There are very few automobile "vantage points" over the Gorge du Verdon. The views from all the 2 & 3 star (Michelin ratings) might not take more than 1 1/2 to 2 hours. You did not mention any boat trips through the Gorge - so I sure would not recommend that you stay in Moustiers or near the gorge for 2 nights just to mainly visit the gorge vantage points (unless you plan a boat trip in addition). There are better gorges elsewhere in France. And I certainly would not subtract a day from your already too-short 3 nights & 2 1/2 days in the Luberon/Vaison/Cote du Rhone/Uzes/Pont du Gard area.

I also think you are spending too much time in the Aix/Cassis region - compared to time you have allocated to the Luberon & surrounds. Remember - Aix will be quite dead on Sunday & Monday mornings - shops will be closed.

Stu Dudley

I'm looking to pull over anywhere along the D952 overlooking the Pont du Galetas, where the river joins the Lac du Verdon. Seems like limited spaces where can park the car and see a view. There are some spots with more space for cars but they're more trailheads, not a lookout. At least from looking at Google Maps.

Then I see some vantage points around Aiguines and east of Aiguines on the D71, there are a couple of places there with room to pull over and get a view over the Gorge.

Also looking to fly my drone and film in this area. There also is a lookout overlooking the Lac de Sainte-Croix and the town of Sainte. Croix du Verdon, near some lavender fields.

I may be able to cover all this in an afternoon and the following morning if I stay just one night, before leaving for the Luberon in the afternoon.

But thanks for the recommendation to spend more time in Luberon than Aix/Cassis.

Many (most?) of Aix's wonderful museums and churches are open on Sundays and Mondays. :)

Get the Michelin Green Guide for the Alps. There is a good map of the gorge with all the lookouts designated, and the Michelin "rating" for the quality/beauty of the specific lookout. (1 to 3 stars). Most 3 stars are on the one-way & circular Route des Cretes.

Stu Dudley

Is there a lookout with a view of Bonnieux similar to the one on Route de Cavaillon (D15) SW of Gordes? The viewpoint of Gordes has a lot of pictures in Google Maps but I couldn't find a similar one for Bonnieux, though.


I've been looking at booking.com listings and Google Maps. Seems like a lot of guest house type of accommodations along Route de Cavaillon with private parking and about 800 meters to 1 km walk into the town center for restaurants. Will be basing for 4 nights and looks like Gordes has the most lodging options among the villages, at least on Google and booking.com, airbnb.

Wide range in prices and amenities. Many look to be recently renovated, with pools on decks overlooking the valley. Some have air conditioning, which is noted in some reviews of places without AC.

I was going to book one of those places to the west, along the D15. But then I found one which appears to be only 1000 ft away from the center. Has private parking, appears to be a guest house and the reviews say the hosts prepare breakfast for the guests.

The real draw is proximity to the center but I may have to fend for myself on breakfasts. I guess it may be "cafe et pains au chocolate" for 4 days. Would prefer some aliments salés.

The view of Bonnieux is best from Lacoste in the late afternoon.

There are not any restaurants I would recommend for dinner in Gordes (except the expensive restaurant in the Bastide de Gordes). There are some good ones are in the outskirts of Gordes, however, but not in the village center. I'm a foodie and tend to go for the "Michelin" restaurants.

You won't enjoy the walk from the Route de Cavaillon (D15) into Gordes - unless you are close (200 yds) to the huge parking lot near the switchback (see the Google map). We stayed on the Route de Senanque once (Domaine de L'Enclos), and the walk from there was OK (but I was younger then). So stay somewhere very close to the D15/Route de Senanque junction, or between the Route de Senanque & Gordes.

Stu Dudley

Thanks for the tip on Lacoste, which wasn't on my radar.

Google Maps seem to trace distance along the roads so unless there are pedestrian paths which cut across the roads, it looks like Domaine de L'Enclos is about 800 meters to the Chateau. Other properties along Senaque or further south on Cavaillon are also about 800 meters or further away.

For dinner, I'm probably not going to be interested in driving (probably will be doing a lot of driving during the day) so being close to the center is my goal. Gordes seems to have more dining options than the other villages so hoping there will be something to meet my modest expectations and budget.

But I may have to prepare to hike a bit into town or if walking about 1 km each way is bad maybe drive in if there's parking close by. Only thing I wonder about is if you're having to walk along roads without much shoulder or a dedicated sidewalk as it gets dark.

>> maybe drive in if there's parking close by <<

The parking lot at the base of Gordes near the hairpin turn is huge. There is room at the far end of the lot for about 20 tour buses also. When we stayed near Gordes for 4 weeks (2 trips) we took our garbage and recyclables to the dumpsters in that parking lot. You won't have any trouble finding parking for dinner. The road from the parking lot to the center of Gordes is wide - and most of the time "pedestrians only" (few cars, anyway). We hiked to Gordes on a dirt path from our gite which was half-way between Cabrieres d'Avignon & Gordes, and it was a difficult hike with lots of trees & shrubs. I don't think you won't find any dirt-path short cute - you'll use the road. It is not a problem for a walk at all - unless you are 1 K or more away from the center of Gordes.

From my itinerary

"Take the D109 into Lacoste & drive up into the village, but turn around at the Mairie parking lot & retrace your route (heading to Bonnieux). This will afford you good views of Bonnieux. One unfortunate situation is that you really can’t get good views of both Lacoste & Bonnieux at the same time of day because of the sun’s position. We usually view Lacoste on our morning drives and Bonnieux in the evening just prior to dinner."

Stu Dudley

I didn't mention it, but I hope you know that it is a rather steep walk uphill from the parking lot to the chateau area. The Bastide de Gordes is about 3/4 of the way there. Take your time on this walk. You may be able to park next to the chateau - but the last tie we did this was in abut 2001. Things change.

Stu Dudley

Good to know. Heard there was parking near a hospital as well.

The one time I visited was mid day in mid September 5 years ago and it was some kind of market day because there were stalls all over the square and I remember I was able to park pretty close. Don't recall having to hike uphill either.

Maybe I got lucky and parked where I wasn't suppose to. But kind of rushed through Gordes, Rousillon and Bonnieux that day. Even made it to Pont du Gard in the late afternoon before returning to Avignon.