The Luberon
Hill villages such as Gordes and Roussillon, set on slopes above valleys of vineyards and lavender in Provence.
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The Luberon is a mountain range and regional natural park in Vaucluse, in southeastern France, between Avignon and Aix-en-Provence. Its hill villages, including Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux and Lacoste, sit on the slopes and ridges above the valleys. Roussillon's cliffs and old quarries show the ochre that gives the area its color, and the stone houses and churches above the valleys are the main reason visitors come. Apt is the largest town in the range and holds a market on Saturdays.
Most trips here are slow: village walks, long lunches, morning markets and drives on quiet roads past lavender fields and orchards. The region suits drivers, couples and anyone who wants several days in one or two bases. Spring and early fall are mild. Lavender blooms in early summer, while July and August bring heat. Plan at least three nights, and four or five if you want to see both sides of the range. Buses between villages are sparse, so a car makes getting around much easier.
The Luberon in five
- Rent a carVillages like Gordes, Roussillon and Bonnieux have no useful train link. Pick up at Avignon or Marseille and allow for slow roads.
- Go on market dayApt's Saturday morning market is among the best known, and many villages hold weekly markets. Check the tourist office for days.
- Know when lavender bloomsLavender usually blooms from late June to July, but timing varies with the year. Plan flexible dates if it is the goal.Provence
- Book popular villages earlyGordes and Roussillon fill with day-trippers. Arrive before 10am or in the evening, and avoid Sunday afternoons.
Things to do in The Luberon
See all attractions in The Luberon
Need to know
- Airport
- Marseille Provence (MRS) or Avignon train station
- Getting there
- TGV to Avignon, then car or taxi
- Getting around
- Car; limited buses
- Best base
- A village near Bonnieux or Lourmarin
- Time needed
- 2–4 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear7 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Cool, quietJanuaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- FebruaryClear7 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Cool, quietFebruaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°Mild, springMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°Spring greenAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring green
- MayClear10 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°WarmMayClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- JuneClear5 rainy daysHigh28°Low18°Warm, lavender soonJuneClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, lavender soon
- JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh32°Low20°Hot, lavenderJulyClear
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, lavender
- AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh31°Low20°Hot, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh26°Low17°Warm, calmSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- OctoberClear8 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Fall colorOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Cool, quietNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- DecemberClear8 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Cold, quietDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
Average daily high and low in Luberon, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in The Luberon
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
10
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 63%
- Wind
- 19 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
The Luberon
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today10°4°0%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue14°5°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed11°8°75%Wednesday: Rain. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 75%.
- Thu12°9°92%Thursday: Rain. High 12°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Fri10°7°93%Friday: Rain. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Sat12°3°16%Saturday: Rain. High 12°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Sun10°8°42%Sunday: Rain. High 10°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 42%.
Updated 05:52 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jun–JulAix-en-Provence FestivalAix-en-Provence, a day trip
- JulFestival d'AvignonAvignon, a day trip
- Jul–AugChorégies d'OrangeAvignon, a day trip
Before you go to The Luberon
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Rules for The Luberon, checked
- Non-EU visitors should check whether their passport needs a Schengen visa or a travel authorisation before flying. Check france-visas.gouv.fr.Source
- Tipping is not expected. Service is included in restaurant bills, and rounding up a few euros is the usual gesture.
- Carry your passport or national ID card at all times, since police can ask for identity papers anywhere in France.
- Dial 112 for any emergency in France. For a doctor or ambulance, dial 15 (SAMU).
- Customs rules limit meat, dairy and plant products brought in from outside the EU. Declare anything you are unsure of at the border.
Plan around The Luberon
The papal city and the usual gateway
Read the guideAix-en-Provence guideFountains and cafés to the south
Read the guideArles travel guideRoman ruins and Van Gogh, west
Read the guideProvence travel guideRegion overview with seasons
Read the guideGorges du VerdonA big canyon to add by car
Read the guideAll of FranceRegions, trains, entry rules and money for a France trip
Read the guideThe Luberon FAQ
Is the Luberon worth visiting?
Yes for hill villages, markets and quiet roads. It is a driving region, and summer weekends are busy.
How many days do you need in the Luberon?
Two days for the main villages. Four days if you want walks, markets and one or two longer drives.
Do you need a car in the Luberon?
Almost always. A few buses run, but they are slow and do not reach most sights.
When is the lavender in the Luberon?
Usually late June to July, but timing varies. Plateau de Valensole and Sault are more famous lavender areas nearby.
Where should I stay in the Luberon?
In a village near Bonnieux, Lourmarin or Gordes for mid-region access. Book early for summer.