The Luberon region of Provence offers an enchanting blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and authentic French village life that captivates visitors year-round. This UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve encompasses rugged limestone mountains, gently rolling hills, lush woodlands, verdant valleys, and more than 70 communities scattered throughout a patchwork of lavender fields, vineyards, and olive groves. The area is renowned for its spectacular perched medieval villages like Gordes, often referred to as one of the most beautiful villages in France, and the famous ochre-colored village of Roussillon, where you can explore the vibrant orange landscape on the ocher trail (Le Sentier des Ocres).
Outdoor enthusiasts can explore over 1900 miles of marked walking trails in the department of the Vaucluse or cycle the 236 km “Around the Luberon by bike” circuit that connects perched villages, local products, and stunning landscapes. Cultural attractions include the atmospheric Notre-Dame de Sénanque Abbey surrounded by lavender fields, Renaissance châteaux like Lourmarin, and unique geological wonders such as the Colorado Provençal with its otherworldly red rock formations.
The region also offers exceptional gastronomy, from Michelin-starred restaurants to local specialties like Cavaillon melons and prized black truffles, complemented by world-class wines from local vineyards, making it a perfect destination for those seeking to experience the authentic lifestyle and natural splendor of Provence.
The Luberon region offers exceptional opportunities for herbalists to deepen their knowledge through hands-on field experiences and specialized workshops. The Lavender Museum in Coustellet, housed in a traditional Provençal farmhouse, offers workshops, activities, and exclusive events for lavender enthusiasts, including sensory workshops and distillation demonstrations. Visitors can experience traditional lavender distillation processes and learn about the medicinal virtues of true Provence lavender. Several authentic distilleries provide immersive experiences, including Les Agnels near Apt, where the family has operated for generations, offering guided farm visits and sales of essential oils and lavender products, and specialized workshops ranging from introductory sessions to professional training courses for those wanting to learn more about aromatherapy.
For botanical foraging and wild plant studies, the Luberon area offers specialist-interest trails where visitors learn about past and present wild plant picking traditions around the Pays de Forcalquier and Lure mountain, including botanical walks at Les Graves, Abbaye Notre-Dame-de-Lure and Les Crêtes de Lure. Guided foraging tours in the Luberon National Park teach participants about wild herbs and plants in natural landscapes, while aromatic guided tours at farms in Lourmarin offer walks through hills and fields to discover traditional “little Provence herbs” rich in culinary and medicinal traditions.
The region features several specialized botanical gardens and educational centers. The Jardin Conservatoire des Plantes Tinctoriales in Lauris is entirely dedicated to dyeing plants and is unique in Europe.
Our Special Offer
We also offer exclusive retreats focusing on traditional European herbalism, including veterinary herbalism, which feature traditional lavender distillation experiences using our own homegrown lavender. We offer workshops in herbal energetics, foundations of herbalism, veterinary herbalism, TCM and spagyrics, as well as hands-on salve and lotion making using our homegrown and self-produced olive oil. We also offer creative workshops centering around combining plants and art. These experiences provide herbalists and aromatherapists with authentic, hands-on learning opportunities in the very landscapes where these herbal and aromatic traditions originated and continue to thrive today.
Places to Visit
Le Musée de la Lavande in Coustellet
Settle into a charming stone farmhouse just minutes from Gordes, where the Musée de la Lavande invites you into the olfactory and cultural heart of Provence. Founded in 1991 by lavender expert Georges Lincelé, this vivid conservatory showcases 346 artisan objects; copper stills, farming tools, antique labels, that weave the story of true Provencal lavender, Lavandula officinalis. Enjoy immersive audio-guided or themed visits, hands-on distillation and sensory workshops, and botanical exhibitions woven into fragrant gardens of olive trees and pines. Here, lavender is more than a scent, it’s living heritage, shared with warmth and purpose.
Lavender Field Visit (June – early July)
Notre-Dame de Sénanque
Nestled in a quiet valley near Gordes, the Abbey of Sénanque has stood since the 12th century as a haven of peace and simplicity. Each summer, the stone walls are framed by waves of lavender, creating one of Provence’s most unforgettable landscapes. Still home to a small community of Cistercian monks, the abbey embodies a rhythm of life devoted to prayer, work, and harmony with nature. Its austere Romanesque architecture and serene setting invite visitors to pause, reflect, and feel the timeless spirit of Provence.
Lavender Festival in Sault
Each year on August 15, Sault rises in a fragrant celebration of lavender beneath Mont Ventoux. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., a lively procession threads through the streets, followed by professional and amateur lavender-cutting competitions set in the shade of historic oaks on the Deffends racecourse. Dressed in traditional costume, Provençal folk groups, tambourine bands, and decorated floats drift through the fields, while markets brim with lavender products, local delights, artisan crafts, books, and paintings. A festive country-style lunch gathers guests at midday, and the day culminates in a concert beneath the Provençal sky.
Canoë Évasion on the Sorgue
Set off from Fontaine-de-Vaucluse aboard a canoe, and drift gently along the emerald waters of the Sorgue toward L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. With a life jacket, paddle, and waterproof canister in hand, your journey unfolds under the dappled light of riverside willows. The two-hour descent, accompanied by expert guides and punctuated by a refreshing swim in the the Sorgue, combines simplicity with serenity, as the river reveals the tranquil beauty of Provence. At journey’s end, a lively bus ride, complete with music and laughter, returns you to the starting point. With the icy 13°C water of the Sorgue, this is the perfect outing on a hot Provençal day. https://www.canoe-evasion.com/en/home/
La Grotte de Thouzon
Near the village of Le Thor lies the magical Grotte de Thouzon, also called the Grotte aux Fées. Discovered in 1902, it is the only natural cave in Provence open to visitors. A guided walk leads you deep into a cool, crystalline world where time has shaped delicate stalactites, shimmering draperies, and ancient riverbeds over millions of years. The steady 13 °C air and soft lighting create a hushed, otherworldly atmosphere. Just 45 minutes underground, this hidden treasure invites you to slow down, marvel at nature’s artistry, and experience the quiet mystery beneath the hills of Provence.
