Around Saint-Pantaléon

Starting from Saint-Pantaléon-de-Gordes – where you mustn’t forget to visit the little Romanesque church with its rock-cut necropolis – this is an easy, short circular walk that winds through the woodland and between the traditional Provençal dry-stone walls. Numerous drystone shelters line the route, some accessible, others on private property. Walkers can also discover the remains of an old ‘jas’ and, well hidden in an oak grove, the longest drystone shelter in Provence, still in perfect condition.
A private path is made available for the respectful use of walkers and cyclists, with motorised vehicles strictly prohibited.
The app’s GPS is strongly recommended for this route.

Details

n°64559633
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.45 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 499 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 469 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,027 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 719 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Gordes (84220)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.881579° / E 5.213237°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3142OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the Saint-Pantaléon cemetery (in the commune of Gordes).

(S/E) From the car park, cross the Route de la Badelle (D148) and take the Chemin Des Garrigues opposite, heading north; this is a small tarmac road. Stay on this main track, ignoring the paths branching off to the left and right. The track offers views of troglodyte houses below the cliff. Walk along a stony path for a few metres before reaching a tarmacised junction.

(1) Leave the Chemin des Heaths and turn right. The tarmac soon ends. Carry on straight ahead and, at the Fork in the road (not shown on the map), keep to the left, then continue straight on until you reach the wide Chemin des Roques, which crosses your path.

(2) Turn left (on the right, an engraved stone bears the words “no way out”), then immediately left again onto a grassy path. A little further on, when the path veers to the right, a first wooden sign reading “Par ici les ami-e-s” invites you to explore the remains of an old jas with a dwelling, an enclosure and drystone shelters on the left (the second sign, identical but pointing in the opposite direction, indicates that you have passed the jas). Further on, continue along a wide path to the right (junction not shown on the map). A fine drystone shelter can be seen on the left of this path.
Carry on until you reach the start of a footpath between two cairns on the right, just as the track turns left.

(3) Take this path. It passes between low dry-stone walls and quickly leads to an engraved stone stating: “Private path – walkers and cyclists welcome. Motorbikes and quads prohibited”. The path runs alongside a large reconstructed drystone shelter then turns left. It widens before reaching a T-junction.

(4) Join the Chemin des Heaths and turn right onto it. Ignore a path branching off to the left; you’ll follow this on the way back. Carry on straight ahead to the next large crossroads (the junction where the route takes a circular shape).

(5) Turn left at the pylon onto a small tarmac road called “Chemin du Clos de Denante”. When the road turns sharply left, leave it and continue straight ahead along the unpaved track that runs through the woodland. After about 300 m, look out for a wide clearing on the right amongst the oak trees with a barely visible path leading off it.

(6) Follow the footpath, going there and back, as it bends to the left to reveal the longest drystone shelter in Provence.

(7) Turn back to the previous fork.

(6) Carry on to the right along the path to the next junction, at the corner of a large estate and its imposing gate. Turn right onto the small tarmac road, ‘Chemin de Valori’. Walk past a succession of beautiful properties (golf course, private tennis courts). The road becomes a stony track and reaches a Fork in the road.

(8) Turn left. Continue along the stony track, which widens until it rejoins the Chemin des Heaths and a yellow signpost. Turn sharply right in front of the wayside shrine, onto this track. A drystone shelter is visible a little further on to the right. You’ll reach the next T-junction.

(9) Follow the signposting to turn left and then right onto the Chemin des Roques. Go round a property with very high stone walls. Walk alongside these high walls. There is a beautiful view to the north over the village of Gordes. At the stone cross standing against a wall, leave the yellow markings and continue straight on (Yellow Cross) until you reach a very tall structure comprising several dry-stone elements (wall, dwelling, drystone shelter, oven).

(10) Leave the Chemin des Roques at the corner of this impressive structure and turn right onto the Chemin du Clos de Denante. Return to the junction you passed on the way out.

(5) Carry on straight ahead for 80 m until you reach the other fork you passed on the way out, to rejoin and complete thefirst circular loop.

(4) Turn right onto the path that runs round an olive grove. Continue straight on along this path, then turn left onto a wide track (junction not shown on the map). At the next junction, continue straight ahead, passing the Carrières Serre Frères et Cie quarries, and carry on to the Route de Saint Pantaléon (D148).

