The 5 secret Luberon villages to explore in autumn

What are the most beautiful Luberon villages to visit during autumn?

1. Ansouis

To start, let's go to the south of Luberon, to a hilltop village. The village of Ansouis has been classified among the most beautiful villages in France since June 1982. Located on a rocky spur, this typically Provençal village offers magnificent landscapes during autumn. Walking through the narrow streets of this village also means learning more about its history. In this village, there is a castle that is not only furnished but still inhabited. If you're curious to learn more about the region's heritage, come visit the museums of Ansouis! The extraordinary museum was built in 1975. It offers several exhibitions of stone sculptures, paintings, as well as quite surprising fossils and shells. This region is also known for its wine production, so Ansouis offers you a visit to the Arts and Crafts of Wine museum at Château Turcan. You'll find around 3,000 objects related to this production. Between machines, tools, and utensils, wine culture will have no secrets for you!

2. Beaumont de Pertuis

Let's go a bit further south in Luberon in the Vaucluse department. This village is the ideal place to discover wonderful autumn landscapes. As the villagers are very committed to sustainable development, you'll find ways to enjoy this region in autumn during a short walk in the 7 lakes, a nature reserve classified as Natura 2000. The beauty of this place is breathtaking, its varied landscapes with autumn colors make your hikes all the more pleasant. You can also fish in the multiple artificial lakes of this reserve and enjoy the calm. Don't forget to bring a fishing license.

3. Cucuron

Considered one of the most beautiful villages in Vaucluse, Cucuron is a village in southern Luberon that should be discovered with patience. Many things can be done in this typically Provençal village: you can wander through the narrow streets and discover the magnificent facades of 17th and 18th-century houses and enjoy the Donjon Saint-Michel. This vestige of Cucuron village's citadel is located in the Regional Natural Park. This keep is the only remaining part of the seigneurial castle of the Oraisons, abandoned by this family in the middle of the 17th century. Today it's possible to enter this renovated place, which has been classified as a historical monument since 1921. The keep hosts several temporary exhibitions and provides a splendid view of the village rooftops. If you like mysteries, also discover the numerous troglodyte caves of this village. You should know that this labyrinth was built by an ancient Celto-Ligurian tribe that included the Caidellense (which gave the village its name). At the time, it served as housing; today the oldest houses leaning against the village hill still house rooms carved into the rock.

4. Roussillon

Also classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, Roussillon is a hilltop village between Pertuis and Lourmarin. This characteristic provides a panoramic view over all of Luberon, the Durance, Sainte-Victoire, and the Alpilles. This village blends wonderfully with this autumn landscape with its houses with yellow, orange, and red facades. Surrounded by lavender fields, olive trees, and vineyards, this colorful village is absolutely magnificent. Its colors don't come from nowhere, as this village is located on a large ochre deposit. From the village, you can visit the ochre trail, thanks to two circuits of 30 and 50 minutes. This walk will allow you to contemplate the different landscapes, mostly dotted with ochre that have been shaped by natural elements and human hands. After your walk, the ochre trail will have no secrets for you thanks to the geological explanations. Don't forget to respect these protected places.

5. Vitrolles-en-Luberon

It's at the summit of the Aigues valley that the village of Vitrolles-en-Luberon is located. Clinging to the slopes of the Luberon mountain at 600 meters altitude, this village offers a majestic view of this preserved nature. It's also a true paradise for hikers or mountain bike enthusiasts. This village is the starting point to cross Luberon through the Vitrolles pass to walk to Cérestre or Montjustin. In this wild nature, the trails dress in orange leaves when autumn sets in, making these landscapes incredibly photogenic. Don't waste time and put your backpack on to discover the paths of Grand Luberon.

So don't wait any longer and go visit Luberon during autumn to discover this haven of peace and its multiple sites to visit. You'll enjoy different landscapes through several villages, most of which are classified as the most beautiful villages in France. It's also an opportunity for you to learn about the history of these villages and their heritage.