This is such a beautiful setting within a lovely garden with views of the Vaucluse hills, set between the villages of Lagnes and Fontaine-de-Vaucluse and only 12km from the riverside town of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Avignon Airport (23km), Marseille Airport (65km) and Gare d’Avignon TGV (33km) are all easily reached.
From your holiday home you can walk to the Sorgue River for canoeing/kayaking and fishing. There is a tree-top activity centre very close by on the other side of the Sorgue whilst the 18-hole Golf de Saumane is only five minutes away.
There is a lovely walking trail to both the villages of Lagnes and Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (3km) is home to a bakery, little tourist shops, restaurants overlooking the river, a paper mill and other historic sights including the remains of the village’s old château. It’s a very popular village thanks to its picturesque riverside setting and hiking trails – head there early to avoid the summer crowds.
Meanwhile, Lagnes is a charming old village with a small handful of good restaurants including a highly regarded auberge, alongside the impressive Château de Lagnes. It is a very attractive village to potter around - stop off for a coffee or lunch.
Often referred to as the ‘Venice of Provence’, it is a joy to explore L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (6km), the antique capital of France (outside Paris) with its famous Sunday morning brocante. As you stroll around the town look out for waterwheels, canals, atmospheric café terraces, several restaurants and the Notre-Dame des Anges church which hosts summer concerts and events.
Venturing further into the Luberon, pass vineyards, cherry orchards and dense forests as you drive to iconic perched villages such as Gordes, Ménerbes and Oppède le Vieux, all within a 20-minute drive. Admire the red-hued landscapes of the ochre quarries around Roussillon (26km) and Rustrel (42km), look out for authentic Provençal markets in villages such as Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt and Goult, and visit the centuries-old Saturday morning market in Apt, the largest and one of the best in the Luberon.
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.
