Bastide Des Vignes

Bastide Des Vignes is set on a hillside with views of the Luberon valley, surrounded by 9-hectares of rural grounds and whatever may be growing that year (summer sunflowers one year, vines another and so on). Just 7km north of the historic market town of Apt, this is a stunning part of the Vaucluse department in Provence.

It’s just over a 2km drive up to the local village, a gorgeous place home to charming restaurants, a Spar grocery store, bakery and beautiful architecture. Stroll through the village passing ancient doorways and walk up towards the historic ramparts of the village’s old château. Try cherries produced from the many orchards surrounding the village and truffles from forests nearby. There are many wonderful walks in and around the village including the Aiguiers hiking trail.

Head to the historic town of Apt (7km) on a Saturday morning to experience the atmospheric market, the largest in the Luberon and specialising in many local delicacies including candied fruit. There’s a smaller Farmer’s market on a Tuesday but it’s an attractive town to visit on any day of the week with its historic lanes, fountains and lovely shops.

The iconic perched villages of the Luberon all await to be explored within half an hour from nearby Roussillon (10km) and Gordes (17km) to Ménerbes (25km) and Lourmarin (26km), all of which are classified as four of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’.

The summer lavender outside Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque (23km) is yet another example of the Luberon’s natural beauty or drive north towards Sault (25km), in the foothills of Mont Ventoux, to visit Provence’s famous lavender fields and distilleries.

Still in the Vaucluse, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (33km) is a picture-perfect historic town with its waterwheels and antique shops, home to a highly regarded Sunday morning brocante, whilst Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (34km) is loved for its hiking, canoeing and kayaking opportunities.

Food and wine lovers can experience a wealth of delightful weekly markets and Luberon wineries or venture further afield to Avignon (54km), known for its fantastic restaurants and daily markets, the gateway to the vineyards of Rhône valley.

Read more about Luberon

With some of the most enchanting landscapes of Provence, the Luberon awaits with its idyllic perched villages, swathes of lavender, cherry trees, vineyards and dense forest.

Become captivated by the scenery as you potter around artistic Gordes with its atmospheric Tuesday morning market before heading to hilltop Ménerbes, the village that inspired Peter Mayle’s ‘A Year in Provence’. Romantic Bonnieux enjoys the most glorious vistas, surrounded by a sea of vines and orchards, whilst red-hued Roussillon will take your breath away with its ochre landscapes and pine forests. They are all officially classified as ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ in France.

Yet there are so many hidden gems to explore as well. Discover the historic doorways, windmills and summer cherries of Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, then head to Goult to embrace its Provençal charm with little shops and pavement cafes. Surrounded by fields of lavender, Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt is another historic jewel of the Luberon, often overshadowed by the handsome and historic town of Apt.

To the south of the Luberon, follow Albert Camus’ footsteps in Lourmarin, sip coffee by the picturesque bassin lined with plane trees in Cucuron and soak up the history of Ansouis – all three villages have a fine reputation for their high-end dining with a choice of Michelin starred restaurants.

Indeed, across the region look out for restaurant terraces serving Provençal cuisine with superb vistas alongside characterful markets showcasing seasonal delights from the Luberon and beyond (olives, melons, strawberries, cherries, truffles, chestnuts, lavender products and more). Most villages host a lovely weekly market whilst the largest in the Luberon is held on a Saturday morning in Apt. Just on the edge of the Luberon, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is famed for its antique stores and Sunday morning brocante. Meanwhile, wine lovers should visit the vineyards and wineries of the region producing Luberon and Ventoux AOC wines.

The walking, hiking and cycling opportunities in the Luberon seem endless and you will also find horse-riding, rock-climbing and tree-top adventures as well as canoeing and kayaking along the Sorgue near Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. Come across hiking trails for all abilities passing vineyards and forest or venture through the hills and mountain gorges for spectacular scenery. Cycling is also extremely popular – as well as more challenging routes, we especially love the family-friendly Véloroute du Calavon, a paved voie verte following a former railway line near the Calavon river passing poppies, lavender and orchards so typical of the Luberon.