South Luberon - our neighbouring villages

Cucuron
Our neighbouring medieval village has rustic charm and a real taste of Provence.  There are some great bars and restaurants around the focal point of the town, the huge stone basin.  The daytime and evening markets, historical churches and castles are surrounded by 200 year old plane trees which give lovely shade while enjoying an aperitif or food from the market.

Ansouis
The castle of Ansouis sits at the top of this beautiful village and has been painstakingly restored following many conflicts between Catholics and Protestants over the years.  The views over local vineyards and meadows are stunning and the labyrinth of narrow steep streets are a pleasure to wander, as well as the gardens of the castle itself.

Lourmarin
Considered to be the most picturesque of the south Luberon towns and villages and the most popular with tourists.  The castle is surrounded by poppy fields and the narrow cobbled streets are filled with excellent restaurants, bars and shops.  The market is stacked with lovely local produce, arts & crafts, and is listed in many guides as one of the most beautiful towns in France

Vaugines
Lying just outside of Cucuron in the foothills of the Luberon massif and surrounded by wild countryside, the old town overlooks all the towns and villages of South Luberon.  The village was used for scenes in the French films Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources as the setting and stone buildings captures the real essence of Provence

Lauris
The castle and terraced gardens overlook the river Durance and vineyards to the south.  The town offers tradtional Provence bistros and shopping and local vineyards have organised tastings and tours.  The town was formed in Roman times and then inhabited by the Counts of Provence, with the grand facades and fountains give the town an imposing and historic feel

The Golden Triangle of Luberon

Bonnieux
This hilltop village overlooks the whole of the Golden circle and has great views across the huge valley and National Park.  The village was built in Roman times and sits at the northern end of the canyon linking South and North Luberon.  The Lavender fields and cedar forest below contrast greatly with Mont Ventoux dominating the landsape in the distance.

Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
This is the site of the largest Karst Spring in France and the fifth largest in the world.  The Spring uplifts 700 million tonnes of water per year from underground and the spectacle can be viewed in the cave a short walk from the town.  You can enjoy one of the many bars and restaurants for lunch alongside the crystak clear waters flowing past

Gordes
This is a very popular town for it's views, situated on the hilltop and cliffs of the Monts de Vaucluse and overlooking the whole Luberon valley.  The narrow cobbled streets and numerous cafes were popular with many french artists.  Must sees include the 10th century Chateau, Pol Mara museum, Cellars of the St Firmin Palace and church and many other chapels.

Goult
The village has been restored over many years and has immaculately kept stone and ochre buildings linked by narrow arched streets and vaulted passageways.  The ruins of the ramparts and the old mill at the top of the village overlook the whole valley.  Goult epitomises the vision of a typical picturesque, traditional Provence village.

Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
The Sorgue river splits to form this pictureque Island town, famous for it's riverside restaurants, antique shops and antique markets.  The crystal clear waters split into many little waterways throughout the town making it a lovely place to stroll and take in the many art galleries, exhibitions, craft shops, bio delicatessens and street food.

Lacoste
The stone buildings and narrow warren of cobbled street climb steeply to the famous 14th century castle at the top of the village.  The 11th century chateau was previously owned by the Marquis du sade and later renovated by Pierre Cardin along with many other buildings in the village.  Famous painters, sculptors and poets have based themselves here for inspiration.

Menerbes
Another stone village built atop a hill crest and described by Nostradamus as a big ship drifting on a sea of vineyards and orchards.  The village was made even more famous as the setting of the book 'A Year in Provence'.  The pace of life is slow and is spent by the locals in the numerous cafes and bistros overooking the valley to the north, while playing cards & boules

Roussillon
The town, which is classed as one of the most beautiful villages in france is built on the Ochre path of red and orange cliffs which contrast spectacularly with the greens and blues of the surrounding orchards, vineyards and Lavender fields.  There are numerous little streets and squares hosting art galleries, exhibitions, craft workshops and historical buildings

Day trips

The beaches and coastline
Just an hour from the village:
Cassis - take a tour to the coastal inlet Les Calaques
Ensues La Redonne - An area shut off from cars (except local transport) - A beautiful coastal cliff walk dropping down into villages
Bandol - Famed for its vines, a very quaint fishing village

Markets

Monday: Cadenet, Cavallon, Lauris
Tuesday: Cucuron, Pertuis, Gordes, Lacoste, La Tour d'algues, Lourmarin (evening market)
Wednesday: Uzes, Aix en Provence, Arles, St Remy de Provence, Merindol
Thursday: Goult, Menerbes, Peretuis, Lauris, Isle sur la Sorgue, La Motte d'Aigues
Friday: Lourmarin, Aix en Provence, Cassis, Cucuron
Saturday: Uzes, Isle sur ls Sorgue, Maubec, Aix en Provence, Arles
Sunday: Antiques in Isle sur la Sorgue, Ansouis, Aix en Provence

Sports & activities

Hiking and walking
GR 92 - just behind the house. A fantastic walk up to the summit or a more gentle walk in the National Park above the village
L'Abbaye Sénaque - A stunning chateau surrounded by lavender fields
There are just too many to mention as we are in a National Park. We have walking maps and books for you to use at the house.

