📍 France

LUBERON BEAUTY: FIFTEEN HILLTOP VILLAGES AND PROVENCE SOUL

Villages perched on limestone ridges, lavender scent floating in warm air, ochre earth glowing at sunset. The Luberon, quintessential Provence.

≈ 15
Days
151
Km
15
Stops
📖 9 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Wander through the Luberon between limestone ridges and lavender fields. Linger in Lourmarin at the castle's foot, gaze at Gordes clinging to its cliff, pass through Roussillon and its blazing ochres, then reach Fontaine-de-Vaucluse and Oppède where water and stone shape the Provençal soul.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Ansouis

village castle hilltop throne

Ansouis - Photo 1Ansouis - Photo 2Ansouis - Photo 3Ansouis - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Ansouis — hilltop village facing the Luberon, sloping streets and stone houses on rocky spur.
2
Château d'Ansouis — dominant silhouette over the Aigues valley (exteriors and esplanades).
3
Museum of Wine Arts and Crafts (at Château Turcan) — immersion from vine to glass.
🎯

Activities

→
Walking loop among vineyards, olive trees and cherry trees at the foot of the village.
→
Southern viewpoints over the Aigues valley (heritage route).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 10 km
Travel time: 15min
2
Day

Lourmarin

artistic valley pueblo anchor

Lourmarin - Photo 1Lourmarin - Photo 2Lourmarin - Photo 3Lourmarin - Photo 4Lourmarin - Photo 5Lourmarin - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Lourmarin — artists' village with grey stones, shaded squares and plane tree avenue.
2
Château de Lourmarin (ext.) — Renaissance silhouette on the southern edge of Luberon.
3
Saint-André Church and Protestant temple — dual religious heritage (ext.).
🎯

Activities

→
Strolling through the market (day according to season) and fountain trail.
→
Gentle walk towards the orchards and dry stone walls south of the village.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 16 km
Travel time: 25min
3
Day

Lacoste

hilltop castle village crown

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4 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Lacoste — hilltop village dominated by the Marquis de Sade's castle (restored in the 20th century).
2
Paved streets and medieval staircases leading to ramparts and viewpoints.
3
Art galleries and workshops scattered throughout the village.
🎯

Activities

→
Climb to the castle plateau (panorama over Luberon and Calavon valley).
→
Walking on the stone-paved paths between terraces and retaining walls.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 7 km
Travel time: 12min
4
Day

Menerbes

village wine ridge tradition

Menerbes - Photo 1Menerbes - Photo 2Menerbes - Photo 3Menerbes - Photo 4Menerbes - Photo 5Menerbes - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Ménerbes — rocky spur in 'ship' formation, alleyways and viewpoints over scrubland and vineyards.
2
House of Truffle and Wine (ext./cultural route).
3
Clock Tower and ramparts (ext.) — reading the relief of the Luberon.
🎯

Activities

→
Loop of belvederes on the north slope of the petit Luberon.
→
Path of wine terraces at the foot of the village.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 6 km
Travel time: 12min
5
Day

Oppede Le Vieux

ancient village stone crown

Oppede Le Vieux - Photo 1Oppede Le Vieux - Photo 2Oppede Le Vieux - Photo 3Oppede Le Vieux - Photo 4Oppede Le Vieux - Photo 5Oppede Le Vieux - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Oppède-le-Vieux — the most 'secret' medieval town of the Luberon, narrow cobbled streets and restored houses.
2
Romanesque church of Notre-Dame-d'Alydon and castle ruins (summit).
🎯

Activities

→
Ascent via cobbled streets to the summit belvedere.
→
Nature trail towards terraces and old orchards north of the site.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 7 km
Travel time: 12min
6
Day

Goult

village hilltop harvest soul

Goult - Photo 1Goult - Photo 2Goult - Photo 3Goult - Photo 4Goult - Photo 5Goult - Photo 6Goult - Photo 7Goult - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Goult — old village of the Agoult, narrow lanes, vaulted passages and small squares.
2
Jerusalem Mill (with sails) and plateau terraces (ext.).
🎯

Activities

→
Heritage trail to the mill and the old oven.
→
Path between terraced fields, olive trees and vineyards (short loop).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 7 km
Travel time: 12min
7
Day

Roussillon

ochre village earth mysteries

Roussillon - Photo 1Roussillon - Photo 2Roussillon - Photo 3Roussillon - Photo 4Roussillon - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Roussillon — village of ochres, colorful facades at the foot of the former quarries.
2
Ochre cliffs and quarry faces (accessible areas).
🎯

Activities

→
Ochre trail (developed route) — chromatic immersion.
→
Walk in the pine forests and viewpoints over the Claparèdes plateau.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 9 km
Travel time: 15min
8
Day

