Provence is hiking paradise, with its extensive trails, beautiful landscapes and delightful villages just a few miles apart. Whether you are a hardcore hiker or taking the kids along there are trails for every level.

The great thing about hiking in Provence is the beauty and variety of the countryside. You go through vineyards, orchards, woods, gorges, over hill and mountain, along cliff and river. And you come across things that are not on the tourist trail or in a guidebook – prehistoric caves, ruins from ancient civilisations, abandoned mills, churches and even villages that time has forgotten

In the Vaucluse department of Provence alone there are 1900 miles of marked walking trails. These trails are marked by paint marks which are most often on a tree, byt can also be on rocks, posts or buildings. At trail intersections there is often a signpost giving you directions and distances.

The markings usually just tell you are going the right way but can also show a turn to take, or if they make an ‘X’ they indicate this is the wrong way for this trail.

But you should definitely take a map, as trail markings are not that comprehensive.

Maps and guidebooks

You can create your own walk, but the easiest way is to follow a circular walk from a guidebook, along with a good map.

The best hiking maps are the official IGN maps: there are hundreds of them, each covering a small area. You can buy these maps in supermarkets, book shops, tourist offices, tabacs/presses. IGN maps show roads, tracks, GR and PR trails.

The official hiking association, FFRandonnee, publishes some good but French-only hiking guides called TopoGuides, available in the same places as the maps above. TopoGuides have circular walks with maps and descriptions.

Other good hiking guides

• Randonnées en Provence – Luberon, by Laurent Meyer. 25 good circular walks around the Luberon in Provence with directions, maps and photos.
• Walking in Provence (Cicerone Guide) features 24 walks in all parts of Provence, including the Luberon.
• Les Nouveaux Guides Franck : Luberon – Monts de Vaucluse. A ring binder of hikes, each page is a map and description, and can be individually taken on a walk in a plastic envelope.
• Balades nature dans le Parc naturel régional du Luberon. 15 nature walks and guide to flora and fauna of the Luberon.
• The official Vaucluse tourism site has 50 walks described here