Luberon

Welcome to your route to Château de Lourmarin. Today, you'll drive deep into the Vaucluse region, discovering the Roman settlement of Pertuis, beautiful Ansouis and its castle, and the little village of Cadenet, with its impressive church, before arriving at your destination in Lourmarin. The route will begin with the crossing of the Pont de Pertuis, built in the 1830s. Later, it'll intersect with the South Luberon Châteaux Route and take you past fruitful wine domains and olive groves.

You've entered Pertuis, a charming town in the heart of Provence that dates back to Roman times. Once the capital of Pays d’Aigues, Pertuis is today a hidden gem overlooked by most travellers. Its main attractions are a 12th-century clock tower with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, and the Gothic Saint Nicholas Church, rebuilt in the 17th century.

You're now driving on the Cours de la République, the grand boulevard and heart of Pertuis. Lined with tall trees, with refreshing water fountains at each of its extremities and a pedestrian area along the middle, it feels like a romantic scene from the past. The Cours de la République is also the perfect spot for people-watching and discovering what the French people wear outside fashionable Paris.

Vaucluse – or 84 for the locals – is a French department in Provence, well-known for its rich history, culture and beautiful landscapes. From numerous cities that date back to the Romans to the papal city of Avignon, the rich past of Vaucluse is strongly reflected in the department’s architecture and lively cultural scene. Away from the cities, there are the beautiful perched villages of Luberon, often built around protective castles, surrounded by endless fields of lavender and famous vineyards. Enjoy your time crossing this land that has fascinated artists like Pablo Picasso and writers such as Albert Camus. And depending on the season, taste the local truffles or melons this region’s famous for.

You're now driving in the direction of Ansouis, a lovely village with a maze of narrow streets hiding pretty fountains and connecting small, picturesque homes, which appear to be in complete contrast to the imposing hilltop castle. The village also attracts travellers, with its Extraordinary Museum of Georges Mazoyer. This unique museum is housed in 16th-century cellars lit by sunlight that filters through stained-glass windows, making visitors feel like they're underwater without ever getting wet. The exhibits range from treasures Mr Mazoyer brought back to the surface in his 30 years of diving expeditions, to his works of art on display in his art workshop.

The Renaissance-style Château d'Ansouis that's visible ahead is one of the most impressive landmarks in the area. The castle has been owned by the Sabran family since 1160 and they've taken good care of the property. It still has its original keep and two of the four towers standing, so visitors can admire the architecture and engineering that went into designing and building this massive construction. Inside, the highlights are the grand staircase and the guard room, while outside it’s the garden, with carefully cultivated flowers, artfully cut hedges and beautiful fountains. Built over a former fortress, this garden is a testament to the Sabran family's love for horticulture in particular and nature in general.

The region you’re driving through is well known for its excellent wines, grown mostly on hillside vineyards with optimal drainage and sun exposure.
One of the most important appellations in this area is Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, which produces a range of rich red wines with notes of dark fruit, spice and herbs, white wines with crisp refreshing flavours and notes of citrus and white flowers, and rosé wines that are typically light and fruity with flavours of berries and peaches.
Another important appellation is Luberon, with full-bodied red wines, fresh and fruity whites and light rosés with notes of red berries and flowers.

Soon you’ll be driving by the Moulin à Huile d'Olive and Domaine Bastide du Laval, a family-run olive oil mill and vineyard and a superb illustration of agricultural customs and methods passed down through generations in this area. Visitors can take a tour of the mill to see how the olives are picked, processed and pressed to manufacture high-quality olive oil using traditional methods. The finished oil is on sale in the mill's shop, together with other regional goods including honey, jam and wine from the Domaine Bastide du Laval vineyard.

Up ahead you can see Cadenet, another lovely village safekeeping its authentic Provençal features. It’s most known for the ruins of an 11th-century castle, which offer a glimpse into the rich past of this settlement. But Cadenet’s charm is not limited to its history, and it also attracts visitors with an imposing church, a wonderful farmers’ market held in the main square and the story of the town’s heroic drummer boy, André Estienne. During the 1796 battle for Arcole Bridge, his drumbeat was so fast and strong it made the enemies retreat, thinking they were being shot at. Keep an open eye and you’re likely to spot his statue on the right-hand side of the road, as you head out of Cadenet.

You're driving on the scenic Route des châteaux du sud Luberon, or Route of the Châteaux of the South Luberon, which passes through the picturesque countryside of the massif and connects several perched villages built around castles. Driving on rolling hills past Renaissance-style castles like Château d'Ansouis and the upcoming Romanesque-style region, you'll discover the area's rich architectural and cultural heritage.

On your left you have Lourmarin, one of the most beautiful villages in the south of the Luberon massif. Besides the splendid Renaissance castle, Lourmarin is famous for being a vibrant art hub, attracting visual artists, writers and musicians from all over the world. This is reflected by the numerous modern-looking art galleries and cultural institutions sprinkled along the old winding streets of the village, and also by all the festivals, concerts and other events scheduled throughout the year in Lourmarin. Though small, this destination is packed with things to see and do, both inside the village and around it, as the surrounding countryside and mountains are covered by a network of trails for walking, hiking and cycling.

After passing the Fountain of Three Masks and the Lourmarin Protestant Temple on the left, you'll see a gravel area in which to park the car, right next to the castle's foundations. If it's a busy day, keep in mind that there are a few other parking spots available up ahead, on the left-hand side of the road.
Château de Lourmarin has been owned by several French noble families since it was built in the late 15th century. Robert Laurent-Vibert, an important patron of the arts in France, purchased and renovated the crumbling castle in the 20th century. Inherited by his foundation, the castle now acts as a cultural hub and museum and is accessible to the general public. But what makes Château de Lourmarin special is that every year it welcomes painters, musicians and writers as residents, to showcase their creations through various events in the castle.
You have now reached the destination of this route. It is great that I was able to accompany you here. I hope you enjoyed the tour and wish you a pleasant stay and safe onward journey.