> Luberon
 

The Luberon Villages
All between 35 & 50km – 40 to 60 minutes by car

Gordes - One of the most well known hilltop villages in the region, and one of the most beautiful in France. Its Renaissance chateau overlooks the terraced houses, streets and alleyways. Market on Tuesday.

Village des Bories - Classed as an historic monument, dating back from 2000 BC the dry stone domed dwellings of this village give a priceless account of the way of life in Provence, from far-off times to the present day.

Roussillon - The village, with its stunning warm rich ochre colours is perched above an extraordinary landscape. The mining of ochre and subsequent erosion have sculpted the red-and-gold earth into cliffs, canyons and unusual shapes.

L’Isle sur la sourge - This pretty town with its numerous small canals is France’s most important antiques and second-hand centre after Paris. With over 200 antique shops and famous Sunday market, the town has a wonderful atmosphere especially at weekends.

Fountaine de Vaucluse - This ancient riverside village boasts one of the most powerful natural springs in the world. The spring is the source of the River Sourge and is most dramatic in winter or spring but a picnic on the banks of the Sourge is enjoyable all year round.

Lourmarin - Listed as "one of the most beautiful villages in France", Lourmarin nestles in the middle of vineyards, olive groves and almond trees. A very animated village in the summer due to its numerous cafe terraces, restaurants and boutiques.

Menerbes -  When Peter Mayle wrote the book ‘A Year in Provence’ here, it brought  coach loads of tourists to photograph every square inch of the village. But now, Menerbes has returned to what it was - a beautiful, quiet medieval village, exquisitely poised over the Luberon valley.

Bonnieux - The view from the top of the village is wonderful, out across the valley floor with its patchwork of orchards and vineyards, towards Monts de Vaucluse, Mont Vontoux, Lacoste, Gordes and Roussillon. Nearby, the cedar forest is an attractive place to explore. There are a couple of marked botanical trails through the woods.

Abbaye de Senanque - Surrounded by the purple lavender fields of the Luberon, the grey stone façade of this beautifully sited 12th century Abbaye is still home to five monks. The view of the Abbaye is lovely when you approach it from nearby Gordes.

Abbey de Silvacane - Harmonious 12th century monastery tucked away in the countryside. Located in the township of La Roque d'Antheron, it owes its name to the reeds of the Durance River, on whose banks the abbey is situated.

Lavender - In the summer take a self drive or organized tour of the beautiful lavender fields around the Luberon. At the Lavender museum in Coustellet, visitors discover the charms and salutary properties of this thousand-year-old plant and can see the large collection of copper stills used distill the lavender.