Catching an early train from Marseille, I swapped the sea breeze for the hills of Provence. By mid-morning I was in Gordes, a village that seems to balance effortlessly on the edge of the Luberon. The air was warm already, but the sky was flawless blue, promising a perfect August day.

Before the village filled with visitors, I set off on the trail toward the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque. The path dipped into the Sénancole valley, shaded here and there by cypress and oak, with views opening suddenly to reveal Gordes perched high above. The abbey appeared like a stone mirage, tucked into the folds of the valley, its walls softened by the surrounding lavender fields. It was quiet there—just the faint buzz of cicadas and the cool hush inside the church.

The walk back to Gordes was uphill, but the reward was lunch on a terrace overlooking the valley. With a plate of Provençal food and a glass of chilled rosé, I could take in the panorama: golden hills, olive groves, and the sun-warmed stone of the village itself.

By early afternoon it was time to head back toward Marseille, but the memory of that bright Provençal morning stayed with me—the abbey, the hike, and the simple perfection of summer in the South of France.

Approximate transport times. Look these up if you would like to do something similar. Everything is possible by public transport.

?? Transport Timeline

Outbound – Marseille ? Gordes

7:00 AM – Depart Marseille Saint?Charles by TER train to Cavaillon (~1h15).

~8:15 AM – Arrive in Cavaillon; transfer to ZOU! regional bus toward Gordes.

~9:00 AM – Arrive in Gordes; start your morning hike to Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque.


Return – Gordes ? Marseille

2:00 PM – Depart Gordes by ZOU! bus to Cavaillon (~40 min).

~2:40 PM – Arrive in Cavaillon; transfer to TER train to Marseille Saint?Charles (~1h15).

~3:55 PM – Arrive back in Marseille, concluding your day trip.