The Luberon is a fascinating region, idyllic to discover while driving through France.

Le Luberon : a condensed of Provence

It offers abbeys, fortresses, and typical hilltop villages nestled in lavender and olive plantations. It is a place of sensuous landscapes covered with cherries orchards and vineyards. It's also the perfect place to enjoy good food, good wine and farniente.

Below, you will find a list of the most famous Luberon villages. On our Provence tours, we'll make sure you know which ones are worth visiting on and off the beaten path. We'll also explain how to avoid the tourist traps. We usually plan a full day in Luberon for people spending at least 10 days between Provence and the Riviera.

Luberon in Provence

Luberon Landscapes - ©Benoit Dignac - ADT Vaucluse

Roussillon

Situated on a hilltop, Roussillon became a protected village in 1943, so it hasn't been tainted by modern development. The distinctive feature of the town is its red color due to the deep ochres used to build the houses. Roussillon feels warm and welcoming. The Sentier des Ochres (The Ocre Trail) will take you on a journey through the different shades of red. Roussillon is also a departing point for the hot air balloon rides in the Luberon.

 Rouillon colorful houses

Roussillon colorful Houses - ©FJFY

 

Gordes

Gordes is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France. Perched on a hilltop and nestled into the rock with the Renaissance castle of Gordes at its very center, this village has born witness to the region's past of glory and sufferings. Gordes is a popular tourist attraction because of its extraordinary location, history and renowned expensive restaurants and hotels. Therefore, we are somehow reluctant to include it in your daily suggested itineraries, but we will tell you where to take the best picture of the town. We also take you to several other picturesque hilltop towns in the area which are far less crowded.

Gordes in luberon

Gordes Hilltop Village - ©FJFY

 

Discovering the Provencal region and the hilltop villages such as Roussillon and Gordes in a hot air balloon is an expensive but unforgettable adventure!

We’ll also take you to an excellent French winery in the region of Luberon, where they make an exquisite rosé wine aged in oak barrels. Even if they're not as famous as other French wines, the Luberon wines are worth a detour.

Bonnieux

Situated on the hillside, Bonnieux gracefully unravels around its church Eglise Haute, built at its highest point. After touring the city, you can wander through the adjacent cedar forest, Forêt de Cèdres, where you will get a gorgeous view of the Vaucluse mountain chain.

Bonnieux Provence

Pottery Market in Bonnieux, Luberon - ©FJFY

 

Bonnieux is particularly known to have inspired the British author, Peter Mayle, for its best seller A year in Provence. For instance, the restaurant where the main character goes for lunch is still open: it is called Café de la Gare.

 

Our Tips for a great time in Luberon

Luberon is one of the major tourist attractions in Provence and this can be a put-off for independent travelers. This is why we have spent a lot of time exploring every little town and trail in Luberon, so that we can recommend the most authentic and peaceful places to our travelers. Moreover, we visit our good friends living in Gordes every year and keep ourselves well-informed about the latest news from the region. You can take a look at our Provence Self-Drive Itineraries for more information about touring the region.

 

Provence

Fall in Provence - ©Benoit Dignac - ADT Vaucluse

 

Our Best Self-Drive itineraries which will take you to Luberon :

Duration
16 days
Price
US$ 6580
Region
in Paris, Provence & French Riviera

This itinerary will take you from Paris, the city of lights, to Provence in two different locations, and end in the French Riviera. Perfect to relax & get some sun !

Heritage & History
Gourmet Food
Art & Museums in France
Duration
26 days
Price
US$ 7640
Region
in Bordeaux, Dordogne, Basque Country, Carcassonne & Provence

When the South of France is mentionned, many travelers think of Provence. But there is so much more to discover between the South-West and the South-East of France. This 26 day itinerary is designed to give you a very complete tour of the southern part of France, enjoying the gastronomy, heritage, wine, villages, and scenic roads . . . the best that France has to offer.

Wine Tasting
Gourmet Food
Duration
10 days
Price
US$ 4140
Region
in Paris & Provence

Explore two very typical and stunning regions of France and get a real feel for our beautiful country.

Countryside
Art & Museums in France

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Our Travelers’ Reviews

Howard & Darlene
What a wonderful trip with personal guides Emilie planned for us! I would recommend her without reservation on your trip through Normandy, Mt St. Michel and the Loire Valley. The guidebook, which was chock full of important information (be sure to read it all!) was invaluable to us and became our bible.
Kim
So helpful and thoughtful! We had an amazing trip thanks to their planning and insights. Highly recommend, especially if you don’t have time to research places on your own. All the b&bs were beautiful, restaurant recommendations fantastic, great suggestions of routes and stops on our longer drives and having the cell phone with our guide book …
Leslie
There are not enough superlatives for our experience with Emilie. Prompt correspondence and thorough questions led to the perfect vacation for my family. Her choice of hotels in Paris and Provence were exactly what I would have chosen on my own. Her tour guide recommendations were spot on. The fact that she arranged all of our transfers, train …

Our Travelers’ Photos

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In Avignon, Provence
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From the US
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Wine Tasting in Bordeaux
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The Loo Family
From Malaysia
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The Loo Family
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From the US
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