Discover La Motte-D'aigues: Water, Hiking and History

La Motte-D'aigues brings together a waterside landscape, hiking trails and historic religious buildings. The commune borders the Étang de la Bonde, the largest body of water in the Vaucluse département. The trails also offer different points of interest: they lead to a spring and ruins, reveal the region's geological history, or offer views of the Aigues valley and Mont Ventoux. This lets you get to know the area from several specific perspectives rather than centring your trip on a single destination.

Étang de la Bonde and the Waterside Landscape

At the Étang de la Bonde bathing area, a large car park with 180 spaces lies opposite the shore. Check the parking situation before your visit. The shore at La Motte-d’Aigues is suitable for swimming; seasonal bathing conditions can change, so it is also advisable to check the latest information. The Source du Mirail connects these waterside locations in another way: it supplies drinking water and feeds the Étang de la Bonde.

Hiking Trails with Different Points of Interest

A short trail along a small river leads to the foot of the Luberon and the Source du Mirail. The hike ends at the ruins of the Bastide du Bois. This trail therefore brings together a spring and a historic site. The spring is also part of the local waterscape: its water flows into the Étang de la Bonde and is used as drinking water.

Le sentier géologique runs through La Motte-d’Aigues and takes you on a long journey through geological history. Its stops span the ocean of the Mesozoic Era, which gave rise to the limestone of the Grand Luberon, through to the use of this limestone by people in the 19th century. The trail thus places the geological formation and later use of the same rock in a historical context.

Another option is Les crêtes du Luberon: this 35.6-kilometre circular hike starts in La Motte-d’Aigues and offers views of the Aigues valley and Mont Ventoux. Unlike the geological trail, the focus here is on the landscape and its views, while Le sentier géologique traces the development of the rock. The different themes help you choose a hike to suit your preferred focus.

Village History and Religious Buildings

The Church of Saint-Florent/Saint-Florentin was built at the entrance to the village after 1345 and before 1421. It replaced Saint-Jean, a church that was too far away. Its layout comprises a single-nave nave, a polygonal apse and two side chapels. “Single-nave” describes a nave with one main aisle; “polygonal” describes the apse’s many-sided shape. The building’s history and architecture offer two different ways to appreciate the church.

The Temple protestant de La Motte d’Aigues is also a single-nave building. It is connected to the strong Protestant presence in the village after the arrival and joining of the Waldensians at the beginning of the 16th century. Together, the two religious buildings have different historical associations: Saint-Florent is notable for its construction and for replacing the distant church of Saint-Jean, while the Temple reflects the village’s Protestant context.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking route 31 starts at the Étang de La Bonde car park. The 2023/2024 edition of the cycling guide gives its length as 18.1 kilometres. If you plan to include this route in your trip, check local trail conditions before setting off.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Beaumettes, Aubignan, Loriol-Du-Comtat, Merindol, Roussillon, Rochegude, La Roque-Alric, Bonnieux.

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