National park · France
Luberon Natural ParkParc naturel régional du Luberon
Visit Luberon for a day hike: start at the Gorges de l'Angélie trail early (under 3 h, easy) in spring, or explore the village circuit (3–4 h, moderate) in summer; entry is free, parking fees may apply.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
185 km² (71 sq mi)71 sq mi (185 km²)
approximate
Established
1979
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur ↗TER regional trains cover the coast and the Rhône valley; buy at the station or on the SNCF app. Local trains are delay-prone — leave margin before a TGV or a flight.
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur ↗Several city centres are low-emission zones (ZFE); check your vehicle sticker before driving into Marseille, Nice or Toulon.
- Vaucluse ↗Regional TER tickets cover most train trips; a TER pass may be cheaper if you travel frequently.
- Vaucluse ↗Parking in Luberon villages is limited; use park‑and‑walk or public transport where available.
At a glance
- Country
- France
- Area
- 185 km² (71 sq mi)71 sq mi (185 km²)
- The park spans about 185 km² of limestone hills, vineyards and traditional villages; exact boundaries vary (check).
- Established
- 1979
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- Not needed
Luberon Natural Park in Vaucluse, Provence, protects a low mountain range with limestone cliffs, vineyards, and historic villages, offering extensive walking, cycling and climbing routes while preserving the region's agricultural heritage.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteRegional natural park (Parc naturel régional).
Size and age
185 km² (71 sq mi)71 sq mi (185 km²) · national park since 1979
The park spans about 185 km² of limestone hills, vineyards and traditional villages; exact boundaries vary (check).
Why go
- Hill walks with panoramic views of vineyards and limestone cliffs.
- Cycling routes through quiet villages and the Côtes du Luberon wine area.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, quiet; trails may be damp.
- FebMild, fewer tourists.
- MarEarly spring, wildflowers start.
- AprPleasant weather, blooming.
- MayWarm, dry, ideal for hiking.
- JunDry, long days.
- JulHot, occasional thunderstorms.
- AugPeak heat, fire risk.
- SepWarm, less heat, good for walking.
- OctMild, harvest colours.
- NovCool, fewer crowds.
- DecCold, occasional rain.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean birds (e.g., Bonelli's eagle)Mar–Oct · Check local birdwatching points. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Avignon
Train to Cavaillon (30 min), then bus or taxi to Lourmarin or Apt.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Aix-en-Provence
Car via A51 and D973; about 1 h to Lourmarin.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Marseille
Train to Cavaillon (1 h), then bus or taxi; or drive via A7 and D973.
1.5–2 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Gorges de l'Angélie | Short canyon walk with waterfalls and limestone formations. | Free, parking fee applies. |
| Mont Ventoux ridge | Long ridge hike with panoramic views across Provence. | Free, trailheads reachable by car. |
| Village circuit | Route linking Lourmarin, Bonnieux, and Roussillon. | Free, road access. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the park; specific trailheads may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Free access; no ticket required. |
| Parking (most trailheads) | EUR 2–5 (≈ US$3–6) | vehicle | Pay at machine; coins or card. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Park rules
- Wild camping
- Not allowed; use designated campgrounds only.
- Dogs
- Allowed on leash on trails, except in protected nesting zones (check).check
- Fires
- No open fires; risk of wildfire in summer.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no bins at trailheads.
Where to stay
Near the park
Lourmarin
Boutique hotels and B&Bs within 10 km (6.2 mi) of park entrances.Boutique hotels and B&Bs within 6.2 mi (10 km) of park entrances.
Near the park
Apt
Budget hotels and guesthouses, good base for day hikes.
Safety
Heat in summer medium
Wildfire risk medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main parking areas have paved walkways; steep trails not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned accommodations.
- Use marked trails to protect fragile limestone habitats.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Luberon?
There is no entry fee; only parking fees (≈2–5 EUR per vehicle) at most access points.
What are the best hikes in Luberon?
Gorges de l'Angélie (easy, 2–3 h) and the Mont Ventoux ridge loop (hard, 5–7 h) are popular; many shorter village circuits are also available.
When is the best time to visit Luberon?
Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September–October) offer mild weather and fewer crowds.
Can I camp wild in the park?
No; camping is allowed only in designated campgrounds.
Are dogs allowed on the trails?
Yes, on a leash, except in protected nesting zones.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Luberon Natural Park
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