Perched villages by bike

11 points of interest

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  Produits du terroir

  The lavender honey, a rare sweetness?

  The lavender honey has its reputation and is one of the most popular honeys. In the PACA region, it represents 50% of honey production. But this popular honey is becoming scarce. This is due to the lavender diseases during droughts for example, or a strain of bee colonies; we can not explain the variations in production that this delicious sweet treat undergoes today.

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  Savoir-faire

  Reconnecting with old cultures

  The Einkorn wheat, the Miller wheat from Apt or the Florence Aurore wheat were cultivated by our ancestors for their weather resistance. They had slowly been replaced by new varieties, with higher yields but very phytosanitary product-consuming. Following the drought in the land and a consumer demand for less gluten-rich breads, farmers have brought back these forgotten varieties.

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  Patrimony and history

  Troglodytes (underground dwellings) of Beaumettes

  Just above the village, the troglodyte site of Beaumettes is part of the most famous sites of the Vaucluse. These underground structures lining up on nearly 130m represent a real little hamlet. Houses, farming outbuildings including a dovecote, ponds and cisterns are built around a castle and the Romanesque chapel of Sainte-Foy. There are 3 types of troglodytes: the closing of a natural orifice, constructed caves (the case in Beaumettes) and sheltered structures built against a hill.

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  Water and rivers

  The Calavon, rebirth of a river

  Until 1992, the Calavon was presented as one of the most polluted rivers in France, mainly by the industrial waste of food-processing factories of Apt. Since then, thanks to the joint efforts of all water users who rallied for a coherent and overall river management, this river which was once "murdered" is now revived. Its inclusion in 2005 in the European network Natura 2000, identifier of important natural sites for biodiversity, goes in this direction.

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  Flora

  The Water Primrose, a nuisance plant

  Exotic species introduced into an ecosystem, sometimes unintentionally, represent the third cause of loss of biodiversity. The Calavon river is here affected by the Water Primrose, an aquatic plant from South America. It spread in Europe in the 19th century through ornamental ponds where it was used as an ornamental species for its yellow flowers. Very invasive, it hinders the circulation of aquatic fauna, eliminates aquatic plant habitats, and can cause aquatic asphyxiation.

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  Panorama

  Between terraces and terraced fields...

  The Calavon valley is structured by the Calavon-Coulon river flowing between the massifs of Monts-de-Vaucluse to the north and Luberon to the south. This valley, bordered south by the foothills of the Luberon is utilized by agricultural activity (cherry trees, vineyards and orchards). It includes a former dry stone heritage of great wealth (terraced fields, bories ...), unfortunately escheated. Enjoy the plots and terraced fields of the many hilltop villages that instersperse this walk.

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  Produits du terroir

  Truffle in the Luberon

  The truffle, "Rabasso" in Provençal, is a fungus that lives on the roots of holm oaks or white oaks but also Aleppo pines ... In winter, truffle hunters and their dog go out in search of the famous "black diamond". The Vaucluse department is the first French producer and Provence produces more than three-quarters of the national production. In Ménerbes, you can go to the "Maison de la Truffe et du Vin" to learn more.

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  Produits du terroir

  Olive oil, a Mediterranean symbol

  Imported in Provence by the Phoenicians, who founded Marseille 600 BC, the olive tree spread during the Roman era in the south of France. The olive harvest takes place from October to February. Depending on the variety, it usually takes 5 to 7kg of olives for a litre of oil. Olive oil is emblematic of the Mediterranean diet and is found in many typical dishes such as Tapenade (a traditional Provençal olive spread). In the Luberon, several mills will offer their olive oils, each with its own personality.

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  Patrimony and history

  Oppède-le-vieux and the agricultural plain

  Between the northern slope of the Petit Luberon and agricultural plain of the Calavon valley, the landscaped area around Oppède is remarkable and fragile. To protect the views of the old village, the Luberon and the agricultural plain, Oppède has considered the future of the outstanding farms by implementing construction and evolution rules respectful of the architectural and landscape heritage. The commune would like to avoid suburban commoditization and to preserve its built heritage.

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  Fauna

  Petit Luberon, the Mecca of biodiversity

  Le Petit Luberon is part of the European Natura 2000 network like 8 other sites of the Luberon Park. Special efforts for the protection and management aimed at preserving the quality of the ecosystem and their remarkable biodiversity. A decree for the biotope protection from 1990 preserves the tranquillity of raptors by banning the practice of rock climbing and aerial sports (Ultralight aviation, paragliding, delta plane) as well as wildlife photography.

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  Geology

  Heating quicklime in Robion

  The sylvan theatre (also known as greenery theatre) was built at the foot of the excavated face of a former quarry. Beautiful white limestone was formerly extracted from there. It was heated in the big kiln nearby at elevated temperatures between 900 to 1000 °C, turning into quicklime, used for construction and agriculture. The kiln which was built in 1859 was abandoned in 1914. The quarry was operated until 1935. Many towns had a lime kiln but very few are as beautiful and well preserved.