Luberon perched villages

Route description

Start at Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, where the river Sorgue rises from the foot of a cliff; the spring is most impressive after winter rain. Small roads then climb to Gordes, stacked on a hill above the valley, and down a narrow lane to the abbey of Sénanque.

Across the valley, Roussillon is built of ochre in every shade and its Ochre Trail leads through the old quarries. East of Apt, the Colorado Provençal at Rustrel is a larger and wilder version, with longer walks among coloured cliffs and chimneys.

Follow the D900 back west and climb into the Petit Luberon to Bonnieux, whose terraces look over to Gordes. The D943 then cuts through the Combe de Lourmarin to Lourmarin, with its Renaissance château and the grave of Albert Camus.

The lavender at Sénanque and on the plateau flowers from late June to mid-July, when roads and car parks are busy. Village centres are closed to large vehicles, so use the car parks at the entrance; most villages have a weekly market worth planning around.