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The Luberon

Named after the mountain range running east–west between Cavaillon and Manosque, the Luberon is a Provençal patchwork of hilltop villages, vineyards, ancient abbeys and mile after mile of fragrant lavender fields. It’s a rural, traditional region that still makes time for the good things in life – particularly fine food and even finer wine. Nearly every village hosts its own weekly market, packed with stalls selling local specialities, especially olive oil, honey and lavender.

Covering some 600 sq km, the Luberon massif itself is divided into three areas: the craggy Petit Luberon in the west, the higher Grand Luberon mountains, and the smaller hills of the Luberon Oriental in the east. They’re all worth exploring, but whatever you do, don’t rush – part of the fun of exploring here is getting lost on the back lanes, stopping for lunch at a quiet village cafe, and taking as much time as you possibly can to soak up the scenery.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout The Luberon.

  • See

    Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque

    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 abbey provides one of the most iconic shots of the Luberon, and it's equally popular these days for selfies. The best displays are usually in July and August. You can wander around the grounds on your own from 9.45am to 11am, but at other times (and to visit the abbey’s cloistered interior) you must join a guided tour.

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    Colorado Provençal

    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 area's mineral riches. Ochre was mined here from the 1880s until 1956, leaving a legacy of canyons, valleys, hills and sculptural rock formations such as the Cheminée de Fée (Fairy Chimney). Several colour-coded trails lead from the car park.

  • See

    Musée de la Lavande

    To get to grips with Provence’s most prestigious crop, this excellent eco-museum makes an ideal first stop. An audioguide and video (in English) explain the lavender harvest, and giant copper stills reveal extraction methods. Afterwards you can take a guided tour of the fields (1pm and 5pm daily May to September). The on-site boutique is an excellent (if pricey) one-stop shop for top-quality lavender products.

  • See

    Fôret des Cèdres

    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 relief from Provence’s punishing summer heat. Various paths wind through the woods, including a new nature trail that’s accessible for wheelchairs. The trip up to the forest is worth the drive by itself: the wraparound views of the Luberon valley and its villages perchés (hilltop towns) are out of this world.

  • See

    Moulin à Huile Jullien

    On the edge of the village, this working olive-oil mill allows you to follow the process from tree to bottle. Delicious honey is also made here. Tastings and mill tours are free.

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    Fort de Buoux

    Occupied since prehistoric times, the site of this clifftop fortress commands an incredible view over the surrounding valley. Abandoned in the 17th century, it's an atmospheric place to wander – but is accessed by a winding, crumbling staircase, so take care as you hike up. Note that due to its exposed position, the fort is closed during heavy rain or high winds.

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    Village des Bories

    Beehive-shaped bories (stone huts) bespeckle Provence, and at the Village des Bories, 4km southwest of Gordes, an entire village of them can be explored. Constructed of slivered limestone, bories were built during the Bronze Age, inhabited by shepherds until 1839, then abandoned until their restoration in the 1970s. Visit early in the morning or just before sunset for the best light. Note that the lower car park is for buses; continue to the hilltop car park to avoid hiking uphill in the blazing heat.

  • See

    Pont Julien

    Situated 6km north of Bonnieux, near the junction of the D36 and D900, is one of the Luberon’s most impressive Roman landmarks. Dating from around 3 BC, the 85m-long Pont Julien was built to allow the region’s main Roman road, the Via Domitia, to traverse the Calavon River. Amazingly, the bridge’s three graceful tiers were still carrying cars as recently as 2005 – a testament to the ingenuity and skill of its engineers.

  • See

    Couleur Garance

    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 tapestries. This garden contains a collection of such plants (known in French as plantes tinctoriales), and hosts regular workshops demonstrating how they were used. Guided visits (€8) run on Tuesday and Saturday at 5pm. It's on the southern edge of the village.