 3 & 4: Hotel le Mas des Romarins 3* in Gordes
What is included in the price of your stay
- Nights and breakfasts in your hotel(s) for the duration of your stay.
- Transfer of your luggage between hotels.
- Welcome and end-of-stay briefing.
- Concierge service for advice and reservations for restaurants or activities.
- Your routes loaded onto a GPS application.
- Assistance in case of problems 24/7.
What is not included in the price of your stay
- Transfer to reach the starting point of your stay.
- Transfer at the end of your stay.
- Lunches and dinners.
- Activities during your stay (wine tasting, visit to a wine estate, etc.)..
