Buoux Gorge Hike

By Vicky · Published Sep. 19th, 2023 · Updated Sep. 21st, 2023

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The hike through Buoux Gorge is a lovely walk with amazing views, old ruins, dramatic cliffs and cute villages.

Get the route by downloading the .gpx or .kml file below. For navigation with Maps.me on your mobile phone, simply download the .kml file and open to add it to the Maps.me bookmarks.

Location

The walk to Buoux Gorge starts from a gravel car park in the tiny village of Buoux, 10 minutes drive south of Apt in the Luberon, Provence.

Buoux Gorge Hiking Route

From the car park in Boux, head down the small road leading away from the village. Follow it through fields of lavender and as it bends uphill by a villa. Take the next right along a track through some fields, trees and scrubland as the track bends around a few corners.

You’ll already have some views across Buoux Gorge and to the ruins of the Fort de Buoux on the other side. This large, old fortress perches on the top of natural rocky cliffs, with a great defensive position overlooking the gorge.

Walking down into Buoux Gorge

Turn left to head down a track towards the edge of the rocky Buoux Gorge. There’s now a short section that overlaps on the walk out and walk back. Turn left to walk along the path at the top of the gorge. In about 600 metres, take the first path heading downwards into the gorge. There are several zigzags in the route but it’s not too steep.

At the bottom of the cliffs, head right along the main path. You’ll soon see the Auberge des Seguins* in front of you, a lovely place to stay in an amazing natural setting and with a great pool. Don’t quite head to the Auberge but bend left and head across the stream.

Sivergues Village

At the next junction in the woods, turn left then shortly right to take the higher route towards Sivergues village. You’ll soon reach a larger track. Turn left and at the first bend, head straight onwards and into the forest. The path contours around the hill and up around the next side valley. There are some houses on the top here, partly built into the rock.

The track leads around the edge of a small plateau and back on the other side of the buildings. Continue onwards and you’ll eventually come to a small paved road. Turn left and follow this little road until you reach Sivergues village. This is a very cute but very small collection of old stone barns, all partly built into the cliffs and rocks. Head up the steps to see a bit more of the village before returning to the road.

Returning to Buoux

Take the path opposite the village leading down through the woodland. This path makes its way all the way down to the bottom of Buoux Gorge. Turn left and don’t cross the river, but walk along the small path along the edge of the river until you get back to the junction in the woods from earlier.

Return on this overlapping section of path by heading across the stream and up the zigzags on the other side of the gorge. At the top turn left, and this time keep walking along the edge of the gorge. There are more great views from here. Keep on the main track and follow it as it bends around the corner to head back towards Buoux. Soon you’ll be back in the village and at the end of the Buoux Gorge Walk.

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If you’re going to southern France, there are several guidebooks that cover either only Provence & Côte d’Azur (Avignon and east), or Languedoc-Roussillon (Nîmes/Montpellier and west). Because we explored both areas, we opted for Lonely Planet’s France Guide, which apart from including all of France was only slightly more expensive than an individual regional guide.

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For other great hikes nearby try Le Colorado Provencal or the Rocher des Deux Trous, or check out our France hiking page.