It is of course a totally subjective classification that of Monsieur de France. But it reflects the joy I had to stay in the Luberon. In June, with pleasant temperatures, without too much heat but with a frank sun, it was the top. It's not possible to list everything I saw, I could have talked about Simiane, the old streets of Apt, the famous Cavaillon melon and cherries, but I needed 7 places to recommend and here they are:
1 Sénanque :
The abbey of Senanque in spring. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com : Jérôme Prod'homme
Its history
The abbey was founded in 1148 by a bishop from nearby Cavaillon, nestled in a valley below the beautiful town of Gordes.A Cistercian abbey, it developed considerably. burned by the Vaudois in 1145, it had a hard time recovering, so much so that at the beginning of the 18th century, there were only two monks.
Purchased as a national asset in 1791, during the French Revolution, it was fortunately not destroyed by the owner, as were hundreds of abbeys throughout France at the same time, and so it was an intact abbey, but damaged by time, that was bought by Dom Barnouins, abbot of Lérin, in 1857.72 monks settled there, but it didn't last long since in 1903 the abbey closed again.It became a "Centre national de Rencontre" at the initiative of a rich industrialist named Paul Berlet, and was opened to exhibitions and became a place of discussion that received great minds such as Edgar Morin, Pierre Mendes-France or Henry Maldiney. The abbey became a monastery again in 2012 and has 6 religious .
The cloister of the abbey of Senanque in Gordes. Photo chosen by Monsieurdefrance.com : Jérôme Prod'homme (c)
What to see
The abbey of Sénanque is of Romanesque style and has not moved much for nearly 1000 years. Fragile, its abbey church is the object of safeguarding work after it was noticed, in 2018, that the nave could collapse. A beautiful mobilization is saving it .
The dormitory of the abbey of Senanque; Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: Jérôme Prod'homme (c)
The whole is very sober to be in agreement with the research of poverty which animated the Cistercian monks. It is besides what gives him a great beauty. The cloister is superb with its arcades topped by very discrete "water leaves". We also discover the rooms which were used to the monks to live their life .The boiler room (the only heated room, even the dormitory was not heated), the dormitory (where they slept all together), the chapter with its stone seats, which served as a place to discuss the affairs of the abbey. The abbot was elected under the eye of the devil, carved at the exit, in the cloister, and who could therefore see everything that happened.
The abbey of Sénanque in summer at the time of the lavandins in flowers. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com : Shutterstock.com
In season, it is a real enchantment to discover the abbey surrounded by fields of lavandin in bloom which are used to manufacture the many products containing lavender which will be proposed to you at the entry. To see them in flower, it is necessary to come from mid-June to mid-July.
Access :
The Sénanques Abbey is located in Gordes (84), 5 kms from the city on the Departmental road 177. It takes 30 minutes to walk from Gordes. A parking lot is located near the abbey. GPS point : 43.931533, 5.189041
Schedules and rates
Non-guided tour 9 € (with histopad), guided tour 8,50 €, students (18-25 years old on presentation of the student card) 6 €, children under 18 years old 4 €. Free for children under 6, guide-lecturers, priests and religious.
Non-guided visits from Monday to Saturday from 9:45 to 11:00 am and from 1:00 to 5:00 pm, and on Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. A "histopad" allows you to visit in French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Chinese, Japanese, Polish and Portuguese.
Guided tours (1H and it's worth it) from Monday to Saturday at 10H, 10H30, 13H30, 14H30, 15H30, 16H30 and 17H.Sunday at 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:40 pm and 5:00 pm.
You can make spiritual retreats at Senanques. You can also attend mass there. Ask for information on the website.
Warning: this information is indicative and dated March 12, 2022. They do not commit Monsieurdefrance.com
Website
The official website of theAbbaye de Senanques is here.
2 The ochres of Roussillon: the Colorado of the Luberon
The ochre cliffs of Roussillon in the Vaucluse. Photo chosen by Monsieurdefrance.com : Jérôme Prod'homme
They are ochre cliffs. Ochre was used to make pigment (for facades or painting). You can visit these cliffs through the "sentier des ocres". It lasts 30 minutes for the shortest route, 50 minutes for the longest and it's not free (3,50 for one person, possibility of 2,50 for groups of more than 15 people).
A pretty village that Roussillon. Photo chosen by Monsieurdefrance.com : Jérôme Prod'homme (c).
The village of Roussillon is really pretty and is worth a detour by itself. Some small squares and small streets full of charm as the Luberon knows how to propose. The church Saint Michel is pretty. And from Roussillon you have an exceptional view on the Mont-Ventoux.
