You don’t want a automotive to benefit from the Luberon villages. On this information, I’ll share the transport choices that do exist, which villages you may attain, good locations to base your self, and some easy itineraries to make planning simpler.
Most individuals assume you want a automotive to see the Luberon — and that is a good assumption as a result of let’s be sincere, a automotive is the simplest technique to go to hilltop villages in France… these winding roads and lavender fields appear like they’re simply begging for drivers.
Even in winter, the Luberon is spectacular ©OffbeatFranceHowever for those who’d slightly not lease a automotive in France, or for those who’re not sure and attempting to resolve, there are different methods to discover the Luberon villages.
It could take a little bit of planning, however it’s completely potential, and I am going to present you the way.
The Luberon, within the coronary heart of Provence, is a panorama of hills and vineyards and stone, dwelling to such well-known villages as Gordes and Roussillon.
It’s joyously rural and unfold out, every tiny enclave set aside, often on a hilltop, so a automotive is useful. However even with out one, a few of its most celebrated spots stay reachable.
The Luberon with no automotive
Transportation across the Luberon has two elements: getting there, and touring round as soon as you have arrived.
Attending to the Luberon France with no automotive
The Luberon doesn’t have its personal high-speed prepare cease, however you will get proper to the sting of the area by prepare.
- Taking the prepare to Avignon is the standard gateway, with high-speed trains from Paris and Lyon
- Aix-en-Provence is one other hub with connections throughout the south
- Cavaillon, proper subsequent to the Luberon, is on the native TER prepare line and helpful for those who’re heading into the hills
From these cities, you may proceed by regional bus to Luberon or join a day tour. (In the event you’re the sort who research maps earlier than touring, think about ordering a Luberon France map that will help you assess distances.)
How you can go to Luberon villages with no automotive
As soon as you have reached the Luberon, there are a number of methods to see essentially the most gorgeous Provence villages with out having a automotive. The choices are bus, biking, a tour or a taxi. Let’s take a look at every.
Visiting the Luberon by bus
The excellent news is that there are buses within the Luberon.
The dangerous information is that they are not very frequent. Some run a few times a day, and are uncommon within the night.
Nonetheless, you may attain a number of locations by bus:
- Apt, a central city with bus connections to native cities and cities
- Cavaillon, linked by bus to some Luberon villages
- Bigger stops like Bonnieux or Gordes, although these routes could also be served solely by one or two buses a day
Listed here are the bus schedules for the Luberon, which you’ll obtain or simply preview on-line. Have a browse and you may see simply how widespread the community is. However as I stated, you may must plan rigorously as a result of some buses are rare.
So sure, you may positively get round a part of the Luberon by bus, even for those who will not be capable of see all of it.
Biking across the Luberon
A favourite type of transportation is biking – simply beware that this can be a hilly space so you may both must be a seasoned bike owner or use an electrical bicycle, or e-bike, which makes the steep rides between villages manageable.
Within the shoulder season, spring and autumn (and winter!) the Luberon’s roads are blissfully empty, aside from the primary highways. Most villages sit on the finish of small, winding roads and plenty of of those see little or no visitors within the off season.
Simply keep away from biking noon in July or August — the Provençal solar exhibits no mercy. And within the shoulder season, keep away from the primary roads at rush hour: individuals who dwell right here drive to cities like Avignon to work, however by 10am, a lot of the visitors is gone.
Rental retailers in Apt, Bonnieux and Cavaillon provide half-day or full-day bicycle leases.
Begin with one thing straightforward, lie the route from Bonnieux to Lacoste, quick however unforgettable, with sweeping views throughout the valley.
Seeing the Luberon with a tour
Most excursions to the Luberon are one-day adventures, and even half a day, however a couple of are longer.
From Avignon or Aix-en-Provence, small teams cowl highlights like Gordes, Roussillon and Ménerbes. Some embody a lavender discipline or a cease at an area market, relying on the season.
It’s not as versatile as driving, but it surely’s stress-free (and you’ll depart the curvy roads to the motive force), whereas arguably seeing greater than you would by yourself.
GUIDED TOURS TO THE LUBERON
If buses and bicycles don’t fairly get you the place you wish to go, guided excursions are the only technique to attain the area’s most well-known villages. Listed here are a couple of solutions:
Or you may take a taxi
They do not fairly work the identical manner as in cities – you may’t simply hail one, you may have to order forward of time. However the worth is not extreme and if there are two or extra of you, it may be downright low cost. You can even lease a taxi by the hour, in case you wish to go to a number of villages in a single day.
Some websites, like this one, will let you reserve on-line and get a quote. Or verify with B & C – they’re primarily based in Lacoste so preferrred for village-hopping.
The very best Luberon villages with no automotive
Whereas some Luberon villages are out of attain until you drive, listed below are my prime decisions for these you may handle with no automotive.
A number of are accessible by bus or prepare, some work nicely as biking locations, and essentially the most well-known are best to go to on a guided tour.
Gordes
Gordes, Luberon – one of many area’s most iconic sights ©OffbeatFranceGordes is essentially the most well-known of the Luberon hill cities, with panoramic views and Renaissance appeal. Sadly, public buses are scarce and unreliable.
Gordes is best to achieve on a guided tour from Aix-en-Provence or day journeys from Avignon.
Roussillon
The village of Roussillon, Luberon – ochre round each nook ©OffbeatFranceRoussillon Luberon is greatest identified for its ochre cliffs and red-toned homes. Like Gordes, bus service is uncommon.
