Chez La Campagne

Chez La Campagne is in a peaceful rural location within the Luberon Natural Park in the Vaucluse region of Provence, only a ten minute walk (no pavement) to a tiny village with a restaurant-café and grocery store for your fresh breakfast baguettes.

The nearest town is Apt (13km), an old Roman town with restaurants, supermarkets and fantastic Saturday and Tuesday morning markets where you can stock up with all kinds of fine local produce. The town is also renowned for its candied fruit - just in case you are a fan, La Maison du Fruit Confit is the place for you.

Imagine yourself in Provence and you might well visualise the Luberon - medieval perched hill-top villages, landscapes of cherry blossom, redolent lavender fields and ripening  vineyards, all bathed in the wonderful light that inspired so many famous painters like Cézanne and Van Gogh.

Roussillon (24km) is one of France’s 'Plus Beaux Villages' due to its delightful hilltop setting and maze of narrow winding streets and pretty squares, all so many different shades of ochre  It’s a technicoloured place that contrasts beautifully with the green pines or blue sky and has always been loved by artists. There are many galleries and boutiques to explore here as well as an art trail – afterwards you might like to try out one of the fine restaurants in the main square.

You are also within easy driving distance of another exquisite village in France, Bonnieux (25km). From here there are wonderful views across the Vaucluse plateau towards the equally enticing Lacoste (28km).  The village of Ménerbes (34km) was the setting for Peter Mayle’s “A Year in Provence” and Gordes (33km), sometimes described as the “Parthenon of Provence”, is yet another one of France’s 'Plus Beaux Villages' with many cultural events during the summer.

The Luberon National park is just a wonderful setting for hiking, horse riding, and mountain biking or kayaking along the river at L’Isle sur La Sorgue (45km), a town famous for its antiques. Rock climbers congregate at the dramatic gorge near Buoux (18km), a small historic village in the heart of the rolling hills.

Serious cyclists will relish the challenge of climbing Mont Ventoux (64km) but there are plenty more leisurely local rides. Hire a bike in Apt and take part of the recently completed cycle route between the town and Coustellet (35km). Walkers can pick up up the GR hiking trail which passes near your villa or you may just prefer the sensory delights of a gentle stroll through wonderful landscapes.

For a great day out, head to  Avignon (67km km), the capital of Vaucluse and the Cotes du Rhône, with its UNESCO World Heritage Site historic centre, Papal Palace and famous bridge. Aix-en-Provence (63km km) is one of France's most beautiful university towns, a centre for music, ballet and theatre and full of fine tea houses and restaurants.

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.