Cycling to the Luberon perched villages

Image courtesy of: Keg1036 / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

This ride sees you cycling to the Luberon perched villages which the area is renowned for. Some of the villages you visit on this route include Gordes, Roussillon, Ménerbes, and Lacoste. Whilst none of the climbs to each of the villages themselves are necessarily long, they all add up and you will finish the ride with a hefty amount of climbing in the legs. The scenery is spectacular on this circuit with a mix of rolling farmland as well as numerous wineries too, providing you with many opportunities for some cellar door wine tasting if you so desire. You will also pass by numerous chateaus and be able to marvel at architecture that dates back to Roman times.

We would like to say thanks to the good folks at Bike Weekender for providing us with this route. They regularly run tours in this region of France and will be happy to help you out.

Col de Murs

The Col de Murs is a predominantly gentle climb with an average gradient of just under 5%. The climb allows for a good rhythm with a steady gradient that for the main does not have too much variation. At just over 10kms in length, it is a decent climb that will work the legs but at the same time if you measure your effort it shouldn’t see you pushed into the red zone.

Abbey Notre-Dame de Sénanque

Along this route, you will pass by the 12th Century Abbey Notre-Dame de Sénanque. Surrounded by lavender fields this makes for quite a sight during lavender season. Regardless of the time of year, you are visiting it is a stunning piece of architecture that we highly recommend stopping to take in.

Suggested cycling route

Image courtesy of: Lubomir Mihalik / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)

The 12th Century Abbey of Notre-Dame de Sénanque makes a fine sight during lavender season.

Food and water

There are numerous places to restock your food and water. We highly recommend you make a day for it on this ride and be sure to stop in one of the perched villages or wineries on the way for lunch.

Highlights

• Enjoy exploring the perched villages which the Luberon is famed for. The climbs to them may be punchy and steep but the views are well worth it.

• The climb of the Col de Mers provides a great opportunity to test the climbing legs.

• A visit to the Abbey Notre Dame Sénanque – especially during lavender season is a must.

The perched village of Gordes affords you a spectacular view of the lower plains below.

Climb statistics and gradient profile

Image courtesy of: Daniel Clerc / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

The Col de Murs provides a good opportunity to test the legs on a steady gradient.

Image courtesy of: Sheila Sund from Salem, United States / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

The perched village of Ménerbes with just one of many wineries in the foreground.