Set in the Luberon countryside, Villa Les Fortunes is set in gorgeous landscaped gardens bordering vineyards with glorious views. It’s only 1.7km up to the delightful village of Ansouis whilst Lourmarin is just over 10 minutes away by car – they are both officially classified as two of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’.
It’s a short drive, cycle ride or leisurely walk along the local roads (no pavements) to Ansouis, a hilltop village surrounded by a sea of vineyards below. The wedding scenes in Manon des Sources were filmed at the village’s pretty church, Église Saint-Martin d'Ansouis, and Château d'Ansouis is also so impressive – guided tours can be arranged. The village itself is beautiful with old lanes and medieval houses whilst amenities include a couple of useful shops (a grocery store, patisserie etc) and a small handful of places to eat including the Michelin starred restaurant, La Closerie. A colourful market takes place on a Sunday morning.
There is another Michelin starred establishment in Cucuron (7km), a very pleasant village home to Le Bassin de l’Étang, an atmospheric square with a bassin, café terraces and century-old plane trees. Yet again, it is such a picturesque village to explore – head there on a Tuesday morning for the charming market.
Follow Albert Camus’ footsteps in Lourmarin (12km), another picture-perfect village of the Luberon, and look out for festivities and events at Château de Lourmarin on the edge of the hilltop village. Back in the heart of Lourmarin, sit out on a café terrace watching the world go by before pottering around the little shops - don’t miss the photogenic Friday morning market, one of the best in the area.
There are many wonderful walking, hiking and cycling routes across this part of the Luberon alongside canoeing/kayaking along the Durance River, summer swimming at Étang de la Bonde and golf in stunning surroundings at Golf Du Luberon (26km).
Of course, you can discover many other villages and towns including the iconic perched Luberon villages to the north (Bonnieux, Ménerbes, Gordes and Roussillon), all within a 30 to 45-minute drive. Heading south instead, experience the romance of artistic Aix-en-Provence (30km) and venture to the foothills of Montagne Sainte-Victoire to appreciate the landscapes that so inspired the likes of Cézanne.
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.
