Le Mas D'Elise

Le Mas d'Elise is located on the edge of a picturesque village only a 10-minute drive from enchanting L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. This is part of the Vaucluse department of Provence and ideally situated for exploring Avignon as well as the idyllic landscapes of the Luberon, Les Alpilles, Mont Ventoux and beyond.

Set just off a country road, you can stroll to the heart of the historic village in a couple of minutes. It’s a small Provençal village full of charm where you will find a boulangerie and a small handful of places to eat alongside ancient houses and flower-lined lanes. Walk to the very top of the village for stunning views of Provence and also admire its 13th century château.

L’Isle sur La Sorgue (7km) is a joy to explore – enjoy lunch on a riverside terrace overlooking one of the town’s historic waterwheels or peruse its many antique stores, especially on a Sunday morning when the famous brocante takes place. Slightly closer, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (5km) is another much-loved village of this area with its incredible natural scenery, hiking trails and canoeing/kayaking opportunities along the Sorgue river.

Spend time visiting historic villages and towns with their bustling Provençal markets showcasing some of the region’s best produce from summer melons of Cavaillon and Vaucluse cherries to strawberries and truffles sold in Carpentras. Hire bikes and cycle through the Vaucluse plains or the most experienced can head towards Mont Ventoux’s challenging and iconic trails. There are also many wonderful walking opportunities passing the olive groves of Les Alpilles or the vineyards and woodland of the Luberon – there are so many incredible landscapes to discover.

The perched villages of the Luberon are exceptional – Gordes is only 12km away whilst Ménerbes, Bonnieux and Roussillon can all be reached in around 25-minutes by car. The Alpilles Natural Regional Park also features picture-perfect villages set amongst the hills such as Les Baux-de-Provence, Maussane-les-Alpilles and Eygalières, all around 30 minutes to an hour away, and of course the wonderful market town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (30km), a place that greatly inspired many works of art by Vincent Van Gogh.

Art lovers can also drive as far as Van Gogh’s beloved Arles (58km), the gateway to the mesmerising Camargue, or stay close to home and discover the historic sights of Avignon, around a 40-minute drive away, with its bustling markets, vibrant restaurant and bar scene as well as the city’s UNESCO World Heritage sites.

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.