{"id":1950,"date":"2026-07-01T18:01:20","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T16:01:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lesgitesdebelair.com\/"},"modified":"2026-09-28T11:39:25","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T09:39:25","slug":"lecho-de-bel-air-no-53","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesgitesdebelair.com\/en\/lecho-de-bel-air-no-53\/","title":{"rendered":"L\u2019Echo de Bel-Air No. 53"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

\ud83d\udca7 Water and Lake Serre-Pon\u00e7on<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Serre-Pon\u00e7on Lake was created artificially in the 1960s. Its dam regulates the lake\u2019s 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\u2019s 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 all water sports possible and offering picture-postcard scenery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lake\u2019s tributaries supply water that is particularly rich in minerals and sediment, giving Serre-Pon\u00e7on its striking, characteristic \u2018South Seas\u2019 hue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Serre-Pon\u00e7on Lake is the largest man-made lake in mainland France<\/strong>, one of the most major earth-fill dams in Europe<\/strong> covering more than 2,800 hectares<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"Chapel
The chapel by the lake allows you to see the water level.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"Remi
Remi Morel \u2013 Serre-Pon\u00e7on Tourist Office<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udeb4\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2642\ufe0f How can you combine art and cycling?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Starting from the Bel-Air holiday cottages as always, you\u2019ll need to set aside the whole day; either order a packed lunch or plan to eat at a restaurant there \u2013 that\u2019s the logistics sorted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 Blach\u00e8re company, the foundation of the same name is moving its art centre on 30 June.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The Blach\u00e8re Foundation in Apt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Between the purchase of the premises and the building work, the foundation will have spent no less than 3 million euros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the record, it was from Pierre Cardin that the foundation bought the former Bonnieux railway station, where his final fashion show was held.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"Bonnieux
Bonnieux station now<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"African
African Art<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A favourite tourist spot<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goult<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Make the most of your visit to the Blach\u00e8re Foundation<\/a> to enjoy a picnic near the site or head up to the village of Goult in search of a restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afternoon tour on Jerusalem Mill<\/a> to enjoy the setting and the panoramic view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listed in 1805, this mill \u2013 known as the \u00abJerusalem Mill\u00bb \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mill was handed over to the municipality of Goult, which undertook its restoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jerusalem
Jerusalem Mill<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You can make the most of your visit by exploring the Terrace Conservatory<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 15-minute walk from the Jerusalem mill lies an exceptional restored landscape site, a testament to architectural and agricultural heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get there, head along the Chemin de la Carredone. As soon as you enter the site, you\u2019ll notice that the terraces \u2013 known in Proven\u00e7al as \u00abrestanques\u00bb or \u00abbancau\u00bb \u2013 form a natural amphitheatre, sheltered from the mistral and severe frosts thanks to their south-facing aspect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The Terrace Conservatory<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And to round off the day, on your way back you\u2019ll visit the the Ubac dolmen<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The Ubac Dolmen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s floodwaters, and to allow visitors to reach the Bel-Air holiday cottages via the cycle route and enjoy their comfort and leisure facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf3e Walks in Opp\u00e8de<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hiking in the Luberon is a unique experience that offers many delights: an immersion in the heart of nature, discovering the Luberon\u2019s varied landscapes, oak forests and steep cliffs. You can also admire the panoramic views of the Monts de Vaucluse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83e\udd7e Five walking trails to explore in Opp\u00e8de<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Whether on foot or by bike, the natural surroundings of\u2019Opp\u00e8de<\/a> offers some lovely opportunities for walks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several signposted trails, dotted with information and themed signs, inviting you to explore the Opp\u00e8de countryside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The botanical trail<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Set amongst the Terrasses Sainte C\u00e9cile, situated between the Opp\u00e8de-le-Vieux car park and the village, this botanical trail offers visitors a \u00abpoetic\u00bb interlude before they set off to explore our heritage site and its ancient stones. You\u2019ll meander amongst local and Mediterranean species, discovering or rediscovering endemic plants such as the cherry tree, hackberry, almond tree, arbutus and dogwood. You\u2019ll refresh or expand your knowledge of botany: what is the \u2018wig tree\u2019 or the \u2018Tree of Judas\u2019, and what is the difference between crown vetch, santolina and valerian?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, you\u2019ll reach the threshing floor at Sainte C\u00e9cile, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Olive Trail<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This new trail will take you through the terraced fields covered in olive trees in the commune of Opp\u00e8de. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duration of the walk: 30 mins
Distance: 2.2 km
Difficulty: easy
Colour: light green<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ribas Trail<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Ribas trail takes you out of Old Opp\u00e8de and along the Luberon massif towards the east, passing through the renowned rock-climbing site of Br\u00e9cugne, before heading towards the back of the Opp\u00e8de quarries. It is a walk that takes place mainly under the canopy of the woods and in the shade of the local trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duration of the walk: 2 hours 30 minutes
Distance: 5.5 km
Level: moderate
Colour code: lavender blue<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The trail of water, fountains and wash houses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Water, the source of life, has always been a major part of our daily lives. In Opp\u00e8de, as in other villages, we can admire the efforts made by people to make water more accessible and bring it closer to their homes. The walk through the Opp\u00e8de countryside that we suggest will allow you to discover the heritage linked to the use of water: fountains, wash houses and windmills. Numerous water channels \u2013 tunnels dug and built into the hills \u2013 channelled runoff water to homes, washhouses or fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duration of the walk: 2 hours 30 minutes
Distance: 8 km
Difficulty: easy
Colour coding: blue<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\ud83d\udca7 L\u2019eau et le lac de Serre-Pon\u00e7on Le lac de Serre-Pon\u00e7on a \u00e9t\u00e9 cr\u00e9\u00e9 artificiellement dans les ann\u00e9es 60. Son barrage r\u00e9gule le niveau de lac entre l’hiver et l’\u00e9t\u00e9, il a donc un marnage de plusieurs m\u00e8tres. La mont\u00e9 et la descend sont longues (plusieurs semaines), donc aucun risque de voir sa serviette de […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1951,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1950","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lesgitesdebelair.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1950","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lesgitesdebelair.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lesgitesdebelair.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lesgitesdebelair.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lesgitesdebelair.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1950"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/lesgitesdebelair.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1950\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2001,"href":"https:\/\/lesgitesdebelair.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1950\/revisions\/2001"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lesgitesdebelair.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1951"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lesgitesdebelair.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1950"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lesgitesdebelair.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1950"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lesgitesdebelair.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1950"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}