The Luberon Valley is considered the heart of Provence with its captivating landscapes, hilltop villages, local markets, wine culture and renowned culinary scene. If you're looking for a serene location with a rich cultural heritage, the Luberon won't disappoint.
We list the best Luberon villages to visit that capture the charm of Provence, each for a unique reason.
Overview: Best Villages in Luberon |
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only recommend products or services we have used or that we believe will add value to our readers. Thank you for supporting us!
7 Best Luberon Villages
1. Best overall: Roussillon
Roussillon village in the Luberon Valley
Roussillon was our favourite village we visited in the Luberon - it had it all with its striking ochre cliffs, gourmet restaurants, boutique shops, and historic buildings adorned with colourful shutters and blooming flower pots. We found this village to be more colourful and bohemian than others.
Both, our favourite hotel and restaurant were in Roussillon.
Where to eat: Restaurant David
Rarely you come across a restaurant as unique as this one. Not only is its food fantastic and recognized in the Michelin Guide, its view of the ochre cliffs set it apart from anything else. When we dined at sunset and the rocks started to glow, people got up in awe from their table to take pictures outside on the terrace. We even saw a rainbow!
Where to stay: Le Clos de la Glycine
Situated right in the heart of the village, Le Clos de la Glycine offers rooms with picturesque views overlooking the valley. We couldn't believe how good of value the hotel was. Before being shown to our charming room, we were warmly welcomed in the garden beneath ancient vines with a refreshing drink of fresh grape juice. We recommend spending extra on the Deluxe Superior Room, so you can take in the views on your private terrace. A bonus of staying here is that Restaurant David is just a few steps away from your room. Rooms start at 125€ per night. Browse more stays in RoussillonSee our list of the 9 best things to do in Roussillon.
2. Best for the atmosphere: Lourmarin
Lourmarin village
Come to Lourmarin for its creative atmosphere, fashionable crowd, and vibrant arts and cultural scene. The village has a rich history, with artists, writers and intellectuals, like Albert Camus, living here throughout history. Lourmarin is best visited on Fridays when the village comes alive with its bustling market and live music in the streets.
Our favourite things to do in Lourmarin
🍷 Snag an outdoor table at Cafe Gaby overlooking the charming old-town square and order a demi-bottle of rosé for some excellent people-watching.
🛍️ Take time to walk through the village to shop the boutiques and admire the medieval buildings that have been immaculately restored. Don't miss the tea shop, La Calade De Lourmarin. We sniffed four types of loose-leaf tea and picked one to have as ice tea in their garden space.
🧺 Gather picnic supplies from the Friday Market and have lunch at Chateau de Lourmarin. Walk up the stairs at the back of the castle to find an excellent picnicking area in an olive grove. Find shade under one of the olive trees and enjoy!
🎵 Drink cocktails, listen to tunes and dance at La Maison Cafe. This upstairs space has a cool vibe.
🧳 Stay at Le Moulin, a design-forward boutique hotel in a former 18th-century oil mill. The Friday market is just next door. Browse more stays in LourmarinSee our list of the 10 best things to do in Lourmarin.
3. Best for a viewpoint of the Luberon Valley: Bonnieux
The drive from Lourmarin to Bonnieux is one of the most beautiful in the region, with its winding road taking you through the gorge. At the very top, you are greeted by the majestic village with panoramic views over the Luberon Valley. Pull over to the side and stretch your legs while you take in the surroundings.
Browse stays in Bonnieux4. Best for lunch with a view: Menerbes
Exploring the village of Menerbes
Situated up high on a hill, this quiet village is filled with galleries and wonderful places for lunch with views of the countryside. Its relaxed ambience and slower pace of life capture the true essence of Provence. Walking the narrow cobblestone streets past old stone houses brings you to tucked-away gems throughout.
Eat lunch on the terrace of Cafe Du Progress for lovely views overlooking the countryside. The restaurant may look unassuming at the front, but it's a locals' hot spot with excellent farm-to-table dishes. Book far in advance to ensure you get a table on the terrace.
Afterwards, take a stroll through the village up to Maison de la Truffe, and pop into the art gallery upstairs.
Save yourself for a pastry and tea at Chez Auzet, which also has views overlooking the valley. I ordered iced peach tea, which comes freshly brewed in a teapot and poured into a carafe with ice.
Browse stays in Menerbes5. Best for a local feel: Saint-Saturnin-les-Apt
Saint-Saturnin-les-Apt
Saint-Saturnin-les-Apt should be on your list if you're looking for an off-the-beaten-path village with a good local vibe. You're less likely to run into tourists here.
Walking down the main strip, you'll see locals reading the paper and talking amongst friends at sidewalk cafes. On Tuesday, the town comes alive with their weekly market. Browse the stalls and pop into Boulangerie Patisserie Chafik for their apricot pastry.
The unhurried town has recently been put on the map by its restaurant, Le Saint Hubert. Featured in Conde Nast, this restaurant exemplifies the changing tide of big-city chefs moving to the countryside, where they have the opportunity to work with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and live a relaxed way of life.
It's worth making a stop in Saint Saturnin-Les Apt to dine at St. Hubert. They offer three-course tasting menus for 48 € and their dining room overlooks the valley and mountains. Everything was so fresh.
Browse stays in Saint Saturnin-Les Apt6. Best for the culinary scene: Goult
Goult village
Many highly-acclaimed restaurants are found throughout the Luberon, however, Goult has two restaurants right in the village that serve some of the best Provencal-inspired cuisine in the region. They are both recognized in the Michelin Guide and are a great value for the calibre of dishes.
Le Carillon is a wonderful spot for lunch. They offer a few set menus with different tiers of pricing and have an outdoor terrace you can dine on. Our scallop starter with green apple was so refreshing.
La Bartavelle is a local hot spot that attracts regulars for dinner. Run by a husband and wife duo, the old stone house has a cozy atmosphere and books up fast.
Browse stays in Goult7. Best to look at from afar: Gordes
Since Gordes is arguably Luberon's most famous village, it can feel quite touristy and crowded. The best way to see the village is from afar, with its stone houses cascading down the terraced hillside.
After viewing Gordes, keep driving towards Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque to see the lavender fields. Even if the lavender isn't in bloom, it's a gorgeous drive. Afterwards, loop around to Aire de pique-nique Route de Murs, for a lovely view and picnic spot.
Closest Airport to the Luberon
We recommend flying into Marseille and renting your car at the airport. From there, it's under an hour's drive to Lourmarin, the closest of the seven villages on this list.
🚙 Compare car rental rates from the Marseille AirportGet started on booking your trip to Provence
- 🌃 Book your accommodation: Booking.com is our go-to for finding places to stay. Sort by top reviewed.
- 🚗 Reserve your car: see Rentalcars.com to compare car rental prices across different companies.
- 🤠 Browse tours with local guides: through GetYourGuide
- 🛫 Book your flight: use Skyscanner to compare flights across different airlines (we recommend booking direct with the airline, however).
Browse our other France travel guides:
- 7 Days in Paris and Provence
- South of France and Piedmont Road Trip
- 12 Days in France and Italy for food, wine and culture
- How to spend 4 days in Provence
- 3 Day Provence Itinerary
- Best things to do in Cap Ferret
- How to spend a day in Paris
Combine the Luberon with a trip to Monaco. See how to spend a day in Monaco.
Save and pin these 7 beautiful Luberon villages for later:
