Le Soleil D’Or is located within an approximately 30-hectare wine estate in the foothills of the Luberon, below the medieval perched village of Oppède le Vieux. The domaine and its houses are owned by a prestigious Hollywood filmmaker.
Arriving by aeroplane, the nearest airports are in Avignon (29km), Marseille (68km) and Nîmes (80km). If travelling by train, there are fast services from Lille and Paris Gare de Lyon to Gare d’Avignon TGV which is around 42km from your holiday home.
Enjoy a complimentary hour-long ‘classic’ tour of the winery including tastings of the estate’s wines and you can also visit the wonderful wine shop which is open seven days a week in the summer (closed Mondays and Sundays from October to May), just a short walk away. The estate prides itself on its traditional Provençal wine-growing methods, respecting the vines’ biodiversity, and they have recently created a modern wine cellar to produce their own wines on site.
The local village is around 1.7km away, either a short drive or walk following the local country roads (no pavement). The village hosts a bakery, small grocery store, café and restaurants whilst there are two good-sized supermarkets and more attractive shops in nearby Coustellet (6.5km). The Sunday morning Farmer’s market in Coustellet is highly regarded by food enthusiasts whilst the Musée de l'Huile d'Olive can be spotted en route, just under 4km away, a good place for olive oil (and more wine) tastings.
Oppède le Vieux (4km) is one of the Luberon’s iconic perched villages – soak up it’s rich medieval heritage as you stroll around this once-abandoned village that has been brought back to life. There are some superb walks in and around the village – hike up to Église Notre-Dame Dalidon to admire the glorious scenery around you.
The Luberon is loved for its enchanting landscapes of cherry orchards, woodland, vineyards and wild flowers, not to mention its incredible hilltop villages scattered across the landscapes. Experience the charm of Ménerbes (3.7km), the artistic light of Gordes (12km), the ochre-coloured landscapes of Roussillon (17km) and the beauty of Bonnieux (16km). Come across atmospheric weekly markets and gastronomic restaurants – seasonal delights from the region include cherries, strawberries, Cavaillon melons, charcuterie, honey, cheeses, olive oil, wine and lavender products of course.
Enjoy long walks, make the most of the hiking opportunities, cycle on family-friendly green-ways, sail along the Sorgue by canoe or kayak, and discover mountain biking and rock-climbing opportunities. Beyond the Luberon, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (21km) offers a wealth of outdoor adventures whilst L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (17km) is a paradise for antique lovers – its Sunday morning brocante is not to be missed!
Not forgetting the historic cities of Avignon (37km) and Nimes (80km), the romantic town of Aix-en-Provence (65km) and artistic Saint-Rémy (35km), just some of many highlights in this captivating part of southern France.
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.
