Provence, France – Discover the Beautiful Luberon Villages: Roussillon, Lacoste & More

Provence, France – Discover the Beautiful Luberon Villages: Roussillon, Lacoste & More

Hello there guys. Welcome back to the channel. 
Today we are going to be diving into five of the most beautiful villages in Provence, and Gordes 
isn’t one of them. You may well be asking why. Well, it’s because you’re already going to go 
to Gordes. Everyone goes to Gordes. Even your cousin who thinks Provence is a type of cheese 
is going to visit Gordes. So, I thought I’d save us both some time and show you some other gems I 
recommend you visit whilst you’re in the region. First stop, Lourmarin, a jewel of Provence 
where medieval lanes wind through sunlit squares and lead to a rare Renaissance 
château. Every Friday, the village comes alive with its famous market overflowing with 
fresh produce, artisan cheese, olives, wine, and handmade Provençal goods. The famous writer 
Albert Camus once lived here and is buried in the village cemetery, a quiet spot for reflection.
This was actually the first village in Luberon to be classed as one of the famous Plus Beaux 
Villages de France. At the heart of the town stands the château, the first Renaissance château 
in Provence. Rescued from ruin in the 1920s, it now hosts concerts, cultural events, 
and welcomes artists in residence. And for a true taste of village life, stop at 
Café Gaby, a local favorite where Camus himself once came to eat and talk with friends.
Markets, history, and Provençal charm — Lourmarin captures the spirit of the South of France. 
It’s also unique because it’s not built on a hilltop. As you walk through the streets, 
there’s no climbing up a hill to get to the top and then coming back down again 
like the Grand Old Duke of York. Here, it’s very breezy, very open, and very casual.
Our next stop is perched on a ridge in the heart of the Luberon. It’s called Roussillon, and 
it’s a village like no other. And it’s famous for its vivid ochre cliffs glowing red, orange, and 
gold. Every street here reflects the landscape with warm-toned façades that seem painted by the 
earth itself. Visitors can follow the Sentier des Ocres through old quarries and dramatic 
rock formations that feel almost otherworldly. As I’m just recovering from that beautiful 
walk around the stunning Dorito-shaped valleys, someone was saying it was almost like we were 
in a packet of Doritos as they were walking around. Don’t wear white shoes. That would be 
my travel tip. And just here a local person was telling me you get some beautiful birds 
from Africa. They are bee-eating birds, and they just fly around here. There was one there.
Back in the village, art galleries and small boutiques line the streets, offering everything 
from local crafts to vibrant artwork. And from the ridge, the views stretch across the Provençal 
countryside. No wonder Roussillon is one of the most photographed villages in France. 
Color, history, and beauty — Roussillon is Provence at its most striking.
Welcome to Ménerbes, where the shutters are closed, the cats run the streets, and it’s 
pure unfiltered Provence. This is on top of a hill and wow, it’s such an amazing view from the 
top. The church is magnificent. We’re going to get some truffle and a nice glass of wine. It holds 
its place among the Plus Beaux Villages de France. Its cobbled lanes weave past medieval 
stone houses, a 16th-century citadel, and viewing points overlooking vineyards, 
olive groves, and lavender fields. It was once home to the artist and photographer 
Dora Maar, the muse of Pablo Picasso. Today, the village is celebrated for its wine estates, 
its art galleries, and seasonal truffle markets honoring Provence’s prized black truffles. In 
my opinion, out of all of these towns, this is definitely the most calm and it’s very nice just 
to come up for a nice breeze. Because other towns, they’re a bit compact. Here, it’s very open.
Perched high in the Luberon Hills, the village of Lacoste is where history and beauty meet. At 
its heart lies a ruined 18th-century château, once owned by the notorious Marquis de 
Sade. Its presence still dominates the valley below. Lacoste’s narrow stone streets 
wind through centuries of history. Artists and travelers come here for the charm, 
the stories, and the stunning views. Today, the village also hosts the Dior 
Jardin des Rêves, the Garden of Dreams, an enchanting installation that celebrates both 
nature and creativity. Each summer, the Festival de Lacoste fills the village with music, theater, 
and art. A cultural celebration set against a backdrop of vineyards and lavender fields.
And the final stop on this trip is Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. This was recommended by a 
French friend, so it wasn’t on my original plan, but here it is. It rests at the base of a 
dramatic limestone cliff in the Luberon Valley, famous for its powerful spring — the largest 
karst spring in Europe. From the spring flows the emerald green waters of the Sorgue 
River, a source of inspiration for poets like Petrarch who lived here in the 14th century.
Winding narrow streets lead to cozy cafés, artisan shops, and historic mills 
whispering stories of the past. It is a must-visit for nature lovers, for hikers 
