Maison Coloniale

Maison Coloniale is a village house in beautiful Oppède le Vieux, a tiny 12th century village in the Luberon region of Provence.

Step out of your home and straight onto the narrow lanes of the medieval village and within a minute you can be in the pretty village square with its café-restaurant, passing ancient houses en route. Walk above Oppède le Vieux to the very top to see the church and castle ruins, taking care on the steep lanes (and there are some steep drops too) and admire the incredible Luberon views around you.

About 2km away by car is the more modern part of Oppède which is still charming and authentic in its own Provençal way. Here you will find amenities such as a couple of restaurants, a bakery, bar and a tennis court. A little further is Coustellet (7km) with supermarkets, a pharmacy and a brilliant Farmer’s market on a Sunday morning showcasing the very best local produce.

There are so many other idyllic Luberon villages to discover – perhaps start in nearby Ménerbes (5km), the place that inspired Peter Mayes’ ‘ A Year in Provence’, also known as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. The ochre-tinted village of Roussillon, Van-Gogh’s beloved Gordes and picture-perfect Bonnieux can also be reached within half an hour or head to historic Apt on a Saturday morning to experience one of Provence’s most wonderful markets.

Hiking through the Luberon is also incredible, including many trails linking villages passing through vineyards, olive groves, cherry orchards, woodland and lavender fields. Look out for cycling and mountain biking opportunities as well as horse-riding and rock-climbing. Hire kayaks and sail down the Sorgue river from Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.

Other day trips to consider include Avignon (37km) with its UNESCO World Heritage sites, the romantic town of Aix-en-Provence, around an hour to the south, or even Marseille (90km) with all its vibrancy and character. Then there’s artistic Saint-Rémy, perhaps combined with the gorgeous hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence in the captivating Les Alpilles region of Provence, just under an hour by car.

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.