When choosing a place to stay, Vitrolles-En-Lubéron offers two distinct highlights: hiking and mountain biking in the Grand Luberon, and a village with notable examples of its architectural history. The village is centrally located in the Valladas Valley, at the foot of the Castellas hill. You can decide whether to devote your time mainly to the landscape, the architecture or both.
Landscape and hiking in the Grand Luberon
The ridge of the Grand Luberon forms the basis of the commune’s territory. It descends from Les Cours at 960 metres in the west to Cancel at 709 metres in the east. Its extensive slopes cover almost four fifths of the commune’s 1,615 hectares. The Valladas stream also flows through the commune.
According to the route description updated by the tourist office in December 2023, the “Rando: Panorama à 360° à Vitrolles en Luberon” hike is an 11-kilometre, moderately difficult circular route. According to the description, it starts at Col de l’Aire des Mascas on the D 33, four kilometres beyond Vitrolles-En-Lubéron. Plan to reach this starting point separately from your visit to the village. The route offers panoramic views across the Southern Luberon, with vistas of Mont Ventoux, Lure, the Alps, the Verdon mountains, Sainte-Baume, Sainte-Victoire, the Chaîne de l’Étoile, Étang de Berre and the Alpilles. Check trail conditions before setting out.
The mountain-bike stage of the Grande Traversée de Vaucluse is another option for active visitors, according to the route description updated in August 2024. It starts in the village and crosses the broad ridges and steppe-like grasslands of the Grand Luberon. The described long-distance views look south towards the sea and north towards Mont Ventoux. For walkers, the main option is a circular route with a stated distance and difficulty; the mountain-bike stage crosses ridges and grasslands. Trail and weather conditions may change.
The village, valley and road connections
Its location in the Valladas Valley and at the foot of Castellas gives the village a clear geographical setting. The winding, lightly trafficked D 33 and D 216 roads connect it with neighbouring villages. They link Vitrolles-En-Lubéron with Grambois, Peypin-d’Aigues, La Bastide-des-Jourdans and Céreste on the other side of the Luberon. The D 33 is also the road on which the starting point of the described hike is located.
The château and architectural history
Château du Grand-Pré is listed as a historic monument; it was listed on 16 July 2013. The country residence dates from the second half of the 18th century and features elaborate stucco decoration. The château is open to the public for visits. Guided tours with commentary are available exclusively to groups by reservation: groups of 12 to a maximum of 15 people are accepted, at 2 or 4 p.m. Seasonal arrangements may change; check the tour conditions before planning your visit.
The gardens are also part of the Château visit: terraces lead to a large pool in the style of Louis XIV. The gardens may continue to evolve. In the village, the church of Saint-Étienne’s arcaded bell tower rises above the village square. The Romanesque church is mentioned from 1274 onwards. Its two-bay nave and rectangular apse with a semicircular barrel vault give the building a clearly articulated form.
Other local landmarks
Local history is also reflected in more modest buildings and traces of work. The former oil mill retains an animal-powered millstone and a scourtin press. Vitrolles-En-Lubéron also has an 18th-century washhouse and fountain. The fountain’s rounded basin is shaped like a gendarme’s hat.
When planning your visit, you can weigh up the options: the hike offers a moderately difficult circular route with wide-ranging views, while the mountain-bike stage is defined by its ridges and grasslands. In the village, the château, church, oil mill, washhouse and fountain offer different perspectives on the built heritage.
Discover more destinations: Villedieu, Rochegude, Viens, Jonquerettes, Saint-Pantaléon, Beaumes De Venise, Travaillan, Méthamis.
For the wider travel overview: Vaucluse.
