Ménerbes

Day Trips

Our most recommended Ménerbes Day Trips

• 

  1. Hilltop Villages in Luberon

  Visit the most beautiful medieval hilltop villages in the southern Luberon. Discover the charms of Lourmarin, Bonnieux, Roussillon, and Gordes on a 6-hour tour. Stop in Lourmarin for some free time, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful villages in France, and noted for its Renaissance castle.Take a photo in Bonnieux, a picture-perfect Provençal village that features a 12th-century church surrounded by ancient cedars. Continue to Roussillon via the Roman-era Pont Julien. Roussillon, perched atop an ochre-colored cliff, is a favorite of painters, and a magical place where combinations of oxides give the ochre an infinite variety of colors. Gordes offers an extraordinary vision of a stone village erected on a massive rock. Its fortress castle and church dominate the houses of the village, which were built with stones taken from the rock on which they sit.

  Such an amazing tour with a fabulous guide. Remy was full of brilliant knowledge and made the tour fun. The villages are so idyllic and picturesque, I would definitely recommend this tour and the guide. Overall great experience. -Leah

  Reviewed by Leah, 9/3/2021
• 

  2. From Avignon: Full-Day Best of Provence Tour

  Visit the best sights in Provence during this full-day tour from Avignon. Your driver-guide, a specialist of Provence, will accompany you throughout the day.  Start in the beautiful villages of the Luberon and the famous Fontaine de Vaucluse. Admire the provençal landscape in the Luberon and have a chance to have a photo stop in lavender fields in summer (from June 15th to July 31st). Then, head over to Gordes listed as "one of the most beautiful villages in France". Walk in the red streets of Roussillon and discover the ochre lands. After this, enjoy the panoramic views of the Alpilles in Baux-de-Provence and take a stroll through the beautiful city of St-Rémy-de-Provence. Finish your amazing day at the majestic Pont du Gard.

  The tour plan really exceeded our expectations, we visited the most beautiful hilltop villages and got pictures from amazing spots. Our guide Nicolas is very knowledgeable about the area and we learned from him interesting information , also his itinerary plan was perfect not only we covered the itinerary but also he went extra mile to make us see an extra spot in Aix. Thank you so much! We hope to see you again for the wine tour and more of the wonderful Provence! Victor & Patrícia

  Reviewed by Lizeth Patricia, 8/17/2021
• 

  3. Aix-en-Provence: Half Day Wine Tour in Coteaux d'Aix

  Nestled between Luberon Regional park and the famous Sainte-Victoire mountain, discover the delicious flavors of the Luberon and Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence wines. Visit a prestigious Provence Château, a family-owned winery that was one of the first to work organically. Enjoy a tour of the vat and aging rooms to learn about the wine making process and organic wines. Wander around the vineyards and take in the glorious sunshine of the Mediterranean climate. Taste a selection of organic wines, including aromatic wines, dry and fruity rosés, and full-bodied structured reds.

  What an AMAZING tour we had with Stephane! We learned SO much about the wine-making process, the difference between red-white-rose, and the South of France region itself. Stephan spoke wonderful English, told great stories, and made us feel extremely safe and comfortable on our tour. We went to 2 wineries, both of which we got great history and stories about. The wine was wasted was absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend this tour to anyone in the region!

  Reviewed by Michele, 6/27/2021
• 

  4. From Avignon: 1-Day Lavender Tour

  Your guide will first take you to Fontaine de Vaucluse, a beautiful village located by the river Sorgue. Walk up to its spring – one of the biggest in Europe. Next, stop at Sénanque Abbey and take as many pictures as you want of this majestic 12th century Abbey which is surrounded by lavender fields. After the photo-stop at the 'belvedere', head off to Gordes, a hilltop village made of local dry stones and enjoy the market (on Tuesdays). Explore the Provencal village of Roussillon, and observe the houses, whose colors vary with the sunlight. The Provencal market on Thursday adds even more colors. This is where you will take your lunch break (not included). After lunch, explore the lavender fields. Fill your body with fresh lavender fragrance, take some pictures and have a look at a distillation operation during harvest.  Your final stop is the village of Sault, in the middle of a buco...

  This was a great overview of some very picturesque sites in Provence. It was nice to have some flexibility to spend time where we wanted, to shop, and to get some great information about the local areas.

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 8/21/2021
• 

  5. From Avignon: Luberon Hilltop Villages

  Your first stop will be Fontaine de Vaucluse where you will be charmed by the biggest French spring. Spontaneous stops at poppy fields on the way are included (in season). Next, marvel at Sénanque Abbey, a jewel of Romanesque art nestled in a lush greenery environment. Afterward, enjoy strolling through the streets of the spectacular hilltop village of Gordes, where you can admire the play of warm light on the dry stone walls. Move on to Roussillon and observe all the different shades of the ochre by wandering along the Ochre Trail (entrance fee not included - 3€/adult) and the colored roads of the village. Then, walk on the streets of Ménerbes, the fortified hilltop village that inspired Peter Mayle to write his most successful novel One Year in Provence.

