Following a morning pickup from your Avignon hotel, meet your guide and travel south out of the city by air-conditioned minivan into the rolling hills of the Luberon. Taking pride of place in the center of Provence, Luberon is a region of breathtaking beauty with fertile soils ideally suited to agriculture and winemaking.
Travel first to the pretty village of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, and take a walk up to the cave mouth source of the Sorgues River. In the hilltop village of Gordes, admire the cascade of cream-colored houses clinging to the mighty cliff face. Pause here to take in panoramic views over the village, widely considered among the most beautiful in France.
Continue by coach to the picturesque Provenal village of Rousillon, famous for the ochre-colored rock on which it perches. Enjoy a leisurely, 30-minute hike through a former ochre quarry and nearby woods ─ known as the Ochre Trail ─ and enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.
After lunch (own expense), head to Bonnieux, another of the region’s historical hill villages. Admire the Roman bridge, Pont Julien, and enjoy a little free time to explore the charming boutiques, caf□s, squares and the 12th-century church at your leisure.
Stop for a photo opportunity in Lacoste, then head up into the Luberon mountains to the walled village of M□nerbes ─ made famous by British expatriate Peter Mayle’s popular book,
A Year in Provence. Here, enjoy more free time to wander the cobbled streets and courtyards at your leisure, and enjoy panoramic views of the Provenal countryside.
Travel back down hill and finish your tour with a glass of wine from the appelltion Cte du Luberon. When it’s time to depart, hop back aboard your minivan for the journey back to central Avignon, where your day trip concludes.