Villa Ripert

Villa Ripert is in a countryside location and has astounding views of the Luberon Mountains and open countryside. The valley below is topped with the picturesque hilltop villages of Bonnieux and Lacoste which are both stunningly beautiful and well worth visiting.

Roussillon is approximately 2km from the property and dates back to Roman times and is one of the most recognisable villages in France. The village is visually unforgettable with its beautiful Ochre Houses and there are plenty of amenities including charming restaurants, cafes, bakeries, specialist shops and art galleries. Place de la Maire (Town hall square) is simply stunning and is the spot ‘instagrammers’ head to!

You can pick up fresh local produce at the weekly market each Thursday morning and a walk to the top of the village will take you to the 17th century church of St Michel where you can enjoy magnificent mountainous views.

The Ochre trail (Sentier des Ochre) will delight kids big and small. The trail starts in the middle of the village and there is an easy or harder trail option. Well signed paths through the old open pit ochre quarry will help you learn more about this unique area as you pass by spectacular cliffs and structures in stunning colours.

Only a short drive away are an abundance of beautiful villages such as Lacoste famous for its Castle, formally home to the Marquis de Sade and now home to Pierre Cardin, Sault for its Lavender fields and L’isle Sur la Sorgue for its canals and antique market, however try squeeze in a visit to Gordes as it has been called the most beautiful village in France.

Perched on a rocky peninsula in the Vaucluse mountains at the heart of the Luberon Regional National Park, Gordes is gorgeous with stone houses, cobbled streets dotted with fountains and an 11th century Renaissance castle dominating the landscape. A visit to the castle's fantastic art exhibitions should be on the tick list and L’Eglise Saint Fermin Church and the Sénanque Abbey, surrounded by lavender fields, are truly sights worth seeing.

Aix-en-Provence is a wonderful city and is less than an hour’s drive from the property. Upmarket and classy with leafy boulevards lined with 17th & 18th century mansions Aix offers chic shopping and fabulous street markets in its part pedestrianised centre. Cours Mirabeau is the 440metre long Main Boulevard. The light reflected from the warm coloured stone buildings has inspired artists such as Cezanne and here you can stroll past its magnificent fountains, centuries old trees and characterful pavement cafes.

With over 600 winegrowers in Provence there’s no shortage of vineyards to visit so look up the ‘Provence Wine Route’ to find the best places to sample wonderful rosés or the famous Chateauneuf du Pape.

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.