I’ve visited Provence three times, including a lovely week spent in the Luberon. Over those visits, I’ve explored villages throughout the region, discovering just how different they can be.
When people ask me which ones to visit, I always pause. The choice can feel overwhelming. Gordes and Roussillon are obvious favourites, but villages like Goult offer a different, more lived-in experience.
That’s why I created this guide to the best Luberon villages. I want to help you see the differences between the well-known hilltop villages and the lesser-visited places that are equally worth considering.
My goal is simple: to make your planning easier and help you choose the villages that align with your time, interests, and pace.
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Which Luberon Villages Are Worth Visiting?
For first-time visitors, I recommend prioritizing any of the five Luberon villages designated Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages of France). In France, they created this prestigious title to distinguish the most beautiful.
From there, I’d narrow your choices based on where you’re staying and how many days you have. The villages may look close together on a map, but driving between them takes time. Choosing a few within the same area makes for a more enjoyable day.
Here’s what makes each village worth considering.
| Luberon Village | Best Reason to Visit |
|---|---|
| Gordes * | Iconic hilltop setting and panoramic views |
| Roussillon * | Ochre-coloured streets and the Ochre Trail |
| Lourmarin * | Lively market, cafés, shops and château |
| Ménerbes * | Hilltop views, art galleries and historic streets |
| Ansouis * | Medieval château and nearby vineyards |
| Bonnieux | Upper church and sweeping valley views |
| Goult | Lived-in village atmosphere and the Jerusalem Mill |
| Lacoste | Castle ruins and panoramic views |
| Cucuron | Market and cafés around the tree-lined basin |
| Saignon | Village square and views from Rocher de Bellevue |
| Oppède-le-Vieux | Ancient ruins and an atmospheric uphill walk |
| Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt | Historic ramparts, castle ruins and reservoir |
| Joucas | Art, sculptures and a smaller village experience |
* Designated Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages of France).
Gordes and Nearby Luberon Villages
Gordes is the village I’d prioritize here for first-time visitors. But if you’re exploring this part of the Luberon, nearby Goult and Joucas are worth considering for a different experience.
Gordes
Gordes is the one photo everyone recognizes, but seeing it at dawn still stops me. The stone houses cling to the hillside in ordered terraces.
- Why it’s special: Its dramatic hilltop setting and sweeping views across the valley make it one of the Luberon’s most recognizable villages.
- What to know: For the iconic photograph of Gordes, stop at the Rocher Bel-Air viewpoint before entering the village. Explore the narrow stone streets early, before the busiest part of the day.
Goult
Goult is the village I return to when I want calm without isolation. It’s beautifully preserved and lived-in, with a central square that’s a lovely place to stop for lunch.
- Why it’s special: The restored Jerusalem Mill and the terraced path around it reveal how the village once worked with the landscape.
- What to notice: Walk up to the windmill and take time to explore the surrounding streets. Goult is a good choice if you prefer somewhere to linger rather than another busy sightseeing stop.
Joucas
Joucas is small, tidy, and filled with soft colour. It sits between Gordes and Roussillon, yet remains remarkably peaceful.
- Why it’s special: Artists have shaped the village, with sculptures tucked into courtyards and corners.
- What to notice: Walk the upper lanes for views towards the ochre hills. Its location makes Joucas an easy additional stop when travelling between Gordes and Roussillon.
Roussillon and Villages Near Apt
Roussillon is one of the most distinctive villages in the Luberon and a priority for first-time visitors. If you’re exploring further east towards Apt, Saignon and Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt offer two different experiences worth considering.
Roussillon
Roussillon stands apart from the stone villages elsewhere in the Luberon. I still find the ochre cliffs startling, especially when walking the Sentier des Ocres (Ochre Trail).
- Why it’s special: The former ochre quarries and walking trail give Roussillon its distinctive colours, from deep reds to shades of orange and yellow.
