Maison Millefiori

Maison Millefiori is located in glorious countryside near the Luberon village of Robion plus a handful of charming hilltop towns including Gordes and Cavaillon. The wonderful former papal city of Avignon is also within close proximity. 

The village of Robion (2km) is peaceful and picturesque, clinging to the foot of the mountain. There are two parts to the it, one new and one old. It was once a fortified hilltop village, further protected by the cliffs behind. Today, a walk around the back and over the top takes you along ancient cobblestone lanes and through arched gateways. With a good array of shops and restaurants, it is a great spot.

The village of Gordes sits within very easy reach, just a 12km drive from Maison Millefiori. It boasts a fantastic market which is held on Tuesday mornings and is the perfect place to pick up local produce and a few souvenirs. Here you will also find pretty alleyways lined with charming restaurants and cafes as well as a good bakery and food stores.

No visit to Gordes is complete without visiting the network of caves beneath the village called the Caves du Palais Saint Firmin. Exploring the cellars with their carved pillars, stone staircases and vaulted ceilings takes you back in time to the Middle Ages and provides a fascinating insight into the village’s past.

The hamlet of ‘Les Cabanes’, 4km from Gordes, is now known as the Village des Bories. Sitting on the slopes of the Monts de Vaucluse. This collection of dry stone huts date back to the Bronze Age and are testament to the exceptional ancestral art of building. It is a must-visit for history lovers and also includes The Glass Museum of Bouillons, which tells the story of glass through many collections going back to Mesopotamia 7000 years ago.  

Also just outside of Gordes, you can visit the stunning Senanque Abbey (16km) which has become almost more renowned for its photo opportunities than its monastery! Be sure to get a group picture in amidst the bright purple fields.

The town of Cavaillon (6km) cleverly combines agriculture, culture and tourism. With diverse landscapes, this small Provençal town is nestled at the foot of the hill of Saint Jacques and is a gateway to the Natural Park. Popular places to visit in the town include Synagogue du Cavaillon, Hotel d’Agar, Chapelle Saint Jacques, Cathedral Saint Veran and the town’s arches.

The lively regional markets are also not to be missed! Head to Gordes market on a Tuesday morning and mix with the locals or visit Carpentras (27km) on a Friday morning to stock up on souvenirs. L'Isle sur la Sorgue (9km), which is known as the Venice of Provence, also has a huge market on Sunday mornings which features antiques and bric-a-brac alongside local produce.

Provence is rich in history and there are plenty of attractions to include in your holiday programme. The Triumphal Arch in Orange (50km), the Papal Palace and the Pont St Benezet in Avignon (30km) are all worth visiting. Avignon is a very attractive walled city which served as the Vatican City for several decades. Today, it is one of France’s most popular tourist cities and boasts great museums and stunning architecture.

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.