The hilltop villages of the Luberon by bike by Oppède-le-Vieux

You drive on small country roads along landscapes of vineyards, olive trees and cherry orchards while staying in the charming hilltop village of Oppede-le-Vieux. Finally at Sle-sur-la-Sorgue - the Venice of Provence - and its famous Sunday market.

On the program:

Day 1: Cherry orchards and hilltop villages
Distance: 40 km /Elevation difference: + 650m - 650m - Isle-sur-la-Sorgue > Pernes-les-Fontaines > Venasque > Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

Meet in the morning at the hotel in l'Isle sur la Sorgue.

You ride a bike in the Pays des Sorgues, a garden of Provence bordered by cypresses and lonely farmhouses to Pernes-les-Fontaines. Visit this historic capital of Comtat Venaissin, with its 40 fountains, Romanesque church and mansions.

Continue towards the perched village of Venasque - a medieval city classified among the “Most Beautiful Villages of France” - with its magnificent baptistery. On the road lined with thyme and rosemary, country of cherries and muscat of Ventoux, you meet the small hamlet of Beaucet which nestles in the rock under the remains of the castle, then the small village of La Roque. Through pine forests and combes, descent to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Overnight in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.

Market Thursday and Sunday (large market) morning in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.
Market Wednesday morning in Velleron.
Market on Saturday morning in Pernes-les-Fontaines.

Day 2 - The most beautiful hilltop villages of the Luberon
Distance: 30 km /Elevation difference: + 650m - 550m - Isle-sur-la-Sorgue > Gordes > Roussillon > Oppede-le-Vieux

The day leads you to the most beautiful villages of the Luberon. First Gordes, perched above the Calavon Valley, crowned by its Renaissance castle. Then Roussillon, located on the largest ochre deposit in the world. Its yellow, orange, and red ochres were used to paint the facades of the village houses. Take a stroll through the streets of the village and on the ochre trail! Then Oppede-le-Old, where you settle for the next 2 nights. Overnight in Oppede-le-Vieux.

Market on Thursday morning in Roussillon.

Day 3: Visit of Bonnieux and Menerbes
Distance: 41 km /Elevation gain: + 800m - 800m — Oppede-le-Vieux > Bonnieux > Menerbes > Oppede-le-Vieux

You will discover the hilltop villages so typical of Ménerbes and Bonnieux, along small roads lined with vineyards and plantations of truffle oak and almond trees. Take the time to stroll through the caladated streets of these charming little villages. Overnight in Oppede-le-Vieux.

Day 4: Isle sur la Sorgue
Distance: 25 km /Elevation difference: + 150m - 150m - Oppede-le-Vieux > Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

You cross the fertile plain on the banks of the Durance River, to finish at L'Isle-sur-la Sorgue. End of your trip to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue in the early afternoon.

Return: regular train Isle-sur-la-Sorgue > Avignon, Marseille airport centre with the SNCF.