The Luberon, located in central Provence, is beloved for its stunning landscapes full of dramatic canyons and ridgelines. Here, the hill towns that overlook charming valleys are surrounded by cherry groves, cypress trees, lavender fields and vineyards. Though at first glance many of the Luberon’s villages may appear the same, taking a closer look reveals their nuances. Here are five of the Luberon’s finest areas, plus sought-after, gorgeous real estate in each locale.
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Cucuron
At the centre of Cucuron is a gorgeous, fish-inhabited pool of water that’s so large it resembles a small lake. Surrounded by 200-year-old plane trees, the pretty town square has waterside restaurants and a market every Tuesday morning. During the summertime, you can attend a concert at the Notre-Dame de Beaulieu. Constructed in the style of the Middle Ages, the streets of Cucuron wind past houses and fountains, leading up to castle remains at the village’s highest point, which gives a fantastic view of the area.
This single-story architect’s villa in Cucuron, which is a short 15 minutes from Aix-en-Provence, has a straw hut with a summer kitchen, plus an outdoor home cinema. There are also three garages, a top-of-the-line kitchen with a central island, and a basement with a wine cellar.
Gordes
This impressive hill town with a beloved setting was once a veritable ghost town, with a seriously slow pace of life and run-down buildings. Avignon’s theatre festival brought with it directors who wanted to create the quintessential Provencal village, which then caught the eye of home buyers all over the world. Gordes overhaul has since attracted the wealthy who are raring to buy or build their dream home.
The natural beauty of Gordes has been added to with exclusive boutiques and contemporary art exhibits in the town’s 11th century castle. There are also a host of cafes and restaurants ranging from the simple to the refined. Every Tuesday, locals can shop for crafts, fabrics and produce at the market.
Chic and contemporary, this villa in Gourdes has a swimming pool and pool house with a fireplace, as well as a summer kitchen. Inside, you’ll love the underfloor heating and cooling system.
Lauris
The perched village of Lauris will remind you of Provence’s days gone by, with narrow streets, stone fountains from the 17th and 18th centuries, and traditional festivals. The medieval section is the heart of the village, and it nicely transitions into the newer part of town, with cafes and restaurants that have terraces on the street, plus shops and small businesses.
Lauris’ famous chateau, originally a 15th century castle and rebuilt in 1702, has a courtyard that’s open to the public where you’ll find the tourism office and a sprinkling of boutiques. In addition to the weekly Monday market, there’s an organic market in Lauris on Saturdays. The area is also excellent for getting your nature fix, and outdoor enthusiasts can partake in archery, horseback riding and hiking.
This house in Lauris has five bedrooms, three terraces and a dual fireplace, as well as horse stables, a carport with indoor parking and picturesque olive trees.
Lourmarin
Though Lourmarin does attract plenty of tourism, it’s one of the less-visited villages in the Luberon, which is good news to homeowners who appreciate their privacy. Another draw of Lourmarin is its close proximity to bustling cities and relaxing beaches, which are close enough that you can return home at the end of your day-long escape.
Altogether peaceful and jovial, Lourmarin has cafes that dot cobblestone streets where you can sip coffee in the morning or dine on a five-course meal once the sun’s gone down. There’s also a fantastic Friday market that you won’t want to miss.
Set on more than 12 acres, this 19th-century, fully-renovated chateau in Lourmarin has seven bedrooms as well as two independent apartments. Outside, there’s a heated infinity swimming pool and an in-production olive grove.
Vaucluse
Vaucluse’s landmark mountain, Mont Ventoux, is uber-popular amongst cyclists, especially as one of the Tour de France’s ascents. Avignon is a busy historical centre, while Beaumes-de-Venise is known for its Muscat wine. Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, another of the Vaucluse department’s many villages, was once a Roman settlement, and before that had been inhabited during prehistoric times. With its high cliffs and emerald-colored river, it’s one of the most-visited villages in Provence. For an adventure, rent a canoe to take on the Sorgue.
This farmhouse in Vaucluse, which has been renovated with high-end materials, has in-production vineyards with Viognier and Syrah grape varieties, plus a range of quality winemaking equipment.
HOMEHUNTS property agents are able to use their experience and knowledge to select beautiful, high-end luxury chateaux and estates in the Luberon based on your specific search criteria. Speak directly to one of our consultants by calling +33 (0)970 44 66 43.
