Maison Bonnie is set above the hilltop village of Bonnieux, one of the iconic perched villages of the Luberon. Fly into Avignon or Marseille Airport or take the TGV train from Paris to Gare d’Avignon TGV, around an hour away from Bonnieux by car.
The valley views from Maison Bonnie are beautiful. The fittest of guests can walk down to Bonnieux as long as you can manage the steps and hilly path on the way back (or it is a very short drive). The village is surrounded by orchards, woodland and vineyards and the scenery is idyllic. Stroll around the historic lanes admiring 16th century houses, visit the bakery museum and pick up your essentials from the mini-supermarket and boulangerie. There are restaurants and cafes in the village and the Friday morning market is a lovely experience.
Other Luberon gems close by include Ménerbes (12km), Lacoste (8km), Oppède le Vieux (20km) and Gordes (18km) or head north to the handsome town of Apt (14km) which hosts the Luberon’s largest market on a Saturday morning. This region is a paradise for outdoor adventurists with hiking, cycling and biking trails across the Luberon and beyond alongside horse-riding and canoeing/kayaking south of the picture-perfect village of Lourmarin (12.5km). Closer to home, enjoy the coolness of the Forêt des cèdres with marked trails for all abilities.
Wine-enthusiasts should take time to visit the vineyards and wine châteaux across the Luberon. Meanwhile, food-lovers can look out for cherries, almonds, melons, olives and other delights at Provençal markets in nearby villages and dine out in some of the Luberon’s excellent restaurants.
Further afield, drive to Aix-en-Provence (51km) to soak up the town’s charm and beauty as you explore its historic streets with inviting shops, café terraces, impressive museums and the iconic Cours Mirabeau. In the other direction are the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Avignon (49km), another wonderful day out in this captivating part of Provence.
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.