Maison Basque

Maison Basque is located just a five-minute drive north (2km) of a delightful and beautifully preserved village. Many say this is one of the most picturesque places in France.

Located on a hill, it is surrounded by glorious countryside filled with vineyards and olive groves. Explore the village’s narrow lanes that wind up the hill, discovering little shops and restaurants, then enjoy breathtaking vistas on the way up to the village square at the top. The village boasts some impressive places to eat, from traditional restaurant to charming cafes with outstanding views.

There are some spectacular hiking paths and mountain bike routes (mountain bike hire is possible nearby). Indeed, the Luberon National Park offers an ideal setting for walking, cycling, and even kayaking along the Sorgue. There are climbing opportunities near Buoux (23km), a tiny village with a castle not to be missed and now a mecca for rock-climbing. Wine lovers will appreciate all the amazing wineries in the local area whilst more family friendly activities include horse-riding and tree-top activity centres nearby plus a zoo and model railway both within an hours drive.

Many of the idyllic hilltop villages have maintained their original features with castles, caves and historical artefacts to discover, including one of the most spectacular at La Tour d’Aigues (42km) which still has its dungeons.

You are also within close driving distance of the archetypal Provencal villages of Bonnieux (12km), Lacoste (9km), Roussillon (15km) and Van Gogh’s beloved Gordes (15km), one of France’s Plus Beaux Villages.

Food lovers should also head to the Luberon town of Apt (24km) on a Saturday morning for its incredible Provençal market, one of the most famous in the region and well known for its local products especially candied fruits and goats cheese. The old town has a lot of charm and character and the surrounding hills are typical of beautiful Provence.

Famous Avignon (38km), the capital of Provence, and Aix-en-Provence (65km), one of France's most beautiful university towns, are just over an hour away.

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.