Villa Des Peintres

In the heart of Luberon in the magical Provence region in the South of France, Villa Des Peintres is just a short stroll away from the hilltop village of Ménerbes, a classic hilltop village officially classed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France.

This idyllic location makes it a superb base for exploring the Luberon Valley and its medieval villages, incredible towns and diverse landscape, while enjoying a restful holiday in a one-of-a-kind setting.

Make the most of the on-site facilities and borrow bikes to cycle down the country roads until you reach the centre of the Ménerbes. You will find a great variety of ambient French bistros and restaurants alongside charming patisseries, bakeries and shops here, and you’ll be able to soak up excellent views everywhere you go. Wander around the snaking lanes and historic buildings, or visit the bustling Thursday market to shop for cheeses, fruit jams and other local delicacies to take home. Ménerbes comes to life in the summer months when it's more frequented by tourists and hosts its annual festival of classical music.

The surrounding hills and plains are sprinkled with other alluring villages, each buzzing with its unique character and therefore worth exploring. Nearby, Gordes is another stunning place and has a wonderful castle showcasing a link between the architecture of the Middle Ages and the golden Renaissance period, le Château de Gordes. Just like all the other villages around, Gordes also hosts a popular market every Tuesday, allowing you to wander through stalls set in the shadow of the magnificent castle and pick up souvenirs and ingredients while basking in the Provençal sunshine.

Lacoste lures visitors to its ruined medieval castle, now a thriving cultural venue, that once belonged to the infamous Marquis de Sade – then bought and rescued by Pierre Cardin in 2001. Lourmarin also has its unique charm and is full of typical Provencal boutiques, antique stores, galleries and cafés, as well as the stunning Renaissance Château, originally a 12th-century fortress.

The famous city of Avignon, full of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is only a 45-minute drive away and is definitely worth a visit during your holiday in Provence. Some of its most stunning historic landmarks include the Papal Palace – one of Europe's largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings, as well as the Cathedral of Notre-Dame des Doms. If you’re dreaming about more art and culture, visit the Musée du Petit Palais located inside the palace or head to one of the oldest museums in the city housed in a spectacular 18th-century hotel, Musée Calvet.

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.