
Landscapes of the Luberon Walk
Varied walking in the glorious Luberon National Park – inspiration for generations of poets, painters and writers. Wander through vineyards and olive groves to perched medieval villages and stay in delightful hotels, full of character along the way.
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Reviews 22 Reviews5/5
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Vacation Style Holiday Type
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Self Guided
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Walking
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Activity Level Easy plus
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This 8-night walking holiday is based in the glorious Luberon National Park, taking in the lush Provencal countryside and its world-famous Villages Perche, with stunning views across mountains, valleys and plains. This is a land whose natural light and lavender-scented summers have inspired generations of poets, painters and writers from Petrarch in the C14 right up to modern-day, bestselling author Peter Mayle.
Your itinerary is a real treat for the senses, starting in the striking perched village of St-Saturnin, nestled on the edge of the Plateau de Vaucluse. Heading south you’ll pass cherry orchards (with white cherry blossom in spring) and take in wonderful aromas of pine forests, lavender and wild herbs, before arriving in Roussillon with its 17 colours of once-quarried ochre. Vineyards and olive groves dot your route as you head towards Les Imberts and the charming village of Gordes whose architectural delights and tiny streets full of shops and cafes are just perfect for exploring. With the Luberon hills providing an enviable backdrop, you’ll make your way to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, with the option to visit the pretty riverside town of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, before heading north across the Vaucluse plateau for your final day and stunning views of Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail.
We’ve hand-picked high quality hotels for you to stay in, all of which boast swimming pools in their extensive grounds. Your accommodation includes a C19 stately manor house with its own orangery and swimming pool; a charming hotel with heated outdoor pool and spa facilities including a sauna, hot tub and massage room; and a converted water mill whose millstreams are now a tranquil water garden. We’ve included four evening meals, so you’re free to choose from some great nearby restaurants on your remaining nights.
- 8 nights accommodation, hotel-to-hotel
- All continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals
- Services of your local Headwater representative
- Route notes and maps
- Luggage transfers between hotels
- Walking transfers
- Flights
- Arrival & departure transfers (available on request, inquire for supplement)
- Room upgrades and extra nights at selected hotels (inquire for prices and details)
- Single Accommodation (available on request, inquire for supplement)
Highlights
- Delightful walking through the timeless Luberon landscape
- Heady mix of lavender, wild herbs, olives, pine and colorful flowers
- Dazzling ochre cliffs; stunningly beautiful villages; endless swaying vines; superb views of Mont Ventoux
- Wonderful regional wines and classic Provencal cuisine
- Quality hotels full of local character, all with swimming pools
- Day 1 Day 1 Arrive in Pernes-les-Fontaines
- Day 2 Day 2 Pernes-les-Fontaines to Roussillon 16km/10mi/4.5hr
- Day 3 Day 3 At Roussillon
- Day 4 Day 4 Roussillon to Les Imberts 16km/10mi/4.5hr
- Day 5 Day 5 At Les Imberts
- Day 6 Day 6 Les Imberts to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse 11km/7mi/3.5hr
- Day 7 Day 7 At Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
- Day 8 Day 8 Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to Pernes-les-Fontaines 14km/9mi/4.5hr
- Day 9 Day 9 Leave Pernes-les-Fontaines

All continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals
While not the most sophisticated of the French cuisines, most dishes use the excellent tasting local fresh produce. Cooking à la Provençale uses local olive oil, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, courgettes, aubergines and wild herbs, all ripened by the sun to give an intensity of flavour. You can browse among the colours and smells, and make picnic purchases at the
lively local markets.The proximity of the sea makes fish and seafood an important element of the local cuisine. Regional dishes include the famous bouillabaisse, a rich fish stew served with aioli and rouille; the bourride – a lighter version of the bouillabaisse; pistou soupe (summer vegetable soup with a blend of garlic, basil and olive oil); authentic ratatouille, large colourful salads an delicious courgette flower fritters. Tapenade and anchoïade are savoury dips made with local olives and anchovies; pissaladière is an onion tart with olives and anchovies and is very likely to have come from the Romans.
Making wine, particularly rosé, has been Provence’s specialty for a long time. The grapes and soil throughout the region vary a lot, but the hot, sunny and dry climate is ideal for the local wines. The local red grape varieties are used because they cope well with strong sun exposure and poor soils: Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Tibouren and Calitor. The rosés are made out of the same varieties but the musts only macerate for a few hours so the fruits’ skin don’t darken the juice or release too many tannins.
