What to do with teenagers in the Luberon: 10 Family-Friendly Activites
- rebeccacoulliais
- Aug 3, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Feb 5
Travelling with teenagers can be one of the most rewarding, and challenging, parts of a family holiday. The Luberon is often associated with villages, markets and slow living, but it also offers plenty of activities that appeal to older children and teenagers. From outdoor adventures, to cultural experiences and days that feel fun, this guide brings together our favourite things to do with teenagers, and young adults, in the Luberon, so the whole family can enjoy their time together.
Evening Open-air Cinema at Mas des Infermières
An evening at the open air cinema at Le Mas des Infermières is a truly memorable experience for teenagers and adults alike. Set at the winery created by film director Ridley Scott, near Oppède, this summer event combines cinema, atmosphere, wine tasting and the beautiful Luberon landscape.
Arrive early to explore the estate and cellar, where costumes and memorabilia from some of Scott’s most iconic films, including Alien, The Martian and Gladiator, are on display. It’s a engaging visit even before the film begins, especially for kids interested in cinema.
As evening falls, settle into comfortable deckchairs in the courtyard with a picnic and a bottle of wine (water is also provided) while the sun sets over the Luberon. Once the night has fallen, the film is projected onto a giant outdoor screen, created a relaxed and immersive atmosphere. Screenings take place every Friday evening during the summer, with films shown in English (VO). Check the estate's website for the current programme.
Vintage Shopping & Markets in Isle sur la Sorgue
A visit to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a brilliant day out for families with teenagers, combining markets, shopping and plenty of atmosphere. Start the morning with the bustle of a lively Provencal market, then cool off with what we consider the best ice cream in the region, Ravi, before exploring the town’s famous vintage and antique shops.
Known as the antique capital of Provence, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is full of treasure hunts waiting to happen, from vintage clothing and jewellery to quirky objects and unexpected finds that appeal just as much to teenagers as to adults. For a cultural pause, the Fondation Villa Datris offers bold, contemporary exhibitions that are accessible and engaging for all ages.
With its canals, mills, cafés and ever changing mix of shops and galleries, there’s something here for everyone, making it and easy and fun day to spend together for the whole family.
For more ideas and practical tips, you can download our Luberon Guide, which includes further recommendations for Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and beyond.
Adventure Park and Ochre Landscapes at Colorado Aventures
Colorado Aventures is a great option for active teenagers, offering several high ropes courses (accrobranche) adapted to different age groups, from young children to teenagers and adults, as well as outdoor laser games suitable from around 8 years old. Set just outside Rustrel, the park’s natural surroundings are part of the appeal. This is a genuine outdoor adventure.
The sit is very close to Colorado Provencal, one of the most spectacular landscapes in the region, and a beautiful place to explore either before or after your activity. Named for its vivid ochre colours, the Colorado Provencal is a unique, man-made landscape shaped by decades of ochre extraction, once a major local industry until the mid 20th century. Today its cliffs and canyons create a stunning backdrop.
Combining an active morning at Colorado Aventures with a hike through the ochre trails of the Colorado Provencal makes for a memorable day out, particularly suited to teenagers you enjoy physical activity.
Water Activities at the Plan d'Eau de la Raille, Apt
The Plan d’Eau de la Raille is a relaxed and easy option for a fun afternoon with teenagers and younger children alike. Located just outside Apt, this leisure lake offers inflatable games, pedalos, kayaks and canoes, perfect for coolong off and burning off energy on a warm summer day.
With activities suitable for children from around 3 years old, it’s a flexible outing that works for mixed-age families. There’s no need to plan too far ahead: simply turn up, choose your activity and enjoy a few carefree hours by the water.
The site is open daily from early afternoon until early evening, and on Thursday nights the atmosphere becomes more festive, with dinner options and live music or concerts, a nice bonus for families looking for something a little different in the evening.
Water activities are operated by Aquabase at the Plan d’Eau de la Raille
Explore the Ochre Mines of Bruoux, in Gargas
A visit to the Mines de Bruoux is fascinating and adventurous experience for families with teenagers. Located in Gargas, these former ochre mines allow you descend into the heart of the Luberon’s ochre cliffs and discover a hidden underground world shaped by centuries of mining.
The site is an impressive labyrinth of galleries, with around 650 metre open to visitors as part of a guided tour. While the network extends for more than 40 kilometres in toal, the accessible sections already give a powerful sense of scale, with galleries soaring up to 15 metres high. Walking through these monumental underground spaces is likely to captivate even the teenagers of the family!
Guided visits are compulsory and must be booked in advance, but they are well paced and engaging for all ages. An added bonus in summer: the temperature underground remains pleasantly cool, making this an ideal activity during the hotter days.
