In this wonderful part of Provence, 36km east of Avignon, in a residential area and surrounded by 4000m2 of lovely woodland grounds, Maison Boisée is only 2.5km from the charming village of L’Isle sur la Sorgue. There are supermarkets, shops and a variety of lovely restaurants within a five-minute drive.
A very picturesque place to potter around, L’Isle sur la Sorgue is known as a ‘little Venice’ because of its canals and branches of the River Sorgue running through the town. There are some lovely waterside cafes and restaurants, ancient water wheels to admire and the famous Sunday morning brocante, one of the largest antique markets in Europe, alongside a Farmer’s market. The town is also filled with many antique dealers where you can hunt for all sorts of lovely bric-à-brac and old treasures.
Keen fishers can see if they can catch any trout in the river; L’Isle sur la Sorgue used to be a fishing village after all. Another wonderful trip out is to hire canoes and sail from Fontaine de Vaucluse, the source of the river, to L’Isle sur la Sorgue in a glorious setting.
There is a choice of golf courses across this part of Provence, including one a very short drive away as well as other great outdoor activities such as beautiful walking paths across the Luberon and beyond and cycling trails up the famous Mont Ventoux.
The Luberon region is home to many idyllic perched hilltop villages and glorious landscapes to explore. Highlights include Roussillon (30km), Ménerbes (20km) and one of Van Gogh’s favourite haunts, Gordes (22km), also one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. Also, don’t miss the weekly Farmer’s market in Apt (35km), a town known for its candied fruit. Les Alpilles is equally as beautiful with famous villages and towns such as Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (34km) and Les Baux-de-Provence (44km).
If you are not exploring lovely vineyards across the Luberon and Les Alpilles, head towards Châteauneuf-du-Pape (30km) in southern Rhône for more fine wine from this incredible area.
The towns and cities are also brilliant places to visit; Cavaillon (15km) has a fascinating history and a wonderful market famous for its canteloupe melons in the summer whilst the cities of Avignon (36km) and Aix-en-Provence (76km) are both magnificent. Marseille (90km) is also a worthy day trip, especially around the surrounding coastline including Parc National des Calanques.
Not forgetting the Camargue Natural Regional Park, just over an hour by car, another mesmerising region of 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.
