To visit the Luberon is to discover natural wonders, heavenly places and breathtaking landscapes!
Nestled in the heart of Provence, the Luberon promises a complete change of scenery! Halfway between the Alps and the Mediterranean, its lush flora and fauna earned it the status of Parc Naturel Régional in 1977. To visit the Luberon is to discover colorful landscapes where the mauve of the lavender blends with the red of the cliffs, which in turn blend with the golden hues of the region’s picturesque villages.
To help you get the most out of this authentic Provencal landscape, Generation Voyage has put together this guide to the 15 must-do things to do in the Luberon!
1. Les Mines de Bruoux
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Marked by the exploitation of ochre in the 19th century, the Mines de Bruoux bear witness to the underground life of the miners. These impressive cliffs are in fact an immense maze of underground galleries that highlight man’s hard work.
This underground journey introduces you to the geological, historical and industrial riches of this unique setting. So what are you waiting for to visit the Luberon in an unusual way?
2. Le Colorado Provençal de Rustrel
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Richard Semik
Rustrel’s Colorado Provençal offers magnificent, unusual landscapes. Sculpted by erosion, cliffs, peaks, ravines and caves tinted red, orange and gold intermingle with impressive cascades of crystal-clear water.
3. The villages
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- Lourmarin: with its Renaissance château, lush green setting and numerous shops, Lourmarin is a must for visitors to the Luberon region.
- Cucuron: another picturesque village known for its famous street arts festivals.
- Bonnieux: surrounded by ramparts, this village has retained all its charm of yesteryear.
- Roussillon: a visit to the Luberon without a visit to one of the « Most Beautiful Villages in France » is unthinkable. Nestled in the Luberon Regional Nature Park, this picturesque village stands out for its stunning palette of flamboyant colors.
- Ménerbes: also classified as one of France ‘s » Most Beautiful Villages « , it is built on a rocky spur and seems to emerge from the limestone of the massif.
- Gordes: built into the side of a cliff, Gordes is known not only for its beauty, but also for its history, architecture and heritage.
4. Le Mourre Nègre
Photo credit: Flickr – Jurriaan Persyn
A visit to the Luberon by climbing the Mourre Nègre promises many surprises. As the highest point of the Luberon mountains, from its summit you can admire the immensity and beauty of Provence.
This hike takes in the Pre-Alps of Digne, the Etang de Berre, the Plateau de Vaucluse and Mont Ventoux.
5. L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Photo credit: Flickr – François Schwarz
Nicknamed « Little Venice of Provence », L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue invites you to take a stroll. Lively streets, Provencal flavors and scents, a Mediterranean climate and friendly, welcoming locals are the hallmarks of this charming town.
To visit the Luberon is to succumb to the picturesque charms of the hamlets, towns and villages scattered throughout the region.
6. Sénanque Abbey
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Located in Gordes, one of the « Most Beautiful Villages in France », the Cistercian edifice rises above lavender fields. If you’re visiting the Luberon, be sure to pay a visit to this magnificent Vaucluse treasure.
7. Luberon Regional Nature Park
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Edoardo Legnaro
Isolated between the massifs of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Vaucluse, the Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon is a natural area of exceptional flora and fauna. The site is perfect for an outdoor excursion to forget the worries of everyday life.
Visiting the Luberon also means cutting yourself off from the world to enjoy the moment.
8. Vineyards and wineries
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Take advantage of your stay in Provence to visit the Luberon region’s many vineyards. By visiting the cellars and vineyards, you’ll discover the unique and authentic know-how of the Luberon winegrowers and the wine-making process.
This tour will appeal to lovers of French heritage and fine wines alike.
9. Museums
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- The Musée de la Lavande – Luberon: a veritable conservatory of Provençal lavender, you’ll discover a unique know-how as well as the uses and benefits of this typical Luberon flower.
- Musée des arts et des métiers du vin: located in the Château Turcan, this museum presents the work of the vine in the service of wine, including the oenologist’s laboratory, cooperage and glassmaking.
