The Luberon
The Abbaye de Silvacane is one of a trio of medieval abbeys built in Provence by Cistercian monks. Constructed between 1175 and 1230, it has all the hallmarks of the Romanesque style, from the unadorned chapel to the peaceful cloister. Today it hosts concerts and art exhibitions.
It's about 13km drive from Lauris; follow the D973 towards Cadenet, and cross the river onto the D943 and D561.
29.98 MILES
The largest Gothic palace ever built, the Palais des Papes was erected by Pope Clement V, who abandoned Rome in 1309 in the wake of violent disorder after…
15.13 MILES
Aix established one of France's first public museums here, on the site of a former Hospitallers' priory, in 1838. Nearly 200 years of acquisitions …
24.22 MILES
It might lack the scale and ambition of some of Provence's better-known Roman monuments, but for a glimpse into everyday life in Gaul, this ancient town…
15.71 MILES
If you're searching for that classic postcard shot of the medieval abbey surrounded by a sea of purple lavender, look no further. This sublime Cistercian…
20.81 MILES
East of Aix rises Cézanne’s favourite haunt, the magnificent silvery ridge of Montagne Ste-Victoire, its dry slopes carpeted in garrigue (scented scrub),…
16.56 MILES
Named after its fiery red and orange landscape (which locals likened to Colorado), this former ochre quarry is one of the best places to appreciate the…
24.4 MILES
This monastery turned asylum is famous for one of its former residents – the ever-volatile Vincent van Gogh, who admitted himself in 1889. Safe within the…
6.37 MILES
In the scrubby hills about 6km south of Bonnieux, a twisty back road slopes up to this wonderful cedar forest, whose spreading boughs provide welcome…
1.74 MILES
In the days before synthetic dyes, natural colours obtained from plants, fruit and seeds were the main way of creating tints for clothing, textiles and…
3.71 MILES
This Renaissance château was the first of its kind in Provence. Built during the 16th century and later expanded, the castle has had a string of…
3. Observatoire Ornithologique de Mérindol
5.8 MILES
This bird reserve on the Durance River is home to some 243 species, including herons and great cormorants. Hides are strategically positioned along the…
6.37 MILES
In the scrubby hills about 6km south of Bonnieux, a twisty back road slopes up to this wonderful cedar forest, whose spreading boughs provide welcome…
7.04 MILES
A museum all about the history of breadmaking might not sound like a Bonnieux must-see, but it’s actually an intriguing visit. Located in a 17th-century…
7.45 MILES
This curious village museum was founded by Provençal painter and diver Georges Mazoyer, whose passion for the sea shows in the museum’s fossil exhibits…
7.45 MILES
Occupied since prehistoric times, the site of this clifftop fortress commands an incredible view over the surrounding valley. Abandoned in the 17th…
7.5 MILES
The palatial Château d’Ansouis can be visited by guided tour, and in August it hosts classical-music concerts at its hedged-in courtyard. Tours run at 3pm…