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How to make the most of 2 days in the Luberon

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We will be in Provence for six nights this fall and will have two nights in the Luberon (the other four are split between Les Baux and Aix). I've narrowed our potential home base down to Lourmarin or Joucas, which both look charming and have hotels we really like that are within our budget.

We'll have a car, and we're interested in visiting Bonnieux, Ménerbes, Gordes, Roussillon (and Le Sentier des Ocres), and possibly Goult. I would love your suggestions for how to plan our time, as we want to go at a slow enough pace to appreciate the region and its villages and scenery. Which villages would you combine in a day? Are there others you'd recommend trying to get to?

Thanks in advance!

Posted by
1256 posts

All of the towns in the Luberon are so close that you don't need to spend much time puzzling out an itinerary. Just go wherever seems interesting. Google the market days in the various towns. I remember we saw the Roussilon market and it was a lot of fun. And just go for drives with no particular destination in mind. Just follow a pretty road and use GPS to get you home.

Just west of the Luberon, one of your drives should take you to Isle-sur-le-Sorgue. Beautiful town flowing with water.

Posted by
118 posts

Thank you! Are there some towns that are better to visit on non-market days, due to crowding?

Posted by
5 posts

We were recently in the Luberon, on a walking trip, so this may not be as helpful - but imo, Gordes is almost best appreciated from a bit of distance rather than visited. It's incredibly picturesque, but you don't see that when you're there, and it's sort of not "real". Staying in Joucas, and exploring it, sounds great. We were in Roussillon and enjoyed it and also in Fontaine de Vaucluse, which I recommend heartily. Given your short time, consider, if you are able, walking some of the local paths from Joucas, and enjoying the countryside - it's not far to walk to Gordes from there, and it's beautiful. Or you can visit vineyards nearby. But if you want to see a number of villages, driving the roads will give you great views and you will enjoy any of them, most likely - at a beautiful time of year.

Posted by
118 posts

Good to know about Gordes. I have also wondered if Senanque Abbey would be worth visiting that time of year (October).

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