Luberon
NATURAL STATE.
In many myths and legends there holds a shroud of mystery around the relationship of the triangle or “the three”. In Luberon, a golden triangle exists, albeit more concrete, it depicts the region and the route you can take to visit a plethora of small french towns that hold history, beautiful architecture, markets, natural wonders and of course, cuisine. Make sure you have a car. We took the train to Avignon and then drove through this region visiting multiple towns and staying at a beautiful home-away-from-home hotel in Gordes. The colors are intoxicating and each town has a different scheme and environment. There is so much to see here it can be overwhelming, focus on one town per day, take it slow and do not forget to go off the beaten track to find shops and artists abound.
DO. in GORDES
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, 84220 Gordes, France built in 1148 this cistercian abbey go in July to see alongside its lavender fields and ivy ridden walls
Musée de la Lavande, 276 Route de Gordes, 84220 Cabrières-d'Avignon, France
The Bories Village, 84220 Gordes, France museum of ancient stone hut village
Get the panoramic shot at the Gordes view point, 13 Route de Cavaillon, 84220 Gordes, France
Chateau de Gordes, 84220 Gordes, France the local castle and center of town, be sure to wake up early on Tuesday morning and join local vendors at the Gordes Market outside the Chateau
Take a Wine Tour in Provence or a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Jullien Oil Mill, 24 Rue du Moulin À Huile, Route d'Apt, 84400 Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, France traditional oil mill owned by Jullien Family
STAY. AT MAS DE LA TANNERIES OR LA BASTIDE DE GORDES
OR Hôtel Crillon le Brave
EAT. IN THE SHADOWS
L'Artégal, Place Genty Pantaly, 84220 Gordes, France for dinner loveee this place
L'Estellan, Lieu dit les Imberts, 84220 Gordes, France for lunch
La Bastide De Gordes, Rue de la Combe, 84220 Gordes, France for a drink on the terrace at sunset
Les Cuisines du Château, 283 Place Genty Pantaly, 84220 Gordes, France (great for lunch or dinner, wine selection is adorable!)
Les Bories & Spa, Route de Senanque, 84220 Gordes, France beautiful restaurant
DAYTRIP TO NEIGHORING TOWNS
DO. in L’Isle sur la Sorge
L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Market, Quai Jean Jaurès, 84800 L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France absolute best market rangers from olives, to seafood, meats, marbles and warm winter socks
Musée Donadéï De Campredon, 20 Rue du Dr Tallet, 84800 L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France
Musée du Jouet et de la Poupée Ancienne, 26 Rue Carnot, 84800 L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France if you are a serial killer and enjoy old doll museums
EAT. IN L’ISLE SUR LA SORGE
Le Jardin du Quai, 91 Avenue Julien Guigue, 84800 L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France
Restaurant Le Vivier, 800 Cours Fernande Peyre, 84800 L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France
La Balade Des Saveurs, 3 Quai Jean Jaurès, 84800 L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France
Restaurant UMAMI, 33 Rue Carnot, 84800 L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France umami in France now thats a thing
Café Fleurs - Au Jardin d'Aubanel, 9 Rue Théodore Aubanel, 84800 L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France truffles on everything
AND IF YOU DECIDE TO SPEND THE NIGHT. La Maison SUR LA SORGE
DO.
IN ROUSSILLON
Originally a Catalan county, this small but ignited town is a true beauty in its natural state. Built from colorful rouge clay, which was initially mined from the surrounding hills and built quarries to industrialize for production of non-toxic pigment. Now, these lush cliffs and environment are celebrated, hiking trails are put in place to admire the sunset hues. Additionally, the surrounding area is lush with wine production derived from the namesake Languedoc-Roussillon area.
Le Sentier des Ocres, 84220 Roussillon, France viewpoint of the cliffs made of ochre, a clay earth of this region which is used as a pigment ranging in yellow to red and lines the town streets as the building exude the hues
Conservatoire des Ocres et de la Couleur, D104, 84220 Roussillon, France traditional museum of the history of pigment and the region
Eglise Saint- Michel, Village haut, Rossilhon, 84220 Gordes, France beautiful local church
DO. LOOK FOR COLOR
Ocher Gallery, Haut Village, Place du Castrum, 84220 Roussillon, France fabulous little ceramic shop off the beaten path, you must ascend the town in order to find
La Compagnie Des Ocres, Impasse des Ocres, 84220 Roussillon, France buy your pigments here
EAT. TRADITIONALLY
La Grappe de Raisin, Rue de la Poste, 84220 Roussillon, France traditional restaurant stop in for lunch
MENERBES
Set the stage for artists or lovers, directors, but also religious wars in the 1500’s and is within eyeshot of the ruins of Chateau de Lacoste the former home of the Marquis de Sade
DO. IN MENERBES
Abbaye de Saint-Hilaire, 4 Rue de la Mairie, 11250 Saint-Hilaire, France
Hike the Sentier Vigneron d'Oppede, beautiful go through carpark to hike and viewpoint
Le Domaine de la Citadelle, 601 Route de Cavaillon, 84560 Ménerbes, France visit vineyard for a drink, history and an education on the wine production
Galerie Pascal Laine, 15 Rue Sainte-Barbe, 84560 Ménerbes, France
EAT. IN MENERBES
Chez Auzet, 52 Rue du Portail Neuf, 84560 Ménerbes, France cute little quiche place
La Petite Maison de Cucuron, Place de l'Étang, 84160 Cucuron, France
