Simiane-la-Rotonde walks

From the pretty hilltop village of Simiane-la-Rotonde, a route through coppiced woodland with lovely views to the east, south beyond the Grand Luberon, and north on the return journey from the summit of the Espéron.

This short circular route, starting from the medieval village of Simiane-la-Rotonde, will take you through pretty holm oak forests and along lavender fields. You will pass by old dry stone sheepfolds (or jas) and the ruins of three mills. At the end of the hike, you can visit the Rotonde and lose yourself in the narrow streets of the old village. As a bonus, you will have beautiful, unobstructed views of the Albion plateau, the Lure Mountain and even the Alps.

This fifth stage takes you on a journey of discovery through the splendid Gorges d’Oppedette and, once past the Chapelle Saint Ferréol, visits the remarkable medieval village of Viens with its maze of narrow streets marked by the passage of centuries, before crossing the gleaming ochre landscapes of the Colorado de Rustrel, notable for its canyon-like scenery and fairy chimneys reminiscent of John Ford’s Westerns. The route reaches the hilltop village of Villars before continuing on to Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt.

A beautiful loop around the Calavon Gorges from the village of Oppedette.

Discover the villages of Oppedette and Vachères, the Saut du Moine waterfall, and sweeping panoramic views of the Luberon, the Alps...

Wild and difficult to access gorges, between 150 and 200m deep, very narrow in places, only a few metres wide. The descent of the Karstic Cave is very well equipped but tricky to navigate.

A lovely, pleasant circular walk at the end of June as the lavender is in bloom and the temperature doesn’t get too high due to the altitude. Only the end of the walk is a little steeper in the Vallon des Jardins, up to Les Esfourniaux. The beauty of the vegetation (rowan, plum, dogwood, etc.) will quickly make you forget the effort involved.

A walk in the Luberon that includes a visit to the beautiful village of Viens, some of its hamlets and chapels. Views of the ochre cliffs of Rustrel and Gignac, beautiful trails and forest passages. Geological curiosities (slab with footprints).

The hike begins with a visit to the Colorado Provençal Belvédères trail (pedestrian rate), a listed site managed by the Colorado de Rustrel Association, and continues with a tour of the Colorado via the ridges (GR®) to discover views of other ochre quarries. The hike reveals all the nuances of ochre colours in these former open-air quarries.Please note! The Mille Couleurs car park is reserved exclusively for visitors to the two marked trails managed by the Colorado de Rustrel Association for a limited period of approximately 3 hours. If you wish to hike the Tour du Colorado via the ridges, you must park in the village and pay the pedestrian entrance fee for the Belvédères trail.

The hike reveals all the nuances of ochre colours in these former open-air quarries. Paid parking, giving access to the trails to all occupants of the vehicle. There is a pedestrian rate, if you do not use the car park, which allows you to obtain the leaflet with the map, the history of the site and the code for the mobile discovery app. Please note that the Milles Couleurs car park (paid) is only accessible to visitors to the two marked trails managed by the Colorado Association of Rustrel.

La Grand Montagne overlooks Rustrel from a height of around 650 m. The army built several tunnels there, which are now used as the Bas Bruit Underground Laboratory. This walk takes you on a grand tour of these hidden treasures, offering stunning views of the Luberon mountain range, the Apt plain, its vineyards, lavender and olive groves, and, of course, the many ochre quarries stretching from Gignac to Roussillon.

A beautiful walk in the hills above Rustrel offering magnificent views of the Colorado Provençal.

Start the walk with a visit to the unmissable Colorado Provençal, then take a stroll through the hills in the triangle formed by the villages of Rustrel, Gignac and Caseneuve to admire the lavender fields and enjoy a beautiful view of the imposing Château de Caseneuve and the Grand Lubéron.This walk is a less tarmac-heavy alternative to the ‘Visit and Tour of the Colorado Provençal via the Ridges’ (official route)Best done early in the morning, in summer and in fine weather to make the most of the colours of the ochre cliffs and the lavender.

A short, easy 2-hour walk starting from Viens in the Luberon. Beautiful views of the Luberon geological reserve.

A beautiful hike that will allow you to discover the surroundings of Rustrel's Colorado.