Abbaye de Senanque

Abbaye de Senanque Château Saint-Pierre de Mejans by a collection of sculptures by artists from around the world. They host frequent events here, from truffle-themed dinners to concerts. saintpierredemejans.com/en Bonnieux: Bonnieux’s steep upper streets are lined with 800-year-old houses built on top of even older buildings and caves. It’s very popular for visits and understandably so - it really is incredibly pretty, and surrounded by lavender fields. If you remember the beautiful chateau La Siroque in the film A Good Year, it’s here - in real life, it’s the Chateau La Canorgue, a wine estate. Visit their wine shop and be amazed that the chateau looks just as gorgeous as it does in the film! Cucuron: Go on a Tuesday morning to enjoy the market, which is set up around the iconic Bassin de L’Etang. There are a handful of cafés, restaurants and an ice cream shop around this limpid, lake-like reservoir, which has been there since at least the start of the 1400s, built to hold water for the mills. Lovers of the film A Good Year will recognise this as the stunning setting that Max and Fanny went to for their first date to watch a black and white movie under the 200-year-old plane trees. It’s not greatly touristy in Cucuron, a tranquil, pretty little town that has an authentic, real-life feel. Wander the heritage trail to see sites from the castle dungeon to the ancient church and take in the views over the countryside from the top of the town. Oppede Le Vieux: Step back in time in this Curcuron forgotten hilltop village where 15th and 16th century houses seem to defy gravity on the steep cobbled streets. Tranquil, unspoiled and with stunning views over the Vaucluse, and the Giant of Provence’ - Mont Ventoux, in the distance. There are a few shops, artisan boutiques and a couple of restaurants. A place to stop and soak up the ancient ambience. It is quite simply spellbinding. Abbaye de Senanque: an iconic sight, surrounded by lavender fields worked by Cistercian Monks, the Abbey de Senanque was completed in 1220 after 60 years of building. The Gothic, majestic and serene beauty of the abbey, both inside and out, the tranquillity - the monks still follow the precepts of Cistercian monastic life: liturgical prayer sung in church; silent reading, meditation, and prayer; and manual and intellectual work, make this a unique visit. Also, the shop is brilliant, ideal for gift buying and souvenirs. The Luberon is landlocked, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go to the beach and have a swim! The Étang de la Bonde is a man-made freshwater lake, loved by the locals for a refreshing dip and water activities (about 10 miles from Lourmarin). Les Mines de Bruoux: A short way from Roussillon in the village of Gargas, you can visit a former ochre mine with a spectacularly coloured labyrinth of towering, cathedral-like underground galleries (accessible for reduced mobility but not recommended for significant walking difficulties). Apt, capital of the Luberon: The sweettoothed will find it hard to leave this beautiful, ancient town that’s been famous for producing crystallised fruit for centuries. Past customers include the Popes of Avignon. Make like the locals and dip the candied treats in melted chocolate! Find heaps more information, places to visit and year-round events at: destinationluberon.com Where to stay: Hotel le Lourmarin, a former 18th-century mill, offers cool, airy rooms, a fabulous terraced bar (and the best homemade lemonade I’ve ever had!), and the hotel restaurant, Bacheto, serves superb dishes, has a great ambience, and a fabulous courtyard for outdoor dining. 14 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 15