(11) Turn left onto this road. At the next junction, go straight ahead and head for the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 735 ft - Car park at Saint-Pantaléon Cemetery (Gordes)
  2. 1 : mi 0.49 - alt. 899 ft - Tarmac crossroads
  3. 2 : mi 0.97 - alt. 1,027 ft - Turn left twice
  4. 3 : mi 1.23 - alt. 938 ft - Path between two cairns on the right
  5. 4 : mi 1.54 - alt. 896 ft - Communal fork in the road, round trip
  6. 5 : mi 1.6 - alt. 902 ft - The junction point of the circular loop
  7. 6 : mi 1.86 - alt. 820 ft - T-junction. Return trip to the drystone shelter
  8. 7 : mi 1.92 - alt. 830 ft - Drystone shelter
  9. 8 : mi 2.5 - alt. 810 ft - Fork in the road
  10. 9 : mi 2.97 - alt. 928 ft - Yellow PR signposts
  11. 10 : mi 3.21 - alt. 955 ft - A large complex of dry-stone buildings
  12. 11 : mi 4.23 - alt. 804 ft - Portail de la Carrière
  13. S/E : mi 4.45 - alt. 735 ft - Car park at the start

Worth a visit

Whether you’re starting or finishing your trip, a visit to the Romanesque church is a must. At the foot of its apse lies a remarkable rock-cut necropolis dating from the 11th and 12th centuries. https://www.provenceguide.com/patrimoine...

A short detour by car above the village, on the D148a, offers a chance to admire the pretty La Badelle mill, a privately-owned property that serves as a lodge and bed-and-breakfast.

Near Gargas, if you want to learn all about ochre mining, the guided tour of the Bruoux mines is well worth the trip. https://www.minesdebruoux.fr/

And don’t forget:
- Gordes and the village of drystone shelters: https://www.levillagedesbories.com/
- Roussillon and the Ochre Trail: https://www.luberon-apt.fr/ocres-en-lube...

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 15 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 1643020

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk on a very hot day, which was pleasant as it was mostly in the shade.
Take care at point 3 – turn right twice.

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jocelyne
jocelyne

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very enjoyable walk. One slight downside at point 3: the description doesn’t match the actual terrain.
Otherwise, a lovely discovery

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ecrainville
ecrainville

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This walk was a pleasant surprise as it was very enjoyable and fascinating, thanks to the abundance and variety of dry-stone walls and drystone shelters, as well as the quality of the natural surroundings (flora and birds). There were 14 of us and we all enjoyed this short walk, which presented no difficulties other than making sure we turned at the right spot – though the route description is very helpful.

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Choup74
Choup74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Très agréable randonnée à la découverte des bories avec des paysages variés. Jolis sentiers parfois ombragés appréciés lors de ce circuit fait sous une grosse chaleur pour la période.

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nicou84
nicou84

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A varied route in terms of environment, with narrow paths through the woods and hiking trails where you navigate between stones, rocks and tree roots.
No real difficulties, but watch your step on the descents (roots and stones).
A beautiful view of Mont Ventoux and the Provençal villages of Roussillon, St Saturnin and Saignon

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Saudreau
Saudreau

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this route, we had to search a bit because sometimes the description did not match the terrain, but we had a great time!

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MAMAROT J-L
MAMAROT J-L

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this lovely walk.

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MissTomate
MissTomate

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk to discover the drystone shelters.

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bernard coulomb
bernard coulomb

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk amid ancient but beautifully renovated rural buildings typical of the region.
The rock tombs around the church remind us that Saint Pantaléon is one of the "sanctuaries of respite", where stillborn children were said to come back to life, just long enough to be baptised, before dying for good.

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GARCIA4
GARCIA4

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, with no difficulties other than finding the largest drystone shelter in Provence, which is truly impressive.

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aimer la marche
aimer la marche
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike along pretty paths. Beautiful drystone shelters and lovely woodland.

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aimer la marche
aimer la marche

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No


A very pleasant hike along pleasant, uncrowded paths. Beautiful drystone shelters and beautiful stones.

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zakmarie
zakmarie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route that allows you to discover new landmarks in this area.

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Crapet
Crapet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful, well-described route with a good number of drystone shelters of all sizes. Thank you for this lovely walk.

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Lucy.muir
Lucy.muir

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, peaceful walk that allows you to discover the region's dry stone structures (walls and drystone shelters). Don't forget to visit the Romanesque chapel and its rock tombs near the start of the hike. Use your phone's GPS function to make it easier!

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