Fontaine-de-Vaucluse from Lagnes, the two castles, the Sorgue river and the aqueduct.

A hike with many points of interest, from its geography and variety of landscapes to the remains of two largely unknown castles and the discovery of the typical village of Lagnes. A break on the banks of the Sorgue will allow you to enjoy a most welcome moment of tranquillity.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.54 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 471 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 462 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 325 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 69 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The car park at the town hall is ideal for parking.

(S/E) With your back to the town hall, turn right, then immediately left onto the tarmac road Les Espérelles, which climbs and then becomes a dirt track, leading to the GRP® "Tour des Monts de Vaucluse" (yellow and red markings).

(1) Follow this GRP® to the left, ignoring the Sentier de Découverte trail that starts on the left shortly afterwards. When you reach a crossroads, note the distinctive marker indicating the direction of "Mur de la Peste"; continue to the right, passing through abundant heathers and oak groves, until you reach the GRP® "Autour du Luberon et des Monts de Vaucluse" on the right at Chante-Perdrix. Leave this GRP® and continue north-east to reach the Cabrières tourist road. Cross it to arrive opposite the Bourbourin car park. Stele in memory of the Maquisards and directional sign (yellow markers).

(2) Follow the road downhill for a few metres, then leave it and take the path that leads straight ahead to the north, under the scattered pine trees. Take the path on the left that runs alongside the road, turning west, until you reach a path on the right that climbs northwards. Follow it to reach the "La tête du Soldat" path. Turn right until you reach the PR® (yellow markings) which starts on the left.

(3) Take this path, which climbs very slightly to the Esperacons crossroads (signpost).

(4) Continue straight ahead on this path, which descends quite steeply for 300 metres through the cedars, until you meet the GRP® "Autour du Luberon et des Monts de Vaucluse" (red and yellow markings) again.

(5) This trail descends gently to the left for about 700 m through a sparse forest of deciduous trees and pines, with a few streams flowing in places. Ignore a trail that branches off to the left and continue to the Gordes tourist road.

(6) Immediately turn right onto this interrupted path, which runs alongside the road, crosses another path and arrives at Font de L'Oule at an altitude of 114 metres.

(7) Take the first path on the right which climbs northwards, veers left to join a parallel path and turns sharply north-west into the Vallon de la Fontaine, first climbing then levelling out and finally descending to arrive at the rear of the Château des Évêques (altitude: 136 m).

(8) With great caution (danger!), it is possible to walk around the inner courtyard of what remains of the castle. There are beautiful panoramic views of the "Fontaine" (de Vaucluse) which has its source higher up and flows under the name "Sorgue de Velleron".
Leaving the castle, turn right onto the only path and carefully begin the descent down several successive levels, sometimes equipped with metal ladders, until you reach a tarmac road and narrow streets that wind their way between small, very typical houses, until you reach the Route de Cavaillon at the bottom.
Turn right and cross the bridge over the Sorgue to the roundabout, then immediately turn left onto Rue des Bourgades and continue to the end. Follow a small stream to the "Descente de la Cristallerie", which you climb until it joins Avenue Robert Garcin. Continue along this road, which turns left, until you reach a car park. Cross the car park to reach the right bank of the Sorgue, which offers many places to stop and picnic by the water, while enjoying the peace and quiet of the area and the many birds (ducks, robins, tits, sparrows, etc.) in search of food, which will not hesitate to approach you.

(9) Continue westwards, leaving the bank of the Sorgue behind you, go around it on the left and, opposite the "Vallat des Baumes Noires", take the footbridge, just for a return trip. Continue along the Sorgue and pass through a swing gate to rejoin the road, which you follow for a few metres until you reach one of the aqueduct's supports.

(10) Access the Carpentras Canal, which flows at the top of the aqueduct, via a small path and a turnstile that only allows one person to pass at a time. Cross the aqueduct with caution, especially if the Mistral wind is blowing, and admire the panoramic views, with the Sorgue de Velleron river far below. Then continue along the canal until you reach the path that crosses it on the left, go around it and head south-east, passing a first and then a second path on your left to reach the Bondelon path. Follow this path to the left until you reach the Oppidum de Bondelon (altitude: 181 m). You can walk all the way around this oppidum (private property).

(11) Continue along this path heading east to reach the junction with the GRP® "Tour des Monts de Vaucluse" (altitude: 205 m).

(12) Then head south on this GRP®. Pass the Bastide Rouge on your left, then the Mastres property on your right (there are numerous paths just before this, leading towards Les Baumes) and arrive via a very stony path at the Cabrières tourist road (cross). Take this road on the right for about a hundred metres and turn right to reach the Chemin du Réservoir, which climbs and then flattens out to end in front of the Château de Lagnes.

