Want to visit the Luberon with your dog? 🪻 This beautiful region of Provence is ideal for all seasons with your dog, and I'll show you why! As a bonus, I'm recommending a campsite that's super well-located and perfect for a vacation in Provence with your dog.

Do you crave sunshine, fresh air, and a true holiday feeling? I suggest you discover the Luberon region of Provence with your dog ! With its famous lavender fields, rivers flowing everywhere, and charming Provençal villages, the Luberon is THE place to be to recharge with your canine companion. I went there two summers with Musher, and we had a blast! After wonderful days exploring or relaxing, we always ended with a refreshing swim! The great thing is that the region isn't overcrowded, even in summer.

And the good news is, a very dog-friendly campsite awaits you there 😍 Camping Au Tylo Soleil has everything you need for an unforgettable holiday in Provence with your dog. And it's QUALIDOG certified, W'ouf Course!

Here we go, I'll tell you why I fell in love with this campsite 🫶 Then, we'll see everything you can do around to visit the Luberon with your dog!

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The most dog-friendly campsite in the Luberon

Let me introduce you to Thierry and Loïc, the two owners of Camping Au Tylo Soleil , true animal lovers! Their 3-star campsite is located in the Luberon, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region , between Manosque and Forcalquier. Always happy to welcome furry and feathered friends alike, they can't resist giving them a pat or even a cuddle upon arrival! If the animal is willing, Woof! 😉 In fact, you and your dog, or other pet, will be greeted by Cécile at reception.

Managers of the Au Tylo Soleil campsite in the Luberon are very happy to welcome a dog on holiday.

Thanks to everything they've put in place, their dog-friendly campsite has earned 3 truffles from the QUALIDOG label , and for good reason: it offers nothing but advantages for holidaymakers with pets! Among them:

  • welcomes the dogs, the cats, the small rodents et birds (up to 2 per rental) with great attention and kindness!
  • en in the great outdoors in a 6 hectare park of Provençal vegetation.
  • ideally located next to the The Hague River to bathe your dog
  • available equipment on request: bowl, dog shower, and you can buy a blanket there
  • your dog can accompany you in the restaurant camping !
  • space of dog daycare under construction near reception

✅ Bonus: the campsite is ideal for families : water park, kids' clubs, playground… But also for couples in the off-season because it is very quiet!

Do you understand why I fell in love with it? 😍 And that's not all! Discover all the amenities and accommodations at Camping Au Tylo Soleil in Dauphin, in the Luberon. Even the name of the campsite evokes Provence and holidays!

Rivers where you can bathe your dog in Provence

Swimming is definitely our favorite holiday activity with Musher! Finding rivers where you can swim with your dog is relatively easy in the Luberon . In fact, there are quite a few bodies of water around the Au Tylo Soleil campsite. Plus, many of the rivers are full of white clay! I imagine it must have some benefits for the skin and overall health… We had fun making little sculptures with it. But be careful that your dog doesn't drink too much. Here are the dog-friendly swimming spots around the campsite in Provence:

  • la Lurs waterfall in Sigonce: from memory, it was quite busy at the bottom of the waterfall but further upstream, it's just as pretty and there are fewer people
  • the Laye reservoir, ideal for picnicking and easily accessible
  • the surroundings of the Pont du Verdon in Vinon-sur-Verdon: an idyllic, typically Provençal setting with the Verdon River, a picnic area and a pretty promenade
  • Lake VAnnades in Manosque
  • the Buissonnades fishing lake in Oraison

If you'd like to venture a little further, Camping Au Tylo Soleil is located right between the Verdon and Toulourenc Gorges ! These are magnificent canyons with azure blue rivers. More than just a swim, you can enjoy several hours of aquatic hiking with your dog. However, it will tire them out considerably, so take it easy if they're not used to it.

On the Verdon Gorges side, you can swim with your dog: 

  • at Lake Sainte-Croix
  • at Lake Esparron

The Luberon also has some magnificent villages! Here are a few of them.

