FROM CADENET
Our favourite ways to discover the southern Luberon
OUR PICKS
These are the outings we would personally recommend to our guests. Driving times from the gîtes are approximate, and each link lets you check practical details before you set off. Most linked sites are in French.
01
Five nearby villages, each with its own character and enough to see to fill a few happy hours.
Climb up to the castle ruins and the cave dwellings for views over the village and the Durance valley. The basketry museum rounds off the walk nicely.
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A lovely village to explore on foot, with café terraces, small shops and galleries. Save time for the château, the first Renaissance château in Provence.
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Start at the large pond lined with plane trees, then wander up the old village lanes to the Saint-Michel keep for views over the rooftops and the Luberon.
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Listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, Ansouis is best explored by strolling up to its château, with fine views over the Pays d’Aigues along the way.
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A peaceful village nestled against the Luberon, with stone lanes and the church of Saint-Barthélemy. Film lovers will recognise several locations from Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources.
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Routes chosen for a mix of landscapes and levels, from gentle strolls to proper hikes.
Climb through the pine woods to this Iron Age site overlooking the estate. A waymarked trail with eight QR-code posts tells the story of the Castellar and its remains.
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A walk from Cadenet to Lourmarin along the foothill tracks, with lovely glimpses of both villages. Take care where the route crosses roads.
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A loop from Cucuron climbing into the hills above the village. A good choice for a morning’s walk without giving the whole day over to hiking.
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A varied loop at the foot of the Luberon, as interesting for the scenery as for reading the rock formations. Best done in the morning in hot weather.
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Two routes take you through villages, vineyards and farmland. Allow about 3 hours for the medium loop and a good half day for the more challenging one.
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Four hands-on visits to see what is grown and made here, with producers who take the time to explain.
Tour the mill, see how the oil is made, then learn how to taste the estate’s olive oils. An obvious first outing, right next to the gîtes.
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A guided tour of the wine estate and its cellars, followed by a tasting. Children and non-drinkers can join in with grape juice.
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Choose one of two waymarked trails through this organic estate’s vineyards. The walk ends in the tasting room with a guided tasting of its wines and olive oils.
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Walk through the vines and around the old mill to learn about the vineyard year and the winemaker’s work, before a guided tasting of the estate’s wines.
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Easy ideas to keep everyone happy, from little ones to grown-ups, and to adapt your plans on the hottest days.
Treetop adventure courses for all levels in a woodland setting. Book ahead, especially during school holidays and at weekends.
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A treasure hunt through Cadenet to see the village in a new light and solve a mystery as a family. Depending on the season, pick up the kit at the museum or the tourist office.
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A welcome stop for a lakeside walk or a summer swim. Access and swimming conditions can change, so check before you go.
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A clear, local introduction to basket-making, the craft that long shaped Cadenet. Easy to combine with the market or the castle site.
Find out more05 · THROUGH THE WEEK
For tonight’s vegetables, local produce or simply the atmosphere of a Provençal morning.
See all marketsIn summer, evening markets add to the choice, notably in Lourmarin and Cucuron.
FOR A FULL DAY OUT
Three day trips that are well worth the drive when you fancy a change of scene.
Wander through Roussillon’s colourful lanes, then the ochre landscapes. In high season, set off early to enjoy the village before the crowds.
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A picture-postcard day between the hilltop village of Gordes, its viewpoints, and Sénanque Abbey in its secluded valley.
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Combine the spring of the Sorgue with a stroll along the canals and antique shops of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.
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