Perfectly positioned for exploring the many villages of the Luberon, Mas Luberon is located a short drive from the handsome market town of Apt, just over an hour from Marseille Airport (85km). If arriving via train, Gare d’Avignon TGV (56km) has direct arrivals Paris and Lille.
This region is filled with cherry orchards and vineyards – indeed there are two neighbouring wine châteaux for wine-tasting opportunities. The nearest bakery, restaurant and café-bar are in a small Provençal village only 3km away. Meanwhile, Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt (7km) is a little further north, a very charming and authentic Luberon village, slightly off the usual tourist track, with beautiful doorways, a handful of bars and restaurants and a Tuesday morning market no doubt showcasing the region’s cherries and lavender when in season.
To the south is the town of Apt (3.5km) with excellent restaurants, shops, large supermarkets and the wonderful Saturday morning market, the largest in the region. The bustling market takes over Place de la Bouquerie and its surrounding streets selling seasonal fruit and vegetables, wine, olives, cheese, flowers, lavender, fabrics, crafts, clothes and so much more – it really is a unique experience and a great way to stock up on delicious produce from southern France.
Meanwhile, other iconic Luberon villages to visit include Roussillon (15km), Bonnieux (16km), Gordes (22km) and Ménerbes (24km) or venture south to pretty Lourmarin (22km), so loved by Albert Camus. Discover hiking trails through the hills as well as cycling routes passing spectacular scenery across the Luberon.
Then there’s the famous lavender of the Luberon - you will usually pass blooming fields from late June to early August. Admire swathes of lavender around Simiane la Rotonde (24km) and Sault (32km) or take your camera to Sénanque Abbey (27km) when visiting Gordes. The Lavender Museum is located around half an hour away in Coustellet, not far from the Musée de l'Huile d'Olive.
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.
