Bastide Fougere

Bastide Fougere is located just outside a small Provençal village in the Luberon region of Provence, a short drive from Ménerbes and Oppède le Vieux and 36km from the historic city of Avignon.

You can stroll along the country road (no pavement) to the local village (1.5km) with its bakery, épicerie (grocery store) and a couple of restaurants. For further amenities including good-sized supermarkets, artisan food shops and a lovely Sunday morning Farmer’s market, Coustellet (6.5km) is a 10-minute drive away.  

Some of the Luberon’s iconic perched villages are easily reached including idyllic Ménerbes (4.5km) made famous by Peter Mayle’s ‘A Year in Provence’. Discover medieval lanes, restaurant terraces with beautiful views and pretty shops alongside an atmospheric Thursday morning market. A similar distance away, step back in time as you explore the dramatic village of Oppède le Vieux (4.5km) with its cobbled streets and stunning views.

Elsewhere, potter around the charming village of Gordes (11.5km) so loved by writers and artists including Van Gogh, and venture to the red-hued landscapes of Roussillon (16km) – both hilltop villages are classified as ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ in France.

The Saturday morning market in the handsome town of Apt (22km) is the largest in the region – look out for candied fruit, summer cherries, extra virgin olive oil and good Luberon wine as well as many other local delights. There are ample opportunities to sample wine and olive oil across the Luberon and neighbouring Les Alpilles.

Beyond the Luberon, seek out treasures at the Sunday morning brocante in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (17km), an enchanting town any day of the week with its antique stores, waterways and riverside restaurants. Furthermore, soak up the natural beauty of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (17km), a paradise for hikers and outdoor adventurists. Canoeing/kayaking along the Sorgue river is another wonderful experience in this part of Provence.

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.