Viens is an ancient village with a medieval atmosphere boasting many original features including the clock tower and the two Maisons de Monier. It is located on the border of the Alpes-de-Haute Provence, the heart of the Luberon and surrounded by beautiful lavender fields, providing you with boundless activities and attractions for all the family.
Within the Luberon National park the charming villages and beautiful scenery offer an ideal setting for hiking, cycling, and even kayaking along the Sorgue. Many of the quint hilltop villages have maintained their original features with castles, caves and historical artefacts to discover, including one of the most spectacular at La Tour d’Aigues which still has its dungeons. Other activities include the Barben Zoo, Accrobranche and horse-riding.
The town of Apt, with its sprawling weekly market each Saturday and Tuesday is an unmissable trip: a gem full of charm and tradition with winding streets and ancient fountains. Indulge in the local cuisine and delicacies in one of the many pavement cafes with views of the Luberon and sweet smelling lavender surround you.
Le Hameau de l’Horizon is also within close driving distance of the archetypal Provencal villages of Bonnieux, Lacoste, Menerbes, Gordes and Roussillon. Famous Avignon, the capital of Provence, and Aix-en-Provence, one of France's most beautiful university towns, are only about 1hr30mins away from this gorgeous hamlet.
The Region
With some of the most enchanting landscapes of Provence, the Luberon awaits with its idyllic perched villages, swathes of lavender, cherry trees, vineyards and dense forest.
Become captivated by the scenery as you potter around artistic Gordes with its atmospheric Tuesday morning market before heading to hilltop Ménerbes, the village that inspired Peter Mayle’s ‘A Year in Provence’. Romantic Bonnieux enjoys the most glorious vistas, surrounded by a sea of vines and orchards, whilst red-hued Roussillon will take your breath away with its ochre landscapes and pine forests. They are all officially classified as ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ in France.
Yet there are so many hidden gems to explore as well. Discover the historic doorways, windmills and summer cherries of Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, then head to Goult to embrace its Provençal charm with little shops and pavement cafes. Surrounded by fields of lavender, Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt is another historic jewel of the Luberon, often overshadowed by the handsome and historic town of Apt.
To the south of the Luberon, follow Albert Camus’ footsteps in Lourmarin, sip coffee by the picturesque bassin lined with plane trees in Cucuron and soak up the history of Ansouis – all three villages have a fine reputation for their high-end dining with a choice of Michelin starred restaurants.
Indeed, across the region look out for restaurant terraces serving Provençal cuisine with superb vistas alongside characterful markets showcasing seasonal delights from the Luberon and beyond (olives, melons, strawberries, cherries, truffles, chestnuts, lavender products and more). Most villages host a lovely weekly market whilst the largest in the Luberon is held on a Saturday morning in Apt. Just on the edge of the Luberon, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is famed for its antique stores and Sunday morning brocante. Meanwhile, wine lovers should visit the vineyards and wineries of the region producing Luberon and Ventoux AOC wines.
The walking, hiking and cycling opportunities in the Luberon seem endless and you will also find horse-riding, rock-climbing and tree-top adventures as well as canoeing and kayaking along the Sorgue near Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. Come across hiking trails for all abilities passing vineyards and forest or venture through the hills and mountain gorges for spectacular scenery. Cycling is also extremely popular – as well as more challenging routes, we especially love the family-friendly Véloroute du Calavon, a paved voie verte following a former railway line near the Calavon river passing poppies, lavender and orchards so typical of the Luberon.
