When reading about Provence this spring, I knew that the dreamy village of Gordes was at the top of my list. The village, one of the most photographed in all of France, feels like you’ve just walked into the set of a film dating back 500 years ago. The winding narrow alleyways are filled with shops, galleries, bakeries & restaurants. Both le Château de Gordes and L’Eglise Saint Fermin (Church of Saint Fermin) are must-visits while strolling the city.
We visited the city later in the afternoon and caught the golden colors of the village from Rte de Cavaillon. Make sure to drive up this way to get a spectacular view of the town. Parking can be a bit of a challenge in these hilltop villages – so just be aware! We grabbed macaroons from Ladurée, something that my kids have grown quite fond of this trip! Afterward, we strolled the village and popped into a few boutiques. The shop Vanille & Lilas was perfectly curated with beautiful homewares, linens, and clothes.
I highly recommend either a lunch or dinner reservation at one of the restaurants at Bastide de Gordes. We enjoyed aperitif cocktails at le Bar de la Bastide. And afterward spent the evening under the stars at the incredible l’Orangerie. The meal was impossibly even more spectacular than the panoramic views of the Luberon Valley.
Abbey de Senanque
Earlier in the day we spent the morning at the beautiful Senanque Abbey. Its stone walls, Romanesque architecture with its semi-circular arches, and lavender fields make it one of the most photographed buildings in Provence. Monks have lived under a vow of silence. They are only permitted to speak in the Chapter room (apart from a brief period in the 1920s). You can quickly visit the exterior of the abbey or buy tickets in advance and tour the interior.
Other Provence Towns you must explore:
Luberon Valley Guide: Ménerbes, Bonnieux & Lacoste
L’Isle-sur-la-Sourge & Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
Provence in Bloom
