But where is the Luberon on the map of France? A protected forested and mountainous massif, the Luberon is located in the very heart of Provence. Close to major cities, the Luberon enjoys an exceptional and unspoilt setting. Just three hours from Lyon, one hour from Marseille and 45 minutes from Aix en Provence. Take advantage of a central location, between the sea and the mountains!
Situer le Luberon sur des cartes
The Luberon is a Regional Nature Park located in the south-east of France, in the sunny and welcoming region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. The capital of this region is Marseille, known as the second most populous city in France. This popularity is due to its prime geographical location on the map of France, with the Mediterranean Sea, its access to culture, and its climate, all of which offer its population an exceptional quality of life.
Focus on the map of south-eastern France
The P.A.C.A region is made up of six departments: the Alpes de Haut-de-Provence, Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-Maritimes, Bouches-du-Rhône, Var and Vaucluse, where the Luberon is located!
Welcome to the Vaucluse! A French adaptation of Provençal la Vau-cluso, from Latin Vallis Clausa, meaning “the enclosed valley”, from which the Fontaine de Vaucluse takes its name. Thanks to its exceptional climate, ideal location, and must-see tourist sites, Vaucluse is a highly popular destination, attracting over four million visitors every year. With over 300 days of sunshine each year, Vaucluse offers a wide variety of must-see places such as the Cité des Papes in Avignon, Mont Ventoux, and of course the Luberon. Festivals, cultural events, and unique places to discover nature, such as the famous ochre site of the Luberon, the ‘Provençal Colorado’.
Also renowned for its prestigious vineyards (Châteauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, etc.), the department enjoys worldwide acclaim thanks to its wines with remarkable flavours. Its Provençal villages, recognised as some of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages of France’, often bear the hallmarks of a glorious past, with magnificent remains found behind (the Château de Lourmarin or the Château d’Ansouis). Its outdoor activities are also highly varied and enhanced by rapidly developing infrastructure: cycle routes and greenways, Sensitive Natural Areas (ENS), and a network of trails and hiking paths.
The landscape of the Vaucluse department invites you to explore a host of mountains such as the Dentelles de Montmirail, the Luberon massif, the Monts de Vaucluse, as well as plateaux and plains dotted with hills.
Map of the Luberon Regional Nature Park
In the south of the French department of Vaucluse, the Luberon Regional Nature Park is a protected area covering 185,000 hectares, spanning 77 communes: 51 communes in Vaucluse and 26 towns in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. Its mission is to protect and enhance the natural, cultural, and human heritage of its park by implementing an innovative policy of planning and economic, social, and cultural development that respects the environment. Covering 382 square kilometres, South Luberon accounts for just 20% of the Regional Nature Park on the tourist map.
At the heart of this region lies the Luberon mountain, also known as the ‘Blue Mountain’. It stretches from west to east for 75 km between the villages of Cavaillon and Forcalquier. At the summit of the ‘blue mountain’, at an altitude of 1,125 m, stands the peak, ‘Mourre Nègre’. The Lourmarin valley, known for its winding roads and exceptional panoramic views, links the north and south of the region. It separates the Petit Luberon (to the west) from the Grand Luberon (to the east). The southern border of the Luberon is clearly marked by the Durance River, the natural geographical boundary that separates the Regional Park from the Bouches-du-Rhône department.
Les beautés et curiosités naturelles et patrimoniales.
The map of villages located in South Luberon
Finally, here is the map of South Luberon, showing the villages of the Communauté de Communes Sud Luberon (COTELUB). The Sud Luberon Tourisme tourist office supports and promotes each of these 16 authentic and unspoilt villages. The population is fairly spread out, with all the villages together home to 25,500 inhabitants across 368 square kilometres.
Whether nestled in the hills or set on the plain, the villages of Sud Luberon Tourisme and its hamlets offer countless opportunities to savour the tranquillity of Provençal life. Around the fountains, in the shade of plane trees, along picturesque, narrow, winding streets and across the sun-warmed cobblestones of village squares, each one stands out for its heritage curiosities and unique architecture.
Here is the list of villages that are part of the COTELUB area:
Tourist sites to visit, activities to enjoy
In a Regional Nature Park recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark, there is no shortage of unmissable natural sites. Explore them using the various maps available to you. Here is a selection to start with:
- Two of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in France’: Ansouis and Lourmarin.
- The largest body of water in the Luberon: The Etang de la bonde
- Four châteaux to discover: La Tour d’Aigues, Ansouis, Lourmarin, Vitrolles-en-Luberon.
- Discover the vineyards on guided tours and wine tasting workshops.
- Hike and stroll through natural sites: the ruins of the Château de Cadenet or the remarkable garden of the Pavillon de Galon in Cucuron
Enjoy your visit to the Luberon!
Discover more about South Luberon
During your stay in the South Luberon, be sure to visit the Tourist Office! We welcome you in Cucuron or in La Tour d’Aigues. Find a range of practical information on our dedicated Sud Luberon Tourisme page. Also, be sure to read our travel guides on the various villages of South Luberon as well as on the mountain massif.
