💧 Water and Lake Serre-Ponçon
Serre-Ponçon Lake was created artificially in the 1960s. Its dam regulates the lake’s water level between winter and summer, so it has a tidal range of several metres. The rise and fall in water level take a long time (several weeks), so there’s no risk of finding your bath towel underwater within a few hours. Furthermore, in summer the lake level varies between its maximum (780 NGF) and -5 metres (775 NGF), making it suitable for all water sports and offering picture-postcard scenery.
The lake’s tributaries supply water that is particularly rich in minerals and sediment, giving Serre-Ponçon its striking, characteristic ‘South Seas’ hue.
Serre-Ponçon Lake is the largest man-made lake in mainland France, one of the most major earth-fill dams in Europe covering more than 2,800 hectares
🚴🏻♂️ How can you combine art and cycling?
Starting from the Bel-Air holiday cottages as always, you’ll need to set aside the whole day; either order a packed lunch or plan to eat at a restaurant there – that’s the logistics sorted.
Cycle along the road to the former Bonnieux railway station, which is set to become a temple to African art. Indeed, after 20 years in the Apt industrial estate near the Blachère company, the foundation of the same name is moving its art centre on 30 June.
Between the purchase of the premises and the building work, the foundation will have spent no less than 3 million euros.
For the record, it was from Pierre Cardin that the foundation bought the former Bonnieux railway station, where his final fashion show was held.
TOURIST FAVOURITE:
Goult
Make the most of your visit to the Blachère Foundation to enjoy a picnic near the site or head up to the village of Goult in search of a restaurant.
Afternoon tour on Jerusalem Mill to enjoy the setting and the panoramic view.
Listed in 1805, this mill – known as the «Jerusalem Mill» – remained in operation until the end of the 19th century. In 1947, the ruins of the building were acquired by the National Geographic Institute (IGN) to be turned into an astronomy education centre.
The mill was handed over to the municipality of Goult, which undertook its restoration.
You can make the most of your visit by exploring the Terrace Conservatory
A 15-minute walk from the Jerusalem mill lies an exceptional restored landscape site, bearing witness to architectural and agricultural heritage.
To get there, follow the Chemin de la Carredone. As soon as you enter the site, you’ll notice that the terraces – known in Provençal as «restanques» or «bancau» – form a natural amphitheatre, sheltered from the mistral and severe frosts thanks to its south-facing aspect.
Their produce supplemented that from the cultivated land on the plain, which was more fertile but prone to flooding.
This site is a fine example of the skilful use of dry stone: rabbit hutches, bories, low walls, cantilevered staircases, cisterns, beehive shelters…
And to round off the day, on your way back you’ll visit the the Ubac dolmen
The Ubac Dolmen: this is actually a reconstruction of the original dolmen, situated 500 metres upstream from the original site, to protect it from the Calavon’s floodwaters, and to allow visitors to reach the Bel-Air holiday cottages via the cycle route and enjoy their comfort and leisure facilities.
🌾 Walks in Oppède
Hiking in the Luberon is a unique experience that offers many delights: an immersion in the heart of nature, discovering the Luberon’s varied landscapes, oak forests and steep cliffs. You can also admire the panoramic views of the Monts de Vaucluse.
🥾 Five walking trails to explore in Oppède
Whether on foot or by bike, the natural surroundings of’Oppède offers some lovely opportunities for walks.
There are several signposted trails, dotted with information and themed signs, inviting you to explore the Oppède countryside.
The botanical trail
Set amongst the Terrasses Sainte Cécile, situated between the Oppède-le-Vieux car park and the village, this botanical trail offers visitors a «poetic» interlude before they set off to explore our heritage site and its ancient stones. You’ll meander amongst local and Mediterranean species, discovering or rediscovering endemic plants such as the cherry tree, hackberry, almond tree, arbutus and dogwood. You’ll brush up on or expand your knowledge of botany: what is the ‘wig tree’ or the ‘Tree of Judea’, and what is the difference between crown vetch, santolina and valerian?
Finally, you’ll reach the threshing floor at Sainte Cécile, where the view of the village is so beautiful and photogenic: the castle and church overlook the ruins of the old village, which stretch above the houses, along the ramparts.
The Olive Trail
This new trail will take you through the terraced fields covered in olive trees in the commune of Oppède. The olive tree, a source of pride for Provence, will be introduced to you so that you can learn more about the age-old tradition of olive cultivation, its varieties, its mills and its produce.
Duration of the walk: 30 mins
Distance: 2.2 km
Difficulty: easy
Colour: light green
The Ribas Trail
The Ribas Trail takes you out of Old Oppède and along the Luberon massif towards the east, passing through the renowned rock-climbing site of Brécugne, before heading towards the back of the Oppède quarries. It is a walk that takes place mainly under the canopy of the woods and in the shade of the local trees.
Duration of the walk: 2 hours 30 minutes
Distance: 5.5 km
Level: moderate
Colour code: lavender blue
The trail of water, fountains and wash houses
Water, the source of life, has always been a major part of our daily lives. In Oppède, as in other villages, we can admire the efforts made by local people to make water more accessible and bring it closer to their homes. The walk through the Oppède countryside that we suggest will allow you to see the heritage linked to the use of water: fountains, wash houses and windmills. Numerous water channels – tunnels dug and built into the hills – channelled runoff water to homes, wash houses or fields.
Duration of the walk: 2 hours 30 minutes
Distance: 8 km
Difficulty: easy
Colour coding: blue