Véloroute du Calavon

Véloroute du Calavon is a cycling route that follows the Calavon river valley through the heart of the Luberon in Provence, France, close to the village of Bonnieux in the Vaucluse department.

What is the Véloroute du Calavon?

It is a roughly 45-kilometre cycling route built along the embankment of a former railway line that once connected Cavaillon with Apt and continued on toward Volx. Regular train services faded out by the late 1930s and the line saw only occasional use until it closed for good in 1989. Once rail traffic stopped, the Vaucluse department, working with the Luberon Regional Nature Park, began converting the old railbed into a route for cyclists, walkers and skaters. The work was carried out in stages starting in 2005, though the oldest section of the greenway dates back to the 1980s. Today almost the entire route runs on its own dedicated path away from car traffic, apart from a few short stretches through villages such as Coustellet and Les Beaumettes and a short segment on the approach to Apt.

What does the route look like and what can you see along the way?

The ride typically starts at Robion, at the foot of the Luberon, and continues through Maubec, Cabrières-d'Avignon and Coustellet before reaching Apt, from where the old railway line used to continue toward Volx. Because the route follows the valley floor, elevation gain stays minimal throughout, with grades never exceeding a few hundred metres of climbing — making it one of the few routes in the Luberon accessible to riders of nearly any age or fitness level. Along the way, cyclists pass stone viaducts and bridges from the old railway, offering views over the slopes of the Luberon and the hilltop villages perched above the valley, as well as the famous Roman Pont Julien bridge nearby. Bonnieux, one of the most picturesque villages in the region, sits just above the valley and makes a natural base for combining cycling with exploring the hill villages of the Luberon.

Why cycle the Véloroute du Calavon?

The route combines the practical advantages of old railway infrastructure — gentle gradients and sturdy stone bridges and viaducts — with the scenery that draws travellers to the Luberon from around the world: lavender fields, orchards, stone villages and the region's distinctive light. It is also part of something larger: the véloroute forms a section of the EuroVelo 8 network, known as the Mediterranean Route, which is planned to eventually link Cadiz in Spain all the way to Greece. That connection means a ride along this local stretch can double as the start of a much longer, continent-spanning cycling adventure.

Who is this route suited for?

The flat profile and largely separated surface make the route suitable both for families with children and for more experienced cyclists looking for a relaxed alternative to the steep climbs the rest of the Luberon is known for. Villages are spaced along the way, offering places to stop for a meal, refill water bottles, or browse a local market, which makes the route just as workable for a full day out as for a short afternoon ride.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Véloroute du Calavon? The route runs for about 45 kilometres, following the Calavon valley from the Robion and Cavaillon area to Apt.

Is the route technically difficult? No — it follows a former railway embankment, so elevation changes are minimal and most of the surface is separated from car traffic.

Can you cycle directly to Bonnieux from the route? Bonnieux sits on a hilltop above the Calavon valley, so reaching the village itself means a short climb off the main, flat valley route.

Is the Véloroute du Calavon part of a larger European route? Yes, it forms a section of EuroVelo 8, the Mediterranean Route linking countries across southern Europe.