Road biking - Hybrid bikes - mountain bikes
This is a renowned area for cycling around vineyards and lavender fields. We can advise on great biking routes, away from any busy roads with magnificent views and great drink and lunch stops.  We can arrange bike hire and If you need transport for bags, bikes or people, we can arrange taxi services for you

Pottery lessons
Poterie Fusion Cabrières-d'Aigues 

Art classes
Atelier Ephémère, Ansouis
Atelier de couleurs - The spirit of furniture painting in Provence - Ménerbes

Wine tasting and Vineyards to visit -There are so many to visit but these are just a few :
The Fontenille
Having been restored in 2013, this is a magical place to have lunch surrounded by artworks and then visit the vinification cellar and wine tasting shop.  You are also able to book into an oenology course.
Chateau Constantin 
A glorious 18th century chateau. The chateau is privately owned and has recently been restored by Annemarie and Daniel Bagnis and their daughters. They have turned the vineyards into Organic vines and mature their wine with 2 different processes, new and old oak barrels and very unusually in terra cotta barrels. It was originally owned by Englishman William Chase. Today 60% of the estate is Syrah and Grenache for red wine and unusual for Luberon, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Chateau La Verrerie
The Glass Castle. A stunning chateau with delicious Rosé wines taste and then buy from their boutique and bring home to our terrace.
Domaine Milan 
Located in St. Rémy since 1956, Domaine Milan is one of the original and more eclectic winemakers of the region, now in the hands of the third generation. Theophile Milan and his American wife, Nathalie, work closely with Theo’s father Henri, experimenting with unique grape varieties in an organic and biodyamic style. The large selection of wines will surprise you and you’ll appreciate their new natural wines without sulfites added. The tasting room is small and rustic (but charming)…and their wines are very precise and balanced. Plus, ask to taste their gin!
Château La Nerthe
One of the oldest wineries in Châteauneuf-du-Pape (dating to 1560), Château La Nerthe is also one of the most beautiful. The domaine has natural springs, which makes everything green and lush, and there’s a lovely park around the castle, with 100-year-old trees. This is a beautiful space of nature, only a few steps away from the famous wine village, and they’ve been organic since 1998. Be sure to try their whites, especially the Clos de Beauvenir, but all three are very interesting; La Nerthe is actually known more for whites than reds. Of the reds, I love the Cuvée des Cadettes. Guided cellar visits with tastings are available by reservation.
Domaine Laurens, Vignoble des Templiers
Domaine Laurens Vignoble des Templiers is a family business in the small village of Roaix in the Vaucluse, between Rasteau and Seguret, near Gigondas.  The current estate was created in 2016 by winemaker Bastien Laurens (along with his parents Françoise and Bruno, and his sister, Julia) but the story of the property began centuries before, in 1138, with the Templars, the Knights of Rhodes and later, the Popes. (Read their rich history on their website.) I find their wines to be the most interesting of the region, under the appellation Côtes-du-Rhône Villages. Be sure to try their deep and spicy 100% syrah. To me, the Domaine Laurens looks like a spot of Tuscany in the Vallée du Rhone!
Château Mourgues du Gres
The winery Château Mourgues du Grès, in a 16th-century convent, sits in the countryside outside Beaucaire, west of the Rhône, in theappellation Costières de Nimes. There you’ll find the warming welcome of Anne and François Collard, who make generous and elegant wines, labeled organic since 1990. One wine definitely not to be missed is their Terre d'Argence (IGP Pont du Gard), with a dominance of viognier grapes and the taste of fresh yellow fruits…nice and crispy. The Collards love to promote local food producers at special events and welcome visitors to stroll among the vines and orchards; order ahead and they’ll prepare a picnic for you (local products) and direct you to the perfect spot to enjoy it. They offer wine tastings in the vineyard, with a sommelier, and have holiday cottages for rent too. 
Domaine Viret
Twenty minutes from Vaison-La-Romaine, just over the border between the Vaucluse and the Drome, Philippe and Alain Viret of Domaine Viret are producing natural wines without sulfites, using more than 100 grape varieties, growing on 30 hectares. Philippe coined the term "Cosmoculture" to describe their unique philosophy while the cellar itself was designed using the divine proportions of the Golden Ratio, inspired by Egyptian architecture and Cistercian cathedrals. There are 14 wines in the range. One wine I like a lot is called Maréotis (grenache and syrah).  I also enjoy two of their amphorae-aged wines called Dolia: one red and one orange/amber that’s macerated for nine months. This place is really quite amazing! And if you understand what they're trying to do, you’ll understand and appreciate the wines even more.

Golf in Provence

Golf International de Pont Royal
Golf du Luberon
Golf de Saumane
Golf d'Aix en Provence
Aix Golf
Golf de Sainte-Baume
Golf de Servanes
Golf des Baux de Provence
Golf de Barbentane
Golf Chateau L'Arc
Golf club de Miramas
 

SPA
Domaine de Fontenille - Lauris Village

Things to do with young children
Kayakking on the Sorgue river
Grimmland junior amusement park
Grottes de Thouzon - caves
Accrobranche - Go Ape
Barben zoo
Castles of Provence
Aqualand theme park
Magic land theme park

What to do if you want to discover history?
Château des Fouzes Uzés - where the Poles first cracked the Enigma code in world war II
Lavender: La maison Franc 1884 Lourmarin
Bread Museum: Chateau Canorgue Bonnieux

Where to go if you want to eat in amazing restaurants?
This is France and this is Provence.  There are just too many options to list here, but rest assured that every village has an abundance of options from simple bio locally grown foods to michelin fine dining.  Many restaurants sign up the Agribio association promising all produce is bought locally from farms and markets.

Traditional foods to try:
Truffles from November to January
Strawberries (la fraise gariguette) 
Oysters and Mussels (Collected during the night and sold at the Cucuron market on a Tuesday)

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Provence B & B Prices Summer 2021

Maison Lou Roucas prices per room in EUROS