Gordes

white stone hilltop perfection

Gordes - Photo 1Gordes - Photo 2Gordes - Photo 3Gordes - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Gordes — icon of Luberon, tiers of dry stone houses on the spur.
2
Viewpoints over the Calavon valley and the Monts de Vaucluse.
🎯

Activities

→
Upper loop of the ramparts and castle esplanades (ext.).
→
Path towards viewpoints south of the village (panoramic shots).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 8 km
Travel time: 15min
9
Day

Fontaine De Vaucluse

spring source sacred mystery

Fontaine De Vaucluse - Photo 1Fontaine De Vaucluse - Photo 2Fontaine De Vaucluse - Photo 3Fontaine De Vaucluse - Photo 4Fontaine De Vaucluse - Photo 5Fontaine De Vaucluse - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse — spectacular resurgence at the foot of a limestone cliff.
2
Emerald water body under plane trees and banks of Sorgue.
🎯

Activities

→
Round trip to the chasm (depending on water level).
→
Left bank path of the Sorgue (shaded portion).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 14 km
Travel time: 20min
10
Day

Murs

village stone medieval tradition

Murs - Photo 1Murs - Photo 2Murs - Photo 3Murs - Photo 4Murs - Photo 5Murs - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Murs — hilltop village on plateau, dominated by a castle with medieval remains (restored in the 20th century).
2
Village fabric: narrow streets, porches and views of wooded slopes.
🎯

Activities

→
Ridge loop towards combes and isolated farms (karst landscape).
→
Oratories route on the edge of garrigue.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 16 km
Travel time: 25min
11
Day

Saint Saturnin Les Apt

village pottery heritage craft

Saint Saturnin Les Apt - Photo 1Saint Saturnin Les Apt - Photo 2Saint Saturnin Les Apt - Photo 3Saint Saturnin Les Apt - Photo 4Saint Saturnin Les Apt - Photo 5Saint Saturnin Les Apt - Photo 6Saint Saturnin Les Apt - Photo 7Saint Saturnin Les Apt - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt — village rich in porches, fountains and sculpted doorways.
2
Ramparts and castle ruins on rocky spur (ext.).
🎯

Activities

→
Ascent to the castle plateau and viewpoints over the Apt region.
→
Loop of cobbled streets and ornate facades of the center.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 8 km
Travel time: 12min
12
Day

Villars

village lavender meadow charm

Villars - Photo 1Villars - Photo 2Villars - Photo 3Villars - Photo 4Villars - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Villars — round village approached by a shaded avenue, fountain and peaceful small squares.
2
Old center — traces of the fortified town and arched alleyways.
🎯

Activities

→
Country walk towards hillsides and dry stone walls.
→
Photo route at sunset on the Claparèdes plateau.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 9 km
Travel time: 15min
13
Day

Caseneuve

hilltop village lavender breeze

Caseneuve - Photo 1Caseneuve - Photo 2Caseneuve - Photo 3Caseneuve - Photo 4Caseneuve - Photo 5Caseneuve - Photo 6Caseneuve - Photo 7Caseneuve - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Caseneuve — isolated village on arid plateau, protected by a powerful castle (11th–13th c., Renaissance modifications).
2
Suburb route and open views over the Apt region.
🎯

Activities

→
Loop on the plateau edge (heathland and lavender depending on season).
→
Identification of ancient drailles and clapas (stone piles).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 12 km
Travel time: 18min
14
Day

Viens

hilltop village stone embrace

Viens - Photo 1Viens - Photo 2Viens - Photo 3Viens - Photo 4Viens - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Viens — medieval fortified town with ramparts (11th–13th c.) and Clock Gate.
2
Narrow streets, tall houses and covered passages.
🎯

Activities

→
Ramparts tower and belvedere over the Albion plateau.
→
Rural path to terraces and fields (short loop).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 22 km
Travel time: 30min
15
Day

Saignon

village stone alpine charm

Saignon - Photo 1Saignon - Photo 2Saignon - Photo 3Saignon - Photo 4Saignon - Photo 5Saignon - Photo 6Saignon - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Saignon — eagle's nest above Apt, cobbled alleys, gates and fountains.
2
Saignon Rock — impregnable belvedere over the Apt valley.
🎯

Activities

→
Ascent to the rock by the stairs (360° view).
→
Route along the ramparts and the Clock Tower (ext.).

🗺️ Itinerary map

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🛡️ Travel advice - France

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming countryside, ideal for all regions, moderate crowds, excellent value, romantic atmosphere.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for Mediterranean coast, festival season.

Fall (September-October): Harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, wine regions spectacular, excellent photography, good value.

Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, ski season Alps, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cozy indoor attractions, cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 12 and 18 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in France?

Cultural capital with incredible cuisine, world-famous attractions, and diverse regions from Paris to Provence. Experience artistic heritage, wine culture, and sophisticated lifestyle. The country offers excellent infrastructure with cultural depth and culinary excellence. France provides complete cultural experiences with historical significance and modern sophistication in easily accessible destination.