An overview of the Luberon, from ridge to ridge

Have you ever thought of packing your bags for France‘s most beautiful region? Provence has always been the most idyllic place in our beautiful country. Let’s take a trip to the Luberon, a key region in the south of France.

Idyllic for a relaxing family vacation, our charming residences allow you to combine relaxation and discovery. From large authentic estates to rough-hewn stone houses, your tastes will be delighted. Traditional in style, our dry-stone residences in the Petit Lubéron are arranged around a private swimming pool. In a Mediterranean climate, get up and have breakfast on a luxurious terrace. The morning temperature will already be very pleasant. There are a thousand and one reasons to visit the Luberon Regional Park. Seek out the authenticity of the villages nestled in the hills and take on the breathtaking scenery. Take this trip as an invitation to discover the uniqueness of this stunning and relaxing region.

A large group of friends will have no trouble packing their bags in this place, which is conducive to luxury. Our properties are designed for outdoor living. As a family, children can enjoy single rooms for total peace and quiet. You’ll also have the choice of double rooms to keep you close until the end of the night. We chose this place and these houses as if we wanted to spend our vacations here. There’s plenty to do in this picture-postcard landscape. On the program: strolls through small medieval villages and hikes along the most sumptuous GR trails. You can also perfect your swing on a golf course. The fully-equipped kitchens are perfect for cooking your favorite dishes. The American bar is ideal for an aperitif, so you can enjoy the comforts of a real vacation. Our villas are marvels of traditional architecture. When it’s time to dine, it’s up to you to choose where to enjoy your meal. The large, bright dining room or the large table in the middle of a huge garden alongside the olive groves.

Discover the heritage for which France is famous the world over. Our Colorado Provençal has nothing to envy of American moonscapes. Not far from the Luberon villages of Apt and Rustrel, the GR6 trail crosses the Rustre ochre cliffs, which cover more than 30 hectares. You can rent a car and discover some equally bucolic spots. The Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque and its fields of rosemary, the Fort du Buoux and the village of Les Bories are all well worth a visit. As you stroll along, you’ll discover that the Luberon massif has a multitude of secrets to reveal. Nestling between the Grand Lubéron and the Durance, the ochre-roofed village of Tour d’Aigues. This village can be considered the region’s ambassador, with its ochre roofs, winding lanes, olive groves and vineyards – a Provencal signature!

Not far from here, you’ll find the small village of Salon de Provence, famous for its 701 air base, home to the Patrouille de France aerobatic team. You can admire their figures all summer long! To the north of the town, you’ll find the Grottes de Calès, home to almost 60 caves. You’re looking at luxury villas from prehistoric times. These caves were inhabited until the 12th century. This time, to the south of Salon de Provence, you’ll see the small rock of Miramas le Vieux. You’ll also see the chapel of St Julien, a listed historic monument. Finally, you’ll discover the Castèu de l’Empèri castle along the narrow Provencal streets. Château de l’Empire, in Occitan, is an ancient war building constructed in the 9th century. It was once the residence of the archbishops of Arles. You can finish your visit to the town not far from the house of Michel de Nostredame, better known as Nostradamus. Not that you believe in Nostradamus’ predictions, but we’re willing to bet you’ll love this trip to the South of France.

After visiting the Luberon, you can venture into the Alpes de Haute Provence. The Pays de Nice is the showcase of French art de vivre. Passing through the small mountain roads of the village of Puget, the Italian border is never far away, and you can get closer and closer. Start by venturing into the bucolic village of Briançon, base camp for the big climb. After a stroll along the river banks, you’ll come face to face with one of France’s greatest peaks, Mont Chaberton. Rising to 3,130 metres, this mountain takes you right back to the Second World War. Did you think the borders hadn’t moved at the time of the Armistice? Well, think again: this little piece of land used to be Italian, but in 1947 the Fort at its summit became French. Le Cuirassé des Nuages, as they call it, is a virtually impregnable military position, situated at the summit of Mont Chaberton. It’s a difficult climb, so you’ll need to be experienced and warn a gendarmerie post when you venture into the heavens. For the more inquisitive among you, head for Hyères, and further along the coast you’ll come across the Fort de Brégançon. Formerly the summer residence of presidents, you’ll have the chance to spend a few hours wandering through the walls steeped in history. Speaking of history, the Marquis de Sade is a controversial figure in Provence. A writer with the keys to numerous châteaux, Marquis Alphonse François de Sade got into a lot of trouble over date-related affairs. He was nicknamed the Divine Marquis, in reference to his erotic writings. For more than half his life, he was confined to several asylums for the insane.

Around the Massif du Lubéron, you can ride through forests of ancient trees in pleasantly warm weather. Hidden away in the Massif des Maures, you’ll come across a 12th-century monastery, Notre-Dame de Clémence de la Verne. It was the bishop of Toulon who decided to erect this Roman Catholic place of worship in 1170. The Provence region is teeming with castles and monuments, but that’s not all! Nature has left a magical trace that will enchant you. The Monts de Vaucluse around Cavaillons could easily be voted the most beautiful region in the world. Venture to beautiful Provence, a village on the select list of the most majestic, like St Cirq Lapopie, Etretat and Èze.

The major city in the area is Avignon and its papal palace. You’ll have the privilege of visiting the 14th-century representation of Western Christendom. Pope Clement V refused to allow the Guelphs and Ghibellines to run amok in the Vatican. He joined two ancient castles into one, so that the heart of Christendom would be in the Kingdom of France. Inherited from the Romans on the Via Domitienne, it needed a place at the crossroads. Situated on the Iberian and Italian peninsulas and with direct access to Paris, Avignon was the city of choice. After this historic escapade, you can discover the villages of Gordes and Lourmarin. Nestled on a hill, the village of Gordes is a place where the word peaceful takes on its full meaning. With its winding streets, warm, vivid colors and restaurants where you can dine on local produce, Gordes and Lourmarin are two havens of peace where cicadas sing and cats stroll peacefully.