Leisures in Provence

Walks and hikes

The county walks and hikes itineraries spread across over 130 villages out of the 151 villages of Vaucluse.

More than 5000 km of paths have been marked and identified. This map includes some of the most interesting peaks such as:

• Les dentelles de Montmirail,
• Le massif du Mont-Ventoux,
• Le plateau de Sault et d’Albion,
• Les Monts de Vaucluse,
• Le Petit et Grand Luberon,
• L’enclave des Papes,
• Le massif d’Uchaux.

See below a shortlist of some of the best routes:

Heritage route:

• Bornes Papales Track - 84600 Valréas (2.30 hrs: accessible to everyone).
• Mornas Fortress – 84550 Mornas (1 hour 30 min walk).
• Roman walk in the vineyards - 84110 Vaison la Romaine (2 hours).
• Domitia in Pont Julien - 84400 Apt (11 km).

Landscape route:

• Dry stones and miraculous spring - 84210 Le Beaucet (8 km).
• The lavenders path – 84390 Sault (4 km).
• Les ochres of Rustrel- 84400 Rustrel (3 hours)
• La Bonde Lake- 84240 Cabrières Aigues (7 km ).

Undergrowth Route:

• Botanical path of Uchaux - 84100 Uchaux (3km).
• The natural park of Petit Defend and Peregrine - 84210 Venasque (7.6 km).
• The Mormoiron sands - 84570 Mormoiron (up to 2 hours)
• Cedars Forest - 84480 Bonnieux (Ultimate family walk of 3 km to discover the Petit Luberon).

Vineyards Route:

• Châteauneuf du Pape vineyards - 84230 Châteauneuf du Pape (up to 7km).
• Vacqueyras vineyards - 84190 Vacqueyras (8 km).
• Rasteau vineyards - 84110 Rasteau (3 km).
• Cucuron vineyards – 84160 Cucuron (4 km).

Donkey rides:

Donkeys are excellent guides and docile companion, they will guide you accross the Provencal trails.

Where to enquire about donkeys rides?

Excursions close to the cottage "La Bastide Landesson"

The town of Saint Saturnin les Apt offers over 250 km of signposted trails for hiking: a unique chance to discover the Bories, aiguiers, ancient villages , Pérréal hill, lavender tour, etc ...

Feel free to visit the local hiking association website: http://www.arps-rado.fr and obtain the hikes and walks guide, in sales in the village’s shops.

The great hiking trails (G.R.) in Luberon: You may find no less than 7 great hiking trails through Luberon and countless footpaths and small hikes.

Suggestions of the essential hikes that nature lovers must do:

• the ascent of Mourre Nègre (highest point of Grand Luberon)
• From Buoux to Sivergues (Hike in the wild and protected Luberon)
• The crests of Luberon (A magnificent view of the Alps, Marseille, the Verdon, Alpilles, ...)
• Walks: Gourgues and Fairy chimneys - 84440 Rustrel,
• Walks: The aiguiers and Bories - 84490 Saint Saturnin les Apt.

A few kilometres away from the Cottage "La Bastide Landesson", you can also discover beautiful canyons:

• Les gorges de Véroncle – 84220 Gordes.
• Les gorges de la Nesque – 84390 Monieux.
• Les gorges d’Oppedette – 04110 Oppedette.
• Les gorges de Régalon – 84460 Cheval-Blanc.
• Les gorges du Toulourenc – 84390 Saint Léger du Ventoux.

A little further from the villa, in the Gard county, a beautiful site is really worth a visit.

• Sautadet Waterfalls - 30200 La Roque sur Cèze.

Cycling and off road biking

Although Mount Ventoux remains the prime location for the cycling enthusiasts, Vaucluse offers a large variety of roads for a families interested in recreational cycling.

Take your time to appreciate the beautiful landscapes of our county: vineyards, dentelles de Montmirail, Comtat plains, Lavender fields, beautiful cliffside villages, Sorgues rivers, …

In total, over 1 550 km of quiet and small roads away from the main traffic.

Suggestions for roads and off roads tracks in Vaucluse:

Greenways:

• Via Venaissin: 6.8 km greenway from the old train station of Jonquières to the old train station of Sarrians.
• The greenway of Caderousse: 3 km from the parking Caderousse.
• The bicycle track 60-Via Rhôna: from Lapalud to Lamotte du Rhône.
• The bicycle track of Calavon: 37 km between Coustellet and Saint Martin de Castillon.

Wandering:

• Around Luberon on bicycle (236 km entirely marked) including: the ochres on bicycle (15-51 km).
• Around Mount Ventoux on bicycle (120 km).
• Around Venaissin on bicycle (115 km)
• Around Côtes du Rhône on bicycle.

Colourful ways:

• “Plateau de Sault” (33 km signposted track).
• Around “l’Enclave des Papes” on bicycle (33.5 km signposted track).
• The Canyon of Nesque (22 km signposted track).

Freshness ways:

• From the source to the Venise comtadine (21 km signposted tracks starting from Isle sur la Sorgue).
• Around Caderousse, l’Isle verte (22.5 km signposted track).
• Around Carpentras canal (30 to 34.5 km signposted track).
• The “Pays Aigues” on bicycle (41 to 91 km signposted track).

Vineyards ways:

• Châteauneuf du Pape vineyards (28.5 km signposted track).
• Côtes du Rhône landscapes (33 km signposted track).
• Mount Ventoux (22km signposted track).
• The Comtadine vineyards (34 km signposted track).

Crossing Vaucluse on mountain bikes:

Technical and physical itinerary of 238 km around Vaucluse due to expend to Luberon and grow by 150 km.

This great crossing of Vaucluse in VTT registered by the French Cycling Federation.

Where to rent bicycles or Mountain bikes near the cottage?

