# Luberon perched villages

> 3-day road trip of about 71 km (44 mi) with 7 stops, from Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to Lourmarin. About 0 h 59 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b2-luberon-villages/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 71 km (44 mi) with 7 stops, from Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to Lourmarin. About 0 h 59 min of driving in total. A spring in a cliff, Sénanque’s lavender, Roussillon’s ochre cliffs and the hill villages of Bonnieux and Lourmarin.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 71 km (44 mi) |
| Driving | 0 h 59 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 7 |
| Route | Fontaine-de-Vaucluse → Lourmarin |
| Countries | France |
| Updated | August 28, 2026 |

## 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.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Fontaine-de-Vaucluse** (France)
2. **Gordes** (France)
3. **Sénanque Abbey** (Gordes, France): A 12th-century Cistercian abbey in a narrow valley, with rows of lavender in front that flower in July. Monks still live here, so dress modestly and keep your voice down.
4. **Ochre Trail** (Roussillon, France): A short trail through old ochre quarries in every shade from yellow to blood red. It takes under an hour, but do not wear white.
5. **Colorado Provençal** (Rustrel, France): Larger, wilder ochre cliffs and chimneys left by 19th-century mining, with marked loops of one to three hours. Go early in summer; there is little shade.
6. **Bonnieux** (France)
7. **Lourmarin** (France)