The Hilltop Villages of Provence Séguret, Gordes, Banon, Buisson, Bonnieux

Thème : Visit - Auteur : Gerlinde (07/03/2019)

To make the most of Provence, admire its beauty from up high. There is plenty of opportunity to do so in the Provençal villages that cling to mountainsides or sit atop rocky hills. From up there, caressed by a gentle breeze on the balcony of a charming hotel room, you can plan your stay.

On foot or by bicycle, the hilltop villages offer magnificent walks in the shade of the trees, promising fresh wonder as each new stretch of countryside comes into view between the branches. On the summits, the gentle wind brings a feeling of well-being and soothes the body left numb from the exertion of the climb but rewarded with a breathtaking view of the vineyards in their characteristic chequerboard pattern, or perhaps of the Luberon Regional Nature Park. As you retrace your steps, the steep slopes may guide you to the bank of a meandering river flowing beneath a stone bridge or disappearing behind a white rock face rising up amid the trees. If you dare and time permits, jump into the water to enjoy cooling off for a while.

If outdoor exercise doesn’t tempt you, take advantage of the plentiful nearby markets to take a stroll through the many alleys that wind through Provençal villages, passageways threading through the light-coloured stone houses, in search of mediaeval sites, chapels, churches and castles. Take a moment to enjoy the sweet sunshine over a drink on a terrace, in the shade of the plane trees growing around the village square. Afterwards, seek out quiet, cool surroundings by going to meet local wine-growers deep in their cellars, where you can try their wines, listen to their stories, learn about the skills they have inherited and be transported by their passion.