Bastide Des Guendons

Bastide Des Guendons enjoys an attractive setting surrounded by typical Provençal landscapes, only 1km from Ménerbes, classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. Both Marseille Airport (74km) and Avignon Airport (30km) are within an hour by car or take the direct train service from Paris to Gare d’Avignon TGV (40km).

Following the country roads (no pavements as is typical in rural France), it’s around 20-minute walk to the hilltop village of Ménerbes, made famous by Peter Mayle’s novel and film ‘A Year in Provence’. In the village itself, there is a small handful of cafes/restaurants (some with terraces and views), a small grocery shop and boulangerie and a Provençal market on a Thursday morning - discover seasonal delights such as melons, strawberries, cherries, olives and cheese alongside fabrics and crafts. The village is also loved for its truffles and wine – tastings can be arranged at nearby vineyards and wineries.

There are so many other picture-perfect villages across the Luberon to visit from Gordes (10km) and red-hued Roussillon (15km) to perched Oppède le Vieux (8km) and Bonnieux (11km), all surrounded by idyllic scenery of vineyards, orchards and forest ideal for hiking and cycling. The Luberon town of Apt (19km) hosts a wonderful market on a Saturday morning, the largest in the region. Keen gastronomes may also appreciate the food shops and Sunday morning Farmer’s market in nearby Coustellet (9km), also home to the Lavender Museum.

Beyond the Luberon, you are well located for visiting the waterways and antique stores of charming L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (18km), famed for its Sunday morning market and brocante, as well as experiencing the beauty of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (18km), a paradise for keen hikers and canoeing/kayaking enthusiasts.

A little further afield, visit the art galleries of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, follow Van Gogh’s footsteps in Arles (65km), admire the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Avignon (38km) or spend the day soaking up the romance of Aix-en-Provence (63km), just over an hour from Ménerbes and your beautiful holiday home.

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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.