Located above the village of Bonnieux at 727 metres above sea level in the Luberon mountain range in the region of Vaucluse, you’ll find Luberon’s Cedar Forest. The forest is located on the western side of the mountain range and extends for 250 hectares across several villages, including Bonnieux, Lacoste and Ménerbes.
The forest is considered to be one of the most unusual green spaces in the Luberon mountain range because its large trees are of Eastern origin. Whether you’re a hiker or you simply enjoy finding peaceful places to walk, why not check out this blog post to learn more about Luberon’s Cedar Forest, a place of natural beauty and plenty of surprises?
History and Conservation of the Cedar Forest
Despite difficult weather conditions, local foresters had the idea of planting Atlas cedar seeds, which had been harvested in Algeria, in Luberon’s Cedar Forest in 1861. Their aim was to use wood from these trees in the building industry. The first trees to mature subsequently started to reproduce around 1920, and the young saplings took the places of older trees. 10 years later, the forest had grown to 60 hectares.
In 1952, a fire destroyed many of the trees, but this event actually helped the forest to grow, because the new cedar trees were resistant to the fire, taking the place of the burned trees. Today, the cedar grove covers 250 hectares across the villages of Bonnieux, Lacoste and Ménerbes.
The forest is state-owned, meaning that it belongs to the State, which is responsible for its conversation. The forest is also protected by Natura 2000, a network that aims to maintain biodiversity through sustainable development while taking economic, social, cultural and regional demands into account.
Explore Nature on the Forest Trails
Luberon’s Cedar Forest is the perfect place for a woodland walk, where walkers are shaded by both the cedar grove and the centuries-old trees of the forest. There are a number of marked trails to choose from, including short and long routes, meaning that there is something for hikers of all abilities who want to explore the forest’s various geological and historic sites, including caves, bird habitats, water sources and breathtaking viewpoints. A walk through the Cedar Forest allows you to discover more of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. To the south, you can admire the beautiful hills of the Lower Durance Valley and the splendour of the Sainte-Victoire mountain ridge, which was often painted by Paul Cezanne. If you head north, you can admire the Calavon Valley with its ‘perched’ villages, the Vaucluse mountains and Mount Ventoux, known for its bike trails and for being the ‘giant of Provence’.
Flora and Fauna in the Cedar Forest
The Cedar Forest is home to the typical flora and fauna found in South-East France. Apart from the Atlas Cedars, which were planted across the forest and particularly in the North of the forest, there is a very diverse range of flora. In the forest, you can find Crimean irises, common houseleeks, autumn squills, mountain inula, and genista puchella, which are thriving. In addition to these flowers, there are several varieties of wild orchids scattered across the forest trails, including the early-purple orchid and Bertoloni’s bee orchid, which is a protected species.
The fauna of the Cedar Forest is mainly made up of small mammals such as the European hare (a species suffering from overhunting), martens and stone martens, but especially wild boar, foxes and badgers. In the skies above the forest, if luck is on your side, you might see a short-toed snake eagle, the dominant bird of prey in the region. This level of biodiversity extends to the insect world: entomologists have found unique species such as the European yellow-tailed scorpion, the European mantis and the wart-biter, as well as butterfly species such as the Apollo and Swallowtail. The forest is also home to a wide range of birds, such as the woodlark, the ortolan bunting, the tree pipit, the red crossbill and the cirl bunting. And, as for reptiles, you may see an asp viper, the dominant reptile in the mountain ridges of Luberon.
Recommended Activities for Families and Adventurers
If you’re planning to visit Luberon’s Cedar Forest with your family, there are several easy trails you can follow. You could walk the Cedar Trail, a short 30-minute loop with information panels about the forest’s flora and fauna, perfect for outdoor learning! This trail is suitable for young children and pushchairs, as well as for people with reduced mobility and wheelchairs.
Another easy trail to follow is the Portalas Trail. This 3-kilometre nature trail is perfect for those looking to get some fresh air and offers a panoramic view of the Durance Valley. From its plateau, you can easily spot the Portalas, a famous arch.
For those who love bike riding, there are a number of bike trails, such as the Ridge route, a short, pleasant 18-km route offering fantastic views of the Bastidon du Pradon. For more experienced riders, there’s the more advanced Route 49, which truly immerses you in an environment of old cedar trees, narrow pathways and panoramic views.
Tips for a Sustainable Trip
To make the most of your visit to Luberon’s Cedar Forest, we recommend that you check the weather forecast in advance so that you can choose the best day (when it is sunny) to visit. Good walking shoes are also highly recommended because some trails are steep and slippery. Finally, we recommend that you take enough water with you, as well as a hat and sunglasses to protect you from the sun.
You can get to the Cedar Forest by car from Lourmarin by taking the D943 and then the D36 towards Bonnieux. Follow the forest road for around 5 kilometres until you reach the official car park at the entrance to the forest.
Come and Discover Luberon’s Cedar Forest in Vaucluse
Luberon’s Cedar Forest is the perfect place for those looking for a bit of peace and quiet in natural surroundings. The forest offers so many great views, with a wide range of plants and animals as well as the calming scent of cedar trees that will accompany you throughout your visit. Want to go walking in the Cedar Forest? Check out our website and compare our range of accommodation to find the one that best meets your needs.
