Bonnieux
Be sure to see:
- Superb hilltop village.
- The Cedar forest. Walking path.
In 1861, a forester brought back seeds of the cedars in the Moroccan Atlas, and planted them at the top of the Luberon hills. Today, there is a vast cedar forest. The walking path through the forest has descriptive signs on the species which grown in the Luberon, and offers magnificent views over the Luberon wilderness.
Starting point: Parking lot on the forest road which leads to the top of the Luberon starting from the D36 road east of Bonnieux.
Approximate length: 2 hours
- The Mas des Abeilles, (honey) in Bonnieux, at “col du Pointu” (Pointu Pass).
- The Bakery Museum (Musée de la Boulangerie). Closed on Tuesdays. Check for times in winter.
Upon leaving Bonnieux, take the D109 in the direction of Lacoste.
Lacoste
Be sure to see:
- the village, old stone houses, winding streets.
- The château du Marquis de Sade (private, not open for visits)
- Superb view over the hilltop village of Bonnieux.
Take the D109 to Ménerbes.
Ménerbes
Be sure to see:
- The village, ranked as “one of the most beautiful villages in France”.
- The Domaine de la Citadelle wine estate and Corkscrew museum.
An amazing collection of more than 1000 corkscrews, many unique, fromt he 17th century to the present. Closed Sundays.
Take the D188 to Oppède le Vieux.
Oppède le Vieux
Be sure to see:
- The old village, 300 m altitude, overlooking the valley. Vestiges of the ancient ramparts and medieval castle, cobblestone streets.
- The Mathieu Olive Oil Mill (video in off-season, sales).
Take the D178 to the N 900 and take the direction of Gordes, ranked as “one of the most beautiful villages in France”. The village hugs the hillside, in concentric circles of stone homes built around the castle at the top of the village.
Gordes
Be sure to see:
- The Bories village. Bories are drystone constructions which farm families lived in up until the early 20th century. Bories can be seen in the countryside around Gordes, and here, there is a grouping of bories. Open every day.
- Senanque Abbey, built in the 12th century by the Cistercian monks. One of the most beautiful Romanesque abbeys in Provence. The monks live in the abbey and parts are open to the public. Closed Sunday morning.
Take the D104 to reach the village of Goult.
Goult
Be sure to see:
- The conservatory of terraced fields (hemmed in by drystone walls). Foot path with information signs at the top of the village.
- The Romanesque chapel of Saint Véran.
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