Starting from Lac du Paty, Le Barroux and the two abbeys

Park in the Lac du Paty car park.

(S/E) Cross the road and take the path that climbs just to the left of the no-entry sign. Then cross another road and continue climbing. When you reach a private property, turn right onto the^GRP®® des Dentelles de Montmirail, marked in red and yellow. Continue to the Font Mourèle crossroads.

(1) Keep left on the^GRP®®; after a short climb followed by a longer descent, you’ll reach the D938 junction.

(2) Cross the road carefully and take the steps opposite. Continue along the^GRP®®. Cross another road, take the steps opposite and turn left to enter the village. Follow the road uphill opposite, then take the steps on the right to reach the castle. Continue to the castle esplanade and enjoy the beautiful panoramic view from here. Return to the castle entrance, then turn right and head back down to a car park. Turn left and take a path on the right which joins a road below. Then turn left and immediately right to reach a roundabout on the outskirts of the village.

(3) Carry on straight ahead along the^GRP®® to reach the Lause crossroads.

(4) Carry on until you reach the ‘Les Plantiers’ signpost and arrive at a three-way junction.

(5) Turn right onto the Chemin de Pied Gros; you’re still on the^GRP®®. Head uphill to the crossroads at the^first abbey, Sainte-Madeleine.

(6) Leave the^GRP®® here and turn right to reach Sainte-Madeleine Abbey.

(7) Walk back in the opposite direction to the previous junction.

(6) Turn right back onto the^GRP®®; after a series of short ascents and descents, you’ll reach a crossroads with four directions that are almost perpendicular to one another.

(8) Turn slightly to the right, staying on the^GRP®®; this wide path leads to another crossroads with several directions.

(9) Turn left onto the^GRP®®; a few hundred paces further on, you’ll reach another crossroads with four perpendicular directions.

(10) Leave the^GRP®® and continue straight ahead to reach the Aqueduct quickly.

(11) Take the wide path that leads down to the remaining arch of the structure. Head back up to the road and continue to the right. When you reach a junction, take the left-hand path, follow it and you’ll come to another crossroads of paths.

(12) Take the path on the left to climb steeply and reach a junction at a hairpin bend. Stay on the path on the right at the next junction. Continue climbing alongside the vineyards until you rejoin the GRP®^®.

(13) Turn right onto it and continue slightly uphill to the ‘Les Issards’ signpost.

(14) Leave the^GRP®® here and turn right onto the^GR®®4, signposted in white and red. Complete the climb at a place called Clairier.

(15) Leave the^GR®®4to the right; now walk along the descending ridge in the valley floor, climbing up the embankment. Beautiful views. Then take the path that veers slightly to the left, follow the ridge and come to a fork.

(16) Turn right and join the path below, then take it to the left. Walk alongside the woodland until you reach a crossroads with a wayside shrine.

(17) Turn right to reach the^second abbey, Notre-Dame de l’Annonciation.

(18) Return in the opposite direction to the previous crossroads.

(17) Turn right onto Chemin Vieille Route; at the next signpost, turn left to reach the D938 at the pumping station.

(19) Cross it with great care, then take the road leading uphill opposite and continue to a new junction at a place called Pié Conieu.

(20) Continue straight ahead and head downhill to the original junction marked ‘Font Mourèle’, which you passed on the way there

(1) Carry on straight ahead and retrace your steps along the route you took on the way there to return to the Lac du Paty car park (S/E)..

Please note: between (15) and (16), this section is a little technical: there are a few rocks to climb over. But nothing insurmountable.
Make sure you take plenty of water with you, especially during hot weather.
In summer: check with the Barroux town hall beforehand to see if the trail is open (it may be closed due to the risk of fire).

(S/E) Lac du Paty: picnic area and refreshment bar (during the tourist season). Swimming permitted.
(3) Château du Barroux: freely accessible esplanade (beautiful view). Admission charged for tours of the château.
(7) Sainte-Madeleine Abbey: picnic area. Shop and church open to the public.
(11) Remains of an aqueduct. The first circular arch has been restored.
(18) Notre-Dame de l’Annonciation Abbey: shop and church open to the public.