What are the most beautiful villages to discover around Avignon?

Are you planning a trip to the south of France and looking to discover the authentic charm of the picturesque villages around Avignon? The region is full of real treasures to explore, villages that exude the authenticity of Provence. Popular destinations for their tranquillity, rich history and natural beauty, these villages are a real invitation to get away from it all.

Imagine cobbled streets, stone houses with colourful shutters, markets alive with the sounds and scents of Provence, breathtaking scenery… This is what awaits you when you set off to discover these magnificent villages. So fasten your seatbelts, we’re off on an unforgettable journey around Avignon.

1. L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue: A showcase for antique and second-hand dealers

Start your tour in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, nicknamed ‘La Venise Comtadine’. It’s a veritable paradise for lovers of antiques and second-hand goods. With its canals lined with paddlewheels, its picturesque narrow streets and its antique shops, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue will transport you to another era.

Don’t miss the Sunday market, one of the finest in Provence, where you can pick up local produce and unique antiques. And for a gourmet break, the shady terraces of the waterside restaurants are ideal for savouring Provençal specialities.

2. Gordes: The dazzling gem of the Luberon

Next stop is Gordes, one of France’s most beautiful villages. Perched on a rock, it offers a breathtaking view of the Luberon. The narrow streets, dry-stone houses and medieval castle create a unique atmosphere of history and romance.

Don’t miss the Sénanque Abbey, a jewel of Cistercian architecture surrounded by lavender fields. And for art lovers, the village is home to numerous artists’ studios and galleries. Gordes is an unforgettable experience, a timeless interlude.

3. Roussillon: A whirlwind of colours through the ochre fields

Next, head for Roussillon, famous for its impressive ochre quarries. It’s a real painter’s canvas, with its colourful facades and landscapes in a thousand shades of red and orange. Take the Ochre Trail to discover this unique natural spectacle.

The village itself is an enchantment, with its picturesque lanes, colourful houses and magnificent views over the Luberon. And for a truly unique experience, why not take part in an ochre painting workshop?

4. Saignon: A peaceful medieval refuge

Retreat to Saignon, a charming medieval village that has preserved its old-world charm. Its rock, visible from afar, offers a breathtaking panorama of the Luberon and the Apt valley.

Lose yourself in the narrow streets, visit the old Romanesque church and relax in the shade of the plane trees in the village square. Saignon is a haven of peace, far from the hustle and bustle of the big cities.

5. Bonnieux: the epitome of Provencal character

Next up is Bonnieux, another of the Luberon’s most beautiful villages. With its white stone houses climbing the hillside, its 1000-year-old church and its landscape of vineyards and cherry orchards, Bonnieux is the epitome of the Provençal essence.

Don’t miss the Friday market, renowned for its quality local produce. And for breathtaking views of Mont Ventoux and the Luberon mountains, climb to the high church at the top of the village.

6. Lacoste: In the footsteps of the Marquis de Sade

Finally, end your tour in Lacoste, a village famous for its château, once owned by the Marquis de Sade. Despite its tumultuous past, Lacoste is now a peaceful village where you can stroll along the cobbled streets and admire the stone houses.

The castle, although partly in ruins, offers a magnificent view of Mont Ventoux and the Luberon mountains. And in summer, the village comes alive during the Lacoste Festival, an event devoted to opera and theatre.

It’s time to end our journey around Avignon. These villages, veritable jewels of Provence, are sure to have whetted your appetite for more of this region rich in history, culture and natural beauty. Each village has its own soul, its own charm, and that’s what makes this region so unique and so endearing.

So don’t wait any longer, pack your bags and set off to discover these wonderful villages around Avignon. You’ll come away with unforgettable memories and just one desire: to go back!