- What to know: Allow time for both the village and the Ochre Trail, which has two walking routes. Wear shoes you don’t mind getting covered in ochre dust, and look for artisan shops selling locally inspired pigments and crafts.
Saignon
Saignon feels suspended in time. Its high perch gives it an airy stillness, and the central square is one of my favourites for a slow lunch.
- Why it’s special: The Rocher de Bellevue, a natural rock outcrop, offers one of the most panoramic viewpoints in the Luberon, overlooking the Apt valley and surrounding mountains.
- What to notice: Wander the back lanes, where medieval stonework and small gardens add to the village’s character. For the best views, climb the steps to the top of the Rocher de Bellevue.
Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt
This village mixes history with local life. It’s large enough to feel lived in, yet easy to explore without the crowds found in more famous Luberon villages.
- Why it’s special: The medieval ramparts, castle ruins, old dam and reservoir above the village make for an unusual and scenic walk.
- What to know: Allow time to walk uphill beyond the village centre to explore the ruins and reservoir. This is a particularly good choice if you enjoy combining a village visit with a short historical walk.
Ménerbes and Surrounding Hilltop Villages
Ménerbes is one of the Luberon’s officially designated Most Beautiful Villages of France. Nearby Lacoste and Oppède-le-Vieux are worth considering if you enjoy historic villages, castle ruins and panoramic views.
Ménerbes
Ménerbes rewards slow walking. It opens in layers: a quiet square, a defensive wall, then views that spill into the valley.
- Why it’s special: Its elevated position, historic architecture and artistic heritage make it one of the most interesting hilltop villages in the Luberon. You’ll find small galleries and artists’ workshops throughout the village.
- What to notice: Follow the streets towards the village’s outer edges for uninterrupted valley views. Late afternoon is a particularly pleasant time to explore when the streets are less busy.
Lacoste
Lacoste is quiet and raw, with steep stone lanes leading towards the Château de Lacoste, once home to the Marquis de Sade. I always pause at the top—it’s one of the best viewpoints in the area.
- Why it’s special: The historic château dominates the hillside, while the surrounding village has retained much of its medieval character.
- What to know: The climb through the village is steep, so wear comfortable shoes. As you make your way uphill, look back often. Each turn offers a different view across the Luberon valley.
Oppède-le-Vieux
Oppède-le-Vieux feels ancient in a way the more polished villages don’t. Its crumbling lanes and dramatic ruins sit on a wooded slope, giving it a different atmosphere from the better-known hilltop villages.
- Why it’s special: The walk up to Notre-Dame-d’Alydon church and the castle ruins offers sweeping views and a strong sense of the village’s medieval past.
- What to know: Park below the village and walk up through the old streets. This isn’t a quick roadside stop, so allow enough time for the uphill walk and exploration.
Lourmarin and Bonnieux
Lourmarin and Bonnieux sit on opposite sides of the Luberon massif, connected by the scenic Combe de Lourmarin road. They offer two different village experiences: Lourmarin for its lively cafés, shops and château, and Bonnieux for its hillside setting and views.
Lourmarin
Lourmarin feels more cosmopolitan than its neighbours. I stay for the castle and the easy rhythm of cafés and bookshops.
- Why it’s special: Its Renaissance château, lively streets, craft shops and restaurants make Lourmarin a village where you can easily spend several hours.
- What to know: Market day brings an entirely different atmosphere, with stalls and visitors filling the village. It’s a good choice if you enjoy browsing markets and stopping for lunch, but expect it to be busier.
Bonnieux
Bonnieux rises in elegant tiers, with stone houses stacked along a steep ridge. I come for the climb to the upper church and the wide valley views that open at the top.
- Why it’s special: Its two historic churches, one medieval and one more recent, mark the village’s long past. The elevated position also provides excellent views over the surrounding countryside.
- What to know: The climb to the upper church is steep but rewarding. If you prefer an easier visit, the lower streets have small cafés, bakeries and shops where you can spend a leisurely morning.
