Le Jardin D’Éte is located on the edge of a small rural village just outside the picture-perfect village of Lourmarin in the Luberon region of Provence. Arrive into Marseille or Avignon Airports or if travelling by train from Paris, Gare d’Aix en Provence TGV is around a 45-minute drive away.
Stroll into the heart of the local village around 350m away where you will find old shuttered houses along a tree-lined road alongside the village restaurant (usually open four evenings a week and Sunday lunchtime).
Lourmarin (2.5km) is a short drive or leisurely walk away following a country road. Classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’, follow Albert Camus’ footsteps as you explore the idyllic lanes in Lourmarin coming across atmospheric café terraces, excellent restaurants and little shops. The Friday morning market is a delight, showcasing a wealth of delicious local fruit (cherries, apples, pears, melons, grapes etc) and vegetables as well as olive oil, AOC Côtes du Luberon wine, herbs, honey and more.
Drive past vineyards, fruit orchards and olive groves as you explore the surrounding countryside. There are canoeing/kayaking opportunities along the Durance River whilst locals love to swim at the Étang de la Bonde (17km) in the summer, also a lovely spot for shady walks and fishing.
Other picture-perfect villages nearby include Ansouis (13km), another one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ with its Michelin starred restaurant, impressive castle and church. Cucuron (10km) is also delightful with a gorgeous Tuesday morning market, century-old plane trees, a pretty square and bassin alongside another Michelin starred establishment.
Discover wonderful walking and hiking routes alongside a variety of cycling trails from easy to challenging. Heading further north into the Luberon, visit perched villages such as Ménerbes, Roussillon and Gordes. There are many wine-tasting opportunities across the Luberon including some highly regarded wine châteaux close near Lourmarin.
Aix-en-Provence (39km) is a lovely day out with its beautiful architecture, museums, parks and inviting shops – embrace the charm of this iconic Provençal town, then be inspired by the surrounding Sainte-Victoire landscapes that so inspired Paul Cézanne.
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.
