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.

Explore The Luberon

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Top attractions

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

  • Church

    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…

  • Mine

    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…

  • Forest

    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…

  • Distillery

    Distillerie Les Agnels

    This distillery on the edge of Buoux uses locally grown lavender, cypress and rosemary in its products. It also rents out three gorgeous self-contained…

  • Museum

    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…

  • Farm

    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…

  • Ruins

    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…

  • Architecture

    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…

  • Bridge

    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,…

  • Gardens

    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…

  • Church

    Abbaye de Silvacane

    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…

  • Historic Site

    Mines de Bruoux

    In Gargas, 7km east of Roussillon, this former mine has more than 40km of underground galleries where ochre was once extracted. Around 650m are open to…

  • Distillery

    Moulin des Bouillons

    Heading 3.5km south from Gordes along rte de St-Pantaléon (D148), you hit this marvellous rural museum: an olive-oil mill with a 10m-long Gallo-Roman…

  • Wildlife Reserve

    Observatoire Ornithologique de Mérindol

    This bird reserve on the Durance River is home to some 243 species, including herons and great cormorants. Hides are strategically positioned along the…

  • Castle

    Château de Lourmarin

    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…

  • Museum

    Musée du Tire-Bouchon

    You have to be a real wine buff to appreciate this museum – dedicated to the art of the humble corkscrew. There are more than 1000 of them on display at…

  • Observatory

    Observatoire Sirene

    Surrounded by lavender fields and beneath some of Europe’s darkest night-time skies, this observatory reveals astronomical wonders using high-powered…

  • Wine

    Cave de Bonnieux

    Sample local wines at this superior cellar, 5km from Bonnieux on the D36. Tastings are free.

  • Castle

    Château de Lacoste

    This part-ruined, 9th-century château once belonged to the scandalous Marquis de Sade (1740–1814) but was bought in 2001 by the couturier Pierre Cardin…