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Saignon village is situated in the heart of the 120,000 hectare Parc Naturel de Lubéron, which is listed as a biospheric reserve by UNESCO. The air in the Lubéron is amongst the purest you can find in Europe.  The park is protected by natural boundaries: to the north is the high plateau of the Vaucluse (better known as the home of lavender) and the Alps, and to the south are the mountains of the Lubéron between Cavaillon and Manosque. 

Whether you choose to swim, hike, cycle, ride, climb, ski, paraglide, canoe  or sail, the Parc Naturel de Lubéron has something for you.   

Click on the links below for further information about local activities.

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• Hiking:

Some of the best walking routes in Provence are around Saignon and the neighbouring villages.  A wealth of footpaths create a paradise for walkers and hikers to enjoy.  The Tourist Office in Apt can provide  information about guides, walks & maps.  The GR9 (Grande Randonnée) passes through the centre of Apt.  The GR9 follows small roads up the wide valleys and fields to St Saturnin lès Apt.  Or cross  the wild Aiguebrun valley at the magnificent Fort de Buoux.  From there, several trails go into the Lubéron or west through the spectacular Foret des Cedres (cedar forest) stretching for kilometres along a high ridge and onto the delightful village of Bonnieux.  The Ventoux mountains are a hiker's paradise.  Trails follow the ridges and valleys and cross through innumerable forests and thyme scented fields and woods, where wild mushrooms and even black truffles can be found by those who know where to look!  The views from near the top are fantastic and the scenic beauty of the region is outstanding.  Other routes to try include the Ochre Trail and the Giants' Footsteps circuit starting nearby in Roussillon.  Take a picnic lunch, a bottle of Côtes de Lubéron and have a fabulous day outdoors.

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• Canoeing / Kayaking:

The Verdon River is rather fast moving, but it runs into four tranquil lakes which are perfect for kayaking, canoeing, rafting, sailing, pedal boats, windsurfing and swimming.  Experienced guides are available and wetsuits, lifejackets and helmets can be hired.  For serious canoeing and kayaking forty kilometres of rapids can be navigated from Allos to St André Les Alpes.  There are a number of companies which offer courses and hire out equipment, including 'Aboard Rafting' in Castellane (Tel: 04 92 83 76 11), 'Aqua Viva Est' in Castellane (Tel: 04 92 83 75 74), 'Club de Canoe-Kayak du Haut-Verdon' in Allos (Tel: 04 92 83 03 89) and 'Pro Verdon Activities' in St André les Alpes (Tel: 04 92 89 04 19).  Prices from approximately 35 Euros for a full day rafting and 21 Euros for a full day canoeing for beginners.  The River Verdon is about one hour from Saignon by car. 

More leisurely, but still incredibly beautiful, is a trip down the Sorgue River to the pretty village of L'Isle sur la Sorgue (a 40 minute drive from Saignon) with its beautiful rivers and crystal clear water.  Canoes can be hired from 'Kayak Vert' in L'Isle sur la Sorgue (Tel: 04 90 20 35 44) and 'Canoë Evasion' in Fontaine de Vaucluse (Tel: 04 90 38 26 22).

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• Cycling:

The 'Lubéron en Vélo' cycling path runs 100 kilometres between Cavaillon, Apt and Forcalquier and crosses the Parc Naturel de Lubéron.  The path follows valleys along the northern edge of the Lubéron Mountains without steep climbs.  The entire route has been selected for the beauty of the countryside and villages.  Parts of the path follow the old railway line, crossing through some beautiful fields and woods.  Between Bonnieux and Apt, the cycling path follows a small road that crosses the 2000 year old Pont Julien.  You can get more information, including the brochure Le Lubéron en Vélo, from the Offices de Tourisme in Apt, Bonnieux, Cavaillon and Forcalquier which are open all year.  There are a number of cycle shops in Apt which rent out bikes and offer repairs, including 'Cycles Guy Agnel' (Tel: 04 90 74 17 16) and 'Cycles Patric Ricaud' (Tel: 04 90 74 16 43) as well as 'Mountain Bike Lubéron' in Bonnieux (Tel: 04 90 75 89 96) and 'Vélo Loisir en Lubéron' in Céreste (Tel: 04 92 79 05 82).

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• Golf:

Considered to be one of the top courses in the south of France, 'Provence Country Club' (Tel: 04 90 20 20 65) in L'Isle sur la Sorgue is only a 40 minute drive from Saignon.  This 18-hole course with a 9-hole practice course is situated just south of the town centre with views of the Lubéron and the Apilles Mountains.  Green fees are between 50 and 60 Euros per day.  'Golf de Chateau Blanc' (Tel: 04 90 33 39 08) and 'Golf du Grand Avignon' (Tel: 04 90 31 49 94) are both in Avignon and within an hours drive of Saignon.  'Golf du Lubéron Pierrevert' (Tel: 04 92 72 17 19) near Manosque (40 kilometres from Saignon) has green fees of 38 Euros to 45 Euros per day.

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• Horse-riding:

A great way to appreciate the local landscape is on horseback.  Riding through olive and almond groves, and fields of wild flowers, lavender and thyme is a wonderful way to explore the Lubéron.  There are many riding schools in the area which offer lessons - the 'Centre Equestre de Tourville' in Saignon (Tel: 04 90 04 78 39), 'La Chevauchée' in Bonnieux (Tel: 04 90 75 93 59), the 'Ecole du Cheval' in Apt (Tel: 04 90 74 37 47) and 'Chappa L'Escapade' also in Apt (Tel: 04 90 74 36 33).  Guided trekking from one hour to one day is available from 'Par Monts et Par Chevaux' in St. Martin de Castillon (Tel: 04 90 75 13 16), 'Ferme Equestre la Florentine' in Cereste (Tel: 04 92 79 05 64) and 'Lou Caleù Hotel and Restaurant' in St. Martin de Castillon (Tel: 04 90 75 28 88) with trekking from one hour (17 Euros per person) to a full day including lunch (77 Euros per person).

