Visiting Lourmarin In The Luberon And Its Castle

Nestled amongst the vineyards and olive groves of France’s Luberon region is one of the most beautiful villages in Provence, Lourmarin. In addition to some of the most charming homes I’ve seen in France, Lourmarin is also home to a 15th and 16th century castle, a delicious cafe culture, numerous art galleries, and an outstanding Friday morning market. And, if that isn’t enough, this is also where Peter Mayle, author of the book, ‘A Year In Provence’, bought a home in his later years.

This cute little village makes an excellent day trip from nearby Aix en Provence or Avignon, less than an hour from each. Or stay a few days to thoroughly enjoy its sun-dappled architecture, many art galleries, and delicious food.

Chateau, or Castle of Lourmarin

Built in stages, this 12th century fortress became a chateau in the 15th century. Saved from demolition in the 20th century, it was refurbished and is now open to the public.

It houses a fine art collection, a lovely stone spiral staircase (below), as well as furnishings and objects d’art. The grounds are also charming, with this enchanting lily pond and views of the area.

Lourmarin Castle also hosts many events and concerts, with the family-friendly Featival Yeah! (below) being one of its highlights.

Festival Yeah!

A three day festival of rock, pop, and electronic music that takes over the little town of Lourmarin. In addition to music, there are also food stalls and artistic activities. Learn more about it on its facebook.com/FestivalYEAH page.

Marche de Lourmarin

This market, held on Friday mornings, is known as one of the best in the region. It takes place in the center of town, full of local produce, specialty foods, meats, cheeses, spices, breads, wine, Provencal linens, soaps and such. It takes place in the center of town.

Art Galleries

There are numerous workshops and art galleries dotted around the village. They range from the charming posters of Isirdi, to contemporary art, like at Galleri du Temple, or Midiune, which offers a variety of art, furniture, and unique accessories.

Cafes And Restaurants

There’s a strong cafe culture here with a variety of food from casual to Michelin Star. I had a pizza here that I swear was the best of my entire life. A creme fresh sauce (as opposed to tomato), cheeses, olives, onions and French bacon. Something similar is probably on many menus, but this one was absolute heaven.

Wander The Streets

This is a very small city in Provence. In fact, you can walk a loop around the city in about 30 minutes, but it’s 30 minutes of pure charm. Bring your camera, as you’ll want to photograph a lot of beautiful spots.

The buildings have similar sun-drenched hues and cool neutral shutters as in Aix en Provence. And, as in other areas of Provence, the lovely weather makes you want to slow down and just enjoy the moment.

Talk To The Locals

Yes, you can really do that here. Unlike some of the larger, more touristy cities in France, the locals here are really nice. Most speak English, but may ask you to slow down a bit.

Want More Of France?

There’s a reason why France is the world’s most visited country, it has a ton to offer visitors! Here’s some other great places to add to your list.

First, there’s a lot more to see in Provence. If you’re visiting Lourmarin, you’re likely staying in Avignon or Aix-en-Provence, both well worth exploring. But there are also other charming towns in the area like Roussilon, Gordes, and St. Remy.

The Cote d’Azur, or French Riviera, is also just south of Gordes. Known as the playground of the wealthy, there are several beautiful, laid-back coastal towns to visit, like Cassis, St. Tropez, Cannes, Nice, and more.

Of course you can’t miss France’s most visited city, Paris. One of the most romantic cities in Europe, you can visit it over and over, seeing something new each time. And from Paris, there are several day trip options, like must-see Palace of Versailles, or Giverny, for Claude Monet’s house and gardens.

If you want to explore more of France’s incredible historic cities, consider visiting amazing Strasbourg, Lyon, Brittany, or Mont Saint-Michel.

And if you want to explore some of France’s outstanding wine regions, there’s also Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, and the Loire Valley. Each with their own incredible terroir, varietals, and historic architecture.

To see all the places to fall in love with France in, as well as tips on money, safety, scams, and how to best get around, see my France Travel Guide.