Day 1 in The Luberon Valley

Welcome to the Luberon! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Make your transfer to your destination, arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do.

Start exploring the charming hilltop villages of the Luberon - the culture, history and beauty of the region. We suggest starting off by visiting the beautiful village of L`Isle sur la Sorgue. The town is idyllically set on several branches of the River Sorgue and known as the `Venice` of Provence. Here you`ll find charming pedestrian bridges, a little paradise of greenery and flowing water. In the historic center, winding streets and canals intersect. The town has become one of the biggest European centers for antiques. Be sure to visit the dealers` village, Baroque Notre-Dame-des-Anges collegian church, the 17th-century hospice `hotel Dieu`, with its beautiful vestibule, chapel, apothecary and garden with fountain. The Donadei de Campredon mansion which is now a center for Contemporary Art, the Toy and Doll Museum, and if you`re here on a Sunday morning, make sure to enjoy the large Provencal market that is held in town.

As night falls, enjoy one of the delightful waterfront cafes or restaurants in the town.

Day 2 in The Luberon Valley

Start the day off early and head to the village of Gordes, designated one of the most beautiful villages in France, as well as one of the most well known hilltop villages in the region. Explore the narrow cobblestone streets that wind through the town, leading to stairs, a small square with a fountain, and lovely city mansions. You`ll find many restaurants and cafes, some bakeries and food stores, and a thriving art scene as you explore.

After enjoying the village of Gordes, travel a short distance to the Abbaye de Sènanque, a12th-century monastery in a deep, rocky valley that is still active today. This is one of the most photographed sports in france.

In the afternoon, enjoy lunch with a view in the very pretty village of Joucas. This village is less visited than others, which makes it more the reason to make a stop here. As you enter the village and stroll the streets take in the floral, honey-colored, perched village of hidden alleys and cobbled steps.

Finish your day at the ancient village of Bonnieux. The summer home of the Popes when they left Rome for Avignon in the 14th-century. The church at the top of the village dates back to the 12th-century. You`ll see the old ramparts (village walls) and many remarkable buildings several hundred years old.

Finish your day in Bonnieux with a pleasant dinner overlooking the Luberon valley.

Day 3 in The Luberon Valley

Make your way to the southernmost Luberon village of Lourmarin, offering a beautiful Renaissance chateau on its border, and an enchanting town center. Lourmarin sits on a level plane and boasts a low key atmosphere, away from the more-visited villages in the heart of the Luberon.

In the afternoon we recommend you explore the wine vineyards of the region. The wines produced in Vaucluse are recognized as some of the best in the world. Take part in tasting workshops, wander around the vineyards, learn about the history of wine, and discover the secrets of wine making by visiting these amazing wine cellars.

Additional Days in The Luberon Valley

Should you be able to spend additional days in the Luberon region take some time to visit more of the beautiful villages this area has to offer.

Explore the multi-colored ochre cliffs and distinctive colorful buildings of Roussillon. This is the second most visited village in the Luberon, after Gordes. The village has long specialized in the mining of the natural pigments contained in the ochre lands. Today you can explore the history of the ochre mines by visiting the `Conservatoire des Ocres et des Couleurs` set up in a former ochre factory. Learn all about the use of ochres, and take a part in classes. There is also the ochre path in the heart of the old ochre quarries, great for seeing the beauty of the site and the many shades of colors.

Discover the village of Menerbes, also ranked as one of the most beautiful in France. One of the villages great appeal includes its outstanding views of the Luberon and the Monts de Vaucluse, the charming streets lined with city mansions from the 18th-century, its old homes and village atmosphere. The one end of Menerbes is the Citadelle, a miniature fortress of the 16th-century, and at the other end are the cemetery and the chateau du Castellet, where the expressionist painter Nicolas de Stael lived. In between is a walk along the top of Menerbes, through paths and alleys, the Place de la Mairie, and the many examples of 16th and 17th century architecture.

Another medieval village worth visiting is the village of Saint Saturnin les Apt. Situated on the southern slope of the Monts de Vaucluse at 1,312 ft., this village is part of the Regional Nature Park of the Luberon. Its surface area makes it the third biggest town in the Vaucluse. Built on a rocky outcrop , it offers outstanding views over the Luberon, the Alpilles and the Monts de Vaucluse. As you explore the center of town you will admire the fountains, the balcony supported by `Atlantes`, the washhouses, the Saint-Etienne parish church, and the two 17th-century windmills.

Your Last Day In The Luberon Valley

Depart your hotel for the airport or train station where you will head home or make your way to more European adventures. Savor the memories of a very special time in the Luberon region.