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 today falls on a Saturday, we highly recommend you 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 picture postcard 12th century Sénanque Abbey, surrounded by lavender fields.
Please note : there may be some path restrictions in July & August ( depends on fire risk)
Loop Walk 1 : 3h15 |  10 km - 6 miles | Elevation: +250m/-250m
Loop Walk 2  - The ochre quarries - 1h to 2h walk (30 min 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 this unique landscape.
Loop walk 2 :  1h to 2h
Loop Walk 3 - Lagarde d'Apt (40 min 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.
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 Sault along a beautiful road (45 min drive). On route, you will discover an authentic & wild Provence behind the Mont Ventoux, passing through the charming and rural villages of the lavender region of Provence. You will have the opportunity to visit a lavender distillery.
After your walks, you continue by car towards Forcalquier (45 min drive), along the beautiful "lavender road".

Loop Walk 1 - Aurel
Your walk starts in the pretty village of Aurel. 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 atop a high ridge overlooking a wide valley with a sea of lavender fields spread out below to the south and west. This easy, themed walk meanders through farmers' fields, complete with explanatory signs about planting, harvesting, and distilling the precious purple flower. Take the time to explore the village of Sault and 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 1 - 2h40 |  8 km - 4 miles | Elevation: +170m/-170m
Loop Walk 2  - Ferrassières 
Set at a higher 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 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. 
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 min 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 in altitude, up on the plateaus nestled between Provence and the Alps and you'll be in the very heart of it.
Nothing but purple on the horizon, the intense Provençal sun concentrating the heavy lavender scent in the air.  You can visit a family-run lavender distillery along the way and learn everything about the plant and its origins, its uses, its medicinal properties.
Loop Walk 1 - 3h20 | 11km - 7 miles | Elevation : +100m / -100m
Loop Walk 2  - Saint Michel l'Observatoire ( 20 min 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 kilometres 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.
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 extend your trip with a stay in Aix en Provence : a beautiful city of art and culture, with a great morning market ! Contact us for further details. 

Meals included : breakfast