Self-Guided Luberon Village-to-Village Walking and Hiking Tour

Arrive in Avignon, easily accessible by high-speed TGV train from Paris in just three hours. Spend your afternoon exploring the charming old town, strolling along the Rhône River, or visiting the famous Pont d'Avignon and the magnificent Palais des Papes. As evening falls, enjoy your first taste of Provençal cuisine—perhaps on a terrace overlooking the medieval ramparts—sampling regional specialties paired with local wines. This historic city sets the perfect stage for your walking adventure through Provence.

After a short 30-minute transfer from Avignon, arrive in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence—a postcard-perfect town nestled at the foot of the Alpilles mountains. Follow in Vincent van Gogh's footsteps along peaceful trails lined with olive groves and cypress trees, exploring the landscapes that inspired over 150 of his masterpieces.

Visit the hauntingly beautiful Roman ruins of Glanum and the serene Saint-Paul-de-Mausole monastery, where Van Gogh lived and painted. His preserved room and wildflower gardens remain as he captured them.

Choose between a gentle 3.5-hour loop to the Alpilles crest or a more challenging 6-hour extended route offering sweeping valley views. If your visit falls on Wednesday morning, don't miss the vibrant local market.

Pull on your boots and set out into the heart of the Alpilles mountains. The path threads between tall cypress trees, sunlit olive groves, and neatly tended vineyards before rising steadily to an exposed ridge. From the summit, a sweeping panorama opens across the Provençal landscape, with the rugged peaks of the Alpilles on one side and the Rhône Valley stretching out on the other.

This elevated trail guides you to Les Baux-de-Provence, a striking medieval village perched on a rocky spur and listed among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Wander its cobbled streets, explore the historic Château des Baux, and experience the captivating exhibitions at the Carrières de Lumières, a former quarry transformed into an immersive art space.

Later in the day, a private transfer takes you east into the Luberon mountains, where your next chapter begins in Gordes, another of Provence’s most beautiful villages.

Begin your day in Gordes, a hilltop village built from warm golden stone and recognized among France’s most beautiful villages. Today’s route follows tranquil country paths edged by ancient dry stone walls, passing scattered farmhouses and traditional bories, the old shepherd shelters that punctuate the landscape.

As the trail dips into a secluded valley, the 12th century Sénanque Abbey gradually appears, set amid lavender fields that bloom from late June to early August. This Romanesque abbey, still inhabited by Cistercian monks, offers a serene setting to appreciate its simple architecture and quiet cloisters.

After exploring the site, retrace your steps along a gently winding path back to Gordes, where narrow cobbled streets, sweeping views, and honey colored houses provide a memorable close to the day.

Begin the day in Gordes as the morning market fills the village with the scents and colors of local produce, regional cheeses, and Provençal crafts. After breakfast, a brief fifteen minute taxi ride brings you to the Calavon Valley, where you can choose between two walking routes and inform your driver of your preference.

The shorter walk starts in Lacoste, a village rich in history and once home to the Marquis de Sade. The longer option begins in Goult and follows scenic paths through the valley before arriving in Lacoste. Both routes continue on to Bonnieux, a charming Luberon village set high on a hillside.

Your day concludes in Roussillon, celebrated for its striking ochre hues and unique Provençal character.

Spend the day discovering the distinctive charm of Roussillon, where every lane is painted in vivid tones of ochre, from deep crimson to warm amber and gold. A short walk from your hotel brings you to the Ochre Trail, known locally as the Sentier des Ocres and often nicknamed the Giant’s Causeway of Provence. Choose between 30 or 60 minute circular routes that wind through an otherworldly setting of sculpted cliffs, slender rock formations, and pine woods stained by rich mineral pigments. The hues are particularly beautiful in the soft light of early morning or late afternoon, making it ideal for photography.

You can also visit the Ôkhra Conservatory, set in a former ochre factory, to learn about the history and craft of natural pigment production through engaging displays and workshops. Leave time to enjoy the village atmosphere by lingering at a terrace café, browsing artisan boutiques along its winding streets, or simply pausing to admire the sweeping views.

After one last breakfast in the heart of the Luberon, it is time to bid farewell to the colors, fragrances, and warm light of Provence. At 10:00 AM, a group transfer will take you to either Aix-en-Provence TGV station or the city center of Aix-en-Provence, according to your onward plans.

If you wish to continue your adventure, consider adding extra walks in the Sainte-Victoire mountain range, immortalized in the paintings of Paul Cézanne, or travel south to the Mediterranean for spectacular coastal trails in Calanques National Park between Cassis and Marseille. Whether you are returning home or exploring further, Provence departs with you in the form of lasting memories and the promise of a future visit.