Map of Murs
Tourist map and places to visit in Murs
Below you’ll find our map of Murs. The village of Murs has just 400 residents and is perched at an altitude of 500 meters in the Vaucluse Mountains. Our interactive map at the top of the page shows you the highlights: the castle overlooking the village, the Saint-Loup Church, the Notre-Dame-du-Salut Chapel, the parking lots, and the trailheads leading to the Véroncle Gorges.
How long does it take to visit Murs?
Allow one hour to an hour and a half to walk around the village. Murs can only be explored on foot, and the distances are short. You’ll walk up toward the castle, come back down past the church, and stroll past the old washhouses and fountains. The elevation gain is modest, but the streets do slope upward a bit.
If you include a lunch break on a patio, plan on three hours. The village has just a few places to eat—no more than that. It’s a place to slow down, not to check off sightseeing spots.
For hikers, however, the scale is completely different. The loop through the Véroncle Gorges takes half a day to a full day, depending on the route you choose. The trail is between 11 and 14 kilometers long, with sections involving climbing, ladders, and cables. In this case, Murs becomes your starting point or your halfway stop.
In summary: a morning for the village alone, a full day if you go hiking.
Where can you download a map of Murs in PDF format?
The map of Murs is available directly on this page. Click the “Download the Map” button located above, just below our interactive map. The PDF file opens in a few seconds on both phones and computers.
This format comes in handy once you’re there. Cell service is spotty in the Vaucluse mountains, and the gorges block the signal completely. Having a map saved in advance will keep you from getting lost.
You’ll find all the points marked on our interactive map: the castle, the Romanesque church, the chapel, the town hall, parking areas, and access points to the marked trails. Print it out if you prefer a paper copy—it fits on a single sheet.
We recommend downloading it before you leave, either from home or from your lodging. You’ll save time once you’re on the road. And you’ll be able to plan your day’s itinerary at your leisure.
Where is the tourist office?
Murs does not have a tourist office within its boundaries. The village is served by the Pays d’Apt Luberon intermunicipal tourist office, which covers 25 municipalities with seven information offices.
The main office is located in Apt, at 788 Avenue Victor Hugo, about 17 kilometers away. You can reach them at 04 90 74 03 18. It’s open Monday through Saturday, generally from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with extended hours in July and August. Hours vary by season, so be sure to check before you go.
If you’re coming from the south, the Gordes office is closer. It’s located on Place du Château, 8 kilometers from Murs, and can be reached at 04 90 72 02 75. This is often the most convenient stop for visiting both villages in a single day.
For purely local questions, the Murs town hall is your best point of contact. It’s located in the heart of the village and is open on weekday mornings. The town staff will gladly provide information about trails and village events.
Where to park in Murs?
Parking in Murs is available along the roadside and in a few designated spots at the village entrance. There is no large paid parking lot like the ones in Gordes or Roussillon. All parking areas in Murs are marked on our interactive map at the top of this page.
During peak season, the situation can quickly become challenging. From June through September, parking spots fill up early in the morning. Spring weekends also attract many hikers, who leave their cars parked all day.
A few simple tips will make your life easier:
Arrive before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. in the summer
Park at the village entrance rather than trying to navigate the narrow streets in the center
Never block a resident access point or a service lane
Fold in your side mirrors—the roads are narrow
For La Véroncle, use the Les Grailles parking lot instead, on the D2 between Gordes and Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt
Once you’ve parked your car, everything is within walking distance. You can walk through the village center in just a few minutes.
What are the must-see sights?
The castle overlooks the village from the hilltop. Its construction spanned the 12th to the 14th centuries, with successive restorations, particularly in the 19th century. It remains private property and is not open to the public. From the outside, you can see the keep, the fortified walls, and the Gothic chapel.
The Church of Saint-Loup is located just below. This 12th-century Romanesque building features a castle chapel attached to the castle. The simplicity of the site contrasts with the more ornate churches of the Comtat.
A short distance from the center, the Chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Salut is worth a visit. Originally Romanesque, it was rebuilt in the 17th century. The lords of Murs are buried there, and a procession takes place there every year on Ascension Day.
Here are some other points to look for on your map:
The birthplace of the brave Crillon, a comrade-in-arms of Henry IV, with its 13th-century façade
The Véroncle Gorges and their ten flour mills dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries
The “plague wall,” a low dry-stone wall built in 1720, which runs through the northern part of the town
The Col de Murs, at 626 meters, on the winding road to Venasque
The washhouses, wells, fountains, and wayside shrines scattered throughout the village
The Vaumale valley rounds out the itinerary for hikers. The panoramic views from the ridges stretch as far as the Luberon and, on a clear day, all the way to Sainte-Victoire.
How to get to Murs?
Murs is accessible almost exclusively by car. The village is located on the D4, the road connecting Apt to Carpentras. It is 17 kilometers from Apt and approximately 26 kilometers from Carpentras.
From Gordes, take the D15 for 8 kilometers. From Joucas, the D102A takes you to Murs in just 4 kilometers. Both routes wind through landscapes of vineyards and cherry orchards, with beautiful views of the Luberon.
If you’re coming via the A7 highway, take the Avignon Sud or Cavaillon exit. Avignon is about 50 kilometers away, and Marseille is about 100 kilometers away. The final stretch of road is narrow and winding, so drive carefully.
By train, the nearest TGV station is in Avignon. The Carpentras train station is about 20 kilometers away, but there are no direct train lines to the village. The town is connected to the regional bus network, though service is very limited outside of the school year.
Renting a car is therefore the simplest option. It will also allow you to visit Gordes, Roussillon, and Venasque in a single day.
Also worth reading to help you plan your stay in Murs:
