Below the Petit Luberon, old Robion rewards a detour from the main road into its lanes and cobbled streets. The open-air theatre, cliffs and springs extend the walk, while routes towards the ridge require different preparation.
Robion, a Provençal village at the foot of the Luberon
Robion is a pretty Provençal village located at the foot of the Luberon near Cavaillon and Oppède-le-vieux. The municipality is part of the Luberon Regional Natural Park. The old village has the peaceful and timeless charm of the villages of yesteryear with steep and winding cobbled streets. The village, partly abandoned and ruined in the middle of the 20th century, has been nicely restored. There are still some parts of the ramparts but nothing of the castle that dominated the village and did not survive the revolutionary times. Just next to the old town, the 12th century Romanesque church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Nativité is enhanced by the vast esplanade that extends in front of its square. The church was outside the ramparts, it was sacked by Raimond de Turenne's troops in 1389 and again in 1562 by the Huguenots led by Baron des Adrets. But the well-defended village resisted the attackers.
A few meters from the church, a massive column-shaped fountain is surrounded by plane trees. It was the "Pump" that brought water to the old village.
The open-air theatre and the village springs
An open-air theatre has been built against the Luberon cliff which acts as a stage wall. A "world music" festival is held there in July. An intermittent spring, the Escanson, flows in a cascade over the rocks in wet weather.
More demanding paths towards the Luberon
A path climbs directly on the Luberon ridge from the village, the path is steep - and slippery in wet weather - it offers very beautiful views over Cavaillon and the Durance valley.
The Boulon springs form another landscape at the foot of the massif. Their flow varies with rainfall: do not expect a permanent waterfall. Ancient occupation of the area cannot be reduced to a simple story of the village moving during a single invasion.
The rich agricultural plain at the foot of Robion is watered by the Coulon and irrigated by the Saint-Julien canal dug in the 12th century, which was the first canal to take the waters of the Durance. The Carpentras canal also passes through the municipality.
Planning your visit
The village lanes and paths towards the ridge have different levels of difficulty. For a hike, use a suitable route and check restrictions on access to the massif. For performances at the open-air theatre, consult the current festival programme.
Accommodation in Robion and nearby
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Visit Robion in photos : slideshow
Robion, pretty Provençal village of the Luberon
Medieval gate of the former castle of Robion, rue du Portalet
Place de l'Église in Robion
Church Notre-Dame de la Nativité in Robion (12th century)
the Théâtre de Verdure in Robion in the Luberon
The Escanson stream runs down the Luberon wall in Robion
What to see and to do in Robion
Robion's web site : robion-mairie.com
- Christmas crib in the church Notre-Dame de la Nativité
- Chapel Saint-Roch
- Chapel Sainte-Anne
- Chapel Notre-Dame des Anges
- Tour de Sabran
- Festival de Robion : world music in the Théâtre de verdure in July : festivalderobion.com
- Village Festival : second weekend in September.
- Luberon AOC wines.
Coming to Robion
GPS coordinates N 43°51'00'' - E 5°07'00''
Location of Robion : altitude 140 metres above sea level, 4150 inhabitants, 6 km from Cavaillon, 6 km from Oppède, 9 km from Ménerbes, 11 km from Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, 12 km from Gordes, 13 km from Orgon, 32 km from Avignon, 69 km from Aix-en-Provence.