This beautiful Provençal home is located close to the gorgeous village of Saignon and the handsome market town of Apt in the heart Luberon National Park, a great base for visiting the beautiful villages, vineyards and landscapes of this part of Provence. Arrive via Marseille/Avignon Airports or take the fast-speed train (2 hours 40 minutes) from Paris to Gare d’Avignon TGV, just over an hour away by car.
The house is set in glorious grounds just off the road leading north to Apt (2.5km) – it is handy being just a short drive from the town for large supermarkets and other useful amenities. The historic centre is very attractive with cobbled streets, tree-lined squares, handsome buildings and a great choice of restaurants and shops. On a Saturday morning, visit the 900-year old Provençal market, the largest and one of the best in the Luberon – head there early to join locals picking up wonderful seasonal produce and specialities (candied fruit, strawberries, cherries, melons, lavender products, honey, olives and so much more).
Hilltop Saignon (3.5km) is also not to be missed, such an enchanting medieval village with stunning Luberon vistas – you can even see as far as Mont Ventoux on a clear day. Sit out on a shady café terrace with a coffee or evening apéritif and soak up the lovely ambience of this hidden gem. When summer arrives, admire lavender fields beneath the perched village.
Of course, there are so many other highlights of Provence. The cherry orchards, vineyards and wine châteaux near Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt (11km), the cobbled streets and cafes of Goult (17km) and the ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ of Ménerbes, Gordes, Roussillon and Bonnieux, all within half an hour. Driving south, come across the medieval villages of Lourmarin, Cucuron and Ansouis with their Michelin starred restaurants or venture further towards the romance of Aix-en-Provence (58km), just over an hour away.
Heading towards Avignon instead, canoe/kayak along the Sorgue near Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (35km), seek treasures at the Sunday morning brocante in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (35km), count historic fountains in Pernes-les-Fontaines (45km) and visit the summer evening Farmer’s market in Velleron (44km).
Not to mention cycling trails, hiking paths, horse-riding, wine tasting, rock-climbing and visits to historic caves and castles across the Luberon and beyond during your stay in this captivating part of Provence.
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.
