Outdoor activities
We are very lucky to live in a protected natural park: the Luberon. Over 40 years ago, locals came together to protect their natural heritage and build a world that sustains both wildlife and human beings. If you take the time to enjoy the nature here you will fully understand the importance of this cohabitation. Stunning trails through fragile ecosystems lead to world-class climbing spots. It is with great pride that we share this gem with you.
Walking and Hiking
One of the best ways to experience the charms and beauty of Provence is to get out for a walk in the countryside. The Luberon is an ideal location for doing just that thanks to the numerous well marked trails and the fact that the varied topography ensures there is something for everybody – from casual strolls to vigorous all day hikes.
We love hiking and have many guidebooks and detailed hiking maps available for our guests. And above all, we have lots of suggestions. Just let us know the length and the level of difficulty you’re looking for and we’ll be happy to direct you.
To provide some inspiration, here are just a few of our favorite walks and hikes:
Our inn is named after this hill which sits in a strategic location just in the center of the northern Luberon valley. It’s a very pleasant one hour walk to the top from where you’ll have 360-degree views taking in many of the most famous villages as well as the Mont Ventoux off in the distance. There’s also a lovely little chapel, some ruins (dating from the 6th century BC) and best of all, an absolutely perfect spot to have a picnic.
This is the best place to see the dazzling ochre cliffs of the Luberon. It’s about a 15 minute drive from our inn and you can chose either to do a relaxed hour long walk at the bottom of the cliffs or the longer circular walk (about 3.5 hours) which takes you up above the cliffs for some spectacular views of the area.
Welcome to the heart of lavender country on the plateau d’Albion high up above our village. It’s about a 30 minute drive to the château – the largest true lavender farm in France. Once there, you just park your car and walk through the fields. It’s easy going, being relatively flat on the plateau and the views are just amazing. Oceans of blue reaching to the horizon dotted with the Luberon, Vaucluse, Ventoux and Lure mountains. Great any time of the year, spectacular in the summer.
Another excellent circular hike which starts at the tiny, seemingly forgotten village of Lioux (about a 10 minute drive from our place). The first half of the hike takes you along the base of the cliff eventually coming to the top from where you walk back down along the edge and around to the starting point. The views of the Luberon mountain range and the villages of Roussillon and Gordes are stunning.
You’ll need to drive about 30 minutes to reach the tiny village of Sivergue, right in the heart of the Luberon mountains. The hike starts at a working goat farm nearby and climbs sharply for a kilometre to reach the crest of the Luberon. From there, the walk is relatively flat in either direction along the crest and on a clear day you’re rewarded with tremendous views reaching from the Mediterranean looking south to the Alps looking northwest.
Other activities
While hiking might be on the top of our personal list of outdoor activities, there are many other ways to enjoy nature here:
Climbing: experience the routes that gave birth to modern sport climbing in Europe at Buoux. It is also a great area for walking. And don’t forget to visit the Fort, perched on a rock formation high above ground.
Road cycling: the planners of the famous Tour de France have more than once pushed cyclists to their limits on mountain roads in the Luberon. And just a little further north stands the mighty Mont Ventoux. One of our guest once made it from the Mas to the summit and back in time for lunch!
Mountain biking: there are many trails in the Mont du Vaucluse and Luberon mountains for you to enjoy, as well as some in the Perréal, just at your doorstep.
Kayaking and Canoeing: while we don’t have white water rivers here (too dry for that), there are some rivers you can paddle down all year long. Our top rivers? The Sorgue, for its ice-cold waters even in the midst of the summer heat, and the Gardon, which allows you to take in the full grandeur of the ancient roman aqueduct of the Pont du Gard.