Ansouis and Cucuron in the Southern Luberon
Ansouis and Cucuron make a natural pairing when exploring the southern Luberon. Ansouis is known for its medieval château, while Cucuron has a different atmosphere centred around its large, tree-lined basin.
Ansouis
I come here for the calm and the castle that anchors the village. Ansouis feels lived-in rather than staged.
- Why it’s special: The hilltop Château d’Ansouis, visible from the main square, gives the village its compact medieval silhouette.
- What to notice: Explore the narrow streets around the château, then consider a stop at one of the nearby wine or olive oil producers if you have more time in the area.
Cucuron
Cucuron has a different energy from the hilltop villages. Life gathers around the large, tree-lined basin in the centre of town, a place that feels cinematic for good reason.
- Why it’s special: The Bassin de l’Étang, a large stone pool surrounded by centuries-old plane trees, is the heart of the village and one of its most recognizable features.
- What to know: On market days, stalls line the basin, making it a particularly enjoyable time to visit. Otherwise, it’s a lovely place to stop for a café or a leisurely lunch beneath the plane trees.
Tips for Exploring the Luberon Villages
Having explored Provence over three trips, my biggest piece of advice is not to turn your visit into a checklist. The pleasure of these villages often comes from wandering the streets, stopping at a café, lingering over a meal, browsing a market, or simply enjoying the views. There is nothing really much to do in them, and that’s exactly the point.
Here are a few things to consider when planning your visits.
How Many Luberon Villages Can You Visit in a Day?
I recommend two to three villages per day, depending on their location and what you want to experience.
My preference is one village in the morning for the market, another for lunch and an afternoon stroll, and possibly a third in the late afternoon into sunset for watching and a late dinner.
If you’re spending several days in Provence, I wouldn’t devote every day to hilltop villages. I’d also consider Avignon for its papal history and impressive architecture, or Arles for its Roman heritage, art and historic streets. Both offer something quite different from the smaller villages of the Luberon.
Remember the goal isn’t to visit as many villages as possible. It’s to give yourself enough time to appreciate what makes each one different.
Do You Need a Car to Explore the Luberon Villages?
For independent village-hopping, I recommend renting a car. There are regional buses connecting some villages, but limited schedules make it difficult to visit several in one day.
Having a car also gives you the flexibility to stop at viewpoints, explore smaller villages and change your plans.
When choosing accommodation, I look for easy parking, a bakery and a few restaurants within walking distance. After a day of exploring, sometimes it’s nice not to have to drive somewhere for dinner every single night.
Plan Your Visit Around Market Days
One of my favourite experiences in Provence is visiting the local markets. During my week in the Luberon, I made a point of exploring different village markets.
Markets add another dimension to a village visit, with local producers, seasonal food, handmade goods and the everyday activity of residents doing their shopping. There’s a certain energy about it that is a wonderful part of exploring that village.
They also attract more visitors, so arrive early and allow extra time for parking and browsing.
I’ve put together a daily guide to the best markets in Provence to help you plan which villages to visit on each day of the week.
If you love markets and antiques, I’d also consider spending one day in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Its Thursday and Sunday markets offer very different experiences, and it’s a worthwhile alternative to another day of hilltop villages.
How to Choose the Best Luberon Villages for Your Trip
Some of my favourite moments in the Luberon have been the early mornings, when the villages are just waking up, and the time spent wandering local markets or lingering over lunch.
During one visit, I stayed at Maison Léontine in Cabrières-d’Avignon, which made a convenient base for exploring the western Luberon; however, it was such a small village that it didn’t have a single decent restaurant. I would consider that factor when you look for your accommodations.
Where you stay also makes a difference. L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is well positioned for exploring the western Luberon by car, while Avignon offers better train connections for visiting other parts of Provence. I’ve compared the advantages of staying in Avignon or L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue if you’re still deciding on a base.
If you’d like help deciding which Luberon villages to visit and how to combine them with other destinations in Provence, my custom Europe trip-planning service can help you create an itinerary that fits your interests and pace.
