Picnicking in Destination Luberon

What could be better than a lovely picnic in the heart of nature to enjoy the gentle art of living in the Luberon? Shaded picnic areas, breathtaking views, hidden spots by the river… we have selected the best places for you to spread out your blanket and savour a simple, authentic and delicious moment.

Follow our guide to the most beautiful picnic spots in the Luberon!

Pack your basket — we’re taking you on a picnic!

For a refreshing nature escape

Cabrières-d’Avignon: a shaded picnic in the Cedar Forest

After strolling through the stone lanes of the charming village of Cabrières-d’Avignon, take the road leading to the majestic Cedar Forest. This vast wooded area offers an exceptional setting for a breath of fresh air.

Here, the trails wind their way through the forest, where century-old cedar trees provide generous shade and a haven of coolness, even in the height of summer. Several areas equipped with picnic tables allow you to settle in peacefully and enjoy a picnic in the heart of nature. The silence, the birds singing and the scents of the surrounding garrigue make this moment especially restorative.

The Cedar Forest is easy to access and invites you to switch off. Bring your packed lunch, take the time to pause, and let yourself be wrapped in the gentle atmosphere of the place.

Bins are available on site: one small gesture is all it takes to keep this place clean and help preserve nature.

Oppède: a nature picnic in the Sainte-Cécile Garden

Picture yourself comfortably settled on your blanket, with your prettiest picnic cloth and your picnic basket, surrounded by your loved ones and ready to enjoy delicious Provençal local specialities. Food lovers are sure to fall for this spot!

It is a little corner you almost stumble upon by chance while wandering through the Sainte-Cécile Garden in Vieil-Oppède. After a short walk from the car park, the former threshing floor comes into view. Here, you settle directly on the ground, facing the medieval village. An intimate place, perfect for a lunch break between nature and history.

The setting is simple, authentic and soothing. In summer, you can hear the cicadas and the birds singing: time seems to slow down. This place invites you not only to picnic, but also to observe, breathe and take your time.

And when you feel like moving again, simply follow the path towards the centre of the village, then on to the Notre-Dame d’Alidon collegiate church to enjoy an exceptional viewpoint.

Please help preserve nature: take your litter away with you.

Vaugines: a countryside picnic beneath the cherry trees

Your stroll through the charming village of Vaugines will almost certainly lead you to Saint-Barthélemy Church. This is where the famous wedding scene from Manon des Sources was filmed!

This peaceful little spot awaits you beneath the cherry trees, perfect for a picnic surrounded by nature. Settled in the shade of the branches, you can enjoy a calm and serene setting, lulled by the birds singing and the subtle scents of the surrounding countryside.

This place invites you to relax and share, far from the hustle and bustle. It is an ideal spot to enjoy a meal full of local flavours, with family, as a couple or among friends, before setting off to explore the nearby trails.

Please remember to take your litter away with you or place it in a bin: it’s a small gesture that helps keep our Luberon clean and beautiful — and nature will thank you for it!

Mérindol: a historic picnic in the heart of nature

Just outside Mérindol, on the road towards Lauris, the Garrigue Natural Area invites you to enjoy a relaxing break beneath the trees, in the shade of beautiful picnic tables, in a preserved natural setting.

Before or after your picnic, why not follow the discovery trail? Accessible to people with disabilities, it winds through typical garrigue plants. At the end of the path, a viewpoint awaits, offering a magnificent view over the Durance. You will also find interpretation panels about the local wildlife and flora: a wonderfully refreshing place to reconnect with nature. Perfect for families, your children will love observing the wildlife with their binoculars — definitely not to be forgotten! :)

Please remember to take your litter away with you: a small gesture that helps preserve this place and allows everyone to enjoy it to the full.

Les Taillades: a picnic in the shade of the plane trees

After admiring the breathtaking view over the former quarries in the village of Les Taillades, make your way gently towards the Moulin Saint-Pierre, an emblematic local site.

Here, not far from the heart of the village, settle down on the grass beneath the generous shade of majestic plane trees. The rustling of the leaves, the calm of the nearby water and the soft light filtering through the branches create an atmosphere of absolute serenity. It is the perfect place for a simple and soothing picnic.

For a romantic moment

Looking for a peaceful and authentic setting to enjoy a picnic surrounded by nature? Maubec offers one of the most beautiful backdrops in the Luberon, between its hilltop village and lavender fields in bloom during the summer season.

Settle down below the old village, on the grassy areas. The setting is bucolic and opens onto a picture-postcard panorama: the lavender ripples as far as the eye can see, while the stones of old Maubec gently warm in the sunshine.

It is the perfect spot for a peaceful lunch or dinner break, far from the crowds, with a breathtaking view: everything here invites you to slow down.

Please remember to take your litter away with you and respect the lavender fields: do not enter the fields or pick the lavender stems.

Cavaillon: a picnic on Saint-Jacques Hill

Take a picnic break on Saint-Jacques Hill, overlooking the town of Cavaillon! Head towards the Montée César de Bus, next to the tourist office, and you can reach it in just 15 to 20 minutes on foot. After a little effort, you will arrive at the summit... and there, a breathtaking view awaits. Surrounded by generous nature and the heady scent of the garrigue, this moment of shared pleasure with your loved ones will leave you with wonderful memories. For the less sporty, access is also possible by car via the Saint-Jacques Hill road.

The 360° panorama reveals the foothills of the Luberon, the Durance Valley, the Alpilles and, on a clear day, even Mont Ventoux. It is the perfect place for an open-air lunch break, a family snack or simply a moment of quiet contemplation.

Settle down, breathe deeply, let yourself be soothed by the birds singing and the scent of thyme… and enjoy a simple yet unforgettable moment, in the heart of nature, just a stone’s throw from the town centre.

Please remember to take all your litter away with you and leave the place as clean as you found it. The hill is a fragile natural area enjoyed by everyone — let’s help preserve it.

For a no-preparation experience

Cadenet: a gourmet break among the olive trees at Bastide du Laval

Don’t feel like cooking or loading up the car? Choose a moment of absolute relaxation with no logistics at all. At Bastide du Laval, the pleasure of a picnic begins with simplicity: a ready-made basket awaits you for lunch beneath the olive trees.

Settle into this exceptional setting, between vineyards and garrigue, and enjoy local and homemade products: savoury quiche, fresh wrap, estate specialities and chocolate fondant… Everything is provided, from the picnic cloth to the cutlery, so all you have to do is enjoy the view over the landscapes of the southern Luberon.

Good to know: you can complete your basket with a bottle of wine from the estate, available at an extra cost to be paid directly on site.

Book my basket (€25/person)

The perfect basket for a 100% local picnic

Whether you are a true foodie or simply curious to discover the local flavours, fill your basket with fresh, seasonal produce. Here is everything you need to delight your taste buds!

Our tips for an eco-friendly picnic

Enjoying nature also means taking care of it. So that everyone can continue to marvel at these beautiful landscapes, let’s adopt the right habits! Choose reusable containers such as boxes and water bottles, and remember to take all your litter away with you. A tote bag will be perfect for carrying everything back.

Finally, respect the places you visit: do not pick plants, stay on marked paths, and never light a fire in the wild. Every small gesture counts when it comes to preserving the beauty and biodiversity of the Luberon.