Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
APT
POP 11,500 / ELEV 250M
The Luberon's principal town, Apt is surrounded on three sides by sharply rising plateaus
surrounding a river that runs through town - the gateway to Haute-Provence. Synonymous
in France with cherries, and surrounded by orchards, Apt is a natural trading post, and re-
mains a town of services. Its Saturday-morning farmers market is thrilling, but otherwise
Apt is where you go to get your car fixed or gather hiking information. A couple of good
hotels, restaurants and regional-park dioramas notwithstanding, Apt is dull and decidedly
unglam, though not entirely charmless. It makes a good-value base for mid-budget travel-
lers, particularly day hikers and cyclists, who appreciate its location. Up the hill, lavender
grows.
LUBERON REGIONAL PARK
Egyptian vultures, eagle owls, wild boars, Bonelli's eagles and Etruscan honeysuckle are among the species that call
the 1650-sq-km Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon home. Created in 1977 and recognised as a Biosphere Reserve by
Unesco in 1997, the park encompasses dense forests, plunging gorges and 67 villages with a combined population of
155,000 people. The GR6, GR9, GR92 and GR97 walking trails cross it, as does a 236km-long
cycling route
.
Information, maps, workshops and guides are available in Apt at the Maison du Parc (
Click here
)
. Its
Musée de
Paléontologie
(Palaeontology Museum; free)
provides an historical framework, with prehistoric flora and fauna dis-
plays, and a room-size relief of the region showing how the topography fits together.
Sights
AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM
Musée de l'Aventure Industrielle du Pays d'Apt
(Industrial History Museum; 04 90 74 95 30; 14 place du Postel; adult/child €4/free;
10am-noon & 3-6.30pm Mon & Wed-Sat year-round, plus 3-7pm Sun Jun-Sep)
Gain an
appreciation of Apt's artisanal and agricultural roots at this converted candied-fruit factory.
The well-curated museum interprets the fruit and candying trade, as well as ochre mining
and earthenware production from the 18th century.
