Villa Glycine can be found in the heart of Provence’s Luberon National Park, surrounded by idyllic perched villages and marvellous mountain views, around 40km south of Avignon.
You can walk to the nearest hilltop village in around 30 minutes (along the country roads) if you don’t mind the hills - it’s a small but glorious place which has been carefully restored over the last fifty years. The steep cobbled lanes are a delight, as are the wonderful views of olive groves and woodland surrounding the village. Find the pretty square in the centre of the village with its café-bar, perfect for relaxed lunches or al-fresco meals on warm summer evenings.
Ménerbes (4km) is also a short drive away, a beautiful medieval hilltop village with pretty shops and lovely restaurants and as well as a charming Thursday morning market. The village was made famous by Peter Mayle’s ‘A Year in Provence’ and it’s one of France’s classified ‘Plus Beaux Villages’.
Other archetypal villages of the Luberon include Lacoste (13km), Bonnieux (16km) and Roussillon (18km), amongst others, and there are also the wonderful towns of Cavaillon (13km) and Apt (24km) to discover, especially on market day. Another famous village of this region is Van Gogh’s beloved Gordes (12km), also known as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ with its incredible history, atmospheric market and surrounding lavender fields.
Keen walkers can follow a number of trails through the mesmerising Luberon landscapes, either around the local village or beyond, passing vineyards, olive groves, woodland and glorious Provençal countryside. Cycling is also incredibly popular in this part of Provence and horse-riding is another great way to admire the scenery.
Antique lovers must experience the amazing markets of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (17km), perhaps combined with a visit to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (16km), the source of the Sorgue river and a superb place for hiring kayaks and canoes.
The Luberon vineyards are also a very short drive away if you would like to try some of the local wine whilst connoisseurs can head north towards Châteauneuf-du-Pape (50km) for a splendid day out in the Rhône valley.
You may also choose to spend time in the historic city of Avignon (38km) with its UNESCO World Heritage sites or head south to experience the romance of Aix-en-Provence (63km), just an hour away.
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.
