Excursion to the Lubéron mountains

Pays d'Apt region's ancient stones.

"Le plateau des Claparèdes", situated in the middle of the large mountain range of Lubéron, offers excellent panoramic views.

The large, protected and relatively undisturbed regional park of Lubéron, " Parc Régional du Lubéron´", still reflects an unbreakable link between humans and nature. "Le plateau des Claparèdes", located in the heart of the Lubéron, is the perfect place for an excursion into the wild nature with detours to the area's many charming medieval villages.

This trip includes a perfect mix of some of the region's most beautiful locations. It is a 3 km relatively easy trip, mostly in the shade of oak trees on rocky trails. The departure starts from the parking lot "Barbe Blanche" on D232, where the road leading to Buoux and Sivergues crosses it. From here you must go to the crossroads "Pré des Masques" and then follow the yellow marking.

All along the route you will see several stone piles, a sign of early human activity. In medieval times, the plateau was considered to be one of the storerooms in the Pays d'Apt. On the hillside, the men had constructed terraced fields, after having sorted out the stones, which they stored up. These piles are known as the famous stone heaps, "clapas" or dry-stone huts, “bories”, roughly like an igloo made of stones.

The cobbled path still has traces left from the carts. The route passes close by "Rocher des Druides", where you can find several piles of stones which have been cut off the rock. It was from this spot that the garrisons in the past supervised the valley. From here you continue downwards through the valley of Rocsalière.

All along the route, you will find several vantage points, particularly towards Mount Ventoux, the "Grand" and "Petit Lubéron", dominated by the "Mourre Nègre". A little detour down to the charming village of Saignon is highly recommended. Here one can admire many squares and fountains, and several old houses with impressive entrance portals.