Access and website
Roussillon is located in the Vaucluse. The paths of ochre are at the exit of the village. From Paris (700 Kms, 6H30 of road): A7 Avignon Sud. The nearest train station is in Cavaillon (31 km) and the TGV station is in Avignon (51 km). Airports in Avignon Caumont (40 km) and Marseille-Provence (87 kms).
Official website of Roussillon en Provence here
3 Gordes
View of Gordes in the Vaucluse. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com Irina Wilhauk/Shutterstock.com
Magnificent city, perched on a hill, it dominates and can be seen from far. A very beautiful city, typical of the Luberon, in height (you have to like climbing). You can have a drink on a shady place at the foot of the castle (the visit is interesting and the monumental chimney is impressive). You can also do some shopping (even if most of the things sold come from China, we always have fun to choose a scarf or espadrilles on vacations...). To discover the castle, the church Saint Firmin and the streets in "calades" (in stone) which go up or down. It would be a pity to reduce Gordes to a simple description: it is really an enchantment to discover the city by arriving from the road of Venasque or by the D2. Gordes has been elected most beautiful village in the world in 2023 by the American magazine Travel+Leisure
Access and website
Gordes is located in the Vaucluse. The ochre paths are at the exit of the village. From Paris (700 Kms, 6H30 of road): A7 Avignon Sud. The nearest train station is in Cavaillon (31 km) and the TGV station is in Avignon (51 km). Airports in Avignon Caumont (40 km) and Marseille-Provence (87 kms).
Website for tourism in Gordes here.
4 Lourmarin
View on Lourmarin. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: Marina VN/Shutterstock.com
Another one of these nuggets of villages of which Luberon conceals. It is worthwhile to discover all the small streets. The castle is a little away from the village. You might as well park not far from it and walk to the city. To see, the church Sainte Trophime, the house of the bailiff... There are some nice restaurants and I noticed some interesting antique shops.
View on Lourmarin. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com : Jérôme Prod'homme (c)
Access and website
Lourmarin is located in the Vaucluse. From Paris (741 Kms, 6H30 of road): A7. The nearest train station is in Cavaillon (31 km) and the TGV station is in Avignon (51 km). Airports in Avignon Caumont (40 km) and Marseille-Provence (87 kms).
Website for tourism in Lourmarin is here.
5 L'isle sur la Sorgue
In the heart of Isle-sur-la-sorgue. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com L.Danis/Shutterstock.com
It is the great city to visit in the Luberon. It is surrounded by the Sorgue, like an island, which gave it its name. There are many streets to discover. The market is worth a real moment dedicated to it, you can find a lot of things, it is colorful, and you can also discover local specialties. The church, the collegiate church of Notre Dame des Anges is quite impressive. There are many private mansions. Also worth seeing is the Bouiga basin. You can see fishermen there, which reminds us that the city was probably founded by fishermen.
L'isle sur la sorgue. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com : Jérôme Prod'homme (c)
Access and website
L'isle sur la Sorgue is located in the Vaucluse. From Paris (741 Kms, 6H30 of road): A7 exit Cavaillon or Avignon-Sud. The train station is called "l'isle - fontaine de Vaucluse" and the TGV station is in Avignon (15 km). Airports in Avignon Caumont (15 km) and Marseille-Provence (70 kms).
Website for tourism in Lourmarin is here.
6 Lacoste
Lacoste, around the castle, in the Vaucluse. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com Artyart/Shutterstock.com
Superb village, perched on a rocky outcrop. It has seen the Marquis de Sade who stayed there several times in the 17th century. It is also a village loved by artists like Pierre Cardin, Evert Lindfors, Yazuo Mizui. It is necessary to climb in the village, to discover the lanes, to make the big turn to reach the old castle, of which a big part is in ruin, and the sight is magic. A real favorite.
Access and website
Lacoste is located in the Vaucluse. From Paris (741 Kms, 6H30 of road): A7 exit Cavaillon or Avignon-Sud.
Website for tourism in Lacoste it's here
7 Oppède le vieux
Aerial view of Oppède le Vieux in the Luberon. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com IURII BURIAK/Shutterstock.com
The site has to be earned. First of all, it is rather badly indicated, then, you have to climb everything and it is very very steep. But what a joy this ruined village is, which winds up on its spur to finish on a small church and the impressive ruins of the castle. A real favorite that I advise you, rather in the morning. The view around is absolutely superb.
Access and website
Lacoste is located in the Vaucluse. From Paris (741 Kms, 6H30 of road): A7 exit Cavaillon or Avignon-Sud. From Paris (700 Kms, 6H30 of road): A7 Avignon Sud. The nearest train station is in Cavaillon (31 km) and the TGV station is in Avignon (51 km). Airports in Avignon Caumont (40 km) and Marseille-Provence (87 kms).
Website to discover Oppède is here