exploring Provence, and for anyone fascinated by history and geology. This is where I decided 
to take one of the famous lavender ice creams. As you’re driving between these villages, don’t 
forget to stop off and enjoy the nature. Here’s one of the beautiful lavender fields. The smell 
is amazing. My main travel tip for you is you’re going to need a vehicle to drive between 
these towns. There is no public transport. And for accommodation on this trip I have two 
options. The first one is called V On Planair. This is more of an outdoorsy vibe experience. They 
do have a barbecue and a swimming pool, and you’ve got the option of a cabin, a small house, or a 
teepee. The cabin does have aircon. The lady is extremely nice. She did say it was very popular 
with British tourists. It’s 3 minutes from Lourmarin and the stars of the show are definitely 
the animals. So if you’re not an animal person, I wouldn’t recommend it. They’ve got a lovely dog 
called Volt and my favorite, Marcel the donkey. And then for the more traditional hotel 
experience, I picked the Omar Hotel in Roussillon. To be honest, the real star here 
is the restaurant with its views that will make you stop mid-bite. I went with the chef’s fixed 
menu, and honestly, it was divine. One of those meals that you’ll think about for the rest of 
your trip. I did hear a lot of other tourists there. People were holding birthday parties, so 
book in advance because it gets extremely busy. We’ve reached the point of the video where I’m 
going to try something local. I’ll be honest with you. I’m actually trying this back near 
Switzerland. So, I’m just on a hike and I’ve just randomly pulled into somewhere that looks like 
the wrong bloody turn. Look at this. Bit eerie and spooky around here, but I thought this would be 
a good little snack for when we’re on this hike. Swiss Army knife, always essential on a walk. 
So, this is the lavender nougat. He did vacuum pack this for me. Now, I’m not going to lie, it 
was quite expensive. I bought it in Roussillon and I also tried the — I’m pointing this 
at you — I also tried the lavender spritz, which was really strong. That will sort you out 
if you want to have a quick aperitivo. Trust me. One of those. Two of those and you’ll be done for 
the day. A lavender spritz, the lavender nougat, and a lavender ice cream, which was very 
nice. So, let’s get stuck into this. Obviously, in these touristy towns, 
things are going to be more expensive. Oh, that does smell good. So, if you like all things 
lavender, then Provence is the place for you. It’s almost like I’m back in Roussillon. 
Delicious. Absolutely delicious. And there’s a lot there. Definitely get the lavender one.
And another tip — if it’s white, then that means it’s been done the 
traditional local way. If it’s purple, that doesn’t mean it’s lavender. They’ve just made 
it look purple for the illusion of lavender. But if it’s white, then it’s been flavored properly.
Let’s continue. So, here we are in Roussillon, and I’ve just met two very enthusiastic 
Chinese tourists. What were your names? Uh, I’m Shan. You can call me Simon.
Simon. Yeah. Yeah. You can call me Lena.
Lena. And you were telling me that you really liked 
it here. What do you like about the town? Yeah, this is very beautiful. You can see the 
color, the reds, whites, different color. It’s truly amazing place. It’s very beautiful.
And what would you say to other tourists? You think they should definitely come?
Yeah, definitely. Just welcome here. It’s truly beautiful. It’s like a painting art.
I hope you enjoyed that video. For me, that was one of my favorite places in France. 
I keep saying that, but France is growing and growing on me more and more and more. If I had 
to pick one that isn’t essential, it’s very close between Roussillon and Lacoste, but for the 
selfie lavender field picture that everyone wants on Instagram, you have to go to Lacoste. It’s 
the best one that I saw as I was driving around. Right now I’m in Jura. So if you want to 
see the beautiful Jura region of France with little towns like Arbois, the museums, we’re 
going to be seeing the famous Vin Jaune wine, the cheese, the Comté cheese museum, 
and the famous Salt Museum as well. Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and 
I will see you in the next video, guys. Cheers.

Discover 5 of the most beautiful Luberon villages in Provence, France — beyond the famous Gordes! 🌿🍷

In this travel guide, we’ll explore:
✨ Lourmarin – chic streets, lively cafés & Renaissance charm
✨ Roussillon – ochre cliffs & the most colorful village in Provence
✨ Ménerbes – perched village, fine wines & a world of Provençal truffles 🍄
✨ Lacoste – cobblestone alleys & the ruins of a castle with history
✨ Fontaine-de-Vaucluse – magical riverside springs & natural beauty

Plus:
🍴 A taste of luxury dining in Provence
🏡 Two unique accommodations to inspire your stay
✈️ Practical travel tips for exploring the Luberon region

If you’re planning a trip to Provence, France, or just dreaming of the South of France, this guide will help you uncover hidden gems and make the most of your visit.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more French travel inspiration!

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