Luberon, Provence, South of FranceThe 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 vacation rentals in Provence from which to choose.

The Luberon region offers lots of interesting attractions. Found in the middle of Provence, it 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.

New York Habitat has a four bedroom vacation rental in Viens, near Apt (PR-442) for you.  Located in a medieval village street, 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 France Accommodation 3 Bedroom Rental in Lourmarin, Provence (PR-593)
South France Accommodation 3 Bedroom Rental in Lourmarin, Provence (PR-593)
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 villa in Provence from New York Habitat will ensure a more authentic, and satisfying, vacation.

If you are interested in learning more travel tips about Provence check out these Blogs:

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.