In the southern Luberon, this traditional Provençal villa is set within 7000m2 of gated grounds almost equidistant between the gorgeous village of Ansouis and the market town of Pertuis. Marseille Airport (52km) is less than an hour away or arrive via the fast train from Paris/Lille to Gare d’Aix en Provence TGV (42km).
The villa is set off a country road only 300m from the main road connecting Ansouis (4km) and Pertuis (5km). It’s fantastic being so close to the great range of amenities in and around Pertuis including a large supermarket as well as restaurants and shops in the old quarter. Look out for festivities and events throughout the summer and experience the bustling market on a Friday morning all year round.
Ansouis is officially classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ alongside Lourmarin (14km). Hilltop Ansouis enjoys such a picturesque setting surrounded by a sea of vineyards – there are some excellent wine châteaux to visit across this area. The village’s Église Saint-Martin d'Ansouis is where the wedding scenes were set in ‘Manon des Sources’ and the Château d'Ansouis is also impressive (guided tours can be arranged). Meanwhile, potter around the old lanes of the village appreciating charming houses and flowers, before stopping off for a bite to eat at a café or restaurant. There is a colourful market on a Sunday morning and keen gastronomes note that the village is home to the Michelin starred restaurant, La Closerie.
Cucuron (9km) is also so pretty, especially by its tree-lined bassin with café terraces and old plane trees. The Tuesday morning market is lovely and there is another Michelin starred restaurant, La Petite Maison de Cucuron.
Meanwhile, visitors flock to picture-perfect Lourmarin (15km) with its enchanting lanes filled with pavement cafes, little shops, galleries and restaurants. Events and festivities often take place at Château de Lourmarin just on the edge of the village. Lourmarin’s market is especially photogenic and takes place on a Friday morning.
This part of Provence is loved for its cycling opportunities and walking/hiking trails passing endless vineyards, olive groves and orchards (almonds are grown in the area). Further south, there are water-based activities along the Durance River or closer to home you can swim in L’Étang de la Bonde (5km) in the height of the summer. The nearest tennis courts are in Pertuis whilst golf enthusiasts will appreciate the 18-hole course at Golf Du Luberon (26km).
Other iconic perched villages of the Luberon are further north such as Roussillon, Bonnieux, Ménerbes and Gordes, all within a 45-minute drive. The attractive town of Apt (13km) hosts the Luberon’s largest market on a Saturday morning, a great way to pick up a wealth of local delights.
For another brilliant day out, consider driving to Aix-en-Provence (28km) to admire its historic architecture, art galleries, museums and atmospheric café terraces across this romantic and captivating town in Provence so loved by 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.
