Mas De L'Estragon

The superb location on the foothills of the Vaucluse mountains near the quaint village of Gordes makes the villa simply fantastic for exploring all the gems of Luberon Valley. Full of winding streets, cafés, and patisseries, it’s an idyllic holiday destination luring travellers for its postcard-worthy views. When in Gordes, you should visit the le Château de Gordes, a castle which showcases a wonderful link between the architecture of the Middle Ages and the golden Renaissance period, while foodies will love sampling and shopping for artisanal produce and local delicacies at the local market. Every week, stallholders congregate in the shadow of the magnificent castle, allowing you to amble through the stalls and pick up everything from meat, fig jams, cheeses and fresh pastries to art showcasing local talent.

If you love shopping, you’ll feel right at home in the little winding streets lined with boutiques and artisanal stalls selling a mixture of French crafts, high-end gifts, and local souvenirs such as handmade soaps and fragrances. Aspiring chefs and cooking enthusiasts are invited to stock up on more ingredients in the local supermarket, located only a 10-minute walk away.

For some hustle and bustle, head to Avignon, located a comfortable one-hour drive away. With a plethora of UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the famous Palais des Papes – a historical palace and one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe that you can spend hours walking around. On warm days, have a picnic near the Pont d'Avignon running over the river Rhône or head to the city’s central square to wine and dine in one of the many restaurants and typical French bistros spilling onto the cobbled sidewalks.

The pretty town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is also a comfortable drive away. Known for its antique stores, weekend markets and waterwheels on the Sorgue river, it’s an excellent option for a unique day trip. You can walk along the riverbanks decorated with blooming flowers or visit one of its many museums and galleries. Notably, the Campredon Art Centre displays contemporary works in an 18th-century mansion, while the Musée du Jouet et de la Poupée Ancienne showcases well-preserved vintage toys and dolls. End your sightseeing tour with a visit to the Collégiale Notre Dame des Anges, a Baroque church with frescoes.

It is also worth hopping into the car and embarking on a scenic drive to France’s twinkling coastline. Marseille should be one of the main stops on your seaside itinerary, famed for its seafood as well as pleasant, pebbled beaches with crystal-clear water. Here you can stroll around the Old Port with fishermen unloading their daily catch, admire the historic centre and soak up the sunshine by the water.

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.