New York Habitat Blog

Luberon, Provence, South of France

The Luberon region of Provence, the subject of much of Peter Mayle’s writings, is the ideal vacation destination to get away from it all.  From the famous winter wind, called ‘Le Mistral’, to the joys of a summer evening spent sipping ‘pastis’ on the terrace, Mayle chronicles his time in the Luberon in the books A Year in Provence, Toujours Provence, and Encore Provence.  (He even incorporates the larger Provence region in his numerous fictional works.)  A wonderful and humorous combination of memoir and travel diary, readers cannot help being charmed by the region themselves.  Luckily, you don’t have to spend a whole year here to appreciate all it has to offer.  And when you do visit, New York Habitat has a variety of furnished vacation rentals from which to choose.

The Luberon region, found in the middle of Provence, is settled among three mountain ranges, and made up of many small and large villages.  Life is lived at a much slower pace here, where days are spent hiking in the hills, or just relaxing outdoors and enjoying the views.  You can spend every day browsing the different outdoor markets, but be sure to reserve Saturday for the largest one in Apt, Provence.

If you’d like to stay near Apt, New York Habitat has a one bedroom vacation rental house in Villars, near Apt (PR 776) for you.  This rustic, stone house is over one hundred years old but has been updated with all the modern amenities in the kitchen and bathroom for your convenience.  With tiled floors and beamed ceilings throughout, this house will transplant you back to a simpler time.  Head on in to Apt, a town that’s been in existence since before the Romans invaded Gaul, to see Roman relics and the church of Saint-Anne, which began construction in the eleventh century but wasn’t completed until the seventeenth.  Or you can spend your days lounging near the pool, adjacent to the house.

South of France Accommodation: One bedroom rental in Villars, Luberon, Provence (PR-776)

If you’d prefer to stay in a larger town in the Luberon, then you’ll want to try Lourmarin, where Peter Mayle himself lives. The town itself is full of historic architecture, dating back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.  Famed author Albert Camus once called Lourmarin home and is buried there as well.  This three bedroom villa in Lourmarin, Provence (PR 593) combines luxury and Provincial charm.  Able to accommodate up to eight people, this beautiful house offers large living spaces, a well-equipped kitchen, and three modern bathrooms.  The views from the terrace are phenomenal and there is also a pool on the property.

So, if you’re looking for the perfect place to get away from it all, look no further than the Luberon region of Provence.  Quite villages, small and large, abound but also offer easy access to the larger towns and cities of the area.  And staying in a furnished rental home from New York Habitat will ensure a more authentic, and satisfying, vacation.

If you are interested in reading about other regions in Provence check out these Blogs:

• Top towns in the South of France: #2 Avignon, Provence
• Top Towns to visit in the South of France: #3 Aix-en-Provence
• Top Towns to visit in the South of France: #5 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

Have you read any of Peter Mayle’s books about the Luberon?  What are your thoughts about the region?  Please share and discuss in our comments.

As described in A Writer’s Retreat in the South of France, southern France can be a very relaxing and comfortable environment for a vacation. Renting a quiet villa can be more rewarding than occupying a small and impersonal hotel room. New York Habitat has a stunning and scenic accommodation in a Five-Bedroom Villa in Provence, Luberon (PR-766).

Today, New York Habitat highlights this great find and the charming region of Gordes.

Beautiful, Five-Bedroom Stone Villa:

This enchanting villa is fully furnished, pleasantly private, can accommodate up to 12 people, and is located in one of the most enchanting villages of southern France.

The spacious villa was originally an old stone farm house. However, the reconstruction of the property has transformed it into a lovely five bedroom, four and a half bathroom property in the heart of Luberon. The home manages to balance its modern style of décor with the traditional style of Gordes architecture.

Outside of the living room windows is a shaded terrace with comfortable sofas and pillows. A very private setting heightens the sense of comfort around the pool area and garden.

The surrounding vineyards, farmland, lavender field, oak and olive trees work to enclose the home, pool/terrace, and pool showers. Even more, this sprawling home is being offered at a competitive price compared to the quality of the space.

Gordes in Provence, South of France:

Due to consistent efforts to maintain charm and tradition, Gordes has become a fashionable place to travel in the South of France. The villas are made of limestone, the roofs of terracotta tiles, no fences are allowed, and the beige stone of the castle burns orange in the sun.

The narrow stone streets wind their way in between the tall houses and specialty shops, while the majestic image of the 12th century castle proudly overlooks the enchanting city. Town ordinance has helped to preserve its image. Builders are only allowed to use limestone and terracotta during construction. It has also been ordained that all electricity and telephone cables be routed underground, rather than over the city.

Gordes and the general area of Luberon, since the 1980s, have become a well-known real estate market. This locale, referred to among journalists and real estate moguls as the “Luberon Gold Triangle,” was catapulted into the center of Parisian real estate by famous developer, Christian-Jacques Rosier. Since then, the Beaux Villages de France association has named Gordes as one of the most beautiful villages in all of France.

Every Tuesday morning, Gordes comes alive for market day. Merchants set up to sell everything under the sun: instruments, food, clothing, and more. While there are no supermarkets in this charming town, Gordes is full of mini-markets and stores that specialize in all the items you may need.

You can also travel down into the green valley among the world-reknowned lavender fields to find the Abbey of Sénanque, a Cistercian abbey that is still in use by Monks and open for visitors. Other areas of France can be reached using the Cavaillion-Gordes bus line that provides thirty minute trips, three times a day.

What makes this five-bedroom villa a Hidden Gem?

The enchanting villa discussed above is special because of the seclusion of the outdoor area, the modern use of the space,  its capacity for large occupancy, and the charm of the surrounding location.

François Roux, the Vice President of New York Habitat, calls Gordes “truly unique.” This is no understatement. With its stone streets, majestic castle, and lavender fields, Gordes will continue to be a dream getaway destination.  New York Habitat and our Hidden Gem will provide the privacy and the comfort to make that dream a reality.

For information on upcoming events in Gordes, check out Gordes-Village.com. If you have any questions or would like to give your own suggestions of activities to do while in Gordes, feel free to comment below.
 

All information received from: Gordes-Village.com, ProvenceWeb, Provence Beyond, and Wikipedia.com.
Final image courtesy of: www.web-provence.com/infos/gordes.htm