If there is one path in Provence where time seems to stand still, giving way to the rustling of the wind and the scent of wild thyme, it is the one that links the mysterious source of the Sorgue to the hilltop village of Gordes.
More than just a walk, this route is a promise of freedom, an enchanting interlude to be enjoyed hand in hand.
The Departure: Farewell to the Emerald
Leaving Fontaine-de-Vaucluse means leaving behind the roar of the rushing waters to immerse oneself in the sacred silence of the Vaucluse mountains. The path climbs gently, winding its way through the holm oaks. Very quickly, the clamour of the world fades away. Here, only the song of the cicadas (or the rustling of leaves in autumn) accompanies your private thoughts.
The Memory of Stone: The Plague Wall
Halfway along the route, you will come across the remains of the Plague Wall. This dry-stone wall, built in the 18th century, exudes a tragic nobility. Now covered in golden lichens, it seems to be nothing more than a poetic link between the past and the present, a protective bulwark for your privacy.
The Apparition: Gordes, the Sentinel of Light
The highlight of this journey arrives without warning. As you round the bend of a final copse, the forest opens up and Gordes appears, majestic, clinging to its limestone cliff.
It is a mirage of pale stone that seems to float above the Apt valley.
In the fading afternoon light, the village’s facades glow with a honey hue. It is the perfect moment to pause for a moment, gaze at the horizon stretching all the way to the Petit Luberon, and realise that the beauty of the journey was just as worthwhile as the destination.
🧺 Your romantic picnic basket
To make the most of this walk, pop the following into your bag:
A chilled bottle of Provence rosé (to enjoy whilst taking in the view).
A few olive fougasses bought that very morning.
Some calissons d’Aix for a sweet treat at the summit.