Planning on visiting the villages in the Luberon? I approve! In my (biased) opinion, there is no other region in France more charming than Provence. If you’re planning a trip to this southern part of France, you would be mistaken to skip this beautiful little valley, filled with breathtaking hilly countryside and dotted with quaint perched villages.
Trust me when I say you will feel like you’ve been transported into another world as you wind down the country roads and take in the cobblestone streets and little corners of these fairytale towns. These are the scenes of Monet and Cezanne’s paintings and the backdrop for Peter Mayle’s bestselling novel, A Year in Provence.
Even though there are many quaint villages in the Luberon, I’m going to tell you about 5 you absolutely can’t miss on your trip!
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Getting to and Around the Villages of the Luberon
The closest large airport to the Luberon is the Marseille-Provence airport (code MRS). Most flights from the US tend to route through another major European city like London, Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, etc. The airport is also serviced by several European budget airlines such as RyanAir, Vueling, and EasyJet.
There is also a high-speed train from Paris to either Aix-en-Provence or Avignon and both of these cities will put you in good proximity to the region.
One thing that I would say is essential is a rental car. Unless you pre-book some sort of a group tour, it’s pretty much impossible to explore the villages without one.
When to Visit the Luberon
While the Luberon is beautiful in any season, the obvious and most colorful time to visit would be late spring and early to mid-summer. The weather will be warm but not too hot and the hoards of tourists will not have fully descended upon the region yet.
These are the (approximate) seasons for the most popular blooms:
- Red Poppies: May
- Lavender: Mid June-end of July
- Sunflowers: Late June-early August
Visiting in the early fall is also lovely. While you won’t have all the blooms, the weather is still pleasant and the tourist boom will be over. Hotel prices will also be lower and will have more availability.
5 Fairytale Villages in the Luberon, France You Can’t Miss
Ménerbes
Speaking of A Year in Provence, the village of Ménerbes was where British author Peter Mayle lived and documented his life in his 2 books based in this region. Due to the popularity of the books, Ménerbes experienced a boom of overtourism in the 90s from fans. Luckily, it has since calmed down and returned to the quaint and quiet Provencal village it once was. Famed artists Picasso and Nicolas de Staël also once owned houses here.
One of the many perched villages in the Luberon, the road to Ménerbes will take you around some twists and turns, so be prepared if you tend to get a bit car sick and just take it slow. Once you get to the top, enjoy views of the Luberon valley below, historic 18th-century buildings, preserved guard walls, chateau, and belfry.
L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue
L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue is an incredibly charming town in the Luberon that is known affectionately as the “Venice of the Vaucluse (the department that houses the Luberon).” Named for the Sorgue river that runs through the center, L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue is known for its antique shops and markets as well as it’s charming canals and old fashioned waterwheels.
There is a big market every Sunday that brings with it antique dealers and local artisans selling the typical Provencal souvenirs. There many restaurants and cafes lining the river, and on a sunny day, you can sit outside, sip your coffee or wine and watch the ducks lazily float by. It’s unique, idyllic, and definitely should not be missed when visiting the villages of the Luberon! 100% right out of a fairytale.
Lourmarin
One of my absolute favorite villages in the Luberon, Lourmarin is a village you can spend several hours (or days) in! Oozing charm, it’s an amazing spot for shopping and dining as well. Located about a half an hour from Aix-en-Provence, it’s a great spot to hit up for a day trip.
At the edge of the village is a 16th-century castle, that was restored in the early 20th century. Today it is used as a concert venue. Trendy and unique shops and art galleries line the small streets, making it a great place to shop for souvenirs for yourself or others. The main square is adorable, with cafe terraces spilling out into each other filled with people on a sunny day.
Rousillon
Rousillon stands out among the Luberon villages due to the distinctive ochre cliffs surrounding it as well as it’s matching clay-hued buildings. It actually sits within one of the largest ochre deposits in the world, perched atop the red mountains and accented by green pines (and in the summer, lavender fields). It’s truly a sight to see and should not be missed during your Luberon trip.
In addition to walking around the colorful town and observing the gorgeous views, there is also a museum dedicated to ochre and the production of artists’ pigments you can visit. Rousillon also has plenty of gift shops selling pigments that you can purchase for yourself or as a unique souvenir from this beautiful village!
Gordes
Ah, the crown jewel of the villages in the Luberon: Gordes! One of France’s most picturesque perched villages, the breathtaking part of visiting Gordes will be your approach. As you drive up the hill and reach the lookout point (it will be obvious), you will see an amazing view of the perched village and the gorgeous valley below. This is where you will get your key photo ops. Going during golden hour will provide great lighting and a pinkish tint to the surrounding buildings. Magic!
Once in the village, it is mostly pedestrian and you will have your typical souvenir shops, cafes, and restaurants. Gordes is also home to several luxury and boutique hotels and a Michelin star restaurant, making it a great place to stay if you want to pamper yourself. It is very close to the famous Abbaye de Sénanque which you will most likely recognize as the church among the lavender fields in countless Provence posters and stock photos. So, if you visit during the lavender season (mid-June through mid-July), your view will be extra special.
So there you have it, 5 fairytale villages that you can’t miss! While there are many more villages you can explore within this region, these are the ones I would recommend topping your list with. I hope your visit to the Luberon is everything that you’ve been dreaming of!
For additional information on visiting the beautiful Luberon, check out the official site of the region HERE for everything else you need to plan your trip!
Want to do some more exploring in Provence? Check out my posts on Visiting Provence in Autumn and My Favorite Spots in Provence.
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