Between water, mountains, and the gentle art of living, Cheval-Blanc embodies the natural harmony of the Luberon. At the foot of the massif, this village, crossed by the Saint-Julien Canal (1171, the first canal in Provence) and the Canal de Carpentras, offers a peaceful setting shaped by fruit and vegetable cultivation.
Just a stone’s throw from Cavaillon, at the foot of the Luberon massif, Cheval-Blanc subtly blends water and mountain. The canals irrigate the plain, shaping a vibrant agricultural landscape filled with orchards and market gardens, while the nearby hills invite you to stroll and explore.
The Saint-Julien Canal (1171, the first canal in Provence) and the Canal de Carpentras (an extension of an 18th-century structure, completed in the late 19th century) shape the village’s daily life and identity. Here, time slows down - you can wander under the plane trees, listen to the gentle murmur of water, and enjoy the authentic charm of Provence.
4 good reasons to visit Cheval-Blanc
Between the irrigated plain and the first foothills of the Luberon, Cheval-Blanc has preserved the spirit of a lively agricultural village. The rural paths lined with water, the rows of plane trees, and the Provençal farmhouses create a peaceful setting where one can truly enjoy the gentle way of life.
As the seasons pass, the orchards burst into bloom and then into fruit, the canals shimmer with changing reflections, and the trails lead toward the garrigue and the cliffs, offering breathtaking views over the Durance Valley.
Cheval-Blanc developed at the meeting point between the mountain and the irrigated plain. As early as the 12th century, the Saint-Julien Canal (1171) ushered in a new era for local agriculture. Centuries later, the Canal de Carpentras - extending a structure from the 18th century and completed at the end of the 19th - reinforced this agricultural vocation. Between dry-stone walls, hydraulic works, and waterways, the village’s history has been written through the mastery of water.
As you stroll through the village of Cheval-Blanc, you’ll discover a living rural heritage, made up of stone houses, peaceful lanes, and ancient fountains where time seems to stand still. At its heart, the Saint-Paul parish church, simple yet luminous, bears witness to the village’s faith and history. Around it, shaded little squares invite you to relax and meet others in a typically Provençal atmosphere.
Here, stone and water complement each other: the tree-lined irrigation canals, dry-stone walls, and terraced crops reflect the deep connection between the inhabitants and their land. In Cheval-Blanc, heritage is written into the landscape, weaving a harmonious balance between nature, agriculture, and the Provençal art of living.
Classified as a National Biological Reserve and part of the Luberon National Geological Nature Reserve, the Gorges de Régalon host an exceptional biodiversity, thanks to their unique geographical location. This site is extremely fragile and the access is difficult.
To help preserve it (and the endangered species that live there), it is strongly advised not to visit from January to September. Instead, choose alternative routes within the Luberon Regional Natural Park and, at all times of the year, stay on marked trails, avoid trampling sensitive areas, and take all your waste with you.
❤ Favourite
Les Belles de Cheval-Blanc - On Mardi Gras, a nearly century-old tradition brings the village to life: young men (aged 16 to 23) dressed in ceremonial costumes go around Cheval-Blanc inviting young women to the grand ball. A colourful celebration that keeps alive the spirit of conviviality and sharing.
Here, water shapes the landscape. The Saint-Julien Canal and the Canal de Carpentras irrigate orchards and vegetable fields, trace shaded paths, and bring freshness to summer walks. The proximity of the Petit Luberon creates a striking contrast between the fertile plain and the limestone hills - a promise of generous nature just steps away from the heart of the village.
Symbolising the bond between humankind and nature, the canals of Cheval-Blanc have shaped the village’s landscape and life for centuries. The oldest, the Saint-Julien Canal, dug in 1171, is considered the first canal in Provence. It winds its way between orchards and crops, bringing freshness and fertility to the plain. More recent, the Canal de Carpentras - an extension of an 18th-century structure - completes this unique irrigation network at the foot of the Luberon.
Today, these ribbons of water are true havens of coolness, perfect for leisurely walks. The murmur of the water, the rows of plane trees, and the reflections of the orchards in the stream create a soothing, typically Provençal setting. In summer, beneath the shade of the trees, one can enjoy the tranquility of a landscape shaped by both time and human hands.
Nestled between the Durance Valley and the slopes of the Petit Luberon, Cheval-Blanc offers a striking contrast between the fertile plain and the limestone hills. The village unfolds in a privileged environment where water, stone, and vegetation blend in perfect harmony. The rural paths bordered by canals, the orchards, and the garrigue trails invite you to stroll - on foot or by bike.
Here, nature expresses itself in all its diversity - pines, holm oaks, almond trees, and olive trees form a luminous and peaceful landscape. Between hills and rivers, Cheval-Blanc embodies a vibrant, agricultural Provence, where life moves at a gentle pace and the art of taking one’s time is part of everyday life.
From Cheval-Blanc, you can easily reach garrigue paths, forest tracks, and canal banks. On foot, by bike, or on a leisurely stroll, every route reveals sweeping views over the Durance Valley and the Luberon cliffs. Remember to adapt your outings to ecological sensitivity periods and fire risk levels.
Between garrigue and pine forest, the Cheval-Blanc area offers an exceptional natural setting for cycling enthusiasts. This loop, about 23 km long with a positive elevation gain of 450 m, starts and ends in Cavaillon. It takes you up the first slopes of the Petit Luberon, along small roads and forest tracks winding through pine woods and garrigue.
The route alternates between steady climbs and rolling sections, offering spectacular viewpoints over the Durance Valley, the rooftops of Cavaillon, and, in the distance, the Alpilles. As you progress toward the heart of the massif, cyclists discover the typical landscapes of southern Luberon: dry-stone walls, Mediterranean forests, and terraced fields bordered by boxwood.
The descent toward Cheval-Blanc leads back to the plain, between orchards and canals, before returning to Cavaillon via smoother, faster sections. This route is ideal for experienced or intermediate cyclists comfortable with elevation gain and mixed terrain (roads and forest tracks). A total immersion in nature, perfect for those seeking both adventure and the authentic landscapes of the Luberon.
Starting from the former school of the hamlet of La Roquette in Cheval-Blanc, this 8.9 km loop invites you to explore a wild and contrasting side of the Luberon. From the very start, the trail climbs through the preserved Roque Rousse combe, where narrow cliffs shelter a discreet and fragile biodiversity. The atmosphere becomes mineral, dotted with passages between rocky outcrops and Mediterranean undergrowth.
As you climb higher, the path reaches the plateau of La Crau des Mayorques, a vast pastoral area where sheep graze among almond trees and garrigue. From this natural promontory, the view opens wide over the Durance Valley, offering a remarkable panorama stretching from the Alpilles to the agricultural plains.
The descent takes you via the Passage du Croupatas, along a stony, winding trail that leads back to the tall pines of the valley before gently returning to the peaceful surroundings of La Roquette.
This route offers a journey into authentic Provence, shaped by agriculture, livestock farming, and the rugged reliefs of the western Luberon. An ideal hike for lovers of nature and tranquility, in the very heart of Cheval-Blanc’s territory.
Villages of Luberon
Our villages in Luberon are gorgous, you will love to stroll through the cobbled streets. Take the time to visit and discover all these villages Luberon and Provence are so famous for!
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