Curator’s statement
Market baskets, a private chef, a pool, and long dinners al fresco—this guide is built around a villa base in the Saignon–Apt–Bonnieux area, with day trips woven around the region’s best markets, a cooking class, and the food and shopping that make a girls’ week in the Luberon unforgettable.
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Things to do in Provence
Apt Saturday market
The area’s largest market, right next to the villa base. It’s the easiest way to stock the villa kitchen with cheese, olives, produce, and flowers, and it sets the tone for the whole trip.
Private cooking class at the villa
A local chef leads a hands-on Provençal menu, often starting with a shared market or épicerie run. It’s a total blast—clients often wish that they had booked a few!
Wander Saignon village
Narrow lanes, a Romanesque church, and sweeping valley views, right at the villa’s doorstep. It’s the most authentic, unhurried way to experience Luberon village life without a long drive.
Gordes & Roussillon day trip
Pairing Provence’s most photographed hilltop village with the ochre cliffs of Roussillon makes for one efficient, photogenic day out. These two villages are worth the extra drive time.
Ménerbes
This hilltop village with sweeping valley views and a handful of small, well-curated galleries and boutiques is quieter than Gordes, with real browsing (not just photo stops), and pairs naturally with a vineyard lunch.
Wine tasting at a nearby domaine
An afternoon at a local vineyard is an easy, low-effort way to build a “day off” into the week without leaving the region’s character behind.
Places to eat & drink in Provence
Les Terrasses de Bonnieux (Bonnieux)
Great pizza and salads with an amazing view from the outdoor terrace—an easy, low-key group dinner.
Café du Progrès (Ménerbes)
A great-view bistro that pairs naturally with an afternoon browsing Ménerbes’ boutiques. Open for lunch only.
Restaurant Omma (Roussillon)
Creative cuisine right in the ochre village, making it an easy stop on a Gordes/Roussillon day.
Auberge La Fenière (Cadenet)
A gastronomic splurge, including its Michelin-starred table—worth the drive for one special night out during the week.
A vineyard tasting terrace near Ménerbes or Lauris
An afternoon glass of local rosé on-site is one of the simplest, most Provençal things the group can do, and it’s easy to combine with lunch.
Need to know
Villa alternative
For many clients, especially those staying a full week, a private villa in the Saignon–Apt–Bonnieux area is my preferred recommendation. A villa creates a much more relaxed rhythm: breakfast overlooking the valley, market shopping in Apt or Saignon, afternoons by the pool, and dinners prepared by a private chef or enjoyed al fresco at home.
It is particularly well suited to:
Couples seeking complete privacy
Families traveling across generations
Groups of friends
Small celebrations or milestone trips
Travelers who want space, a kitchen, outdoor dining, and the flexibility to experience the Luberon as locals do
For the ideal itinerary, I would suggest a villa as the main base, with one or two nights at Capelongue, Le Phébus, or Domaine de Fontenille for a more hotel-forward experience and exceptional dining.
Travel Advisor
Rebecca Hanson
Rebecca Hanson
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