(13) A stroll through the village streets takes you along the rear walls of the château and past the post office. Immediately turn left to go up Rue Montante, then take Chemin des Groubelles on the right until you reach the entrance gate to the open-air theatre. Cross to the left side. A few steep steps will take you to the top of Groubelle hill (cross), where you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the village.

(14) The descent to the centre of Lagnes is via the path that continues south-west and crosses Place Batailler with its "Vieux Lavoir" (old wash house) on the right. Return to Rue Montante, which you descend this time on the left, then continue along Rue de la République to the town hall (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 114 m - Town hall square
  2. 1 : km 0.6 - alt. 161 m - Les Esperelles
  3. 2 : km 2.28 - alt. 232 m - Bourbourin (car park and commemorative stele)
  4. 3 : km 3.51 - alt. 279 m - Tête du Soldat (fork in the road)
  5. 4 : km 4.46 - alt. 323 m - Les Esperacons
  6. 5 : km 4.76 - alt. 268 m - GRP Luberon-Mont de Vaucluse
  7. 6 : km 5.63 - alt. 158 m - GRP-Route de Gordes meeting
  8. 7 : km 6.24 - alt. 117 m - Font de l'Oule
  9. 8 : km 7.48 - alt. 140 m - Bishops' Castle
  10. 9 : km 8.76 - alt. 74 m - Rest stop on the banks of the Sorgue
  11. 10 : km 9.64 - alt. 71 m - Aqueduct of the - Canal de Carpentras
  12. 11 : km 10.88 - alt. 185 m - Bondelon (oppidum)
  13. 12 : km 11.44 - alt. 207 m - Fork in the GRP Tour des Monts de Vaucluse
  14. 13 : km 13.35 - alt. 141 m - Lagnes Castle
  15. 14 : km 13.97 - alt. 153 m - Summit of Groubelle (Oratory - panorama)
  16. S/E : km 14.54 - alt. 114 m - Town hall square

Worth a visit

Château des Évêques.
Panoramic views of Fontaine de Vaucluse and the Sorgue.
Carpentras Canal Aqueduct
Lagnes with its castle tower and typical narrow streets.
Summit of Les Groubelles (panoramic view of Lagnes).

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
tracésrandos
tracésrandos

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Attention! A new sign at the entrance on both sides of the aqueduct prohibits passage.

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rando843063
rando843063

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike. The descent between points four and five is a little difficult. The descent after the castle is also a little steep. This hike is closer to 16 km and 500 m of elevation gain. It was a very beautiful route with beautiful views. Very easy to follow with the app. I highly recommend this hike.

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bernard coulomb
bernard coulomb

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Two villages worth seeing, connected by two forest trails; an impressive engineering structure (aqueduct and canal) and numerous bee orchids in a small meadow just before Lagnes.
No problem following the route with GPX.

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gegemft
gegemft

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike offering easy access to the village of Fontaine de Vaucluse, especially during the festive season. This route allows you to discover a beautiful aspect of the hills surrounding Lagnes. The wooded sections are very pleasant and welcome in hot weather. The terrain varies throughout the route. The path is no longer restricted after point 7. Take care after passing the aqueduct, as tree felling has obscured the main path. There is a beautiful view of La Sorgues and the village of Fontaine de Vaucluse from the Château des Evêques. Great memories.

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julielealudovic
julielealudovic

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Access is prohibited at point 7 due to rockfall and unstable ground. Town hall decree of 5 May 2024. Otherwise, a very beautiful walk.

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patrick.bormann
patrick.bormann

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route with many varied points of interest. The climbs are easy, but the route has two slightly difficult descents, between WP 4 and 5 and the descent from the bishops' castle. It is best not to take this route after rain, as the stones can become slippery.
We had a little trouble finding the path up to the aqueduct; we went into the scrub too early; it actually starts opposite the Hotel du Moulin.
Thanks to the author of this hike.

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fernandez
fernandez

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike

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Alain5130
Alain5130

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful, varied walk with lovely views.

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Peniche16
Peniche16

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Rocks on the descent between checkpoints 3 and 6 can become very slippery when wet.
Beautiful hike.

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gerard52
gerard52

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely walk in beautiful weather.

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capelle brigitte
capelle brigitte

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this varied hike with its many points of interest that we did yesterday with strong winds on the viaduct, but that added spice to the walk.
Just a small suggestion: we could have pushed on to the resurgence, but that would have lengthened the hike. Shortening it accordingly should be possible while retaining all its appeal.
The green trails of Coudoux

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