Mas Cotillard

In the Luberon region of Provence, Mas Cotillard is located 3km from Gordes, one of France’s classified ‘Plus Beaux Villages’.

Gordes is one of Luberon’s most loved perched villages and the surrounding landscapes have inspired the likes of Van Gogh over the years. Wander around the village’s narrow lanes, coming across pretty cafes, charming little shops and restaurants, admiring the many viewpoints as you explore. The Tuesday morning market is so atmospheric and a lovely place to pick up seasonal local delights and lavender products.

The Abbaye de Sénanque is surrounded by lavender fields from approximately the end of June to early August. Further afield, Sault (31km) is also known for its lavender farms and distilleries which you can visit at any time of year whilst there is a Lavender museum near Coustellet (10km), a village also known for its wonderful Farmer’s market on a Sunday morning.

Discover beautiful walks, hikes and cycle rides through the Luberon region and beyond, passing vineyards and wineries, orchards and woodland. Come across picture-perfect villages that this part of Provence is so famous for with gems such as Ménerbes, Bonnieux and Roussillon so near. Soak up the ambience of delightful markets, such as on a Saturday morning in Apt, and visit L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue’s brocante on a Sunday morning, one of the largest antique markets in France.

There are more incredible hikes to be experienced around Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, then hire canoes and kayaks to admire the natural beauty of the Sorgue river. Adventurous guests can also seek out horse-riding and even rock-climbing near the small village of Buoux.

Other places to visit across this part of southern France include the foothills of Mont Ventoux, the historic UNESCO sites of Avignon, the book shops and cafes of Aix-en-Provence and the art galleries of Saint-Rémy, all reached within an hour or so 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.