Travel bucket list idea:
Luberon, Provence, France
Bucket List Experience
The Luberon massif on southeast Provence, with its lush landscapes and quaint villages, is like a film set. It’s quintessential Provence at its most charming and picturesque.
The easiest way to see it is to rent or bring a car and drive between scenic points. Make a circular tour, starting in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue with its canals, waterwheels and antiques shops; then visit the mysterious source at the Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, before heading to golden stone Gordes, with its curious field of bories (stone igloo huts) and its lavender-growing Cistercian abbey, Sénanque. Finally, head to Roussillon, with its dramatic ochre quarries, and three neighbouring villages – some of Provence’s prettiest – Bonnieux, Lacoste and Ménerbes.
You can also tour by bike: there’s a 236km circuit through the most beautiful parts of the region, along old country roads. It takes about 8 days.
There are numerous local tour operators offering guided tours of the region. They’ll know all the best spots, and will organise all logistics.
It is, however, easy to self-drive, and far more authentic and romantic. Start early in the day to give yourself ample time to stop and see the sights along the way. Roads are fairly well signposted, but do bring a map or use your GPS. For the best experience (in summer), hire a convertible car, available from Europe Luxury Car in Marseille or Sixt in Avignon.
Provence Cycling has information on cycling in the Luberon on their website and a map of the full 236km route. They also offer guided cycling trips, including accommodation.
On a fine day, this area is ideal for a picnic, with supplies picked up at a charming local market – Thursday and Sunday mornings are market days in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue; Tuesday in Gordes.
Late spring and autumn are pretty and the roads aren’t busy, but it’s hard to beat the summer, when the Luberon’s famous lavender fields are in bloom (late June to August). While the roads and villages are peaceful out of season (November to March), many of the cafés and restaurants are closed and it gets dark too early.
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