Vallon de l’Aiguebrun : Provence’s coolest spot
This shaded trail runs alongside the rocky and narrow valley floor filled with lush vegetation. Even in summer, on very hot days, you can follow this route that have been followed for 50,000 years. The Aiguebrun River is home to several rock shelters and caves that were inhabited successively by Neanderthals and the Cro-Magnon men. It is today the only permanent river in the Luberon mountains. The Auberge des Seguins, nestled at the foot of impressive cliffs, famous for climbers, is a fabulous place to quench your thirst with a drink or savour a good meal.
Walking time : from 2 to 3 hours (point-to-point walk)
Rating : leisurely
Season calendar : year-round (summer : morning only).
Allowed even on high fire risk days (closed only in case of exceptional risk).
The Gorges de Régalon : a little bit of everything
Come and discover a spectacularly narrow canyon, very special for its cool air and luxuriant vegetation. The Gorges de Régalon have been incised through the limestone plateau that forms the southern slope of the Petit Luberon. This amazing site is definitely not for the claustrophobics : at one point, the canyon walls are so close and the corridor so narrow that you need to take off your backpack and rotate your shoulders to move forward! On the contrary, at the head of the gorge, the trail is wider, and view opens in full light over bright limestone cliffs, as the typical Mediterranean pines and evergreen shrubs cover the hills around : a striking contrast.
Walking time : 3 hours
Rating : moderate
Season calendar : year-round (summer : morning only).
The gorgeous vista from the ridge of Montagne de Lure
Starting from a mini ski resort located on the south slope of Montagne de Lure, peaking at 1,826 meters (6,000 feet), this route takes you through a mixed forest of beech and fir, up to the ridge. From this spot, the landscape opens up onto the valley on the other side and onto a large number of Alpine summits, on the horizon : from the Vercors to the northwest, to the mountains dominating the Gorges du Verdon to the southeast. And if you are lucky, you may also enjoy seeing some of the chamois, agile mountain goats, that live on the steep and stoney north-facing slopes of the range.
Walking time : 2.5 hours
Rating : moderate
Season calendar : year-round (summer : morning only).
The Sainte-Baume forest : a botanical
and spiritual site of high interest
Come and discover this unique forest in France, located in the Sainte-Baume mountains near Marseille. Its shady north slope hosts a magnificent broadleaf forest where yew stands. From a botanical point of view, it is exceptional in Mediterranean conditions at such a low altitude (below 1,000 meters) for two reasons ; the first one is that can be found quite unexpected species of trees : beech, maple and yew; the second one is the impressive age and size of hundreds of them. The spiritual importance of this forest probably explains this second feature : as a place of worship, firstly under Celtic religion, then under Catholic beliefs, this forest has been protected by populations for millenia.
Walking time : 3 hours
Rating : moderate
Season calendar : year-round (summer : morning only).