On a hillside on the edge of Gordes, one of France’s classified ‘Plus Beaux Villages’, Maison Eclaircie enjoys a wonderful location just a short walk from the heart of this beautiful and historic village. The Provençal valley views from the terraced grounds are incredible.
Guests can fly into Marseille, Nîmes or Avignon airports or arrive via the fast train service into Gare d’Avignon TGV (40km) – the direct train journey from Paris Gare de Lyon takes around 2 hours 40 minutes.
It’s just a few minutes’ walk up the hill to reach the top of the village where there are yet more magnificent views, passing historic treasures such as L’Eglise Saint Firmin and Château de Gordes. The picture-perfect village has inspired artists over the years – look out for little art galleries and exhibitions. There is a good range of shops including a boulangerie and Spar grocery store and a choice of inviting restaurants from down-to-earth bistros to gastronomic establishments.
The delightful Tuesday morning market is another way to experience the produce of this part of Provence – look out for cheeses, charcuterie, honey, olive oil, wine, breads, cherries, melons, vegetables alongside crafts and plenty of lavender-based products.
Nearby Coustellet (8km) is a good place for larger supermarkets and artisan food shops as well as a Sunday morning Farmer’s market. It’s also home to the Lavender Museum and close to the Musée de l'Huile d'Olive which offers olive oil wine-tasting. The handsome town of Apt (22km) hosts an atmospheric Saturday morning market, the largest in the region, whilst there are many other superb markets dotted across nearby Provençal villages and towns.
Elsewhere in the Luberon, discover the captivating landscapes on foot or bike as you pass endless orchards, farmland, poppy and lavender fields, woodland and so many iconic perched villages such as Ménerbes (11km), Bonnieux (16km) and Roussillon (11km). Embrace the history of the region when visiting Le Village des Bories and admire the summer lavender of L’Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque.
Furthermore, you are close to the antique stores, waterways and Sunday morning brocante of the charming town of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (18km) and the incredible natural beauty of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (18km), a popular area for canoeing and kayaking along the Sorgue River.
Find horse-riding near Joucas (6.5km), a wealth of hiking trails across the Luberon and Vaucluse as well as many cycling circuits from challenging routes to family-friendly greenways.
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.