Walking in the Luberon Roussillon for Coffee

Although we always like to think that every day in Provence is warm and sunny, that isn’t the case. Winter in Provence can mean sunshine & blue skies one day, then heavy snow the next. See the photo of Simiane-La-Rotonde in the snow below.

When I threw open the shutters this morning, it really wasn’t screaming at me to put on my layers of lycra and head out on the bike for a ride, so I threw on my jumper, Jean’s, waterproof coat and walking boots and grabbed the dog-lead instead.

Julie headed out for a winter walk with her dog Millie to the perched village of Roussillon for coffee.

Continue reading here for this wintery contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer. Wintertime (or anytime) there are terrific hikes in the Luberon, here are a few:

Walking Trails in the Luberon

There are many hiking trails throughout Provence, from the moderate Luberon and Alpilles hills to the steeper pitches near Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail. You can also choose to head to the coast either direction (east or west) from Marseille to find some beautiful hikes along the coast, although if you suffer from vertigo, some of these trails could be difficult. The standard hiking rules apply in Provence, as they should anywhere, good shoes, sunscreen, hats, water, a snack and a mobile phone.

Walk from Abbaye de Senanque to Gordes in the Luberon. A trail recommended by the Vaucluse Dreamer. According to Julie, this trail is good fun for dogs too.

Stroll along Mur de la Peste (The Plague Wall), a solid piece of Provence’s history. It was a  two-metre dry stone wall that ran for 27 kilometres. Over 100,000 people (some estimates as high as 126,000) died of the Plague in Provence between 1720 and 1722, including almost 50% of Marseille’s population, some 46,000 inhabitants. Built of dry stone and guarded the Mur de la Peste was to prevent the northern spread of the plague.

Les Gorges de Régalon is located between Cavaillon and Mérindol, in the Luberon. The circuit is only 9km and offers a bit of everything in a three (3) hour hike. The walk starts at the easily accessible parking, where it is free to park, and you may even find a spot in the shade. The first stretch is a walk along a creek bed past a small grove of olive trees. Immediately after the olives, the trail heads straight into the gorge. The direction of the path is evident as the steep canyon walls close-in quickly. There is only one way forward, leaving no choice but to scramble over the rocks to follow the narrow corridor. This hike is not recommended for anyone with claustrophobia and not advisable on a wet day.