Maison Grantaire

Maison Grantaire is set in a little cluster of holiday homes close to the pretty villages of Oppède and Oppède le Vieux in the Luberon region of Provence, around 36km from Avignon.

You can walk along the country road to reach Oppède (no pavement as is typical in rural France) where there are a couple of restaurants, an épicerie for your groceries and a bakery. A little further afield is Coustellet (6km), home to a couple of good-sized supermarkets, some lovely shops and a Farmer’s market on a Sunday morning. Wine and olive oil tastings take place at nearby La Royère (3km) and its Musée de l'Huile d'Olive.

In the other direction is the historic perched village of Oppède le Vieux (1km), also within walking distance if you can manage the climb! Soak up its charming ambience, admire its beautifully preserved heritage and stop for a bite to eat whilst the most adventurous can take advantage of the glorious hiking opportunities from the village.

Elsewhere in the Luberon, other iconic hilltop villages include Ménerbes (4.5km), Gordes (12km) and Roussillon (17km), passing farmland, olive groves, lavender fields and cherry orchards as you explore - the landscapes of the Luberon are truly captivating. Look out for atmospheric weekly markets dotted around local villages and towns including the region’s largest market on a Saturday morning in the handsome town of Apt (24km).

Admire the beauty of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (16km), also known for its hiking opportunities, and sail along the Sorgue River by canoe or kayak before pottering around L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue with its waterwheels, antique stores and Sunday morning brocante.

The small historic city of Avignon (36km) is a fine day out, as is Aix-en-Provence (62km) just over an hour away by car. Les Alpilles is another alluring region of France where you can follow Van Gogh’s footsteps in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (33km), same olive oil from the groves surrounding Les Baux-de-Provence (42km) and look out for discreet A-list celebrities in Eygalières (27km).

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.