Pass swathes of summer lavender as you approach this inviting holiday home in the heart of the Luberon National Park. Villa Verriere is for guests seeking peace and privacy in a remote setting yet only 3.5km from hilltop Roussillon, one of France’s most beautiful villages.

Set in 20,000m2 of private grounds, this is such a glorious location surrounded by pine forest, vines and landscapes so typical of the Luberon. Built in a Provençal style, this rustic home is designed for spending genuine time together with your family or friends whether chatting over your morning coffee in the flower-filled garden, dining al-fresco in the shade of the covered terrace or relaxing by the swimming pool as the kids splash around and practice their strokes.

Villa Verriere comfortably sleeps up to 8 guests across its four first-floor bedrooms including one double and one twin bedroom with en suite bathrooms and private terraces. Downstairs there is a brilliantly equipped kitchen with doors opening out to the shaded dining terrace alongside a traditional lounge with a grand Provençal fireplace.

Despite the feeling of solitude, Roussillon is just a short drive away (there is also a lovely walking path that leads to the village for the most adventurous). It is such a gorgeous village to explore – head out early before the tourists arrive to truly soak up its enchanting ambience. There are restaurants, little shops and a Thursday morning market. On the edge of the village, follow the marked walking trails, Le Sentier des Ocres, then reward yourself with an ice-cream - flavours in one glacier often include lavender, peach, melon and other delicious flavours inspired by Provence!

Elsewhere, drive to picture-perfect villages from famous Ménerbes and Gordes to slightly lesser known Goult and Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt. Across the Luberon, seek out atmospheric markets, Michelin starred restaurants, wonderful vineyards and the most glorious walking, hiking and cycling trails. This is iconic Provence at its best with landscapes of forest, cherry orchards, vines and idyllic perched villages.

Meanwhile, if you can find the time, experience the antique stores and Sunday morning brocante in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, canoe along the Sorgue River near Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, visit the lavender distilleries of Sault and admire the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Avignon in this captivating part of southern France.  

Villa Verriere is in the heart of the Luberon National Park set in a landscaped garden surrounded by 20,000m2 of private grounds. Here you are just south of Roussillon, one of France’s officially classified ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. Marseille and Avignon are the nearest airports or arrive by train into Gare d’Avignon TGV (Paris to Avignon is 2 hours 40 minutes by the fast train services).

The stunning red-hued village of Roussillon is around 3.5km away – keen walkers note there is a beautiful path heading towards the village or it is a short drive. Roussillon is home to a good grocery store and bakery as well as some lovely restaurants – head there early to soak up the beauty of the village over breakfast before the many visitors arrive. On the edge of the village is Le Sentier des Ocres, two marked walking paths leading you through the former ochre quarry and pine trees. A little further afield, admire more glorious ochre landscapes as you follow hiking paths through Le Colorado Provençal around half an hour away.

This is a great base for visiting many other idyllic villages of the Luberon including Ménerbes (14km), Gordes (11.5km), Bonnieux (10km) and Lourmarin (22km). There are so many pretty villages slightly off the tourist track as well such as picturesque Goult (6.5km), a hidden jewel of the region, Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt (14.5km) loved for its cherry orchards, and Cucuron (30km) with its café terraces and ancient plane trees around the village’s bassin and a Michelin starred restaurant (indeed, there are many excellent places to eat across the region). Gastronomes will also appreciate the atmospheric Saturday morning market in Apt, one of the largest in this part of Provence.

Beyond the Luberon, spend the day visiting the unesco World Heritage sites of Avignon (45km), experience the antique stores and Sunday morning brocante in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (25km), canoe along the river near Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (25km) or soak up the ambience of Aix-en-Provence (62km) just over an hour away by car.

Accommodation