Classification: Self-Guided
Activity Level: 2 (Leisurely/moderate)
Average daily distance on move on days: 14.25km (9 miles).
No. of dayswalking: 4
Terrain:Â Varied walking, mostly along marked paths (with some rocky sections) and quiet country lanes. There are a few ascents and some short sections where the surface may be loose so walking boots are highly recommended. From early July until end September, the local fire authorities restrict access to forested areas after 12 noon so early starts (8am) are advised.
Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can walk at your own pace.
It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.
Your itinerary is a real treat for the senses, starting in the striking perched village of St-Saturnin, nestled on the edge of the Plateau de Vaucluse. Heading south you’ll pass cherry orchards (with white cherry blossom in spring) and take in wonderful aromas of pine forests, lavender and wild herbs, before arriving in Roussillon with its 17 colours of once-quarried ochre. Vineyards and olive groves dot your route as you head towards Les Imberts and the charming village of Gordes whose architectural delights and tiny streets full of shops and cafes are just perfect for exploring. With the Luberon hills providing an enviable backdrop, you’ll make your way to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, with the option to visit the pretty riverside town of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, before heading north across the Vaucluse plateau for your final day and stunning views of Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail.
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Hotel-du-Poete-Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
Package Confirmed Dates | Trip Status Trip Status | Price (PP) Excluding Flights | Price (PP) Including Flights | |
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May 9, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
May 11, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
May 13, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
May 15, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
May 17, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
May 19, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
May 21, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
May 23, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
May 25, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
May 27, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
May 29, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
May 31, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
June 2, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
June 4, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
June 6, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
June 8, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
June 10, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
June 12, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
June 14, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
June 16, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
June 18, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
June 20, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
June 22, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
June 24, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
June 26, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
June 28, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
June 30, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
July 2, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
July 4, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
July 6, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
July 8, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
July 10, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
July 12, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
July 14, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
July 16, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
July 18, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
July 20, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
July 22, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
July 24, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
July 26, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
July 28, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
July 30, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
August 1, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
August 3, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
August 5, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
August 7, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
August 9, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
August 11, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
August 13, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
August 15, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
August 17, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
August 19, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
August 21, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
August 23, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
August 25, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
August 27, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
August 29, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
August 31, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
September 2, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
September 4, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
September 6, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
September 8, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
September 10, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
September 12, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
September 14, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
September 16, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
September 18, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
September 20, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
September 22, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
September 24, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
September 26, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
September 28, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
September 30, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
October 2, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
|
October 4, 2021
|
Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
Mrs Grief
This was our 7th headwater holiday but the first we had done on foot. Every holiday has been special in one way or another but this one certainly ranked among the best. The walks were excellent, carefully routed to avoid any distances on busy roads and include a lovely range of scenery. We enjoyed the sense of being right out in the countryside and away from the main tourist centres although there were several times when a café or bar along the way would have been welcome (We had to carry drink and snacks with us on each walk although we did find a bar open in Gargas on the first walk.) Coming from a particularly flat part of the UK we were worried about steep climbs but the inclines were generally quite gentle and we managed fine. The weather helped. At the start of October, it was warm and dry but with a cooling breeze. In the summer heat we could have found it more challenging! The route notes were very good, as long as we read the details carefully. We only lost our way once, adding a few extra kilometres to the walk into La Fontaine de Vaucluse.
The hotels were all of a high standard, Each had an individual character, all were very comfortable and the breakfasts were wonderful. We especially enjoyed the Hotel de Poete in Fontaine and the Hermitage at Pernes les Fontaines.
The Headwater rep, Joey, couldn't have been more welcoming or more helpful. He went out of his way to make sure we had the best holiday possible. He was always cheerful and fun to be with.
Mr Chancellor
Our walking holiday in the Luberon was an excellent way to experience the area and
Ms Field
Really Happy with the overall experience - & would recommend Headwater to others
Mrs Guthrie
A fine, challenging activity holiday with excellent back-up support re luggage forwarding, through-out the week. Idylic Provencal hotels and villages interspersed among vineyards and Olive groves galore. A region dominated by both limestone and sandstone cliffs clothed with dense forests and providing stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Mr Henderson
Beautiful part of Provence to walk in despite it being atypically hot. In view of the high temps, not many hotels offered an early breakfast (07:30) to allow us an early start. If I was to do again then out of main season would be sensible.
Also some popular village restaurants get booked up quickly so having some contact details at the hotels could help smooth these difficulties