Lacoste
The village of Pierre Cardin & the Marquis de Sade
No, I haven’t decided to promote a certain designer label – this is the actual name of this splendid village located right in the heart of the Luberon Natural Regional Park!
Much of Lacoste, especially the Château, has undergone restoration in recent years financed by the fashion designer Pierre Cardin. While many ‘incomers’ such as wealthy Parisians (including Cardin himself) and Londoners migrate here for the Summer, some local artisans remain.
Home of the Marquis de Sade
Arches and old buildings abound. The streets, narrow and cobbled, befit an old perched village in this part of the world. The old Château still dominates the village, a reminder of the time when the local lord was none other than the notorious Marquis de Sade.
Enjoy some splendid views of the Luberon from this charming village, surprisingly not itself officially a Plus Beau Village, of nearby ones which are. These include Bonnieux, Ménerbes and, across the valley, Gordes and Roussillon. Even the Sentry of Provence itself, Mont Ventoux is visible in the distance.