The Luberon Massif in the Prealps of Central Provence boasts many charming villages, two of which are classified as Plus Beaux Villages, Bonnieux and Ménerbes. Moreover, there are wooded hills with plenty of good walking, great markets, excellent restaurants and a producer of quality wines. All in this relatively unspoiled corner of Provence.

The Lavender fields in June have to be seen to be believed. Perhaps June, along with September when there are fewer visitors, are the best months to enjoy the Luberon. This is also a good time to explore the Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon (created in 1977) to protect the area.

The Luberon includes not only the mountain itself and its slopes but also the valley to the north along which the D900 runs following the course of the Via Domitia, the old Roman road linking Italy and Spain. Until the 1980s, this was a sleepy area, between the Durance and the Vaucluse, which many had never heard of. However, the phenomenon of ‘A Year in Provence’, the autobiographical novel written by Peter Mayle came along. Now everyone wanted to visit, or even live, in the Luberon. Despite being blamed by some for spoiling the Luberon, Mayle has in fact been responsible for a boom in tourism which many of the locals are quite happy about and indeed grateful for. Villages which were dying like Lacoste and have been brought to life. Nevertheless, it has to be said that these same villages are deserted off-season as people return to Paris and London.