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Green escapes in Apt at the Castel Luberon hotel
The unspoilt nature of the Luberon
Do you dream of a change of scenery, family adventures and constant wonder? You've come to the right place. The Luberon offers you on a platter a palette of colors flavored with the thousand scents of Provence. Mineral, animal or vegetable, beauty is everywhere. Come and lose yourself in the ochre quarries, watch the birds or relax in the remarkable gardens.
The Luberon or the Ochre region
Admit it, you've always dreamed of playing Apache. Now's the time: get out your best headdress, we'll provide the decor and make-up.
The Ochre region, nicknamed the Colorado of Provence, is an immense quarry shaped by erosion and man. The result is breathtaking: colorful cliffs in a cameo of yellows and reds.
The Colorado of Provence
Finding the trail is easy: just head for Roussillon and follow the trail of dirty little children, their sneakers covered in orange sand and their faces embellished with war paint.
Ochre has been used since prehistoric times, but it was in the late 18th century that the exploitation of this precious pigment saved the economy of the Vaucluse region.
The Massif des Ocres stretches over 25 km in the northern Luberon. You can visit
- the Provencal Colorado at Rustrel
- the Ochre Trail in Roussillon
- the Bruoux Mines at Gargas: guided tours only.
You'll be captivated by these lunar landscapes, and may even succumb to the urge to go barefoot.
The garden at Valsaintes Abbey
Situated on an ancient oppidum, this garden lives on thanks to passionate gardeners who have gradually shaped it into an enchanting place. Their practices are 100% natural, and their plants are pampered with guaranteed chemical-free care. Among the wonders of this extraordinary garden :
- 300 varieties of roses
- a permaculture vegetable garden
- a dry garden with 250 plant species
- a remarkable 300-year-old tree
- Gregorian chant in the adjoining church
The citadel's botanical garden
On the heights of Ménerbes, in the gardens of the Citadelle, 6 18th-century restanques have been laid out to create this veritable museum of scents. In the heart of this 5-hectare park, come and take in the scents:
- medicinal plants
- aromatic plants
- wild edible plants
- magical herbs!
We won't tell you anything about the viewpoint - we'll let you find out for yourself!
Birdwatching
Look up: over 200 species of birds are watching you! The varied landscape and flora of the Parc naturel régional du Luberon is an ideal setting for all kinds of birds, both sedentary and migratory.
The Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux guides you on a day of discovery and introduction to ornithology. Come and discover: Bonelli's eagle, Egyptian vulture, golden eagle... and 197 other species!
Discover the cedar forest
An unusual forest in the heart of the Luberon: a forest of cedars from the Middle Atlas, planted in the 19th century to counter deforestation. Two centuries and a few twists and turns later, it is now the largest cedar forest in Europe: 250 hectares spread over 3 communes: Lacoste, Ménerbes and Bonnieux. All perched at an altitude of 700 metres.
