Vaucluse without fault

Out of season, We grab our backpacks and explore the Monts de Vaucluse. Ascents and descents follow one another through deep valleys, enchanting viewpoints, and limestone massifs shaped by water, both visible and invisible. An adventure aimed primarily at experienced hikers. 

Immersion in the Monts de Vaucluse, on the cliffside 

Day 1 > Velleron – Venasque: 18,5km / +620m elevation gain 

Let's go for a first day of hiking, sometimes treading the scrubland, sometimes the forest trails, with very pretty views of the Ventoux. Starting from Velleron, famous for its unmissable farmers' market, you will reach the Canal de Carpentras which you will follow for 2 kilometers. Before diving into the forest, don't hesitate to make a short detour of 500m towards the Coste d'Oreille: this short round trip will offer you a breathtaking view of the valley clause (from which the name of Vaucluse). 

Very quickly, rock walls appear on the route. The common thread of this adventure is the omnipresent limestone rock, hinting at the presence of water, invisible on the surface. From the Carpentras Canal and the tangle of branches of the Sorgue de Velleron, we continue through gorges, faults, and dry canyons following the subtle and invisible path of water, which flows peacefully 20 leagues underground.   

Only a trained eye or a passionate speleologist could trace the essentially underground path of this precious resource. These observations provide clues about the history of the limestone massifs of Vaucluse. Our seemingly very dry territory actually contains a huge catchment area (≈ 1160 km², or ⅓ of the surface area of ​​Vaucluse). It converges almost entirely towards one of the largest karst springs in Europe: Fontaine de Vaucluse*. If this adventure doesn't take you to the famous resurgence, it is a good reason to come back to our region!     

(*Notice to seasoned cyclists and bikepackers: the gravel micro-adventure “The road that leads to the stars” takes you there!) 

Along the way, you'll pass through the hilltop villages of La Roque-sur-Pernes and Le Beaucet. The latter, made entirely of dry stone, will be an ideal stopping point for your lunch break. Our favorite is the Beaucet Bistro, which offers fresh produce and delicious home-cooked food. But if you prefer the picnic option, don't miss the unmissable self-managed grocery store “Like a house”, run by the villagers. You'll find basic necessities, as well as local products like Marie-Hélène and Rodolphe's goats, Fabien's bread, and Nathanaël's eggs. Then climb up to the ruins of the Château, to enjoy your purchases with a 360° view of the valley.

In the afternoon, a series of gems awaits you: breathtaking panoramas, hilltop villages, and limestone cliffs that shape the landscape. Along the way, take some time to observe the “Calade des Animaux” (a calade is a small stone path) and have fun discovering what lies behind these pebble compositions. 

That's it, you've reached the end of your first day! Welcome to the small village of Venasque, the cherry capital! Located at the top of a promontory (you'll still need a little energy for the last climb!), you'll have a breathtaking view of the Monts de Vaucluse and Mont Ventoux. Treat yourself to a well-deserved snack at Cherries2B & Earl Bezert. 

For night time use, we recommend theLa Garrigue Hotel (which also has an on-site restaurant, “Le Bar du Perchoir”, where you can eat). Or The Mado Houses, furnished rentals welcoming hikers with open arms. On the taste buds side, the Le Petit Chose restaurant will delight your senses with its panoramic terrace, local products, wine cellar and regional product shop. 

Day 2 > Venasque – Velleron: 23,5km / +450m elevation gain 

On the second day, you will have the choice between 2 options.  

• Option 1: Dry canyon in the Combe de Campredon (accompanied by a guide) 
  Depending on the season and the availability of our guides (see below), treat yourself to a unique experience: the dry canyon! To make the most of the day and travel light, you can leave your belongings in Venasque (since you will return there to spend an extra night). Like vertical tightrope walkers, you will progress to the bottom of the canyon dug by water over the millennia. You will slide along the 6 successive abseil descents, ending in a grand finale with a 25m high abseil. 
  
• Option 2: Return to Velleron, via the Saint-Gens sanctuary
  From Venasque, whether on your D2 or D3, this final day will allow you to loop back to Velleron. A magical departure at sunrise: leaving the village, you are immediately rewarded with a breathtaking view of Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail: a true postcard setting that sets the tone for the day. Very quickly, the landscape changes. We dive into the shaded Camp Long valley. The atmosphere becomes more intimate, we pass through discreet hamlets far from everything. The climb then continues towards a beautiful fairy chimney, a discreet but surprising geological curiosity, nestled in the limestone relief.

A few steps further, you reach the Bergerie de Saint-Gens, where you can enjoy a delicious sheep's milk ice cream! You then arrive at Jas and the Hermitage of Saint-Gens: a site steeped in history and spirituality with its miraculous spring. (Note that the route does not go all the way to the spring. If you want to make a short detour there, allow about 600 meters round trip). 

The end of the trail crosses the Provençal scrubland. We pass several bories, including the well-preserved La Roque borie, ideally located for a short break. The finish is a gentle one, along the Carpentras Canal, to Velleron, which concludes this beautiful day's walk. 

2 days to survive

Everything you need to know about the Dry Canyon activity

• Between caving and canyoning, dry canyoning requires the guidance of an approved instructor., imperatively equipped with a harness, a helmet and the equipment necessary for the smooth running of the activity. A succession of progressive abseiling descents interspersed with fun walking from rock to rock, this outdoor sport is practiced in gorges formed by millions of years of erosion.  

• This dry canyon of Campredon is accessible to beginners, you don't need to be extremely athletic to enjoy the walk and the surrounding nature. It ends with a high abseil (25 m). It is therefore essential not to be prone to vertigo to sign up for this activity. 

• How to equip yourself : Bring sports shoes (hiking shoes or sneakers) and comfortable sportswear (nice warm on days when the mistral is blowing) to ensure you are comfortable when moving. Bring water and a snack.  

• Estimated duration of the activity : allow approximately 3 hours in total: 30-10 minutes of briefing + equipment, 15 minutes of approach walk, 20 to 2 hours of fun walking + abseiling in the dry canyon, 2 minutes of walking to return to the starting point.  

Prepare your stay in Vaucluse

How to connect the departure and arrival from Avignon

By bus

• To go to Saint-Saturnin, take the line 11 – Avignon Gare Centre > Saint-Saturnin-lès-Avignon Centre. See the timetables on Orizo. 
• Then to go to Velleron from Saint-Saturnin, you take the VL1 line operated by Orizo.
• Another possibility: The Allobus service ! Allobus by Orizo is a public transport service by reservation for the areas of Grand Avignon poorly served. More info on the site or at 0800 456 456.

By TER + bus

• Take the TER Avignon Gare Centre > Carpentras. Bookable on the SNCF website.
• Then, take the Orizo Line 13 Carpentras > Cavaillon.
• Get off at the Marché Agricole / Maison de la Pêche de Velleron stop and walk to the starting point of the hike (2 km / 25 mins).

A palette of experience

Our other micro adventures

Find our other micro adventures to discover the destination Grand Avignon

Useful information

Through vineyards and scrubland

In pursuit of the black bulls

From one river to another

From the Pont d'Avignon to the Pont du Gard by bike

The road to the stars

I will go to sleep with the common cranes