The most beautiful villages to visit in the Luberon with your dog

charming, dog-friendly Luberon village
Village of Forcalquier in the Luberon

The villages of the Luberon are something else… They have a picturesque charm with their small, light-colored stone houses, cobbled streets, and little churches. So bright and sunny, it's incredibly pleasant to walk around them with your dog . I love observing the walls of the buildings to piece together their history, spotting an old doorway in the wall, observing the construction techniques… It's fascinating! Among the villages I recommend visiting with your dog are:

  • Dolphin : this village is labeled Village and City of Character. You can admire its ramparts and the Pasquié tower. On the south side, you will see the Citadel of Forcalquier and the Lure mountain
  • Forcalquier : a very pretty town in Provence, it is known for its local market. The magnificent Citadel built on the ruins of Forcalquier Castle is a must-see! A 360° view of the Alps, the Luberon and the Durance Valley awaits you. The village is also magnificent
  • Saint-Michel-l'Observatoire : climb up to the church to reach the highest point of the village. The orientation table allows you to find your way with this magnificent panorama over the entire valley
  • Manosque : meet in the absolutely magnificent historic city center!
  • Simiane-la-Rotonde : charming Luberon village between its lavender fields and its imposing rotunda, overlooking a thousand-year-old castle
  • Sault : a village of character at the foot of Mont Ventoux. Its Romanesque church, which has survived through the ages, is worth the detour
  • Montfuron : known for its 17th century windmill, unique in the region, from where you will observe a magnificent 360° panorama
  • Come : pretty fortified village from the 11th century, its architecture mixed with the vegetation of the streets are extremely restorative
  • Lourmarin : a small Provençal village labeled one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, it is known for its artisan painting and sculpture shops, but also for its AOC “Côtes du Luberon” wine
  • Roussillon : a village in shades of yellow, orange, and red, built using the largest ochre deposit in Europe. It is also one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France!
  • Gordes : hilltop village in the Luberon, dominated by an imposing castle. Its Provençal architecture and leather workshops give it an authentic charm

So much for the pretty villages of the Luberon to see with your dog. Now let's move on to the walks and hikes you can do together, to the sound of cicadas 🎵

Walks and hikes to do in the Luberon

The first time I went to the Luberon with Musher, I had a bit of trouble finding nice hikes. In fact, in the middle of summer, almost all the forests are closed due to fire risk. Speaking of which, I'd like to take this opportunity to offer a little safety advice 🔥: never light a fire for a barbecue in the forest, neither in summer nor in winter! Even if you put it out by pouring lots of water on it, the heat can spread underground and ignite twigs a few meters away—it's extremely dangerous!

Well, now that that's been said, I can reassure you that there are still some lovely walks and hikes to be found in the Luberon:

  • the Mourres massif: impressive tortured rocks, ideal for giving free rein to children's imaginations
  • Lure Mountain: an exceptional natural site for observing rich biodiversity. Dogs are allowed, but be careful, there may be some livestock protection dogs.
  • the Montjustin ridge hike: 20 km to discover the most beautiful landscapes of the Luberon, but you can of course do a shorter round trip
  • le Provençal Colorado in Rustrel : cliffs and ochre-colored sand for a complete change of scenery. Be careful, your dog will come back orange, so bring something to clean him!
  • the Gorges d'Oppedette: there is no water in summer but it is very pretty to walk through
woman with her dog in the lavender fields of the Luberon

🪻 Where can you find lavender fields to take beautiful holiday photos with your dog? This is only recommended if neither you nor your dog are allergic to insect bites, as there are many pollinators when the lavender is in bloom. Please do not trample the crops 🙏

  • in Simiane-la-Rotonde and Sault
  • on the Albion plateau
  • on the Valensole plateau (better known and therefore more crowded)

⚠️ Some dangers to avoid for your dog in the Luberon: 

  • In summer, the temperature rises to 40°C. Find all our Tips for keeping your dog cool in hot weather. And again, beware of fire hazard areas.
  • In the spring, the processionary caterpillars come down from the trees and can send your dog to the vet's emergency room. Read our article on the subject to take precautions.
  • In the summer, you should also watch out for awns, those small spikes that look like ears of wheat with long hairs. If they attach to your dog's fur, they can migrate to the skin and puncture it. This can lead to an abscess, or worse. Check your dog carefully to remove them after each walk.
  • Remember to take anti-parasitic treatment for your dog because there are also a lot of ticks 😉

I hope this article has helped you plan a great camping holiday in the Luberon with your dog! Let me know if you go, I love reading about your adventures! On social media, you can tag us with #emmenetonchien 😃