Book a room Buy wine

THE TOP 10 WALKS AROUND THE ESTATE

26 August 2021 Tips and tricks

A dream location to discover Provence

The Luberon is above all a massif with luxuriant vegetation and exceptional fauna, which have earned it the status of Regional Natural Park and, since 1997, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is also a land of wines.

Facing the Petit Luberon, on the last foothills of the Monts du Vaucluse, on the road leading from Avignon to Apt, the Domaine des Peyre is ideally located because of its proximity to the most remarkable sites of the region and its ease of access. The Domaine is surrounded by the most famous perched villages of Provence: among others Oppède le Vieux, Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Ménerbes, Maubec, Lacoste… It is also less than an hour away from Arles, the Roman city, the Camargue, Saint Rémy de Provence, Les Baux de Provence, Mont Ventoux, Marseille, Aix en Provence, Vaison la Romaine, Avignon, so many exotic destinations that smell of the South.

Many other activities: horse riding (lessons on site for adults or pony riding for the youngest), cycling (access to the cycle route linking Cavaillon to Apt is 200 m from the estate) on horseback or donkey rides in the Provençal countryside, hiking, tree climbing, cycling, tennis, canoeing/kayaking and fishing in the Sorgue river, and golf courses set in a superb environment, offering excellent courses for green fees at very reasonable rates

Here are some good ideas to keep you busy during your stay at the Domaine des Peyre… and to make every day a celebration!

1 – THE ABBEY OF SENANQUE

Since 1148, this Cistercian monastery, still in activity, is the ideal place to discover the life of the monks. Today, in the heart of the lavender fields, they lead a monastic life just a few minutes from Gordes.

2 – THE MONT VENTOUX

By bike for the most athletic… by car for the others… At 1912 m of altitude, the mountain nicknamed “Giant of Provence” remains a myth for all the cycling enthusiasts who come in great numbers to try to climb it by bike, on a hike.

3 – THE OCRE

A total change of scenery is guaranteed, and it’s a must to do with the children… between Rustrel, Gargas and Roussillon, you’ll think you’re in Colorado thanks to the ochre, a natural pigment present in the earth. From bright red to saffron yellow, the ochre changes shade due to the sunlight, creating landscapes with incredible colours. Take the time to walk the ochre trails in Roussillon, discover the Provençal Colorado, and descend into the ochre mines of Broux with their impressive galleries.

– Ochre Conservatory in Roussillon

– The Bruoux mines in Gargas

– Ochre trail in Roussillon

– Colorado Provençal in Rustrel

4 – THE LAVENDER FIELDS

From mid-June to the end of July, the Luberon is nothing but a field of lavender! What to make magnificent photos and bring back bewitching smells in its luggage.

Don’t be confused… Lavender grows at an altitude of between 500 m and 1700 m, and is the best for the quality of its essential oil, whereas lavandin, the most productive and most cultivated species, grows between 0 and 600 m. It gives lavender essential oil after distillation. It can be found just about everywhere: perfumery, cleaning products, but also in pharmacies because of its medicinal properties. It also has its place in the kitchen! And because bees love to feed on it, many beekeepers in the Luberon produce very good lavender honey. To enjoy the most beautiful lavender fields in the Luberon, get lost between Bonnieux, Buoux and especially Sault.

5 – THE MOURRE NÈGRE

To be reserved for sportsmen… An ascent of almost 600m in altitude! With its 1125 m height, the Mourre Nègre is the highest point of the Luberon: on foot, follow the GR92; by mountain bike, take the track from Auribeau and Lourmarin. On a clear day, you can see the Southern Alps, the Durance valley and the Ste Victoire, the Alpilles, the Mediterranean Sea and the Mont Ventoux… an extraordinary 360° view!

6 -VILLAGE OF THE BORIES – GORDES

Sheepfolds, bread ovens, wine vats, alleys, enclosures, houses… abandoned 150 years ago, built in dry stone, without mortar, these Bories, also called “Gallic huts”, date back to the Ligures, who populated the region several centuries before our era.

Les savournins

84220 Gordes

Tel. 04 90 72 03 48

All year round from 9am.

Price: 6 € adults and 4 € children

7 –  GORDES CASTLE

Built in 1525, this castle offers a breathtaking view of the Luberon and the surrounding hilltop villages. Many exhibitions on artists who lived in Gordes (Chagall and Vasarely for example…)

8 – THE PANORAMIC ROUTE

Want to dominate the landscape? From Gordes, Oppède le vieux, Lauris, Les Taillades, Cavaillon or behind the estate at the top of the D100 between Cabrières d’Avignon and Lagnes: several routes on foot or by car. (Information Office Tour

9 – THE CEDAR FOREST

Between the communes of Bonnieux, Lacoste and Ménerbes, a cedar forest of about 250 hectares of cedars sown from 1861 with seeds collected in the Algerian Middle Atlas. Numerous rare and protected plant species.

10 – THE CLIFFS OF BUOUX

To be tried for the most athletic… In the commune of Buoux, in the hollow of the Vallon de l’Aiguebrun, these superb straight walls from 30 to 120 m high are the rendezvous of the great names in climbing.