7 November, 2014
Both Cezanne and Van Gogh were drawn here because of the compelling natural light and unsurpassable natural beauty. And with stunning hilltop villages surrounded by acre after acre of flourishing orchards and blossoming vineyards, who are we to argue with the two great painter’s artistic flair to put the beauty of Luberon on canvass? Luberon is widely-acknowledged, admired and visited for its myriad of picturesque villages dotted sporadically amongst the hillsides. But with so many quaint and characterful villages at your disposal, which ones does the discerning Provencal traveller take the time to visit? You could start by visiting these three beauties: Cadenet, Goult and Murs. Cadenet Unlike many of Luberon’s quieter villages, Cadenet doesn’t go to sleep out of season. This fairly large village is situated on the southern side of the Luberon and is a great for those yearning to become acquainted with some traditional and lively Provencal culture. Asides its year-round activeness, Cadenet has many of the physical attributes synonymous with a paradisiacal Provencal village – a medieval castle sat at the crest of the town surrounded by an almost panoramic circle of pretty French houses. Naturally, the views from Cadenet are pretty spectacular, stretching across the Durance River out towards the Alpilles mountain range. Goult If you can manage to drag yourself from the many charms of Cadenet, Goult is equally as worth visiting. Despite being as captivating, Goult offers a significantly different day out to Cadenet. This stunningly-preserved village is sparsely visited, which, for many, adds to its appeal and unique magnetism. Some incredible architecture awaits you in Goult, including a 12 – 13th century Gothic/Romanesque church with many elaborate buttresses and arches and a 17th century castle that dominates the village. But what makes Goult truly unique are the restored stone agricultural terraces that lie beneath the village. These stone walls were erected by farmers to help combat the village’s hostile weather and keep Goult intact – the result? A landscape photographer’s or painter’s dream. Murs Which takes us to Murs, another beautifully unspoilt Luberon village. The saying goes that the writers’ favourite spot is Lourmarin, the artists’ Gordes, and those who are the wisest chose Murs, and kept it their secret. This pretty and peaceful village is almost concealed by a mask of fields. Like many of Luberon’s villages, Murs’ aesthetics is dominated by a castle. A 12th century castle can be found in Murs’ square, a favourite spot for locals and visitors to contemplate the incredible vista that envelopes this beautiful Luberon village.

Three incredibly beautiful Luberon villages: Quite possibly France’s finest

Both Cezanne and Van Gogh were drawn here because of the compelling natural light and unsurpassable natural beauty. And with stunning hilltop villages surrounded by acre after acre of flourishing orchards and blossoming vineyards, who are we to argue with the two great painter’s artistic flair to put the beauty of Luberon on canvass?

Luberon is widely-acknowledged, admired and visited for its myriad of picturesque villages dotted sporadically amongst the hillsides. But with so many quaint and characterful villages at your disposal, which ones does the discerning Provencal traveller take the time to visit?

You could start by visiting these three beauties: Cadenet, Goult and Murs.

Both Cezanne and Van Gogh were drawn here because of the compelling natural light and unsurpassable natural beauty. And with stunning hilltop villages surrounded by acre after acre of flourishing orchards and blossoming vineyards, who are we to argue with the two great painter’s artistic flair to put the beauty of Luberon on canvass? Luberon is widely-acknowledged, admired and visited for its myriad of picturesque villages dotted sporadically amongst the hillsides. But with so many quaint and characterful villages at your disposal, which ones does the discerning Provencal traveller take the time to visit? You could start by visiting these three beauties: Cadenet, Goult and Murs. Cadenet Unlike many of Luberon’s quieter villages, Cadenet doesn’t go to sleep out of season. This fairly large village is situated on the southern side of the Luberon and is a great for those yearning to become acquainted with some traditional and lively Provencal culture. Asides its year-round activeness, Cadenet has many of the physical attributes synonymous with a paradisiacal Provencal village – a medieval castle sat at the crest of the town surrounded by an almost panoramic circle of pretty French houses. Naturally, the views from Cadenet are pretty spectacular, stretching across the Durance River out towards the Alpilles mountain range. Goult If you can manage to drag yourself from the many charms of Cadenet, Goult is equally as worth visiting. Despite being as captivating, Goult offers a significantly different day out to Cadenet. This stunningly-preserved village is sparsely visited, which, for many, adds to its appeal and unique magnetism. Some incredible architecture awaits you in Goult, including a 12 – 13th century Gothic/Romanesque church with many elaborate buttresses and arches and a 17th century castle that dominates the village. But what makes Goult truly unique are the restored stone agricultural terraces that lie beneath the village. These stone walls were erected by farmers to help combat the village’s hostile weather and keep Goult intact – the result? A landscape photographer’s or painter’s dream. Murs Which takes us to Murs, another beautifully unspoilt Luberon village. The saying goes that the writers’ favourite spot is Lourmarin, the artists’ Gordes, and those who are the wisest chose Murs, and kept it their secret. This pretty and peaceful village is almost concealed by a mask of fields. Like many of Luberon’s villages, Murs’ aesthetics is dominated by a castle. A 12th century castle can be found in Murs’ square, a favourite spot for locals and visitors to contemplate the incredible vista that envelopes this beautiful Luberon village.

Cadenet

Unlike many of Luberon’s quieter villages, Cadenet doesn’t go to sleep out of season. This fairly large village is situated on the southern side of the Luberon and is a great for those yearning to become acquainted with some traditional and lively Provencal culture.

Asides its year-round activeness, Cadenet has many of the physical attributes synonymous with a paradisiacal Provencal village – a medieval castle sat at the crest of the town surrounded by an almost panoramic circle of pretty French houses. Naturally, the views from Cadenet are pretty spectacular, stretching across the Durance River out towards the Alpilles mountain range.

Goult

If you can manage to drag yourself from the many charms of Cadenet, Goult is equally as worth visiting. Despite being as captivating, Goult offers a significantly different day out to Cadenet.

This stunningly-preserved village is sparsely visited, which, for many, adds to its appeal and unique magnetism.

Some incredible architecture awaits you in Goult, including a 12– 13th century Gothic/Romanesque church with many elaborate buttresses and arches and a 17th century castle that dominates the village.

But what makes Goult truly unique are the restored stone agricultural terraces that lie beneath the village. These stone walls were erected by farmers to help combat the village’s hostile weather and keep Goult intact – the result? A landscape photographer’s or painter’s dream.

Murs 

Which takes us to Murs, another beautifully unspoilt Luberon village. The saying goes that the writers’ favourite spot is Lourmarin, the artists’ Gordes, and those who are the wisest chose Murs, and kept it their secret.

This pretty and peaceful village is almost concealed by a mask of fields. Like many of Luberon’s villages, Murs’ aesthetics is dominated by a castle. A 12th century castle can be found in Murs’ square, a favourite spot for locals and visitors to contemplate the incredible vista that envelopes this beautiful Luberon village.

Sarah Dewsbury