VAN-COMPARATOR Guide
The Luberon by campervan: Gordes, Roussillon and the ochre trail in three days
A campervan itinerary in the Luberon from Marseille: hilltop villages, the ochre trail, Provençal markets — where to park, where to sleep, what to budget.
The Luberon is Provence distilled, one hour from Marseille: perched villages, lavender fields in late June, ochre cliffs and markets that smell of melon. A campervan gets around easily — as long as you know where to put your wheels at night.
The classic loop
Count on 120 kilometres: Lourmarin and its château, the Lourmarin combe up to Bonnieux, Gordes at sunrise (the viewpoint is mobbed by 10 am), Sénanque abbey, then Roussillon and its ochre trail (€3-4, 45 minutes). On Saturday morning, Apt hosts the biggest market in the Vaucluse — arrive before 9 am to find parking. With a fourth day, add Ménerbes and Oppède-le-Vieux, Gordes’s quiet twins, and the Pont Julien, an intact Roman bridge standing amid the vines.
Parking and sleeping
Almost every hilltop village bans overnight motorhome parking: use the dedicated car parks below the villages (typically €5-8 a day) and sleep at a stopover or on a farm — the France Passion network lists dozens of wine and olive estates in the area, a free night in exchange for a (worthwhile) tasting. The full rulebook is in our guide to wild camping rules in Europe.
Which van, what budget
A compact campervan (€75-150/day) or a mini-camper (€45-90/day) is plenty: the roads are good but parking spaces are scarce. Three days from Marseille: €250-400 rental, €50 of diesel, €30-60 of overnight fees. Travelling with a dog? Many Provençal owners accept pets on request — check our pet-friendly RV rental guide before booking.
Insider tip
Aim for June or September: lavender or harvest season, mild temperatures and rental prices 20-30% below August. In high summer, do the villages before 10 am and nap in the shade after lunch — like the locals.