France Guide
Provence
The Luberon
Lying east of Avignon and north of Arles, the Luberon valley has long been escape country for well-heeled Parisians, Dutch and British, but has also attracted a good number of artists to its beautiful wine-growing, lavender-carpeted countryside. The Luberon's northern face is damper, more alpine in character than the southern area and extremely cold in winter. The southern slopes, by contrast, are Mediterranean in scent and feel. It's almost all wooded, except for the summer sheep pastures at the top, and there's just one main route across, the Combe de Lourmarin. The Luberon is home to many small villages clinging stubbornly to the foothills – with their history, beauty and individuality, they make wonderful days out and even better places to stay.