Canoeing on the Sorgue & Fontaine de Vaucluse
Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced paddler, canoeing on the Sorgue is guaranteed fun for the whole family. Calm, clear and refreshingly cool, the river is ideal for teenagers and mixed aged groups, combining gentle adventure with beautiful scenery.
This activity pairs perfectly with a visit to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, home to the source of the river Sorgue and the largest natural spring in France. Rising dramatically a the foot of a 240 metre limestone cliff, the spring is one of the most powerful in the world and a fascinating natural site to explore on foot before or after your time on the water.
From Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, you can take to the river itself, arguably the best way to appreciate its vivid colour. Canoe and kayak outings are available with Kayak Vert, either independently or as part or a guided or group descent. Drifting downstream through this landscape is both relaxing and invigorating, making it a wonderful experience for teenagers who like a little activity, without it being too demanding.
Visit Roussillon and walk the Sentier des Ocres
A visit to Roussillon combined with a walk along the Sentier des Occres is one of the most visually striking outings in the Luberon and a great choice for families with teenagers. Start in the morning, while the temperatures are still cooler, and follow the ochre trail as it winds down into the former quarry, now a carefully preserved natural site.
The walk is short but dramatic and steep, passing through vivid red, orange and pink cliffs, shaped by centuries of ochre extraction. Wooden walkways and staircases lead back up through the landscape, a gentle challenge that works up a thirst and provides some of the best photo opportunities in the region.
After the trail return to the village of Roussillon and settle onto a terrace for a cool drink before exploring the village’s small shops and galleries. A stop at Bals’Art for a vinegar tasting is an unexpectedly fun detour, and the village's distinctive colours make it a perfect place to wander, shop for souvenirs and soak up the atmosphere.
Cycle the Calavon Greenway and visit le Pont Julien
Cycling along the Calavon Greenway is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways of exploring the Luberon with teenagers. Bikes can be rented from Général Bike Luberon in Gargas, before joining the paved cycle path that follows the route of the former railway line. The greenway runs for around 40 kilometres, from near Saignon along the D48towards Castellet, and on to Robion.
With very little elevation and a fully paved surface, this route is well suited to all ages and abilities. The path allows you to cycle safely through Apt, follow the banks of the Calavon River, and enjoy ever-changing views of the surrounding countryside and perched villages. One of the highlights is crossing the Pont Julien, an impressive Roman bridge dating back nearly 2 000 years, a striking reminder of the region’s long history.
This gentle bike ride combines outdoor activity with cultural discovery, making it particularly appealing to teenagers who enjoy being active. For those whose curiosity is sparked by the Roman remains, the route can easily be paired with a visit to the Musée d’Apt to learn more about the area’s ancient past.
Picnic and swimming at the Etang de la Bonde
The Etang de la Bonde is a favourite local spot for cooling off on a hot summer day and an easy win with teenagers. This man-made lake, locate near Cabrières-d’Aigues, offers calm, turquoise waters, shady picnic areas and plenty of space to spread out, perfect for a laid back afternoon under the Luberon sun.
The atmosphere at Etang de la Bonde is simple and informal - swimming, lounging and enjoying the water are the stars of the day. There are no equipment rentals, so be sure to bring your own paddleboard, inflatables or pool tools if you’d like to make the most of the afternoon.
Getting there is part of the pleasure, with a scenic drive through the Provençal countryside, passing close to Lourmarin and Curcurun. We often turn this trip into a full day out: visit one of the villages in the morning, pick up picnic supplies at the market (Tuesday in Cucuron, Friday in Lourmarin), then head to the lake for lunch, to swim and to relax and unwind.
A slow day by the pool, pizza and petanque
Not every day in the Luberon needs to be spent out and about. For teenagers especially, a slower rhythm is often what makes a great holiday. Making the most of your holiday home and settling in for a pool day is sometimes exactly what everyone needs.
Experience the Provençal art de vivre: cool off in the pool, stretch out in the shade of an ancient oak tree for an afternoon siesta. Indulge in a friendly family petanque tournament, a game of ping pong or a bit of poolside fun or just a good book and some summer music.
As the sun sets over the Luberon, turn it into something special with a relaxed pizza night by the pool. Lorenzo’s retro pizza van sets up in a different village each evening - in Saignon on Saturdays and Apt on Mondays and Fridays, both are just a short drive from Villa Vauvert. Eating pizza under the stars, without rushing anywhere, often ends up being one of those simple holiday moments that everyone remembers.
Staying in one place, with plenty of space to spread out and relax, and a family sized pool, often makes travelling with teenagers more enjoyable - especially when based somewhere like Villa Vauvert.
Comments