5 secret Luberon villages to explore in autumn

The Luberon massif is home to a multitude of villages, most of which are ranked among the most beautiful in France. This mountain range stretches from east to west across the Hautes Alpes de Provence and the Vaucluse département. It includes long mountainous areas that are splendid to discover in autumn. In this article, you’ll discover the wonder of the Luberon and its magnificent autumn villages.

What are the most beautiful villages in the Luberon to visit in autumn?

1. Ansouis

Let’s start in the southern Luberon, in a hilltop village. Ansouis has been listed as one of France’s most beautiful villages since June 1982. Situated on a rocky spur, the village is typically Provençal and offers magnificent scenery in autumn. Strolling through the narrow streets of this village is also an opportunity to learn more about its history. The village is home to a château, which, as well as being furnished, turns out to be still inhabited. If you’re curious to learn more about the region’s heritage, come and visit the Ansouis museums! The extraordinary museum was built in 1975. It features several exhibitions of stone sculptures and paintings, as well as some surprising fossils and shells. The region is also famous for its wine production, so Ansouis invites you to visit the Musée des Arts et des Métiers du Vin at Château Turcan. You’ll find around 3,000 wine-related objects. With machines, tools and utensils, you’ll know all about wine-making!

2. Beaumont de Pertuis

A little further south in the Luberon, in the Vaucluse department. This village is the ideal place to discover some wonderful autumn landscapes. The villagers are very committed to sustainable development, so you’ll find plenty to enjoy in the autumn during a short stroll around the 7 lakes, a nature reserve classified Natura 2000. The beauty of this area is breathtaking, and its varied autumn-coloured landscapes make your walks all the more enjoyable. You can also fish in the many man-made lakes in this reserve and enjoy the peace and quiet. Don’t forget to bring your fishing licence.

3. Cucuron

Considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in the Vaucluse, Cucuron is a village in the southern Luberon that is well worth discovering. There’s plenty to do in this typically Provençal village, from wandering the narrow streets and discovering the magnificent facades of the 17th and 18th century houses to enjoying the Donjon Saint-Michel. This vestige of the citadel of the village of Cucuron is located in the Regional Nature Park. The keep is the only remnant of the seigniorial château of Les Oraisons, which was abandoned by this family in the mid 17th century. Today it is possible to enter this renovated site, which has been listed as a historic monument since 1921. The dungeon hosts a number of temporary exhibitions and offers a splendid view over the rooftops of the village. If you’re a mystery-lover, you can also explore the many troglodyte caves in the village. The labyrinth was built by an ancient Celto-Ligurian tribe, including the Caidellense (after whom the village is named). At the time, it was used as a dwelling, and today the oldest houses on the village hill still contain rooms carved into the rock.

4. Roussillon

Also classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, Roussillon is perched between Pertuis and Lourmarin. This gives it a panoramic view over the Luberon, the Durance, Sainte-Victoire and the Alpilles. The village blends wonderfully into this autumn landscape, with its houses featuring yellow, orange and red facades. Surrounded by lavender fields, olive groves and vineyards, this colourful village is absolutely magnificent. Its colours don’t come from just anywhere, as the village is located on a large ochre deposit. From the village you can visit the ochre trail, on two routes of 30 and 50 minutes. This walk will allow you to contemplate the different landscapes, most of them strewn with ochre, which have been shaped by the elements of nature and the hand of Man. After your walk, the ochre trail will hold no secrets for you thanks to the explanations on geology. Don’t forget to respect these protected areas.

5. Vitrolles-en-Luberon

The village of Vitrolles-en-Luberon is located at the top of the Aigues valley. Clinging to the slopes of the Luberon mountain at an altitude of 600 metres, this village offers a majestic view of this unspoilt natural environment. It’s also a paradise for hikers and mountain bikers. The village is the starting point for crossing the Luberon via the Col de Vitrolles to Cérestre or Montjustin. In this wilderness, the paths are dressed in orange leaves as the autumn season sets in, making the scenery incredibly photogenic. Don’t waste any time, strap on your rucksack and discover the paths of the Grand Luberon.

So don’t wait any longer and visit the Luberon during the autumn to discover this haven of peace and its many sites to visit. You’ll enjoy different landscapes through several villages, most of which are classified as the most beautiful villages in France. It’s also a great opportunity to learn about the history of these villages and their heritage.