We will be traveling by car from Cassis to the Cotes du Rhone area, staying at Vaison La Romaine where we will spend 2 days. I am wondering if it would be too much to try to visit some of the Luberon Hill towns on the way?
If not, any suggestions on what villages or sights to see?
Debbie, We stayed in both Cassis and Vaison La Romaine (L'Eveche B&B)a few years ago and you'll love both places. There are some beautiful Luberon towns and you should have time to visit 2-3. A few that we really liked were Roussillon, Gordes, Menerbes, Lacoste, and Lourmarin. Great shops, eating places besides the cute villages. Have a great trip.
I agree with Judy's recommendations of Gordes, Roussillon, and Lourmarin. Bonnieux is also has outstanding views.
Depending on the day of the week, you could visit the local outdoor market: Lourmarin's market is Friday (highly recommend), Roussillon's is Wednesday, Gordes' and Vaison la Romaine's is Tuesday.
I would definitely try to visit one or two of the hill towns. Enjoy the view, have a leisurely outdoor meal, people watch, stroll around the village enjoying the sights and sounds.
If you are going in the summer, late June or July, you can visit the lavender fields.
There are so many beautiful villages in Luberon it's difficult to make a choice. I would recommend also Oppède le Vieux and Rustrel (not far from Apt). In Rustrel, you should visit the fabulous ochre quarry, Rustrel is also called the "Provençal Colorado". It is breathtaking.
I can simply agree with the others on the Luberon. But while you are in Vaison La Romaine, I would like to suggest you drive a bit south (about 3 km) to the tiny village of Crestet (turn right at the pizza place and head for the ridge of the hill where the historic village surrounds the husk of an old small castle.
It's an amazingly quaint little step back in time and one of the things that makes it so special is that there is almost no tourist traffic at all. Just a couple dozen stone houses with stone walkways connecting them. It would make a great movie set.
We stayed at a rental cottage just down the road last summer and each night, no matter what we had done during the day, before it got dark, I would walk to Crestet and poke around until the sun set & then walk back. I was often the only person outside walking that time of night. It was amazing.
I also can highly recommend Lourmarin, and Bonnieux, very close to each other. Lourmarin is a great place for lunch or dinner, Bonnieux is more a get out and look around village, and then be on your way. I ordered a great little booklet written by some people in Oregon, who lived in Lourmarin for 6 years. It is called Provence Byways, and has some great little road trips and interesting stops, not found in major guide books. All the trips originate in Lourmarin, but radiate out from there. I think you can probably google it and find them. The book did cost $15 but so useful.
