Our Provençal Weekend – Part 3

With a day left in our Provençal weekend getaway, we set our sights on a couple of other most beautiful villages within the Luberon region. We planned to visit Bonnieux and Lourmarin, but not before making a stop in Lacoste to see the hilltop castle that defines the village from afar.

Lacoste is a tiny village with big time charm, it’s covered by cobblestone streets that ascend toward an 11th century castle which in the 18th century became the property of the notorious Marquis de Sade. The interesting lineup of owners however does not stop there. In 2001 the castle was bought by fashion designer Pierre Cardin, along with numerous other buildings in Lacoste which he had rehabilitated, or perhaps dressed up. Walking up to the Château de Lacoste offered a few glimpses of what the view from up top would offer, an endless blanket of pure Provençal countryside. And in the middle of it, this artistic village that blends Middle Age and Renaissance accents to deliver an invigorating injection of historical value and beauty. Although Lacoste is not part of the most beautiful villages in France, we felt it ought to be. If you’re in the area and have a chance to check it out, don’t miss this charming village!

Our morning was split between Lacoste and Bonnieux, although the second village of the day seemed out-trumped by the first. Bonnieux is also an old village marked by history’s hand, from Roman times to the modern era. The old church at the top of the village dates to the 12th century, a place worth climbing to, where cedar trees masked the panorama, Mont Ventoux materialized in the distant backdrop, and other Luberon villages idled on the horizon. Apparently the cedars were brought to Bonnieux from North Africa during the Napoleonic era. We took a minute to appreciate the views from up there where it became clear why this village is among the “most beautiful”.

To close out our tour of Luberon’s most beautiful villages, we finished with Lourmarin. The name rang familiar as I recall my mother talking about it from one of her previous art trips, and hearing about the everlasting impression it had on her. Lourmarin is not short of any interesting history and certainly didn’t miss any days of charm school. But not all of its past was flowery and calm.. in the 16th century the town’s predominant Protestant population was almost wiped clean from history, under King Louis XIV. Local agriculture and manufacturing helped the town reestablish itself over the next couple centuries and Lourmarin took a turn for brighter days.

Today, the shine is ever-present and the town is among the top attractions in the Luberon region, rightfully so. The unique fountains alone made for fun highlights of our walking tour, not to mention the colorful streets and other interesting sights. Even the girls were so infatuated by the village, ever-engaged to spot the most beautiful flowers, and careful to examine the details of each fountain. Eventually our path took us just on the fringes of town, to the Lourmarin Cemetery, which serves as the resting place to two renown French writers, Albert Camus and Henri Bosco.

By now, we’ve witnessed numerous french villages, dozens perhaps, spanning all of our trips over the years and with each encounter there was something new or simply magical to be discovered. This weekend was no different as it immersed us in the Luberon – a unique region of Provence where the enchantment of ancient villages and the scenic countryside continues to tell its awe-inspiring tale. Best of all, was seeing our girls blend into it and lose themselves in the precious moments . It was a time to be remembered and reflected upon. Merci or rather Mercé!