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Visit Luberon

The Luberon is famous the world over, for its natural beauty (and also because of the Peter Mayle books that were written in this region of France). The area has stunning natural beauty, with craggy limestone hills, forested valleys and numerous beautiful medieval hilltop villages (known as perched villages), that would have ensured the region's popularity even without its famous resident.

Located to the east of Avignon and north of Apt it is above all the Luberon villages that we recommend - for it is the villages (and the surrounding scenery) that are the highlight of this beautiful region of the French countryside. This region is exactly how you imagine Provence to be, especially if like me you are a lover of Jean de Florette (who isn't?) and you will not be disappointed when you visit.

The region has an extraordinary number of villages listed as 'most beautiful villages of France' set against the backdrop of the Luberon countryside, and much else besides, and the close proximity of the villages means it is easy to visit several in one holiday. The light and heat will likely mean you don't want to spend too long in the car, but rather spend time sitting, relaxing and reflecting.

The Petit Luberon region, a 'sub-region' that includes several of the main highlights, has Fontaine de Vaucluse, Gordes and Roussillon as its northern edge, with Oppède-le-Viuex, Menerbes, Lacoste and Bonnieux in the centre and Lourmarin at the southern edge. All these villages are within about 30 kilometres of each other, about 40 kilometres east of Arles and Avignon and north of Aix-en-Provence.

Many of the Luberon villages are small, and each has its own particular appeal and character - each is also very worth visiting! Some of the villages and places to visit in the 'petit Luberon' as it is known include:

The source of the Sorgue river at Fontaine de Vaucluse (not a perched village), most dramatic in spring when the river flow is at its peak but beautiful all year around

The very popular and very visited Gordes - and perhaps the most attractive of the Luberon villages when seen from the approach road

Don't miss also the ochre mines and orange houses at Roussillon, best seen at sunrise if possible.

The Luberon Regional Natural Park contains a small road that runs east to west and en-route passes by four very attractive villages - each also has exceptional views across the Luberon countryside: Oppède-le-Vieux; nearby Ménerbes, strung out along a hilltop; Lacoste, one street town leading to the castle of the Marquis de Sade; Bonnieux, tumbling down the side of a hill at the eastern end of the road.

A little way south is the ancient village of Lourmarin, also in a very attractive setting, and the small Ansouis further east again. The market town of Apt is to the east of the Luberon.

While visiting the Luberon area is extremely highly recommended, for both the villages and the magnificent scenery, I would suggest that you avoid high summer if possible, when the crowds of tourists can become a little intense at times. Spring and autumn usually have very pleasant weather and are ideal!