Luberon Villages: Day Trips and Tours from Marseille

Crowning the tops of over 30 hilltops in the area, the Luberon villages are the places to escape to in search of the real France. With fields brimming with fragrant lavender, wineries adorned in juicy grapevines and market stalls overflowing with charcuterie, Luberon villages have something to offer everyone.

The Luberon Valley is made up of three mountain ranges and the area offers dazzling views from its many hilltops. While it can be tricky to navigate via public transport, day trips to the Luberon villages from Marseilles are easily organized and highly enjoyable.

How to get to Luberon villages from Marseilles?

Luberon is part of central Provence and is situated 70 kilometers north of Marseilles. Provence borders the French Alps and the Luberon villages are spread out over the region.

From Marseilles to Luberon villages by car

Journeying to Luberon by car takes around 1.5 hours and starts by taking the A27 north out of Marseilles. At a fork in the road, you’ll choose the right exit and follow the A51 until it turns into the N296.

After Venelles, take the exit onto the D556 which you’ll continue on until you see signs for the D561. To enter the Parc Natural Régional du Luberon, take a right onto the D943. Once inside the Luberon Valley, it’s easy to navigate between villages.

Guided tour to Luberon villages from Marseilles

Luberon villages day tours vary in length between seven and 11.5 hours. You’ll meet around 8 AM, and while some trips pick you up from your hotel, others will meet in the center of Marseilles at a predetermined point.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Luberon villages from Marseilles?

There are different types of tours but most revolve around the markets of the Luberon villages. You’ll meet early in the morning and board a bus or private vehicle towards Luberon, passing by scenic vistas of the French countryside.

Luberon villages day trips change every day, based on which village market is running. You’ll have free time to browse the many offerings of the stalls or take in the wafting aromas and delectable delicacies from a nearby café.

Regardless of the day, you’ll stop in Gordes — the crowning jewel of Luberon — for a photo opportunity. If you happen to visit on a Tuesday, you’ll wander through the market too.

If you’ve perfected the timing of your Luberon villages excursion, you’ll be able to visit the lavender fields as they cover the land in a smattering of purple.

Depending on your day tour, you’ll make stops at various villages throughout the region and experience the draw of the picturesque communities.

Returning to Marseilles, you’ll finish your day tour to Luberon villages back where you started.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Luberon villages?

The region that encompasses the villages is known for many things, including its wine production and Provençal markets. There are several tours available that cater to everyone's interests.

Day trip to Luberon villages from Marseilles

The Luberon region is well-known for its open-air markets, and tours to the villages center around these.

On a day trip to the Luberon villages, you'll seek out stalls selling mouthwatering goodies, from juicy stuffed olives to homemade jams and honey. The day you book your trip determines where you stop, as different markets happen throughout the week.

You'll also take a detour to the nearby lavender fields that flourish in the summer months and fill the landscape with beautiful pastels.

You'll enjoy hopping between the villages and exploring the produce and charm of the quaint towns.

Wine tour to Luberon villages from Marseilles

During a wine tour of the Luberon villages, you'll explore three prestigious wineries in the area, learn about the process from grape to bottle and see the cellars where the fruity wines mature.

You'll also take part in wine tasting sessions to experience the different varieties of white, rosé and red wines that are produced in the region.

Private tour to Luberon villages from Marseilles

Private tours are an excellent choice for those traveling in a large group. You will explore the villages of Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux and Saigon via a guided tour. You'll also make a stop at a local winery and the famous Provencal lavender fields.

How much does a tour to Luberon villages from Marseilles cost?

Day trips to the Luberon villages include a driver-guide and round trip transportation from a meeting point in the center of Marseilles. Prices start from €130.

Full day wine tours include fees, tasting sessions, an expert wine guide and transportation. You’ll also be part of a small group, numbering just eight individuals. You can expect to pay €120 for this type of trip.

Private tours cost around €600 for a group of up to eight. For the price, you get hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional tour guide and a wine tasting session.

What will you see and do in Luberon villages?

Gordes

There are over 30 different villages perched on the rolling hills of Luberon, but Gordes is widely regarded as the most worthy of a visit. There are plenty of bakeries and restaurants to be found in the winding alleyways that curve up the hill towards the castle settled on top.

The most renowned attraction of Gordes is its open-air market which happens every Tuesday morning. It offers a variety of handmade and locally sourced products, such as fresh crusty loaves and quality fabrics.

The village is not short on charm, with its cobblestone streets, renaissance architecture and sleepy atmosphere. If you're interested in capturing the perfect photo, visit in June or July and you'll see the lavender fields around the village in full bloom. No jaunt to the Luberon villages is complete without a stop at Gordes.

Roussillon

Rousillon’s red buildings are what distinguish it from the countless other villages in Luberon. Ochre is the terracotta-colored mineral that was used in the construction of the village and is found in abundance in the surrounding cliffs.

The village has drawn in artists for centuries, which accounts for the eight art galleries in the area, and the town has a creative feel.

The Roussillon market happens on a Thursday between 8 AM and 12:30 PM, and day tours to Luberon villages make a stop there. The focus of these stalls is on the fresh and vibrant fruit and vegetables grown nearby. There is also the opportunity to buy charcuterie and fragrant French cheeses.

Goult

Goult is still a hidden gem in the Luberon Valley. While tourists flock to Gordes and Roussillon for the photogenic townscape, Goult is a food lovers’ paradise.

The best thing to do in the village is to sit at one of its many outdoor cafés and order a buttery croissant or another French delicacy. You can watch the town come to life around you before ambling up to the windmill that perches on top of the hill and provides panoramic views of the French countryside.

When is the best time to visit Luberon villages?

June and July are when the region is painted in sweeping lilacs, as the lavender blooms in abundance. The climate is pleasantly warm, averaging between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius, and if you visit in June, you’ll avoid the tourist season.

October is when the pleasant temperatures drop off and the winter months can drop to bracing lows of 0 degrees Celsius.

Travel tips

• If you choose to book a wine tour, bear in mind that the minimum drinking age in France is 18.
• Most Luberon villages day trips center around the markets. Ensure you bring cash to purchase sumptuous French produce.
• If possible, time your excursion to coincide with the blooming of the lavender fields.