Driving in Luberon valley

The roads are fine, no problem at all. Parking in the small villages can be a challenge so rent as small a car as you can fit into.

Roussillon is a very small town, pretty but not much to do. Would be nice if you're staying in a villa with a pool, so you can relax and enjoy village life. But perhaps 4 days is a bit long if you are staying in a hotel and expecting to do a lot of sightseeing. Personally, we stayed 3 nights in a villa near l'Isle-sur-le-Sorgue, and did a one-day daytrip into the Luberon and thought that was plenty for us.

Coming in from Orange, you might prefer to avoid the D4 between Venasque and Murs - the most direct route into the Luberon from Carpentras. It is not scary (no real drop-offs) but it is narrow and very, very twisty. The route via l'Isle sur la Sorgue is much smoother.

Elsewhere in the Luberon, you will encounter some narrow roads, but no real mountain roads IMO. Betwwen there and Nice is much more mountainous, especially around the Verdon gorge if you go that way.

Thanks! Will save these tips. What route would you recommend to avoid the gorge on the way to Nice?
We were debating driving to Marseilles on way to Nice for a short stop. Heard driving in Marseilles can be difficult and we will have to leave luggage in car while exploring. Are there any safety concerns?

Indeed there are some safety concerns in Marseille with luggage in the car if you park out in the street.

But you don't need to drive in the city at all and can park at a parking garage at the Terrasses du Port or at Mucem: near-direct access to the motorway from the north (A55) and to the crosstown tunnel towards Nice (Prado-Carenage / A50).

Otherwise, a pretty route through the mountains with good roads would take you through Forcalquier, Digne, St André les Alpes, Entrevaux, and down the valley towards Nice. You can check the roads on Google Maps and Street View.

Just got back from a tour in Provence and the Luberon villages in September. I was thinking at one time of driving it myself - once on the tour I was extremely glad the bus driver was doing the driving. Roads are very narrow and some are in "mountains" (very hilly) and very twisty. I was able to enjoy the incredible scenery without having to worry about the road.

But perhaps 4 days is a bit long if you are staying in a hotel and expecting to do a lot of sightseeing.

I wouldn't say it's too long. I stayed in Roussillon for 5 nights and drove all around to many of the Luberon villages with no problems. I drove a standard compact car with plenty of room for 2 people and 4 suitcases. Roads were very good and the mountain driving is easy if you've driven in the mountains of the western US. I lived in CO and drove around CO and UT often. I spent the early mornings in Roussillon (breakfast at hotel and then just toodling around the village for an hour or two. Then I would drive to two or three of villages and pick one to have lunch in. Later in the afternoon I would drive back to Roussillon (after most of the day trippers had left) do some more exploring and have dinner. Later I would sit on the little terrace of my hotel room and have a glass of wine and enjoy the view of the valley below. Favorite villages were Sault (went for the lavender), Gordes, Bonnieux, Joucas, Isle Sur La Sorgue, and Vaison La Romaine. June is a good time to be there due to the lingering daylight and the lavender in bloom. I will qualify this by saying that my trip was several years ago and crowds were not as bad as now.

Thanks! This was really helpful. This is my plan too.. to day trip to the other small towns, perhaps go canoeing at L’isle-sur-la-sorgue… don’t like spending less than 3 nights at a place.