Informations :

* Do not hesitate to consult the Luberon’s tracks information sheets: « les Ocres à vélo », « Autour du Luberon à vélo » ou « Vélo route du Calavon » from the tourist offices.

* To be provided free upon demand, the map "La Provence à vélo " from the A.D.T. Vaucluse Tourisme – BP 50147 – 84008 Avignon Cedex 1 (Tél. : 04.90.80.47.00) Or in tourist offices.

Horseback riding tourism

For experienced riders able to guide his horse, Vaucluse offers many possible rides for half-day, full day or several days through its network of signposted trails. These routes connect stables where riders and horses could find hospitality and rest.

Equestrian centres also offer horseback riding for beginners; half day or full day, accompanied by qualified professionals. Some of them offer riding courses, pony clubs or carriage rides.

Where to do horseback riding near the cottage "La Bastide Landesson"?

Water activities

You will find in Vaucluse and in Luberon, a fairly wide range of water activities.

Swimming in lakes and ponds:

• Etang de la Bonde – 84240 Cabrières d’Aigues.
• Lac de Monteux – 84170 Monteux.
• Plan d’eau des Salettes – 84570 Mormoiron.
• Lac Prato Plage - 84210 Pernes les Fontaines.
• Plan d’eau du camping Val Durance – 84160 Cadenet.
• Hameau de Veau-Pont du Toulourenc – 84340 Malaucène.

Water skiing:

• Lac des Grèzes – 84840 Lamotte du Rhône.

Windsurfing, sailing, paddle boat, kayak:

• Plan d’eau de la Raille – 84400 Apt.
• Plan d’eau les Girardes – 84840 Lapalud.

Canoe Kayak:

It is practised along the Sorgue river, between “Fontaine de Vaucluse” and “Isle sur la Sorgue” or on the Rhône in Avignon, with a unique view on the Popes' Palace passing under the famous “Pont d'Avignon”.

Several centers perform this activity:

Fishing:

The Rhone and its affluent, the Durance and remotes, the network of Sorgues with many canals compose a rich piscicultural environment to discover rods in hand.

2900 km are classed in 2nd piscicultural category. 600 km are classed in 1st category. 700 hectares of lakes are spread over 30 locations through the whole county, almost all classed in 2nd category.

Vaucluse accounts 48 different fish species.

Some fishing spots to discover:

• Parcours de pêche le Sorguett – 84800 Isle sur Sorgue.
• Le centre départemental d’initiation pêche et environnement – 84740 Velleron.
• Pisciculture Le Petit Large – 84800 Saumane
• Le barrage – 84490 Saint Saturnin les Apt.

Adventure parks - via ferrata

Fancy a playful family time? Vaucluse offers different forest paths with circuits for all ages.

Climbing

The quality, the range of difficulties and a climate allowing to practice throughout the year, make the Vaucluse a premium location for climbing enthusiasts.
At the heart of Luberon, the site of Buoux is internationally known and recognized by climbers; the massive Montmirail, site of the "four seasons", is climbed since the 40s.
Additional sites will help you settle your choice (Falaise de Lioux, site de la Baleine à Saint Léger du Ventoux, falaise le Rieu à Venasque , etc ...). Do not hesitate to contact the departmental committee of FFME (Tel: 04.86.81.85.90).

Sky Sports

Reliefs in Vaucluse such as Mont Ventoux and Luberon offer magnificent take off locations to discover in all seasons, forests, landscapes shaped by man (vineyards, orchards, lavender fields ...) canyons, Ochres valleys...

Contact details of Paragliding clubs and ballooning:

Golf

From the city of Popes to Sorgue, you will discover lifestyle and the magnificent landscapes of the region throught practicing your favourite sport. Golf courses in Vaucluse are suitable for initiation, Handicap improvement or practicing of the swing in a beautiful environment close to main tourist attractions.
4 wonderful golf courses are located less than 1 hour away from “la Bastide Landesson”:

Tennis

Several tennis courts are at your disposal in the town of Saint Saturnin les Apt and surrounding area:

Bowls

Two bowling greens are located just few steps away from the cottage "La Bastide Landesson" :

Speleology

Vaucluse undergrounds are full of caves and avens, for the joy of speleologists.

Speleology centers:

Amusement parks

The Vaucluse has several theme parks, including:

You may wish to discover one of the theme parks in the neighbouring counties:

Festivals and Events

Summer is the festival season, starting with the most famous ones:

• Theatre festival of Avignon (July),
• Orange Opera festival, les Chorégies (July and August).

The Festivals are taking place in prestigious locations such as the Pope’s palace, the castle of Lourmarin or the Roman theatres in Orange and Vaison la Romaine.

Various Festivals are taking place all arround Vaucluse and surroundings:

• Luberon Jazz Festival - 84400 Apt (May),
• Festival of Sorgues - 84800 Fontaine de Vaucluse (July and August),
• Lacoste Festival - 84480 Lacoste ( July and August ),
• Durance Festival -Luberon - 84360 Lauris (August),
• International Piano Festival - 13640 La Roque d’Anthéron (August),
• International Festival of string quartet in Luberon - 84380 Mazan (August and Spetember)

Various events:

• Summer evenings in Luberon - 84400 Gargas (June and July),
• Summer evenigs - 84220 Gordes (August).
• Days of of Véraison (medieval festival) - 84230 Châteauneuf du Pape (Late July),
• Hay Festival - 84140 Montfavet (Late August),
• Lavender Festival - 84390 Sault (15 of August),
• Corso of lavander - 84600 Valréas (Early August),
• Land and craft Festival - 84490 Saint Saturnin les Apt (1st Sunday in August),
• Antique Festival - 84800 Isle sur Sorgue (Mid-August).