Provence Self drive & walking: Luberon & lavender fields

Today, you have the choice between several walk options. And if you feel like it, you can do one walk in the morning, and a second one in the afternoon ! If it matches à Saturday, we highly recommend you to enjoy the great & famous Saturday morning market in Apt : unique ambiance ! 

. Loop Walk 1 - Gordes > Senanque > Gordes 
You start from the stunning village of Gordes, through a garrigue vegetation of aromatic herbs and brush, to the much-postcarded 12th century Sénanque Abbey, surrounded by its lavender field.
Please note : they may be some path restrictions in July & August ( depends on fire risk)
. Loop Walk 2  - The ochre quarries - 1h to 2h walk (30 mn drive)
You reach the world’s largest ochre deposit: a rainbow of yellow, orange, and red sands. The maritime pine trees with their long and bright needles offer a beautiful contrast to the ochre soils. It’s an area called the “Colorado Provençal”, and you’ll get the chance to explore the heart of this unique landscape.
. Loop Walk 3 - Lagarde d'Apt (40 mn drive)
This walk begins high atop the plateaus, in the tiny hamlet of Lagarde d'Apt, through a rolling countryside carpeted with fine lavender fields, with views extending to the Alps.

Walk :
. Loop Walk 1 - 3h20 |  10 km - 6 miles | Elevation: +250m/-250m
. Loop walk 2 - 1h to 2h
. Loop walk 3 - 2h20 |  7 km - 4 miles | Elevation: +150m/-150m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Gordes

Great Market on Saturday morning in Apt

Today, you drive towards the wild & beautiful region of Sault through a beautiful road (45 mn drive). You will discover a genuine & wild Provence, behind the Mont Ventoux, and the charming lost villages of the lavender  region of Provence. You will have the opportunity to visit a lavender distillery.
After your walks, you continue onwards your ride towards the beautiful countryside of Forcalquier (45 mn drive), known as " the lavender road" in Provence.

. Loop Walk 1 - Aurel
Your walk starts in Aurel (You can have a short option walk to Sault during this walk). Sault is praised all over the world for its cultivation of lavender, and very famous for its lavender festival on August 15th. It’s an old fortified village perched along the top of a high ridge overlooking a wide valley, with large lavender fields spread out below to the south and west. This easy, themed walk meanders through farmers' fields, among an endless sea of lavender, complete with explanatory signs about planting, harvesting, and distilling the precious purple flower.Take the time to discover the village of Sault : its charming central square overlooking the vast plantations. Don't miss the irresistible nougat shop, where the Boyer family has been making this delicious honey and almond treat for four generations. 
. Loop Walk 2  - Ferrassières 
Set a bit higher in altitude, the sleepy village of Ferrassières is the capital of fine lavender. This easy walk will take you through a mix of forest and cultivated lavender fields, and this is about as far off the beaten tourist path as you can get, with some wonderful views of Mont Ventoux to the west. After your walk we recommend a visit to the village of Montbrun les Bains, listed among the most beautiful villages in France. 

Walk :
. Loop Walk 1 - 2h40 |  8 km - 4 miles | Elevation: +170m/-170m
. Loop walk 2 - 2h30 | 7km - 4 miles | Elevation : +150m / -150m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Forcalquier

Today, you have the choice of 2 walks. 

. Loop Walk 1 - Valensole (40 mn drive)
It's THE big lavender day. Today you'll be swimming in a veritable sea of lavender, on the Valensole plateau. It's a common misconception that lavender is prevalent in all of Provence. In reality, Lavender grows up on the plateaus, in altitude, nestled between Provence and the Alps. you'll be in the very heart of it.
Nothing but purple into the horizon, the intense Provençal sun concentrating the heavy lavender perfumes in the air. You'll frolic through the fields. You can visit a family-run lavender distillery along the way, in the heart of the fields, and learn everything about the plant and its origins, its uses, its medicinal properties.
. Loop Walk 2  - Saint Michel l'Observatoire ( 20mn drive)
Just west of Forcalquier is the sleepy village of Saint Michel l'Observatoire. The "observatoire" in question was built in the 1920s, a few kilometers from the village, taking advantage of some of the clearest skies in the country. The walk enters the heart of the garrigue vegetation, with stunning views of the Alps. You reach a goat farm, lost in the brush, a small family-run outfit awarded for their Banon cheeses, carefully wrapped in a chestnut leaf, creamy and bursting with flavour. An inviting picnic table makes for the perfect lunch stop before finishing your loop. 

Walk :
. Loop Walk 1 - 3h20 | 11km - 7 miles | Elevation : +100m / -100m
. Loop walk 2 - 2h45 | 8 km - 5 miles | Elevation : +200m / -200m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Forcalquier

Great & famous market on Monday morning in Forcalquier

Your trip ends in Forcalquier, after breakfast.
We recommend you to have an extra stay in Aix en Provence : a beautiful city of art and culture, with a great morning market !

Meals included : breakfast