Bonnieux, 84480
Bonnieux is perched on a plateau across from the village of Lacoste.. Crowned with the high pointed steeple of a 12th century Gothic/Romanesque church, the village has enjoyed a long association with the leaders of the Catholic church: as a Templar Commanderie and as part of the papal enclave, the Comtat Venassin.
Ménerbes, 84560
Ménerbes was a Roman village, named after the goddess Minerve and an important stop on the Via Domitia. Severely damaged during the Wars of Religion, most of the architecture dates from the rebuilding in the 16th/17th century. Several 20th century artists lived in Ménerbes : Dora Maar (and Picasso), Jane Eakins, Nicolas de Stael.
Oppède-le-vieux, 84580
Oppède-le-vieux was built and owned by the Count of Toulouse in the 12th century. In the 14th century the perched village became part of the papal enclave, Le Comtat Venaissin, but was abandoned in the 17th century and a new more accessible village was created below. During the second World War, the original perched village became a refuge for artists and writers leading to its resurgence as a place to visit after the war.
Lacoste, 84480
Crowned by a chateau once owned by the Marquis de Sade, Lacoste is a picturesque village with beautiful views where time has stood still. Settled by Christian reformers in the 14th century Lacoste maintained a contrarian streak: as a Protestant village surrounded by Catholic communities; as a village with a Communist mayor in power for fifty years. Today Pierre Cardin owns the chateau and hosts a musical festival in July.
Roussillon
Situated in the Luberon, at the foot of the Monts de Vaucluse, the village of Roussillon is situated in the heart of one of the biggest ochre deposits in the world.
Lourmarin