The Luberon in Vaucluse is an area dotted with delightful villages built in medieval times. They all exude authenticity, character and charm. Some are hillside villages, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscapes, while others back onto the Luberon massif or the Vaucluse mountains. You will also find typical medieval heritage, of which the narrow streets, little village squares, fountains, cobblestone paths, chapels, churches, mills and castles are the last remaining traces. And then there are the Provence landscapes surrounding the villages: olive trees, vines, orchards and forests form an enchanting setting.
Five of the Luberon villages are listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France. Ansouis is perfectly preserved and has perhaps the finest castle in the area. Its pretty French formal gardens are a delightful sight. The hilltop village of Gordes is an appealing place with its Renaissance castle, blond stone houses and typical cobblestone streets. Lourmarin is equally pleasant with its Renaissance castle, belfry, old façades and art galleries. As for the village of Ménerbes, it offers an incredible view of the Luberon, and its heritage will delight lovers of old buildings: the Castellet, the 14th-century church, the belfry and its campanile, as well as the period homes and 18th-century private mansions. Perched on top of an ochre cliff, Roussillon is a village of unrivalled charm. Wander its sloping streets, admiring the beautiful houses with their colourful façades and the remains of the ramparts, along with the belfry and Romanesque church. Not forgetting the view of the superb ochre cliffs, of course.
Other villages are also worth a visit. The hillside village of Bonnieux, for its panoramic view of the Petit Luberon and the Vaucluse mountains, its beautiful heritage represented by a church mixing Romanesque and Gothic styles, and the remains of medieval towers and ramparts. Nestling on the banks of a little river, La Tour-d'Aigues invites you to discover its narrow streets, Renaissance castle and church. The village of Lacoste is dominated by its imposing castle, which once belonged to the Marquis de Sade, and nowadays hosts a festival of theatre, dance and opera every summer. Another hillside village, Oppède-le-Vieux also has some very fine heritage: ruins of the medieval castle, old houses dating back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, a 12th-century collegiate church, washhouses… Stroll along its cobbled streets and don't hesitate to climb to the top of the village to enjoy a breathtaking view!