Mas Saint Blaise is reached via a beautiful driveway lined with cypress trees and surrounded by vineyards, located below the perched village of Oppède le Vieux in the captivating Luberon region of Provence. Fly into Avignon or Marseille Airport or take the fast train service from Paris to Gare d’Avignon TGV.
Oppède le Vieux is just 1km away – park just outside the centre and walk up the hill. Once you arrive, the medieval village will enchant you as you potter around its steep cobbled lanes and admire the most incredible landscapes around you. The once abandoned village came back to life after WWII when artists and writers took over empty houses and renovated them. Walk up towards Église Notre-Dame Dalidon for more spectacular scenery before rewarding yourself with lunch on the village square.
Meanwhile, there are a couple more places to eat in the lower part of Oppède (around 2km by car) alongside a boulangerie and épicerie for groceries. The nearest supermarkets are in and around Coustellet (7km) as well as some great artisan shops, a lavender museum and a lovely Sunday morning Farmer’s market.
Hilltop Ménerbes (4.5km) is yet another gem of the region, classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. Surrounded by vineyards and cherry orchards, the picturesque village was made especially famous by Peter Mayle’s ‘A Year in Provence’ and it is loved for its historic charm.
Other iconic perched villages of the Luberon include Gordes (13km), Roussillon (18km) and Bonnieux (16.5km), then there’s the historic town of Apt (22km) which hosts the region’s largest market on a Saturday morning. Nature lovers will adore the Luberon’s many cycling trails and hiking paths passing rivers, poppy fields, vineyards, orchards, lavender and woodland. There are also ample wine tasting opportunities across the region.
Beyond the Luberon, visit the antique stores and markets of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (17km), appreciate the natural beauty of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (17km) or head towards Les Alpilles for art galleries in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (32km), olive oil in Maussane-les-Alpilles (42km) and celebrity spotting in Eygalières (26km), perhaps stopping off in historic Cavaillon (12.5km) en route, famed for its delicious summer melons.
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.