• 

  6. From Avignon: Discover Villages in Luberon

  This half day tour will take you to one of the most popular area in Provence and south of France: you'll be driven across a very nice landscape with many kinds of crops , vineyards and fruit trees before you stop and discover some of the most picturesque hilltop villages in the Luberon region,villages which rank among the most beautiful villages of France: Roussillon, built on top of an ochre cliff (ochre is a natural pigment which can be found in the soil and which is used for the painting and decoration of the houses): stroll in the narrow streets of this colourfull village, then 15min from there, you'll be at another village, Gordes, entirely built with dry stones coming from the mountain; this village offers an amazing view from its west side and gives the visitor a very good example of a perched village built at the foot of its castle built in the XI century and rebuilt in the XVI ...

  A most wonderful morning spent visiting the Luberon highlights. We were expertly guided by Caroline, a very warm, friendly and professional guide. She shared lots of information about the locality and French culture. She was very attentive to all guests and included everyone in conversations as we drove to the villages. She gave us clear tips for visiting the villages and instructions to rendezvous pick ups. A very pleasurable experience and worth the cost. I recommend!

  Reviewed by Sheena, 2/21/2020
• 

  7. Aix-en-Provence: Luberon Market & Villages Day Tour

  Travel from Aix-en-Provence to Luberon valley on a full-day tour of the area's charming and unique villages. First make your way to L'Isle sur la Sorgue, and wander through the open-air provencal market, and along the canals, taking time to stop in the various antique shops. Then enjoy lunch on your own in the exceptional hilltop village of Gordes. Afterward (from mid-June to mid-July only) stop for photos of the blooming lavender fields at Senanque Abbey. Continue to the colorful village of Roussillon and its ochre cliffs. Stop for a photo in Bonnieux and on the way admire the Pont Julien, a Roman bridge. Make your way back through the picturesque and winding Combe of Lourmarin. Stop in Lourmarin, one of the most beautiful villages in France, famous for its Renaissance castle. Here you can enjoy some free time before returning to Aix-en-Provence.

  Great way to see these lovely villages without going crazy trying to drive yourself there. Each village had its unique charm and were very picturesque.

  Reviewed by Mary, Canada, 9/23/2019
• 

  8. Marseille: Provencal Markets & Villages in Luberon

  Tour the enchanting hill-top villages and colorful landscapes of the Luberon region of southern France on a full-day tour from Marseille, driving through Lourmarin. Stop to stroll through one of the weekly markets, depending on the day of your tour. Experience the aromas and flavors of traditional Provençal produce at Gordes on Tuesday, Roussillon on Thursday, Lourmarin on Friday, Apt on Saturday and L'Isle sur Sorgue on Sunday. On Tuesday, stroll in the market of this dry-stone built village of Gordes. On other days make a panoramic photo stop only. From mid-June to mid-July, take photo stop at Sénanque Abbey for its lavender fields in bloom. Also, discover the village of Roussillon and its colorful houses (market on Thursday).  Enjoy free time in Lourmarin (market on Friday), famous for its Renaissance castle. On Saturday only, discover the market of Apt (replaces the stop in L'Isle...

  We missed a reservation at Chez Fonfon because we got back at 7.30 the time of our reservation. The tour started at 8 and I was told it would be 9 and a half hours. We should have got back at 5.30. Don’t know why the guide Virginie spent so long in certain villages eg 2 hours in Gordes. Not long enough in some towns with more to see and do and too long in villages where little to do. Went to Marseille to eat Bouillabaisse and missed that experience because of bad timing. Also the guide should not ask for a tip that should be at the discretion of clients. Loved seeing all the villages but if the guide had stuck to the timetable we would have been able to eat Bouillabaisse. We hit the traffic jam coming back because she left too late. Disappointed in all and very tired at the end of the day.

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 10/2/2019
• 

  9. From Avignon: Half-Day Baux de Provence and Luberon Tour

  Explore the Alpilles and Luberon regional parks in this half-day trip from Avignon. Focusing on a fusion of cultural heritage and natural beauty, you'll discover your own mini "year in Provence" within the space of a mere few hours with these twin attractions. Admire the panoramic view of the Alpilles from the hilltop village of Les Baux de Provence. Visit the Luberon and its precariously perched villages, along with Gordes, listed among "the most beautiful villages in France". Lest we forget Roussillon with its red houses and ochre textures. Final stop will be a fab photo opp at famous Senanque Abbey.

• 

  10. Pays de Sault Lavender Tour from Aix-en-Provence

  Travel through the Luberon Natural Regional Park along the picturesque and winding Combe of Lourmarin, to the Plateau of Claparèdes. Admire the typical stone houses among the lavender fields. Stop in the hilltop village of Saignon to enjoy panoramic area views. On this 9.5-hour tour the drive continues to Pays de Sault, where you’ll find wide lavender and lavandin fields in bloom. Stop in Sault, the Lavender Capital and enjoy some free time for lunch (not included in the tour price). Next, visit Gordes, one of the most beautiful villages in France. The fortified castle and church dominate the typical houses of the village, which were built with stones from the rock on which they sit.

  Rent was a great guide. He gave us lots of information and fun stories. The day was long but it was broken up nicely with stops on the drive to see medical villages and historic towns. We got to see many beautiful lavender fields and take al the pics we wanted.

  Reviewed by karen, 8/4/2021