Villa Novelli

Villa Novelli is surrounded by a gorgeous garden and a tapestry of the French countryside. It is nestled just outside the tiny village of Lioux in the heart of the Luberon valley in Provence.

Lioux is stunning, with ancient buildings, ruins and a delightful array of restaurants and cafes. Its neighbour, Roussillon, contrasts with this grey limestone village. While wandering in the village, you will discover two privately owned chateaux, Le Chateau Renaissance de Javon and the Chateau St Lambert. Far from the main highways, Lioux is peaceful and charming. The Church of Saint Roman is a beautiful Romanesque building.

The characterful village of Gordes, a must-visit, is within easy reach of Villa Novelli. Gordes’ Tuesday morning market is perfect for picking up local produce and a few souvenirs. The village also boasts narrow alleyways with restaurants, cafes, a bakery and food shops and has superb views. It has a fascinating history too, dating back to the Vordeuses, who named it Vorda. The hidden treasure of the Caves du Palais Saint Firmin is just a five-minute walk from the castle. These cellars would have been used in the Middle Ages to house craft activities, and it is still possible to see an old oil mill, cisterns, and pipes dug into the rock today. A small underground city can be explored with its carved pillars, stone staircases and vaulted ceilings.

The neighbouring village of Roussillon boasts a sensational colour palette of all shades of ochre and the village houses that spiral down the hill look amazing with this vivid colour palette. It sits on the ridge of a steep red cliff with brilliant vistas across the valley to the Grand Luberon, the slopes of Mont Ventoux and the Vaucluse plateau. The main square of Roussillon is home to a number of wonderful restaurants with excellent views or tables on the square. As well as excellent restaurants, there is a fabulous ice cream shop, especially popular with children.

Apt is a lovely town close by which hosts the biggest market in the Luberon with three hundred stalls in the summer. The town is full of fountains, squares, grand townhouses, bars, cafes and restaurants.

You can also visit Bonnieux, an Instagram-worthy Provençal gem full of beautifully preserved buildings and restaurants, cafes and shops. With views over the valley, it is an excellent spot. You will be mesmerised by the patchwork of orchards and vineyards towards the equally picturesque village of Lacoste across the Vaucluse plateau. Surrounded by towering cedars, you can take in stunning views of Monts de Vaucluse, Mont Ventoux and Lacoste, Gordes and Roussillon.

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.