Forêt de Venasque

Vaucluse

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The Forêt de Venasque, criss-crossed by walking trails (including long-distance GR91), lies east of Venasque. Cross the Col de Murs mountain pass (627m) to pretty little Murs, and see remains of Le Mur de la Peste (the Plague Wall), built in 1720 in a vain attempt to stop the plague from entering papal territory.

You could also walk into the Luberon from here, calling at Gordes and Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque. The map Balades en forêts du Ventoux de Venasque et St-Lambert (€8) outlines several family-friendly walks.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Inside the Orange Amphitheatre (Théâtre antique d'Orange).

    Théâtre Antique

    21.97 MILES

    Orange's monumental, Unesco-protected Roman theatre is unquestionably one of France's most impressive Roman sights. It's one of only three intact Roman…

  • Palais Des Papes, Avignon, France. (Photo by Marka/UIG via Getty Images)

    Palais des Papes

    20.12 MILES

    The largest Gothic palace ever built, the Palais des Papes was erected by Pope Clement V, who abandoned Rome in 1309 in the wake of violent disorder after…

  • The Avignon Papal Palace (Palais des Papes) and the Avignon Bridge (Pont d'Avignon or Pont St-Bénézet) illuminated at night under the deep blue sky reflecting in the still waters of Rhone river. ; Shutterstock ID 609704714

    Pont St-Bénézet

    20.19 MILES

    Legend says Pastor Bénézet (a former shepherd) had three visions urging him to build a bridge across the Rhône. Completed in 1185, the 900m-long bridge…

  • Site Archéologique de Glanum

    Site Archéologique de Glanum

    24.31 MILES

    It might lack the scale and ambition of some of Provence's better-known Roman monuments, but for a glimpse into everyday life in Gaul, this ancient town…

  • Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque and lavender fields.

    Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque

    4.79 MILES

    If you're searching for that classic postcard shot of the medieval abbey surrounded by a sea of purple lavender, look no further. This sublime Cistercian…

  • The red rock formations at Colorado Provencal in France.

    Colorado Provençal

    15.72 MILES

    Named after its fiery red and orange landscape (which locals likened to Colorado), this former ochre quarry is one of the best places to appreciate the…

  • Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur - France - July 10 2021: Lavender fields at the Monastery of Saint-Paul de Mausole, Saint-Rémy. Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur - France - July 10 2021: Lavender fields at the Monastery of Saint-Paul de Mausole, Saint-Rémy. 1369605560 abbey, aroma, building, country, countryside, culture, field, floral, fragrance, french, historical, landmark, landscape, lavender, lavender fields, provence, relax, rock, ruin, rural, scenic, stone, traditional, typical, view, violet

    Monastère St-Paul de Mausole

    23.88 MILES

    This monastery turned asylum is famous for one of its former residents – the ever-volatile Vincent van Gogh, who admitted himself in 1889. Safe within the…

  • La foret des cedres with hiking and walking trails and panoramic views near Bonnieux, Luberon, Provence, France.

    Fôret des Cèdres

    13.53 MILES

    In the scrubby hills about 6km south of Bonnieux, a twisty back road slopes up to this wonderful cedar forest, whose spreading boughs provide welcome…

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Nearby Vaucluse attractions

1. Baptistry

2.99 MILES

Tucked behind the Romanesque church, this baptistry was built in the 6th century on the site of a Roman temple.

2. Église de Venasque

2.99 MILES

The village church contains the pride of the Pays de Venasque: an unusual late-Gothic Crucifixion painting (1498).

3. Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque

4.79 MILES

If you're searching for that classic postcard shot of the medieval abbey surrounded by a sea of purple lavender, look no further. This sublime Cistercian…

5. Maison de la Rose

6.51 MILES

The façade of this eye-catching hôtel particulier dating from 1900 is pure romance. Sitting pretty in pink on the left as you walk from the car park to…

6. La Fontaine de Vaucluse

6.52 MILES

Beneath the limestone cliffs an easy 1km walk from the village, the magical spring after which the village is named gushes forth at an incredible rate –…

7. Village des Bories

6.93 MILES

Beehive-shaped bories (stone huts) bespeckle Provence, and at the Village des Bories, 4km southwest of Gordes, an entire village of them can be explored…

8. Moulin des Bouillons

7.3 MILES

Heading 3.5km south from Gordes along rte de St-Pantaléon (D148), you hit this marvellous rural museum: an olive-oil mill with a 10m-long Gallo-Roman…