! Here is the grand finale of your epic journey: the ascent of the limestone giant, leading down into the gentle south. This is the wildest stage, where man takes a back seat t
o the majesty of nature.
Leaving Bonnieux marks the start of a pilgrimage towards the peaks. While the previous stages were about history and craftsmanship, this one is about absolute freedom.
The Sacred Ascent: The Forest of Cedars
The path climbs steeply from the village, winding its way through the holm oaks until it reaches the Petit Luberon plateau. There, a botanical miracle awaits you: the Forest of Cedars. Planted by man in the 19th century with seeds from the Moroccan Atlas Mountains, these thousand-year-old giants spread their horizontal branches as if to protect the walker. The scent here is different: a woody, fresh and resinous fragrance that contrasts with the garrigue of the plain.
The Roof of the World: The Ridge Trail
Once you reach the ridge, the view is breathtaking. To your left, the Grand Luberon and Mont Ventoux; to your right, Sainte-Victoire and, on a clear day, the silvery glint of the Mediterranean in the distance. It is here, on this narrow ridge of white limestone, that one comes to understand the geology of the massif: a vast ridge of rock shaped by the forces of the Earth. The wind often blows here, clearing the mind after days of walking.
marin, the natural ravine that separates the Petit Luberon from the Grand Luberon. Little by little, the Château de Lourmarin emerges from the olive groves. It is Provence’s first Renaissance castle, elegant and proud. The village welcomes you with its murmuring fountains and shaded terraces. It is here that Albert Camus and Henri Bosco found their final resting place, enchanted by the light you have just conquered.
📝 Logbook: ‘The Apotheosis’
Distance: Approximately 14 km.
Elevation gain: Significant (crossing the ridge takes some stamina).
The Highlight: The absolute silence at the top of the Portalas cliffs, overlooking the Durance valley.
🌿 Did you know?
As you cross the Forêt des Cèdres, keep your eyes peeled: you might spot the Egyptian vulture, a small black-and-white vulture that nests in the cliffs of the Petit Luberon.
Your journey is now complete! From the spring at Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to the terraces of Lourmarin, you have explored the very soul of Provence.