The Luberon with children: our favourite family friendly activities
- rebeccacoulliais
- Feb 14
- 7 min read
The Luberon is a wonderful place to travel with children. It is an invitation to slow down, connect with nature and with each other. Between hands-on history, gentle outdoor adventures and plenty of time and space to explore, the Luberon offers a beautifully balanced family holiday. From climbing a castle tower, spotting wildlife on a nature walk, to donkey rides and pool days, these are our favourite activities for families travelling with children in the Luberon.
Visit a Fairy Tale Village and Experience Authentic Provence.
Perched up high above the town of Apt, Saignon is one of those villages that feels quietly magical from the moment you arrive. Small, welcoming and relatively unspoilt, it offers an authentic glimpse of Provence and is particularly well suited to families with children. In summer, we recommend visiting in the morning, before the heat of the day sets in.
Wander along the beautifully cobbled paths that wind their way through the village, passing the iconic fountain and the old olive mill before climbing gently to the top. Here, the remains of the medieval castle recall Saignon’s strategic past. Remarkably for such a small village, it was once home to four castles, several churches and chapels and even an abbey, the Saint Eusèbe Abbey.
Children love exploring the ruins, peering out through the ancient stone window over the rolling Luberon countryside and climbing up onto “the rock” for one of the most beautiful panoramic views in the area. Afterwards, wander back down into the village for a well-earned cold drink at Chez Christine or the Auberge du Presbytère, a simple pleasure that perfectly captures the spirit of Provence.
Donkey walks in the Luberon, a gentle family activity
Exploring the Luberon countryside in the quiet company of a donkey is a wonderful way to reconnect with nature. We are delighted to recommend Juliette at Anes des Collines, who often grazes her small herd on part of our land. Meet up with Chipie, Ninette or Gentille and set off along the quiet paths that weave through the hills.
This activity is absolutely family friendly. Juliette will help you to choose a trail adapted to your group. Adults and older children walk alongside the donkeys, while younger children can enjoy riding on their backs. Half day and full day excursions are available, with the option of a picnic for longer adventures.
This is an especially lovely activity in spring and autumn, when the temperatures are mild and walking is most enjoyable. In high summer, the heat can be intense and weather conditions are imôrtant. For this reason, it’s best to contact Juliette directly to plan your outing, as routes and availability vary depending on grazing areas, weather and the donkeys’ well-being.
High Ropes at the Adventure park, then family time at Colorado Provencal in Rustrel
For a more active day out, Colorado Aventures is a great option for families with younger children, as well as older siblings. Colorado Aventures offer several high ropes courses, adapted to different age groups, from small children through to teenagers and adults. There are also outdoor laser games for children over 8 years old.
Set just outside Rustrel, the park is surrounded by nature, making the entire experience feel like a real outdoor adventure. The site is very close to Colorado Provencal, one of the most visually striking landscapes in the region and a wonderful place to visit for a family day out. Famous for its vivid ochre colours, this unique , man-made landscape was shaped by decades of ochre extraction. Today, it’s colourful cliffs and gentle trails feel almost like a moon scape, and are easy and fun to explore.
Combining Colorado Aventures with a stroll through Colorado Provencal make for a full family day out, mixing fresh air and play perfectly!
Be a farmer for a day at the Billy Billy farm in Isle sur la Sorgue
Billy Billy Farm is a lovely introduction to farm life for younger children, offering a playful way to discover animals and rural traditions. Here, children can pay at being farmers for the day, collecting eggs, petting donkeys, milking goats and getting close to animals in a calm, welcoming environment.
Families can choose from a relaxed, informal visit with access to the picnic area, or organised themed days that include guided activities around animals, traditional skills and old trades. These special days often feature shared meals, barbeques or picnics, making the experience much more comprehensive.
A visit to the farm could easily be combined with time spent in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, a beautiful town shaped by the Sorgue river, with canals, water wheels and antique markets galore. It is a nice contrast to the morning farm and a great place to stop for a delicious Ravi icecream or a walk along the water.
Visit the ochre mines of Bruoux, in Gargas
A visit to the Mines de Bruoux is fascinating and adventurous experience for families with children of all ages. 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 impressive at all ages.
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 the whole family, regardless of age.
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 children who like a little activity, without it being too demanding.
Explore the Cedar Forest, in Bonnieux
Stretching across five hectares between Bonnieux and Cabriès-d'Avignon, the Cedar Forest of the Petit Luberon is a magical place for families to explore. Nestled in the heart of the Luberon Natural Park, this magical cedar forest offers welcome shade, fresh air ans space for children to roam.
The walking trails are accessible and varied, making them suitable for all ages. Children love discovering the small teepees and woodland shelters built by previous young explorers, turning a simple walk into an actual adventure. Whether you choose to explore on foot or by bike, the forest is a safe and relaxed setting for a family outing. On hot days, the dense cedar canopy offers a cool refuge from the Provencal sun, making it an ideal picnic spot. Bring a blanket, take your time and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and the beautiful panoramic views of the Luberon.
Practical details make this an easy choice for families: parking is available on site, access is free and dogs are welcome.
Cycle the Calavon Greenway and visit the Pont Julien
Cycling along the Calavon Greenway is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways of exploring the Luberon with children. 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 D48 towards Castellet, and on to Robion.
With very little elevation and a fully paved surface, this route is well suited to all ages and abilities, including young children. 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 children 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.
Visit Lourmarin Castle
A visit to Château de Lourmarin is an accessible and enjoyable introduction to Renaissance history. Open daily, the castle can be explored independently, with a guided tour, or via a treasure hunt that helps keep children engaged as they move from room to room.
Younger children will love climbing the stone staircases into the towers to discover the panoramic view from the top of the castle. The château is compact enough to visit without tiring little legs, making it an easy cultural stop during a family day out in Lourmarin.
After visiting the castle, wander through the charming streets of Lourmarin and indulge in a treat from Ravi, in our opinion, the best ice cream in the region. Lourmarin also has a children’s playground conveniently located between the château and Ravi. The village’s quiet streets and shaded corners also lend themselves to gentle exploration, making it easy for families to spend a relaxed morning or afternoon together.
A Slow Day at Home in the Luberon
Not every day needs a schedule. Some of the most memorable moments of a family holiday happen when you simply stay put and let the day unfold. A morning swim before the heat sets in, a lazy game of ping pong in the shade, a long siesta after lunch.
For those staying in a rural setting, there is often more to explore than you first think- marked paths through the woodland, hidden clearings, maybe even a waterfall or creek. Children can roam a little more freely, invent their own adventures, pick flowers, collect pine cones and let their imagination run free.
As evening falls, another swim, a simple meal and the quiet satisfaction of a day well spent without ever needing to go out.
Family holidays in the Luberon don’t need to be rushed or action packed to be memorable. Whether it’s exploring ochre trails, paddling down the Sorgue, wandering through villages or simply enjoying a slow day by the pool, the beauty of Provence lies in the balance.
Choosing the right base makes all the difference, allowing everyone to explore at their own pace, and return each evening to space, calm and nature - something we are passionate about at Villa Vauvert.