The Calavon Cycle Route: easy sections, family-friendly tips and where to stay in Apt
Cycling in the Luberon often conjures up images of steep hills, narrow shared-use roads and hilltop villages best suited to seasoned cyclists. However, there is a 100 per cent safe, flat alternative that is accessible to all ages: the Calavon Cycle Route (EuroVelo 8). Built along the route of the old railway line linking Cavaillon to Forcalquier, this greenway, with its smooth tarmac surface, stretches for nearly 45 kilometres without any dangerous junctions with motor vehicles.
Whether you are travelling with your own bicycles or whether you are planning to hire from the specialists in Apt, here’s everything you need to you need to know to organise your accommodation in the immediate vicinity of the piste.
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Key points at a glance:
- Profile of the track: Green lane in a dedicated area reserved for non-motorised modes of transport (bicycles, scooters, pedestrians). A gentle, continuous gradient (< 1 per cent).
- Section star: The Apt – Pont Julien section (12 km one way), ideal for young children (Roman ruins, scenery of vineyards and shaded areas).
- Logistics equipment: No bicycle hire is available at the campsite; please bring your own equipment with you on bike rack or book with a shop in town in Apt.
- Base camp: At Camping Le Luberon (Apt), you can park your car or motorhome on a shaded pitch, just a seven-minute cycle ride from the cycle route, before unwinding in our swimming pools heated to 27 °C.
Comparison table of the sections of the Calavon Cycle Route (from Apt)
| Section | Distance (Aller) | Profile & Difficulty | Points of interest along the route | Travel time from the campsite |
| Apt Centre ↔ Pont Julien (Most popular) | 12 km | Very easy (Elevation gain < 30 m) 100% smooth tarmac | Passing under the Apt viaduct, crossing the Roman Pont Julien (1st century BC), with views of Bonnieux and the ridges of the Petit Luberon. | 7 mins by bike (downhill towards the town) |
| Julien Bridge ↔ Coustellet (Towards the west) | 14 km | Easy Continuous greenway | Restored old railway stations (Goult, Lumières), views of the Monts de Vaucluse, and the Lavender Museum at the end of the journey. | 15 mins by car / van (from Pont Julien) |
| Apt ↔ Martin-de-Castillon (Eastwards) | 11 km | Easy to moderate (steady uphill gradient) | Unspoilt views over the Grand Luberon valley, the Castellet viaduct, and a more intimate and unspoilt atmosphere. | 7 mins by bike (connection to Apt station) |
| A relaxing family break (Apt↔ Goult Oak) | 16 km | Very easy Completely flat | A picnic stop under the trees; the route is fully marked with rest points and is safe for children on small bikes. | 7 mins by bike |
1. Why the Calavon Cycle Route is the ideal route for families
Unlike the shared routes in the ‘Le Luberon à vélo’ network, which follow undulating county roads, the Calavon Cycle Route guarantees complete safety:
- Not a single car for 40 km: The track runs along the route of the former PLM railway line. The few junctions with the road network are fitted with chicane barriers and clearly marked right-of-way signs.
- Virtually no change in gradient: In keeping with the railway constraints of days gone by, the route has no sudden changes in gradient. Even children on 16-inch bikes or in baby trailers can make their way along without having to exert themselves unduly.
- A perfect surface: The rolled asphalt is maintained all year round, which prevents frequent punctures on the nature reserve’s dirt or gravel tracks.
2. The unmissable stretch: from Apt to Pont Julien (12 km)
If you only have time for a half-day walk, this western route starting from Apt takes in the highlights of the valley’s heritage.
Departure from Apt railway station
It’s easy to join the cycle route at the old railway station (Avenue de la Libération). From the very first few turns of the wheels, you’ll cross the spectacular Apt viaduct, offering a bird’s-eye view of the town’s ochre-coloured rooftops and the first foothills of the mountain range.
A walk through the vineyards and orchards
The tarmac road then winds its way through the cherry orchards and vineyards of the Luberon AOP. To your left, the Buoux cliff and the hilltop village of Bonnieux stand out against the sky. The route is dotted with benches, drinking fountains and information boards about the local wildlife.
The spectacular finish at Pont Julien
The highlight of the walk: the Pont Julien, built on the ancient Via Domitia during the reign of Augustus. This three-arched limestone bridge, which is over two thousand years old, carried motor traffic until 2005, before being reserved exclusively for cyclists and pedestrians. A large, tree-lined rest area provides a spot to park your bikes for a picnic by the river before setting off on the return journey.
Top tip: If you’d like to combine this day out with visits to hilltop villages without having to carry your cycling gear, take a look at our selection:Discovering the most beautiful villages of the Luberon.
3. Logistics: bike hire companies and equipment organisation
To help you plan your getaway as effectively as possible, here are some practical tips to bear in mind:
- Come along with your bikes: The campsite has pitches that are spacious (from 80 to 100 m²) allowing you to park easily a campervan or acar fitted with a bike rack.
- No hire service available at the campsite: The Pausado Group has chosen not to operate an on-site hire fleet. If you are not travelling with your own equipment, we can direct you to specialist rental companies located right in the centre of Apt (particularly on Avenue de Lançon and near the coach station). They offer hybrid bikes, electric bikes (e-bikes), children’s bikes, child seats and helmets. Please remember to book your bikes 48 hours in advance during the high season and over the May bank holidays.
4. Staying at Camping Le Luberon: direct access and pick-up after the outing
After 25 or 30 kilometres in the saddle, the quality of your accommodation makes all the difference to your trip.
- Getting to the cycle route without a trailer: From the peaceful neighbourhood where the campsite is located, it takes just seven minutes by bike to cycle down to the centre of Apt and the greenway.
- Two swimming pools heated to 27 °C: There’s nothing quite like a dip in our two large pools, heated throughout the season, to relax your calves – and there’s also a paddling pool for the little ones.
- Cottages with private spa: For optimal muscle recovery, our Luxury range of accommodation (Séouvo cottages, Romarin or Évasion) each have their own private hot tub on the secluded wooden terrace, with unobstructed views of the pine forest.
- Dining in at the restaurant: No need to get back in the car in the evening: our team welcomes you to the campsite restaurant (serving local Provençal cuisine), not to mention the weekly visit from the burger food truck on Monday evenings and the convivial drinks reception at the foot of our restored dovecote, facing the Saignon rock.
FAQ: Cycling the Calavon Cycle Route
Are road bikes and racing bikes allowed on the cycle track?
Yes. The tarmac surface is perfectly smooth and even along the entire length of the route. It is suitable for narrow road bikes as well as hybrid bikes, mountain bikes, city bikes and all-terrain scooters.
Are there any drinking water points along the route?
Yes, there are water points and public toilets at the former railway stops at Apt, Pont Julien and Goult/Lumières. Do remember, however, to bring a one-litre water bottle per person, especially from May onwards.
Is it possible to combine cycling and walking whilst there?
Absolutely. Walkers can use the greenway, but the area immediately surrounding the campsite mainly offers signposted footpaths leading up to the ridges. Find all the starting points in our dedicated guide: Our Top 10 Best Walks in the Luberon.
