Great Things to Do Near Verbena
Take a stroll around Gordes
Gordes is one of the most beautiful villages in the Luberon valley. It can get quite busy during the day but the beauty of staying nearby means you can avoid the crowds and pop in whenever you want to, escaping back to your own garden and pool.
Visit the Village des Bories just outside Gordes
Bories are traditional dry stone shepherds' huts shaped like cones, typical of this region. Wander around the cluster of huts comprising the 'village' and see what life was like many years ago.
Visit Apt on a Saturday for the weekly market,
or between April and October on a Tuesday morning too. Once you are stocked up on fresh fruit and veg, crusty bread and olives, have lunch in one of the many cafés.
Sunday market
On Sunday, get up early and go to L’Isle sur la Sorgue where there is the most amazing market that goes on until lunchtime. Home to the most number of antique shops outside of Paris, Sundays see the streets filled with antique dealers selling their wares, as well as a fantastic Provençal market where you can buy everything from fresh fruit and olives to handmade soaps and artwork.
Lavender fields
Drive along the country roads that go up and over the Plateau de Vaucluse to Sault, famous for its lavender fields. From the beginning of July the area is awash with the colour purple, or if you go on 15th August you can catch the Fête de la Lavande, held in Sault itself.
Follow the small back roads
out of Gordes towards Murs, then down through the Col du Murs and the Foret de Venasque, into the village of Venasque itself. Go in May and you will see hundreds of cherry trees in bloom.
Red, yellow and orange
Visit Roussillon (15km) – home to rock formations, and the most vivid red hued soil you will have ever seen. The colours span the spectrum of reds, oranges and yellows and are truly amazing. The village itself is a delight to wander around with its arty shops and lovely cafés.
Avignon
A must-do on any list is a trip to Avignon (1hr drive), the capital of the Vaucluse. Head for the underground car park called ‘Parking Palais des Papes’, and when you emerge, you are greeted with an awe inspiring view of the Palais des Papes square and the Palais itself.
Lourmarin
in the Grand Luberon, is a very pretty village, dominated by its château. Visit the château or explore the narrow streets lined with art galleries, cafés, and craft shops. Try the local sweet snack called 'gibassier' which is a sweet cookie made with olive oil, shaped like an oval leaf and about a foot long.
So many books have been written about Provence.
Take some with you and let the towns and villages come to life. ‘A Year in Provence’ by Peter Mayle, 'Jean de Florette' and 'Manon des Sources' by Marcel Pagnol are a few that spring to mind. You are not far from the restored villages of Ménerbes and Oppède le Vieux where much of ‘A Year in Provence’ was based.
Count the fountains
Take the children to Pernes Les Fontaines to count the fountains. There are 40 in total dotted around the village. To help you, the town’s tourist office has printed a map on which they are all marked.
Play a round of golf
Close to the picturesque village of Saumane-de-Vaucluse, you will find a lovely 18 hole golf course.
Enjoy the view
After a day's sightseeing, take a glass of Provençal rosé onto the terrace and soak up the fabulous view of the Luberon, whilst deciding what to do tomorrow!
Visit Les Baux de Provence
- great for both children and adults. Take the audio tour and discover the history behind this amazing ruin on top of a huge rock! Don't miss the Carrières de Lumières attraction nearby, where still and moving images are beautifully projected onto all the walls and floors of a former quarry.
The villages of Oppède Le Vieux, Ménerbes and Lacoste
Set against a backdrop of craggy limestone hills, these three restored villages are extremely pretty and always bustling. You reach Oppède le Vieux on foot, leaving your car in the parking area below the village. Narrow pathways lead up to the 12th century castle at the very top of the steep rocky outcrop. The drive between Oppède and Ménerbes is lovely, with vineyards on either side. Wander the little streets of Ménerbes with its mixture of pastel coloured and stone houses, and pop in and out of the chic boutiques. The final village in the trio, Lacoste, is probably the most attractive, perhaps because it is less restored than the others, and for its fabulous views over the valley. During the 18th century its castle was home to the Marquis de Sade.
A breath of fresh air!
Lovers of the great outdoors will feel spoilt - the Luberon is a magnificent region for walking and hiking, cycling, and spotting all sorts of flora and fauna.
St Rémy de Provence
For a slight change in scenery, go to St Rémy de Provence (just under 1hr’s drive), at the bottom of the Alpilles hills. A chic and pretty town, for a time it was home to Van Gogh. Follow the self-guided walking trail around the town – 21 signposts are dotted around the town, each with a reproduction of one of his paintings and an explanation in French and English.
