Lavender Route day trip from Avignon: Sénanque Abbey & Gordes

See the lavender fields at their brightest, timed to the bloom

A small-group day trip from Avignon through the Luberon valley, visiting 12th-century Sénanque Abbey surrounded by lavender, the hilltop village of Gordes, and ochre-painted Roussillon, with a live English-speaking guide and two dedicated photo stops in the season's best lavender fields. Groups stay under eight participants, led by one of the two company founders. Lunch is your own choice in Roussillon. Entrance fees to attractions and the Ochre Trail are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Sénanque Abbey30m
2. Roussillon2h

Explore Sénanque Abbey and Luberon villages

• Drive 50 minutes from Avignon
• Visit Sénanque Abbey lavender fields
• Photo stop at Gordes overlook
• Explore Gordes hilltop town
• Visit Roussillon village
• Lunch in Roussillon cafés
• Walk the Ochre Trail (optional)
• Visit scenic lavender fields

The experience

The tour leaves Avignon and drives 50 minutes to Sénanque Abbey, a 12th-century monastery set among forests and lavender fields. The exterior and grounds are the draw here, the itinerary doesn't include interior access, and the lavender peaks from late June onward. From there, a photo stop at Gordes' overlook frames the Luberon valley: vineyards, olive groves and green mountains spread below. You then explore Gordes' cobbled streets and castle area on your own, with time for shops and cafés before regrouping.

Around 1 pm the guide drops you in Roussillon for a longer stretch: enough time for lunch at a local café or to walk the Ochre Trail through the former ochre mine's colored cliffs (a 4€ entrance fee if you choose it). The village's houses are painted in different shades of ochre, and the streets reward wandering. The timing here is deliberate: you get real breathing room instead of a quick stop.

Two long photo stops in lavender fields anchor the day. In June, the tour focuses on the wide hillside fields of the Luberon. After July 1, it shifts to higher areas like the Sault plateau where the bloom extends longer. The guide adjusts the route to catch the season's brightest fields. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the driver handles all parking. Veronica or Nicolas, the company's two founders, lead the tours personally, which shapes the pace and the attention to detail.

What’s included

• Drive and drop-off tour with live English-language commentary.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• parking fees.
• two long photo stops in the season's best lavender fields, timed to the bloom.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 10 Jun 2027

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by PROVANS

Is this one for you?Groups stay under eight, led by one of the company's two founders, so the pace stays unhurried and the attention personal. Choose this if you want the lavender at peak bloom without arranging your own transport or navigating between villages.

Traveler reviews

4.97★★★★★★★★★★

150 verified traveler reviews

5 ★146

4 ★3

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

When do the lavender fields actually bloom, and does the tour time matter?

Lavender reaches full bloom from late June onward. The tour adjusts its lavender stops by season: in June it focuses on the Luberon hillsides, and after July 1 it moves to higher areas like the Sault plateau where the bloom lasts longer. Two dedicated photo stops are scheduled either way.

What do I actually see inside Sénanque Abbey?

Sénanque Abbey's exterior and grounds are what the tour covers: the 12th-century Romanesque architecture and the lavender fields surrounding it. Interior access is not included because the day trip schedule doesn't allow time for it.

How much free time do I get in each village?

Gordes gets a shorter window for exploring the cobbled streets and castle area, with time for shopping and cafés. Roussillon gets a longer stretch around 1 pm, enough for a real lunch at a local café and either a walk through the village or the Ochre Trail through the former mine.

Who leads the tour, and how many people travel together?

Veronica or Nicolas, the company's two founders, lead the tours personally. Groups are limited to eight participants, which keeps the pace unhurried and the attention personal.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

The tour includes the drive from Avignon, live commentary, air-conditioned transport and parking fees. Lunch in Roussillon is your own choice and cost. Entrance fees to Sénanque Abbey and the Ochre Trail (4€ per adult) are separate.