Once more, excursions (like this one from Avignon) are essentially the most sensible technique to see it with out driving. E-bikes from close by Bonnieux or Apt also can get you there for those who’re match.
Bonnieux
Bonnieux is a steep, picturesque village with views of Mont Ventoux, and my favourite base within the Luberon. You possibly can’t use it as a base with no automotive, however you may go to.
Occasional buses do join Bonnieux and Roussillon to Apt and Cavaillon, they do not achieve this steadily so plan accordingly.
A DAY IN BONNIEUX FROM APT
There is a very early bus to Bonnieux from Apt, which comes again round dinnertime. This is what you are able to do in Bonnieux for a day:
- go on a Friday and spend a few hours within the small however pleasant market
- guide a lunch reservation
- wander by the village – it is fairly giant
- stroll by the cedar forest
- stroll all the way down to the roman ruins on the Pont Julien
- lease an ebike and go to close by Lacoste.
Then have dinner again in Apt.
Lacoste
Medieval streets of Lacoste ©OffbeatFranceWell-known for the ruins of the Marquis de Sade’s château, Lacoste is shut sufficient to Bonnieux to go to by bike or taxi. Public transport, then again, is just about non-existent.
Lourmarin
Lourmarin’s pleasant chateau ©OffbeatFranceOn the southern fringe of the Luberon, Lourmarin is uncommon: it has barely higher bus connections, particularly from Aix-en-Provence. This makes it one of many few villages you may attain with out an excessive amount of issue, and likewise occurs to be one in all 5 Luberon villages on the official checklist of the “most lovely villages in France”.
Ménerbes
Trying up at Ménerbes, the village Peter Mayle made well-known ©OffbeatFranceA smaller, quieter village, as soon as dwelling to Peter Mayle of A 12 months in Provence fame. No common buses, so the easiest way right here is once more by tour or by bike from close by bases.
In the event you’re biking, do not miss the Thirteenth-century Abbaye Saint-Hilaire, a small however fascinating monastery only a few kilometers away.
L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
One of many many antiques stalls on Sunday morning in l”isle-sur-la-Sorgue ©OffbeatFranceTechnically simply outdoors the Luberon correct, l’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is commonly included as a result of it is so shut, simply 20 minutes’ drive from Gordes.
It additionally occurs to be on the native TER prepare line from Avignon. In the event you can, time your go to for the Sunday morning antiques flea market, and keep for lunch (however reserve!).
Apt
The city of Apt within the LuberonMuch less glamorous than Gordes or Roussillon however the transport hub of the Luberon, Apt is simple to achieve. You may get right here by regional bus from Avignon or Cavaillon, after which fan out to smaller villages by bike or bus.
The place to base your self with no automotive
That is the massive query. In the event you’re not driving, select your base rigorously as a result of visiting the Luberon with no automotive means spending a little bit of time planning to get round.
Listed here are a number of choices for those who’re planning car-free Provence journey:
- Apt – central, with bike leases and bus hyperlinks
- Cavaillon – not fairly within the Luberon however sensible in order for you rail and bus collectively
- L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue – charming and reachable by prepare from Avignon, however no bus connections to the Luberon
Every of those cities makes it potential to both arrive or keep there car-free and nonetheless dip into the Luberon villages. Though buses aren’t very frequent, my alternative could be Apt, the place you may mix buses with native taxis and biking.
Pattern itineraries with no automotive
Listed here are a couple of concepts for car-free Luberon journeys:
Three days in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue: That is technically not the Luberon, but it surely’s nonetheless value a point out. Use the prepare to achieve L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, cycle to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, and take a bus to Cavaillon. Be sure you embody a Sunday throughout your keep as a result of it is market day, each for conventional market produce and for antiques. You will get to see some villages in Provence, on the sting of the Luberon, and may lease a taxi to go to one of many Luberon villages closest to you want Gordes.
One week in Apt: Base your self in Apt, use the restricted buses the place you may, and lease an e-bike or a taxi to achieve close by cities. You gained’t cowl each nook of the area, however you’ll expertise the very best of Luberon France journey.
The professionals and cons
Like all kind of journey alternative, there are benefits and downsides to touring with no automotive.
Execs
- No stress about driving or parking (particularly in summer season)
- Extra sustainable than hiring a automotive
- A slower tempo, with time to get pleasure from the place you’re
Cons
- Restricted bus service
- Some villages stay unreachable
- You’ll must work round mounted schedules
IF YOU DO DECIDE TO RENT A CAR IN FRANCE…
If after studying all this you resolve you’d slightly lease a automotive, then verify Discovercars to check costs and get the very best rental charges.
FAQ
Spring and autumn are preferrred, with cooler climate, lighter visitors and extra dependable bus companies than in summer season.
A minimum of 3–4 days will allow you to see a handful of villages by bus, bike, or tour with out dashing.
Sure, however you may have to order them prematurely — they are often cost-effective for 2 or extra folks and might be employed by the hour for village-hopping.
No, the area itself has no prepare line. The closest stations are in Avignon, Cavaillon and L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. You possibly can then join by bus.
Earlier than you go…
Visiting the Luberon villages with no automotive means trade-offs.
You might not see each tiny hamlet, however you’ll nonetheless seize the essence of this nook of Provence: ochre cliffs, stone villages, bustling markets, and unforgettable mild.
In the event you’d slightly do much less planning and organizing, guided excursions will assist with the logistics.
And for those who ever change your thoughts about driving, I’ve written a full information to driving in France that can show you how to navigate French roads with confidence.
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