A stunning spot in a unique surrounding
Must sees around Valvert
Domaine Valvert sits in a 7,7 hectares piece of land surrounded by nature and covered with old oaktrees, cherry- and olive-trees and lavender fields.
Visitors can enjoy the swimming pool with terrace, table tennis and a petanque court.
Nature lovers will find plenty of opportunities around – from a lazy stroll in the garden to more serious forms of hiking in the hills and valleys of the Luberon.
Young and old can rent electric bikes that are provided with different itineraries to explore the hidden treasures.
More info: www.sun-e-bike.com.
Mountain bikes, bicycles and scooters can be rented in the village.
A unique way to explore the Provence is a slow travel option with rented, self-drive Citroën 2 CV.
The centre of charming Bonnieux is only 1200 metres away – a twenty minutes’ walk. Every Friday you can enjoy the local market. In and around the village, dozens of eating places (from a simple pizzeria to a gourmet 2 star Michelin restaurant) are waiting to please you with local specialities.
Golf players can meet at the Golf Provence Country Club de Saumane (18 holes, o7 km from Valvert) or at the Golf Pitch 130 in Villars, (9 holes, 19 km away).
A look around
A few minutes driving away, you can discover small, historical and world famous villages as Lourmarin, Gordes or Ménerbes (remember Peter Mayle ?).
You can just enjoy the vineyards, olive trees and lavender fields or visit the amazing domaine Lacoste in Le Puy Saint Réparade, an architects wonderland. Still only one hour and fifteen minutes away you’ll find amazing Marseille with its new museums and architecture, old fashioned Panier (where the ancient Greek started it all) and succulent bouillabaisse.
Our favourites
Pierre Darge selected his favourite spots: :
- Discover the 10 best restaurants in the region
- Art in Provence? This is the place to be!
Château La Coste in Le Puy Saint Réparade
If you are a bit into contemporary architecture, then you shouldn’t miss the newest creations of Tadao Ando, Jean Nouvel and Frank Gehry at Chateau Lacoste. Have you an extra 2 hours to spend on the spot ? Explore the two dozens of installations and sculptures during a two hour walk in the vineyards.
Château Lacoste at Le Puy Saint Réparade is open every day, from 10 a.m. till 7 p.m.
www.chateau-la-coste.com
Festival de Lacoste
Lacoste was almost an unhabitated, forgotten village when …Pierre Cardin came along one day. He saved the castle of the famous Marquis de Sade and started buying some delapidated houses that he restored to their former glory. In the summer he created his own festival in the quarries behind the castle. His example inspired the Savannah Art School that installed one of its campuses in the village. Their students soon started to come there for several months and gave the village a second chance.
The festival de Lacoste is organised during the summer months.
www.festivaldelacoste.com
Chapelle d’Ô in Bonnieux
The chapel d’ Ô is part of a long forgotten XVIInd century abbaye, well hidden in the village. It’s an extremely quiet spot and hardly ever open to visitors. The interior was brought back to its simplest decoration, with no decoration at all - apart from Louise Bourgeois’ signature : a simple cross, a confessional of her own taste, some small statues and one of her traditionel spiders.
La Chapelle d’Ô is open to visitors during the months of July and from September 1st till September 10th, from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m.
Jardin de la Louve
If you’re looking for an exceptional garden, go right to the centre of the village of Bonnieux and discover the Jardin de la Louve, set up by Nicole de Vésian, once artistic director of french luxury brand Hermès, with a little help from her friend Issey Myake. Years after her death it still remains an inspiring example of her refined taste and her unique way of embedding it in the landscape of the Luberon. As it is private property, is not often open to the public – but we can try to get you in nevertheless…
