Landscapes of the Luberon Walk, France

<p>This easy walking holiday is based in the glorious Luberon National Park, taking in the lush countryside of the Sorgue river. It’s a land which has been an inspiration for generations of poets, painters and writers from Petrarch in the 14th century to contemporary abstract artist Victor Vasarély, and best-selling author Peter Mayle.<br><br> You’ll be intoxicated by the rich colours of the landscape, all intensified by the wonderful limpid light. Seventeen shades of ochre were once quarried at Roussillon, from violet through purple to vivid reds, oranges and mellow yellows. Its delicate natural tints were used to wash the local houses.<br><br> At Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, the emerald-green Sorgue river gushes in torrents from a mysterious subterranean reservoir. Lavender makes a fragrant mauve carpet, green forests cloak the hills, and, in spring, white blossom veils the cherry orchards. And it’s all against the backdrop of an azure sky.<br><br> The walks are short, with plenty of time for exploring exquisite villages, natural wonders and historic sights. Three of the four hotels have pools in the grounds and the other has a public pool just 50m away. You’ll enjoy typical Provençal hospitality and cuisine at them all.</p><p><strong>Detailed Itinerary:</strong></p><p><strong>Day 1 - Arrive at St Didier</strong><br>Our hotel is in its own grounds with swimming pool and tennis courts. <br><br><strong>Day 2 - Rustrel to Apt</strong> 17km/10mi/4.5hr<br>We give you a lift to the starting point in Rustrel, where you can begin the day with an hour-long circuit in the Provencal Colorado, once ochre quarries and now a strange landscape of fantastic shapes and vivid colours. Today's main walk is through classic Provencal countryside where you will see vineyards and cherry orchards, fig trees and olive groves, and neat plantations of scented lavender before continuing in to Apt. <br><br><strong>Day 3 - At Apt</strong><br>Apt is famous for its crystallised fruits and traditional pottery. It has plenty of shops, cafes and colourful Saturday and Tuesday markets. Visit the Maison du Parc du Luberon and Ste Anne's Cathedral, part of which dates to C13. <br><br><strong>Day 4 - Apt/Roussillon </strong>16km/10mi/4.5hr<br>After a short transfer to the lovely village of St Saturnin, your walk today heads south and up through cherry orchards, vineyards and pine forests - a magnificent panorama across the Apt plain and the Luberon. After Gargas, you continue through pine forest along blood-red ochre-coloured tracks, then descend in to Roussillon. <br><br><strong>Day 5 - At Roussillon</strong><br>Roussillon, one of the most beautiful villages in France, is famous for its streaked ochre cliffs. Visit the superb perched village of Bonnieux - lots of art galleries, pavement cafes and little restaurants for lunch. <br><br><strong>Day 6 - Roussillon to Joucas</strong> 13km/8mi/3.5hr<br>Today's walk takes you through the most incredibly beautiful ochre coloured countryside, as you stroll through cherry orchards, vineyards and fields ablaze with lavender. After lunch, walking with the striking 'eagle's nest' village of Gordes ahead (lots of time to explore tomorrow), you finally turn off north to Joucas - where you'll find a warm welcome at our family-run hotel. <br><br><strong>Day 7 - At Joucas</strong><br>This is a great opportunity to explore the picturesque village of Gordes, which clothes the hilltop with wonderfully photogenic houses, terraces and gardens. The village is dominated by its Renaissance chateau and the streets are crammed with cafes, restaurants and shops.</p><p><strong>Day 8 - Joucas/Senanque to St Didier</strong> 18km/11mi/5.5hr<br>Lift to the C12 cistercian abbey at Senanque where today's walk begins. Up first through pine and oak forest, then out across the plateau de Vaucluse for stunning views of Mt Ventoux and the jagged peaks of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Then it's down through cherry orchards back to St Didier for a final swim. <br><br><strong>Day 9 - Leave St Didier</strong><br><br><strong>Is this holiday for you? </strong><br>This is a 1 boot independent holiday (see Headwater’s Boot Rating System), which will suit people looking for gentle walking in glorious sun drenched countryside with options to visit lots of unspoilt Provencal towns and villages en route and enjoy good food and wine. It is a relatively easy walking holiday, mostly along marked paths (the occasional short rocky section) and quiet country lanes. There are a couple of short ascents so walking boots are highly recommended. The walks are short, plenty of time to explore exquisite villages, natural wonders and historic sights.<br><br></p>