On the edge of the Luberon region, only 5km from the picture-perfect village of Gordes, Cachet D’Olive is in the Vaucluse department of southern France. Located on a residential lane in the countryside, it’s only 2.5km to Cabrières-d'Avignon for your nearest bakery and restaurant.
Discover further amenities including good-sized supermarkets and lovely shops in nearby Coustellet (3.5km). The village is especially vibrant on Sunday mornings when its famed farmers’ market springs to life with colourful stalls of local honey, lavender, fruit, and cheese. It’s also home to the Lavender Museum, an ode to the region’s iconic bloom, perfect for families and culture lovers alike.
A short drive leads you to Gordes (5km), one of the Luberon’s most celebrated hilltop villages, classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. Its dramatic cliffside position, honey-toned stone buildings, and the impressive Sénanque Abbey surrounded by lavender fields make it an unmissable highlight. Don’t miss the delightful market on a Tuesday morning.
Explore further into the Golden Triangle of the Luberon and you’ll discover the atmospheric lanes of Ménerbes (9km), the medieval charm of Oppède-le-Vieux (9km), and the ochre-tinted beauty of Roussillon (13km), famed for its dramatic red cliffs and winding trails through the pine trees. Each village brings a distinct flavour, whether it's the wine estates of Ménerbes or the artisan studios tucked into Roussillon’s pastel façades. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, cycling, or leisurely drives through olive groves, vineyards, and pine forests that stretch across this protected natural park.
No trip to the area is complete without visiting L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (13km), the “Venice of Provence”, known for its antique shops, art galleries, and picturesque canals. Nearby, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (14km) offers a magical setting where the Sorgue River bubbles forth from the depths of a limestone cliff, the perfect spot for kayaking, hiking or riverside picnics.
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.
