Charming villages of Provence

What better way to kick off your tour of Provence’s charming villages than with one of “France’s Most Beautiful Villages“? Welcome to Les Baux-de-Provence! Perched on a rocky outcrop, the village boasts breathtaking panoramic views over the Alpilles and Provence. At the foot of the village and its iconic rock lie the must-do Carrières de Lumières. Here, a unique immersive experience awaits, with masterpieces by the world’s greatest artists projected onto the immense limestone walls of this former quarry. Another major sightseeing attraction in the Alpilles Regional Nature Reserve, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is an invitation to delve into Provence’s inimitable lifestyle. From picturesque lanes to historic sites, shaded squares and art galleries, it is the perfect place for a relaxing roam.

After the Alpilles, it’s time to head to Vaucluse. Bathed in delicious Provençal lifestyle, life in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue revolves around the many canals crisscrossing the village. Nicknamed the “Venice of Provence”, this is a great place to lunch or dine at the water’s edge, browse the many antique shops, stroll around the markets, or simply watch the Sorgue river’s traditional flat-bottomed Nego Chin boats ease by. The river itself springs from a source just down the road in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, home to one of Europe’s biggest resurgences, with an impressively powerful flow during spates. Surrounded by greenery, the village is an invitation to wander, dream and get inspired in the footsteps of Petrarch, while the banks of the Sorgue overflow with the mesmerizing and soothing sounds of fresh water flowing through canals and waterwheels…

From the heights of its rocky spur, Gordes, one of “France’s Most Beautiful Villages”, is a genuine jewel of the Luberon. Its cobbled streets, dry stone houses and spectacular views over the valley offer the perfect Provençal decor. A few kilometres away, the Provençal Colorado in Rustrel unveils an astonishing landscape of flamboyant orange hues, forged by the old ochre quarries. The spectacle continues in Roussillon, another iconic Luberon village, where the ochre trail and Okhra ecomuseum tell the fascinating tale of this natural pigment. The voyage heads skywards at the Astronomy Centre in Saint-Michel-l’Observatoire, inviting you to marvel at the cosmos to your heart’s content. Last but not least, Salagon Priory and its specialist gardens in Mane are the perfect place for a cultural and botanical break, while La Caramelerie promises a delicious taste of childhood…

With its colourful stalls, tempting local produce and friendly atmosphere, the Monday market in Forcalquier, in Haute-Provence, is an absolute must. After the market, revel in a delightful walk steeped in history around the old town and citadel. Culinary delights take centre stage in the discreetly charming hilltop village of Banon, home to the Chocolaterie de Banon chocolate maker and Fromagerie de Banon, producing a renowned Protected Designation of Origin goat’s cheese of the same name with its iconic chestnut leaf wrapper. A stone’s throw from the cheese shop lies the legendary Le Bleuet bookshop, a genuine cultural institution that is well worth your time. We recommend prolonging your Luberon tour with a stop-off in Simiane-la-Rotonde, steeped in a peaceful atmosphere and home to a medieval rotunda, before heading further south towards Lourmarin.

Your final day promises an idyllic immersion in the Luberon’s personality-packed landscapes and villages, steeped in heritage, panoramic views and Provençal lifestyle. Lourmarin, one of “France’s Most Beautiful Villages”, boasts a seductive Renaissance chateau, art galleries and delightfully welcoming Friday food market piled high with local produce. Next, head to Bonnieux. Set clinging to a hillside, the village gazes out over the valley and mounts of the Luberon. Just nearby, Lacoste’s steep lanes, stone houses and ancient castle – a former property of the Marquis de Sade, now a creative and cultural hub – promise a singular experience. We wind up our tour in Ménerbes, also one of “France’s Most Beautiful Villages”, with its houses lined up on ridge. This is the home of the Maison de la Truffe, dedicated to the truffle, the “Black Diamond” of Provence, and local gastronomic riches.