- La Maison de la Truffe et du Vin: a visit to the Luberon is first and foremost a chance to discover the riches of local gastronomy. Located in Ménerbes, this museum, cellar and boutique offers an introduction to the region’s flagship product: the truffle. If your mouth is watering, don’t hesitate to try some of our specialties, such as pan-fried foie gras with black truffle or apple with black truffle caramel.
10. The mills
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- Le Moulin de Jérusalem: overlooking Goult, the Moulin de Jérusalem features a two-storey masonry tower. This is typical Provencal architecture.
- Le Moulin de Salignan: it would be a shame to visit the Luberon without seeing this mill. Although it has neither wings nor a conical roof, it is the emblem of a region! What’s more, it houses a permanent geological exhibition.
- Moulin à huile de Rustrel: in the heart of the Colorado Provençal, visit the Moulin à huile de Rustrel to discover the region and its gastronomy through olive oil.
11. Les Gorges du Regalon
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At the gateway to the commune of Cheval-Blanc, this 2.5-hour hike takes you on a 6 km tour of two large caves. So what are you waiting for to visit the Luberon as you’ve never seen it before?
12. The troglodytic houses of Cadenet
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Gordon Bell
Would you like to visit the Luberon in an unusual and original way? Then why not drop into the village of Cadenet! The unusual architecture of its troglodyte houses will leave you speechless.
Stone caves, spiral staircases and hollowed-out cliffs bear witness to ancient Celto-Ligurian tribes such as the Caudellenses.
13. Bories de Gordes
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Like Cadenet, the village of Les Bories de Gordes also boasts atypical architecture. This hamlet is made up of dry-stone houses resembling little huts known as « Cabanes ». Picturesque and charming, these huts were inhabited on a seasonal basis for agricultural work.
This Neolithic village plunges you into a world where the past and imagination mingle.
14. Castles
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Christophe.Finot
- Château de Gordes: located in the heart of the village, the château gracefully combines medieval and Renaissance architecture.
- Château de Lacoste: listed as a historic monument, it dominates the village of Lacoste and was originally used for its defense. Known as the « Château du Marquis de Sade », it has belonged to several great families, including the Varac-Farald family, the seigneury of Agoult and then the seigneury of Simiane.
- Château d’Ansouis: a must-see in the Luberon region. Classified as a Historic Monument in 1948, during your visit you can admire the Hermitage, the French-style hanging garden and the magnificent 18th-century gypseries.
- Château de Lourmarin: this Renaissance château has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1973. During your visit, you can admire its architecture, as well as period furniture, objets d’art, musical instruments and engravings.
15. Les 7 Lacs Beaumont de Pertuis
Credit Photo – Facebook : Dominique Caba
A Natura 2000 listed nature reserve, the 7 lakes form a unique area home to an incredible array of flora and fauna. Among the expanses of pebbles and marshes, you may be lucky enough to spot a purple heron, a black stork or a great cormorant. Indeed, the reserve is an important migratory stopover for these large birds.
In addition to observing the flora and fauna, you can also hike, swim and fish at the 7 Lacs Beaumont de Pertuis.
How to get to the Luberon
Getting to the Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon is fairly straightforward, as the area, located in the PACA region, is close to major cities such asAvignon andAix-en Provence. Here are the two best ways to get to the Luberon:
- Car: this is the best way to get there, as you’re free to move around and have no time constraints. The journey from Paris takes around 7 hours. Take the A7 freeway towards Avignon, then the RN7 towards Apt or Cavaillon, and finally the RD 900 towards Apt. Don’t hesitate to carpool.
- Train: once you’ve arrived at the TGV station in Avignon or Aix-en-Provence, you can easily rent a car to cover the remaining kilometers.
Where to stay in the Luberon?
Located in the heart of the Vaucluse and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departments, the Luberon is a popular tourist destination. Bounded by four major towns: Cavaillon to the west, Manosque to the east, Pertuis to the south and Apt to the north, you’ll have no trouble finding accommodation, whether it’s a hotel, gîte or Airbnb. However, usinga hotel comparator will help you target the right offer.
However, if you’re drawn to the Luberon’s hilltop villages, we recommend Ménerbes, Roussillon or Gordes, which will charm you with their typical architecture and surrounding landscape.
So what are you waiting for to visit the Luberon?
Map of hotels and accommodation – Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur