Gordes has no railway station and sits on no major motorway: that is precisely what makes it such a beautifully preserved hilltop village, perched on its rocky spur at the heart of the Luberon. Even so, it is easier to reach than you might think. After years of welcoming guests to Le Clos de Manon, a ten-minute walk from the village, we know that the question of getting here always comes up first. So here, calmly and concretely, are all the ways to come to Gordes depending on your point of departure.
First, a word on the essentials: wherever you arrive, a car is indispensable once you're here. It is what unlocks the neighbouring hilltop villages, the lavender routes, the markets and the ochre cliffs. Everything else follows from that principle.
By train: Avignon TGV, the most convenient station
For the great majority of our guests, the train is the most elegant way to come. The go-to station is Avignon TGV (in the Courtine district), around 2h40 from Paris by direct TGV, but also linked to Lyon, Marseille, Lille and Brussels. From there, allow about 45 minutes by road to Gordes.
Two insider tips. First, don't confuse Avignon TGV (on the outskirts, ideal for car hire) with Avignon Centre, which is handier if you'd like to wander the city of the Popes first. A rail shuttle links the two stations in just a few minutes. Second, book your hire car at the same time as your tickets: in high season, the agencies at the TGV station fill up fast.
The Aix-en-Provence TGV station is an excellent alternative, especially if you're arriving from the south or east: allow about 1 hour by road to Gordes via the A7 and then the Luberon's country roads. Marseille-Saint-Charles, right in the city centre, also works very well and combines train and plane.
By plane: Marseille-Provence leads the way
If you're coming from afar or from abroad, the most convenient airport is Marseille-Provence (Marignane), a little over 1 hour by road from Gordes. It brings together many domestic and European routes and offers a wide choice of car-hire firms on site, which makes the plane-to-car handover straightforward.
- Marseille-Provence (MRS): about 1 hour by road, the best balance of flight choice and proximity.
- Nîmes-Garons (FNI): smaller, sometimes handy depending on seasonal routes, around 1h15 away.
- Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE): very well served internationally, but about 2h30 by road; worth considering if the flights there are clearly better.
- Lyon-Saint-Exupéry (LYS): around 2 hours away, an option to keep in mind for arrivals from the north.
Our own instinct: combine a flight into Marseille with car hire at the airport. In most cases, that's the smoothest way to reach the Luberon without any awkward connections.
By car: a journey to savour
Coming directly by car remains a lovely option, especially from the north or west of France. The natural route is the A7 motorway (the "Autoroute du Soleil"): you usually exit at Avignon Sud or Cavaillon, then make your way to Gordes along the Luberon's country roads — about 30 to 40 minutes of delightful driving through olive groves and vineyards.
A few distances for guidance: Paris is about 7 hours away, Lyon 2h30, Marseille 1 hour, Aix-en-Provence 1 hour and Avignon 45 minutes. The final kilometres, winding up towards the hilltop village, are worth taking slowly: they're already part of the journey. If you plan to explore the wider region afterwards, our tips for renting a villa with a pool in Gordes will help you choose somewhere well placed, from which you can set off easily each morning.
Getting around once you're here
Gordes isn't designed for public transport: there's no dense bus network and no local station. That's why we insist on the car, indispensable for making the most of the Luberon.
- Parking in Gordes: the village has several car parks, including a large one at the entrance, very useful in high season when the lanes fill up quickly. Arriving early in the morning makes everything easier.
- Driving in the hilltop villages: narrow lanes and steep cobbled "calades" are the norm. Park the car and explore on foot — that's the right move everywhere in the region.
- Short distances: Roussillon, Ménerbes, Sénanque Abbey (4 km, 8 minutes) and the Village des Bories (about 3 km) are all just a few minutes away by car.
For families travelling with young children, these short hops between villages are a real comfort; we say more about it in our article Gordes with family: what to do with children. And for a getaway for two, taking your time over the viewpoints and the back roads, take a look at Gordes for couples: a romantic escape in Provence.
Which option to choose for your departure point
To sum up our recommendations simply:
- From Paris or a major French city: the TGV to Avignon, then a hire car. Fast, restful and free of long-drive fatigue.
- From abroad: a flight to Marseille-Provence, then a car once you're here.
- From the south-east or for a road trip: your own car, via the A7.
Whatever you choose, the idea stays the same: minimise connections and keep a car for the length of your stay. If you're planning your whole trip, you'll find everything else in our practical guide to staying in Gordes, which covers accommodation, the seasons and budget.
Arriving at Le Clos de Manon
Once the last country road is behind you, Le Clos de Manon awaits, a ten-minute walk from Gordes, peaceful and quiet, with its private heated pool. We always send you detailed directions before your arrival, with the right access and the useful landmarks, so the final kilometres are easy to follow. Once your dates take shape, all that's left is to check our availability for your arrival dates: we'll take care of making your arrival as simple as possible.