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• Rock-climbing:

The Buoux Cliffs (known as the Garden of Eden of the climbing) are just seven kilometres from Saignon.  These south facing cliffs along the bank of the Aiguebrun River are totally spectacular and a world reference for climbers.  The deep valley is wild and isolated and the cliffs are high and wide.  Tel: 04 90 71 32 01 for more information.  There are parking areas in small fields close to the base of the rocks.  Rock climbing is also available in Oppède le Vieux and on the Rocher des Abeilles in St. Martin de Castillon.  

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• Tennis:
   

Tennis is available in many of the nearby villages,   including 'Tennis Club Aptesien' in Apt (Tel: 04 90 74 19 64),  'Tennis Club de St. Saturnin les Apt' (Tel: 06 23 65 08 91), 'Tie Break' in Roussillon (Tel: 04 90 05 65 46), 'Tennis Club de Cavaillon' (Tel: 04 90 71 73 69), 'Tennis Club Sorguais' (Tel: 04 90 39 15 94) and courts in Gordes, Lourmarin, Pertuis, Forcalquier and Viens.  Especially recommended are the 'tennis courts with a view' at 'Tennis Club de Bonnieux' (Tel: 04 90 75 99 19).

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• Boules:
   

The game of boules is truly Provençal and typifies the way of life here - the enjoyment of simple pleasures with good friends and a glass of pastis - well, this is France!  While boules was once a masculine sport, it's now practised by all - male and female, young and old, rich and poor, local and tourist.  Almost every village has a square where you'll find locals playing.

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• Sailing:
   

There are a number of lakes in the area (including the Lac de Castillon of the Verdon Gorge) where rowing boats, sailing boats and windsurfing equipment can be hired.  Motor boats and jet skis are not permitted on environmental grounds.  From Saignon, a 40 minute drive through lovely countryside brings you to a large lake with manmade sandy beaches, plenty of shade and waterfront cafés and restaurants.  A good place for a picnic and the further you walk from the car park, the quieter it becomes.

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• Hot air ballooning:

'Hot Air Ballooning Provence' in Gordes (Tel: 04 90 05 79 21) offers flights between one and one and a half hours for approximately 230 euros per person.  Flights go from the historic village of Gordes to the spectacular overhanging cliffs at Bonnieux.  After the flight, a champagne picnic is served overlooking the valley.  Ballooning is also available in Roussillon (Tel: 04 90 04 67 49), 'Montgolfiere Provence' in Joucas (Tel: 04 90 05 76 77) and Forcalquier (Tel: 04 92 75 10 02).

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• Paragliding / Hang gliding:

'Rustr'aile Colorado' in Rustrel offers paragliding for both beginners and experienced gliders from Easter to November depending on the weather (Tel: 04 90 04 96 53).  Introductory flights are offered for anyone over the age of five.  Not only is the weather generally good with many thermals, but the hills and mountains are ideal for leaping off!  What better way to appreciate the beauty of the Provençal countryside?!

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• Archery:
   

Archery is available in the Apt area.  For more detailed information contact the 'Archers du Lubéron' (Tel: 04 90 75 82 09).

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• Fishing:
   

The Vaucluse are has numerous rivers and thirty lakes that are excellent for fishing (rainbow and brown trout, pike, roach, tench and carp), including: Apt and Cavaillon (Calavon-Coulon River); Avignon and Cavaillon (Durance River); L'Isle  sur la Sorgue and Fontaine de Vaucluse (Sorgue River); and Buoux and Lourmarin (Aiguebrum River).  The lake in St. Saturnin lès Apt is well stocked with fish and fishing permits are available from the Café des Voyageurs in the village.

The most dramatic setting for fishing, however, is the Verdon Gorge.

Fly fishing
The Verdon River offers excellent fly fishing conditions with few trees to spoil your casting.  The waters are very clear and the river is full of boulders producing countless hides and currents that trout like. 

Lake fishing
Apart from the river itself, the course of the Verdon offers a number of impressive lakes in which there are huge lake trout and pike.  As these  lakes are quite deep, the fishing techniques vary from trolling and heavy spinning to bait fishing.

The river trout fishing season is from March until September.  Fishing licences are available from cafés near the fishing areas.  There are no day tickets, but from June 1 to September 20 a holiday licence costs 25 Euros and a full licence (before June 1) costs approximately 60 Euros.  Guided sessions, afternoon-dusk or dawn-midday and even overnight camps can be booked.  For more information, contact the local 'Office de Tourisme' on arrival.

• Skiing:

Winter sports such as skiing can be enjoyed at the resorts atop Mont Ventoux, whose peak reaches 1912 metres.  The snow is unpredictable, but often quite abundant.  At Mont Ventoux, you can downhill ski, snowboard and cross-country ski in the surrounding area.

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• Wine-tasting:

Most Caves or Distributeur des Vins which sell wine from the barrel will be more than happy for you to sample before you buy.  The village most famed for its wine is, of course, Châteauneuf-du-Pape where you can taste some of the finest wines in the world.  The village streets are full of shops where you can taste and buy the local produce.

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