Picturesque Provence

Isle sur la Sorgue is a genuine island village, surrounded by crystal clear waters of the river Sorgue. The weekly Sunday market is one of the most diverse in Provence, along the canal you find numerous cosy cafés, restaurants and antique shops.

Short transfer to Fontaine de Vaucluse, named after the spring and the source of the river Sorgue. Through cedar forests you follow the ‚mur de la peste’, a stone wall errected in 1720 to protect the Provence region against the pest. After a visit to Cabrières and its castle, your route continues towards Gordes. This lovely village, used as backdrop in numerous Provence-movies, was built from grey limestone and towers like a castle above the valley.

Today’s tour leads you via flowering and scented fields with old stone huts into the Sénancole valley. Soon you can make out the Abbaye Sénanque with its lavender gardens in the distance: built in 1148 and still occupied, this monastery is not only one of the best-preserved Romanesque buildings in France, but definitely also one of the most impressive. There will be plenty of time left to visit the monastery, before returning to Gordes.

In the morning short transfer to Goult. You cross the Calavon valley past old stone farm houses, until you reach Lacoste. The castle ruins of the Marquis de Sade tower high above the town, it also offers a magnificent ensemble of old city gates, cobbled alleyways and the charm of the Marquis’ castle. Continue to Bonnieux, a picturesque treasure of the Luberon, immortalised in Peter Mayle’s book ‘A Year in Provence’.

On the high plateaus you walk through truffel- and oak plantations. After the pass Col du Pointu, you reach the Grand Luberon. A narrow path leads to the Château de Buoux and to the chapel St. Marie dating back to the 12th century. After the village of Buoux you continue along steep rock faces, before descending on an enchanting mule trail, snaking downhill into the valley floor of Aiguebrun towards your accommodation.

Walk between limestone walls through the lush and green Aiguebrun valley. Accompanied by mediterranean vegetation, like winter savory and wild lavender, you reach the ridge of the Luberon, a rounded peak, overgrown with thyme. From there you can enjoy a fabulous panoramic view, weather permitting, all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. On your way back, the route takes you via the 3000-year old ruins of the fortress Buoux. Afterwards organised return transfer to Isle sur la Sorgue for overnight stay, where you can pass your walking tour with a glass of red wine with a view of Sorgue.