Maison Des Amoureux

Maison Des Amoureux enjoys a lovely countryside setting between the two charming villages of Lacoste and Ménerbes and close to Bonnieux.

The pretty Lacoste enjoys a Tourist Office which can be quite handy, the Church of Saint Trophime in the Place de l’Eglise and a good selection of restaurants. The church retains some of its original Roman style but has been transformed over the centuries. There is an original stone gateway into the village, built in the 14th century and then rebuilt in the 16th century called La Porte de la Garde. You pass through this onto a narrow cobbled street that winds through the village. Almost every building will catch your eye for its beauty. This village is truly authentic. At the top of the village you reach Le Chateau de Lacoste, once home to the Marquis de Sade and now home to Pierre Cardin. The chateau is sometimes used for events. Cafe de France enjoys a spectacular hanging terrace with stunning views. You will be captivated by the jumble of ornately decorated doors and intriguing architectural details in this picturesque village.

Menerbes is another charmer that emerges from a sea of cherry orchards and vineyards. It is a beautiful perched village with a handful of restaurants, a cafe with a phenomenal views, a wonderful bakery, an ice cream parlour and a Thursday morning market. Menerbes was on the world tourist map in the 1990’s when Peter Mayle’s ‘A Year in Provence’ was published. Exquisitely poised over the Luberon valley, it is easy to see what the fuss was about. The Maison de la Truffe et du Vin sits in the Place de l’Horloge at the top of the town where you can find out about the truffles and wines in the region. Just outside Menerbes is the Musee du Tir-Bouchon, a corkscrew museum with over 1000 corkscrews. It is also a very high-tech winery, Domaine de la Citadelle.

Nearby, Bonnieux is an Instagram worthy Provencal gem full of beautifully preserved buildings and delightful restaurants, cafes and shops. With west facing views over the valley, it is a gorgeous spot. You will be mesmerised by the patchwork of orchards and vineyards towards Lacoste across the Vaucluse plateau. A 12th century church, now out of use, sits at the top of the village and a much newer, 1870, one with painted scenes of the Passion of Christ sits near the bottom. It is still worth climbing up to the old church. Surrounded by towering cedars, you will enjoy stunning views of Monts de Vaucluse, Mont Ventoux and Lacoste, Gordes and Roussillon. In the summer, there are some classical music concerts that take place in this atmospheric setting. Some of the houses in Bonnieux date back to the 16th century when several bishops chose to live in the village. Friday is a great time to visit to pick up some things from the vibrant market. There is even a bakery museum where you can find out how bread is made in the artisanal manner.

The village of Gordes is a must visit. Gordes’ Tuesday morning market is a perfect place to pick up local produce and a few souvenirs. Gordes boasts pretty narrow alleyways sprinkled with charming restaurants, cafes, a bakery and food shops. On the Luberon plain, the village also enjoys superb views. Gordes is dominated by its wonderful church and castle. During World War II Gordes was mostly destroyed and the villagers massacred. The whole village was awarded the Croix de Guerre medal. The village enjoys a fascinating history dating back to the Vordeuses who named it Vorda. Below Gordes, you can make a magical underground discovery. The hidden treasure of the Caves du Palais Saint Firmin are just a five minute walk from the castle. The 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. A small underground city can be explored with its carved pillars, stone staircases and beautiful vaulted ceilings.

Provence is rich in history and there are plenty of attractions to include in your holiday programme. The Roman Amphitheatre, the Triumphal Arch in Orange, the Papal Palace and Pont St Benezet in Avignon are all worth visiting. Avignon is a very attractive walled city which served as the Vatican City for sixty seven years. Today, it is one of France’s most popular tourist cities with outstanding museums and magnificent architecture. The lively Provencal markets are not to be missed. You can visit Vaison la Romaine on Tuesday mornings as well as the local Gordes market, Carpentras on Friday mornings and L'Isle sur la Sorgue has a huge market on Sunday mornings which features antiques and bric-a-brac alongside local produce.