Enjoying panoramic mountainous and countryside views from its raised terrace and glimpses of Gordes to the west, you could not have a prettier setting than at Villa Gordes! Only a leisurely stroll away from the property (no pavement), Gordes has been called the most beautiful village in France.
Perched on a rocky headland in the Vaucluse mountains at the heart of the Luberon Regional National Park, Gordes is gorgeous with stone houses, cobbled streets dotted with fountains and an 11th century Renaissance castle dominating the landscape. A visit to the castle's fantastic art exhibitions is a must, and L’Eglise Saint Fermin Church and the abbey of Our Lady of Sasanqua, surrounded by lavender fields, are truly sights worth seeing.
Market day is every Tuesday morning and you can expect a whirl of colour and delicious aromas. Set at the foot of the castle, you can pick up fresh local produce and wonderful artisan goods or grab a coffee and people watch or enjoy the incredible views from the balcony at Le Cercle Republicain. Only a short drive away are an abundance of other beautiful villages such as Lacoste and Roussillon, which is often referred to as the ‘French Grand Canyon’ due to its incredible bright orange rocks.
Aix-en-Provence is a wonderful city and is less than an hour’s drive from the property. Upmarket and classy with leafy boulevards lined with 17th & 18th century mansions Aix offers chic shopping and fabulous street markets in its part pedestrianised centre and is an artist’s delight with its beautiful light filled boulevards captured by Cezanne and others.
With over 600 winegrowers in Provence there’s no shortage of vineyards to visit so look up the ‘Provence Wine Route’ to find the best places to sample wonderful rosés or the famous Chateauneuf du Pape.
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.
