Luberon Regional Natural Park

The Luberon Regional Natural Park covers a large stretch of Provence between the Durance valley in the south and the hills toward Forcalquier in the east, and it protects a landscape of limestone ridges, oak woods, garrigue scrub, orchards, vineyards, lavender fields and hilltop villages. It was created in 1977 and has since gained international recognition: it is part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve and a UNESCO Global Geopark, because of its remarkable geological record, which includes layers of fossils and distinctive rock formations.

The core of the park is the Luberon mountain itself, a long, whale-backed ridge that rises between the valley of the Calavon to the north and the Durance to the south. A deep cleft, the Combe de Lourmarin, divides it into two parts, the Petit Luberon to the west and the Grand Luberon to the east. The highest point, the Mourre Nègre, reaches about 1,125 metres and gives wide views toward Mont Ventoux and the Alps on clear days. Hillsides below are covered by evergreen oaks, pines and aromatic shrubs such as thyme, rosemary and lavender, and higher up, the cedar forests of the Petit Luberon, planted in the nineteenth century with seed from the Atlas mountains of Algeria, give a surprising mountain feel. The limestone cliffs shelter birds of prey, including Bonelli's eagle and the Egyptian vulture.

The villages are the other great attraction. Gordes, on its steep hillside, is one of the most photographed places in Provence, with stacked stone houses, a Renaissance château and wide views across the plain. Near it, the Village des Bories shows dry-stone huts built without mortar, which were used as shelters and stores by farmers and shepherds, and many more bories dot the countryside. The Abbaye de Sénanque, a Cistercian abbey in a hollow near Gordes, is famed for the lavender that blooms in front of it in early summer. Other well-known villages include Roussillon, with its ochre cliffs in shades of red and yellow, Bonnieux, Lacoste, Ménerbes and Lourmarin.

The park is ideal for walking and cycling, with signposted paths and quiet roads, and in summer the shaded woods are cooler than the plain. Because of the risk of wildfire, access to the forest is restricted on days of high danger, and visitors should check conditions on the day. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light. The local markets and farm shops sell olive oil, honey, goat's cheese and wine.

From Gordes, the Chapelle Saint-Martin, the Château de Gordes and the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Gordes add to a visit. The park suits walkers, cyclists, families and anyone who wants to see the Provence of villages and scrub. Spring and autumn are comfortable, while July brings crowds and heat.