Le Mas Savane

Le Mas Savane is in the Luberon region of Provence, a short drive from the traditional village of Rustrel and the magnificent landscapes of Le Colorado Provençal.

The historic farmhouse enjoys a rural setting, located just off the main road that connects Rustrel (3km) and the hilltop village of Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt (8km).

Rustrel is home to a boulangerie, a grocery store and a small handful of places to eat as well as a 16^th century church, pretty fountains, old washhouses and, just outside the town, an olive mill with a lovely shop selling olive oil, wine, lavender essential oil, honey, chestnut cream and other local products. Furthermore, there is a seasonal tree-top activity centre, Colorado Aventures, just 2km away.

The incredible ochre quarry, Le Colorado Provençal (4km), is just a short drive away – it’s fantastic for keen hikers and historians alike with its captivating landscapes, marked walking trails and industrial heritage. It’s a popular spot in the Luberon so head out early (and check for closures due to fire risk or bad weather). A little further afield is the Mines de Bruoux (13km) as well as the Écomusée De L'ocre (18km) close to the village of Roussillon, one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’.

Slightly away from the usual tourist trail, Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt (8km) is a charming village within a 10-minute drive – pass vineyards and cherry orchards en route. Potter around the old lanes admiring ancient doorways, stop off for a coffee on a café terrace and enjoy the delightful market on a Tuesday morning.

Market lovers should visit the handsome town of Apt (9km) on a Saturday morning for the Luberon’s largest and most famous market. Meanwhile, there are other pretty weekly markets in hilltop villages such as Ménerbes (31km), Gordes (25km) and Lourmarin (29km) alongside gastronomic restaurants across the Luberon (some with Michelin stars) and vineyards for sampling the region’s highly regarded AOC Luberon wine.   

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.