The Local Luberon Villages in the Provence France

What to see - Villages

Our nearest village is Roussillon. One of the most beautiful "perched" villages in France. Famous for its ocre mines, the village is very popular all the year round. It is full of artists shops, restaurants and colourful houses. There is a small central square where one can sit and watch the world go by.

Fashionable Gordes is 5km away. It has an impressive church and chateau. One can see from the houses that money has been here for a long time. Again rated a beautiful village of France, the views are fantastic and the hotels very high class. The secluded abbey of Senanque is close by. Also the village of the Bories,

Joucas is a terraced village built on a hill opposite the ochre of Roussillon. You can appreciate the beautiful countryside in this peaceful village that is largely overlooked by tourists. Joucas has plenty of picturesque narrow streets, paved with ancient stones. You can happily stroll around, admiring the architecture, especially the lovely old stone houses surrounded by colourful flowers. Don't miss the church (rebuilt in 1766), it is a glorious museum of Italian painting in "trompe l'oeil"...it is superb!

Bonnieux was the main tourist area many years ago, inhabited by the clergy since the papal era. Again, perched on the side of a hill, the well estabished houses have a variety of different designs over the years. Some say it is the most beautiful town in the region. Many restaurants, cafes and churches. See also vineyards.

Lacoste yet another perched village where the Maquis de Sade had a chateau that can be seen for miles. A portion of the village is occupied by the American School of Arts.

St Saturnin d'Apt is a quiet hill top village. The houses have been beautifully renovated. Walk up to the top and see the ancient restored windmill. Some good cafes and restaurants in the village.

Fountaine de Vaucluse is a three star site that is the source of the River Sorgue. A natural spring which flows from a source deep in the ground and is spectacular after heavy rains. Lots of good value resturants - for the children.

Sault, 33 kilometres to the north east, is famous for its lavender. A scenic summer trip where it is cooler at 1,000 metres. They claim that real lavender does not grow below this height. This is the way to go to drive to the top of Mont Ventoux (always windy) at 2,000metres.

Apt, the local market town, has a very popular Saturday market that is a must for all visitors and locals. Impossibly crowded but great fun, you can buy a goat, a saucepan, a pair of slippers, a new dress, as well as cheeses, olives, flowers, etc, etc. The local supermarkets stock everything you will need. The cathedral is worth a visit and make time to see the crypt where St Anne, the mother of Mary, may have been buried.

L'Isle sur La Sorgue is now internationally famous for its Sunday antiques market. The season starts at Easter and continues through until about November when it gets very quiet (the time to buy). Sometimes you will not believe the price people are asking, so offer half to start! A very good town to visit - have Sunday lunch there and wander around.

Menerbes is a fashionable village made famous by Peter Mayle

Oppede le Vieux is close by

Coustellet is a bustling village with a go-getting mayor who has pushed to get the village developed over the past ten years. The Sunday "must" - is the farmers' market in the morning. Only those farmers within 15km can sell their own produce. In summer it is possible to buy trays of nectarines and peaches. The Cavaillon melons in season are delicious.

Cabrieres d'Avignon - a quiet village with tiny roads winding through it and high stone walls that protect the inhabitants from the wandering visitor. Bistrot a Michel was made famous by Peter Mayle all those years ago.

Our nearest village is Roussillon. One of the most beautiful "perched" villages in France. Famous for its ocre mines, the village is very popular all the year round. It is full of artists shops, restaurants and colourful houses. There is a small central square where one can sit and watch the world go by.
Fashionable Gordes is 5km away. It has an impressive church and chateau. One can see from the houses that money has been here for a long time. Again rated a beautiful village of France, the views are fantastic and the hotels very high class. The secluded abbey of Senanque is close by. Also the village of the Bories,
Joucas is a terraced village built on a hill opposite the ochre of Roussillon. You can appreciate the beautiful countryside in this peaceful village that is largely overlooked by tourists. Joucas has plenty of picturesque narrow streets, paved with ancient stones. You can happily stroll around, admiring the architecture, especially the lovely old stone houses surrounded by colourful flowers. Don't miss the church (rebuilt in 1766), it is a glorious museum of Italian painting in "trompe l'oeil"...it is superb!
Bonnieux was the main tourist area many years ago, inhabited by the clergy since the papal era. Again, perched on the side of a hill, the well estabished houses have a variety of different designs over the years. Some say it is the most beautiful town in the region. Many restaurants, cafes and churches. See also vineyards.
Lacoste yet another perched village where the Maquis de Sade had a chateau that can be seen for miles. A portion of the village is occupied by the American School of Arts.
St Saturnin d'Apt is a quiet hill top village. The houses have been beautifully renovated. Walk up to the top and see the ancient restored windmill. Some good cafes and restaurants in the village.
Fountaine de Vaucluse is a three star site that is the source of the River Sorgue. A natural spring which flows from a source deep in the ground and is spectacular after heavy rains. Lots of good value resturants - for the children.
Sault, 33 kilometres to the north east, is famous for its lavender. A scenic summer trip where it is cooler at 1,000 metres. They claim that real lavender does not grow below this height. This is the way to go to drive to the top of Mont Ventoux (always windy) at 2,000metres.
Apt, the local market town, has a very popular Saturday market that is a must for all visitors and locals. Impossibly crowded but great fun, you can buy a goat, a saucepan, a pair of slippers, a new dress, as well as cheeses, olives, flowers, etc, etc. The local supermarkets stock everything you will need. The cathedral is worth a visit and make time to see the crypt where St Anne, the mother of Mary, may have been buried.
L'Isle sur La Sorgue is now internationally famous for its Sunday antiques market. The season starts at Easter and continues through until about November when it gets very quiet (the time to buy). Sometimes you will not believe the price people are asking, so offer half to start! A very good town to visit - have Sunday lunch there and wander around.
Menerbes is a fashionable village made famous by Peter Mayle
Oppede le Vieux is close by
Coustellet is a bustling village with a go-getting mayor who has pushed to get the village developed over the past ten years. The Sunday "must" - is the farmers' market in the morning. Only those farmers within 15km can sell their own produce. In summer it is possible to buy trays of nectarines and peaches. The Cavaillon melons in season are delicious.
Cabrieres d'Avignon - a quiet village with tiny roads winding through it and high stone walls that protect the inhabitants from the wandering visitor. Bistrot a Michel was made famous by Peter Mayle all those years ago.