The Luberon, an exclusive story

What if the Luberon has been rediscovered?

Made fashionable In the 1980s by the artists and "celebrities" who moved here en masse, in recent years this inland corner of Provence seems to have rediscovered its local traditions and … a degree of moderation.

Of course Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie fly in by helicopter, and the most beautiful properties fly the British flag, but celebration of a unique heritage has become a priority.

The Luberon has changed. Now, more than ever, it has become important to retain the traces of its true character.

"e" or "é" ?

It's an old argument that the locals settled a long time ago.

You say and you write "Luberon" with an "e" with no accent. Luberon ("Leberon" or "Leberoun" in the Occitan language of Provence) means "valley of the wolves".

Wolves that populated the region at the beginning of the last century, but that haven't been heard of in the Luberon since 1922…

Note that "Lubéron", spelled and pronounced with an accent, came from the French capital. Not the real thing, then.

A protected region

The Luberon is a range of mountains that, at the top of the Mourre Nègre, reaches a height of 1,125 metres above sea level and stretches between Cavaillon and Manosque.

The Petit Luberon range can be seen to the west and the Grand Luberon to the east, separated by the Lourmarin valley (the bed of the Aiguebrun river, dominated by the Buoux Fort, a rock-climbing site).

Nothing that can't be crossed, but a barrier that offers magnificent panoramic views to the north and south.

The Luberon Regional Nature Park

The Luberon was granted its status as a Regional Nature Park (RNP) in 1977. A Regional Nature Park is "a rural territory, recognised at national level for its remarkable heritage and rural value, organised around a project for sustainable development". In 1997 the Luberon was officially accepted by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) as part of the worldwide network of biosphere reserves. Contact: Parc naturel régional du Luberon, 60, place Jean Jaurès, 84404 Apt cedex. Tel. +33 (0) 4 90 04 42 00.?

The Luberon RNP comprises 72 communes with a total of over 155,000 inhabitants. Its main towns are Cavaillon (25,000 inhabitants), Pertuis (18,000), Apt (11,000) in the Vaucluse region and Manosque (20,000) in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

A Vaudois history

The history of the Luberon is strongly marked by the presence of the Vaudois from the 15th century. The Vaudois are the disciples of Valdès, a merchant from Lyon who, around 1170, decided to give up all his possessions and preach the Gospel. The Vaudois were declared heretics because they denied the existence of Purgatory. They were severely punished and dispersed throughout Europe before settling from 1490 in "lower" Provence, where they were frequently persecuted.

Characteristic Provence

Provençal characteristics are clearly visible in the Luberon and in its villages that are remarkable on several scores. Built on the top of rocky outcrops (Gordes, Ménerbes, Lacoste, Oppedette) or sheltered, nestling against the valley slopes (Lourmarin), these towns are crammed with châteaux and age-old churches. Rebuilt, renovated and pampered, some are amongst the most beautiful villages in France.

Apt, the capital of the Luberon, was founded by the Romans around 45-30 BC. Famous for its crystallised fruit and its lavender essence, it lies in the heart of the Luberon range, hesitating between the Vaucluse and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

The specialities of the Luberon

The specialities of the Luberon are closely related to the countryside. The lavender fields that colour meadows and postcards, and the natural ochre, that made the Rustrel quarries rich In the 1950s, are indissociable from the Luberon. The production of vegetables and vines are jewels of local produce whose fame extends beyond the region's borders.
The black truffle, queen of the Carpentras and Richerenches markets, symbolises the exclusiveness and luxury of a region rich with a thousand flavours.
Walk through the farmers' markets (Apt, Cadenet, Coustellet) and (re)discover the forgotten varieties of fruit and vegetables (strawberries, peaches, tomatoes, potatoes, etc.) that decorate the stalls … and enjoy a foretaste of Provence.

The Luberon seen from the sky, click here to look at the photo gallery >>