5 fabulous villages of the Luberon to visit in Provence
Ones of the most beautiful villages in France
In Provence, if you want to be immersed in culture history with hill top villages and picturesque towns you better come to Luberon! This countryside of vineyards and orchards is the perfect place to walk around and feel cherry groves, lavender fields, and cypress trees. Every villages has something to offer with their own charm and authenticity through small alleys of stone lab. 5 of the most beautiful French villages in Luberon you have to visit!
1. Ansouis
Small hill top village in the South of Luberon, Ansouis Village overlooks the Durane Valley. The charm of it medieval castle currently restored will surprise you. This village is extremely conserved and offers French gardens, vintage furniture of the 17th century. The village is made of stones, small alleys, fountains and vestiges of the time and labelled one of the most beautiful village of France.
2. Lourmarin
Not far away from Ansouis, this provencal village is characterized with its beautiful belfry and several fountains. Lourmarin village is one of the seven most beautiful villages in France. Its castle was renovated in the 20th century. The castle is composed of 2 different areas: the old castle dating from the 15th century and the new castle Renaissance. While visiting, you will discover its beautiful book sheltering and collections of furniture and art objects. Lourmarin has small shops where you can find designer clothes, art galleries, bistros, restaurants terrace flourish in the street. If you like bakeries, try the traditional Riquier Bakery and his famous “gibassier de Lourmarin”.
3. Menerbes
On a rocky outcrop, facing the north side of the Petit Luberon, Menerbes is a Protestant high place of the Vaucluse classed as the most beautiful Village in France. The wars of religion of the sixteenth century are one of the great moments of its history. This ancient medieval city offers you to discover its rich historical heritage: its abbey, church, hospital, citadel and its old cemetery with an outstanding view of the Natural Park of Luberon … Picasso fell in love and lived there a few years. Visit the corkscrew museum with more than 1200 pieces from the 17th century to the present day. In the winter season, you may taste fresh truffles at the wine and truffle house of the Luberon.
4. Gordes
Further north and built on a rock, you will discover the breathtaking Gordes village that dominates the Cavalon Valley. On the road you will pass through a landscape of olive trees, almond trees, fig trees, dry stone walls, beautiful farmhouses. Gordes conserves a rich heritage with its castle and church stand imposing top of the village, narrow streets and paved stone houses. The village des Bories on the side of the mountains of Vaucluse, regroups dry stone houses characteristic of the north Luberon. This site is classified as a historical monument. You can taste a café in the Cercle républicain near the castle to admire the dizzying view.
5. Roussillon
Between the Luberon Mountain and the moutains of Vaucluse, Roussillon is at the heart of an ocher deposit whose colors and contrasts will amaze you. Roussillon Village is very different from the previous ones by its houses painted in ocher colors and has many art galleries. Take the path of ochres trail and let yourself be guided in its careers shaped by wind, rain and the hand of man. If you appreciated Roussillon, you will adore as much the Provencal Colorado of Rustrel northeast of Roussillon.
Ocher is part of the patrimony of Roussillon, the same used in cosmetics and was used to color of rubber glass jars. You can buy true natural pigments at the Conservatory of Ocher and Color.