Une expérience à vivre à proximité du Domaine de la Marie

Hike to la source du Mirail

From the Domaine de La Marie, set off on the Mirail Spring hike: a pleasant loop through the foothills of the Grand Luberon, among holm oaks, pines and dry‑stone walls. The shaded trail has a moderate elevation gain, is family‑friendly, and takes about 3 to 3½ hours depending on your pace.

Along the way, enjoy the scents of the garrigue, the song of cicadas in summer and fine views of the Mourre Nègre and the Aigues Valley, before reaching the cool spring tucked beneath the woods. Ideal in spring and autumn (and early in the morning in summer), this walk requires good shoes and plenty of water.

Please respect the peace of the place: keep dogs on a leash, no fires, and carry out your rubbish.

Vue aérienne du Domaine et alentours

Start: Peypin d'Aigues

Distance from the Domaine : 2km

Free

A few minutes from the Domaine de La Marie, this pleasant loop leads to the Mirail Spring, then gently climbs the foothills of the Grand Luberon before descending via the Bastide du Bois. A varied route, mostly shaded, ideal in spring and autumn, combining the scents of the garrigue, dry‑stone walls and fine viewpoints.

Key information

  • Distance: approximately 9.2 km
  • Elevation gain: ~300 m (min alt. 409 m, max alt. ~710 m)
  • Duration: 3 h to 3 h 30 depending on pace
  • Level: moderate (passage through a stream bed, some eroded sections)
  • Waymarking: partial (start unmarked, then yellow markers and DFCI tracks)
  • Water: none on the circuit
  • Dogs: allowed on a leash
  • Best seasons: spring, autumn; in summer, start early

Access and start From Peypin‑d’Aigues, take the D27 towards Saint‑Martin. At a small church, take the Chemin de la Belle Étoile. After crossing the Riou, park at the Mirail water catchment car park (a few shaded spaces, visible yellow hiking sign and fire hydrant).

  • Alternative parking: DFCI cistern at the first junction and the esplanade near the Mirail farm.

Detailed route

  • Start (S/F – alt. 409 m): head due north on the paved road towards Mirail until the DFCI cistern junction.
  • Point (1 – alt. 422 m): continue straight on the paved road, vineyards on the left. Reach the Mirail farm junction, turn left and leave the tarmac. About 150 m later, spot a clearing on the right that can serve as parking.
  • Point (2 – alt. 446 m): descend a short steep slope on the left to the bed of a watercourse; cross it. Opposite, the Mirail Spring emerges from a masonry gallery. Backtrack a few metres to follow the watercourse (often dry) by staying in its bed. It gradually narrows: keep to the valley floor, avoiding tracks to the right and left.
  • Point (3 – alt. 455 m): at the characteristic “trident”, do not take the right (small stream and little eroded ledge) nor the left (the path heads towards the Bramadou ravine). Continue straight ahead, due north: the eroded path climbs, then improves. On the ascent you can see an old abandoned sheepfold on the right.
  • Continue due north, gradually moving away from the stream until you reach a right‑angled junction.
  • Point (4 – alt. 539 m): ignore the red‑marked path to the left and bear right. A little further, prefer a small parallel, discreet path on the right which joins a wide DFCI track.
  • Point (5 – alt. 637 m): take the DFCI track to the right and climb in switchbacks along the ledge to the high point of the hike (approx. 710 m). Thanks to forest clearings, there are lovely views over the Grand Luberon and the Aigues Valley.
  • Continue straight east: the track starts to descend. Look out for a shortcut towards the Bastide du Bois.
  • Point (6 – alt. 696 m): take the shortcut to the right. The descent becomes steeper towards the Bastide du Bois. After the abandoned buildings, the track splits in two: it doesn’t matter which branch you take, both rejoin lower down. Continue straight; the slope eases and the path skirts a large meadow (former Angora goat grazing area) with a DFCI cistern.
  • Point (7 – alt. 565 m): stay parallel to the deeply incised Trois Collets ravine. After a sharp right turn (~90°), you return to the first junction.
  • Return (1 → S/F): retrace the outward route to return to the Mirail catchment car park.

Distance/altitude markers (indicative)

  • S/F: km 0.0 – 409 m
  • (1): km 0.22 – 422 m
  • (2): km 0.96 – 446 m
  • (3): km 1.59 – 455 m
  • (4): km 2.34 – 539 m
  • (5): km 3.74 – 637 m
  • (6): km 5.39 – 696 m
  • (7): km 6.80 – 565 m
  • S/F: km 9.18 – 409 m

Points of interest / information

  • Mirail Spring: channelled as early as the 15th century by the monks of the Abbey of la Tourel (La Tour‑d’Aigues), it still contributes to the supply of the Étang de la Bonde, ideal for a swim on your return.
  • Bastide du Bois: a 17th‑century built ensemble, now in ruins, bearing witness to past agricultural life.
  • Vegetation and atmospheres: holm and pedunculate oaks, Aleppo pines and, near the bastide, Austrian black pines. In spring, cistus and thyme perfume the air; in summer, cicadas and shade make the progress pleasant.

Practical advice

  • No water on the route: carry at least 1.5 L per person in mid‑season, more in summer.
  • Recommended footwear: lugged soles; the stream bed and some eroded sections can be slippery when wet.
  • Navigation: the start is unmarked; follow the description carefully, especially at the “trident” (point 3).
  • Weather and safety: avoid in heavy rain (possible runoffs). In summer, check the access regulations for the Vaucluse massifs and the fire risk; DFCI roads may be subject to restrictions.
  • Respect the area: dogs on a leash, no fires, no picking without permission, take your rubbish home.

After the hike

  • Étang de la Bonde: a few kilometres away, ideal for cooling off.
  • At the Domaine de La Marie: enjoy the pool (in season) and a moment of relaxation in the heart of Provence, or ask about our other walks around Peypin‑d’Aigues.

From the Domaine de La Marie, allow about 5 minutes by car or 30–45 minutes additional walking to reach the trailhead. Enjoy your walk!