Covering two departments, Vaucluse and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, the Luberon Regional Nature Park possesses an exceptional natural heritage. This has earned it the status of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Global Geopark. Enjoy the diversity of the landscapes which alternate between garrigue scrubland, forests (which cover more than half of the park), oak woods, plains, hills, vineyards, orchards and rocky areas such as the Petit Luberon and the Vaucluse mountains. The canyons and rock faces here are a favourite habitat for birds of prey. In the Grand Luberon, the Mourre Nègre is the park's highest point with an altitude of 1,125 metres. Hikers love it and you can enjoy an exceptional view over the whole of Provence from the top.
This unspoilt area is ideal for walks and has discovery trails with information signs about nature and heritage. If you're a cycling enthusiast, "Around the Luberon by Bike" ("Autour du Luberon à vélo") is an itinerary of 236 kilometres on signposted roads to explore all the splendours of the destination. Canoeing, climbing, mountain biking, horse-riding, paragliding and caving are just some of the many activities offering various ways to explore the Luberon. The Park House (Maison du Parc) in Apt can provide all the information you need for your visit. And if you're near Manosque, the House of Biodiversity (Maison de la Biodiversité) has a lovely repository orchard with over 400 varieties of fruit trees.
The Luberon Regional Nature Park is home to a wide variety of animal and plant species. There are 270 vertebrate animal species such as marmots, deer, eagle owls, Bonelli's eagles, Egyptian vultures, warblers, bluebirds and ocellated lizards. The flora is also very varied with over 1,800 plant species.
During your days out in the Luberon, you can admire many traces of the past by strolling around the picturesque hillside villages such as Gordes, Ménerbes, Roussillon or Simiane-la-Rotonde. Admire the ancient built heritage of these charming sites, then contemplate the chapels, castles, aristocratic bastides and dovecotes along your path. Dry stone huts known as bories are also part of this remarkable legacy and can be seen as you explore the hiking paths. Don't miss the spectacular landscapes like the ochre cliffs of Roussillon or the Provençal Colorado of Rustrel. They're truly enchanting!
