Provence is not just about wine and lavender for adults. This region is remarkably family-friendly: from swimming in the pool to exploring underground caves, from donkey rides to real cooking classes. Our villa in Bonnieux, with its spacious garden and private pool, is an excellent base for a family holiday, from which you can set off on a new adventure every day.
The villa pool and garden — your daily delight
Let us start with the simplest: the private pool at our villa is the number-one entertainment for children of all ages. While the little ones splash about and the older ones compete at diving, parents can relax on sun loungers with a glass of rose and a book. The villa garden is large enough for active games, and in the evening you can host a family dinner under the stars on the terrace. Many of our guests with children say that sometimes the best holiday day is the one when you go nowhere at all.
Cycling through Luberon
Luberon is crisscrossed with cycling routes, including options suitable for families with children. The most popular is the cycle path along the former railway line from Bonnieux to Apt, laid out on a flat route through vineyards and fruit orchards. The distance is about 12 kilometers each way, with no climbs, making it accessible for children from around 7-8 years old. Bicycles, including children's bikes and child seats, can be rented in Bonnieux or Apt. Bring water and fruit for a picnic at one of the rest areas along the route.
Roussillon Ochre Park — a walk on Mars
Just 12 minutes from the villa, and your children will find themselves on another planet. The Sentier des Ocres in Roussillon is a trail through a landscape of incredible colors: cliffs, canyons, and arches of ochre in every shade from lemon yellow to deep red. For children, this is a real adventure — like a journey to Mars. There are two routes: short (30 minutes) and long (50 minutes). Both are suitable for children from age 4, but keep in mind the trail can be slippery. Dress children in clothes you do not mind getting dirty — ochre stains everything it touches.
After the walk, stop by the ochre painting workshop at the Conservatoire des Ocres — children can create their own paints using medieval recipes.
Kayaking on the Sorgue — a water adventure
The River Sorgue, flowing through L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, offers gentle kayaking suitable for families. The crystal-clear emerald water, low banks draped with willows, and a slow current make this route safe and exciting for children from age 6. Kayak rental stations are located in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (35 minutes from the villa) and offer single and double kayaks, as well as family options. The descent takes 1 to 2 hours and finishes in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, from where you are driven back to your car.
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse — the mystery of the underground spring
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse is one of the most powerful karst sinkholes in the world, where an underground river bursts from deep within the rock. For children, the place is full of mysteries: where does all this water come from? How deep is it? The walk from the village to the spring takes about 20 minutes along a scenic path beside the river. In the village there is also a paper museum, where children are shown how paper was made by hand and allowed to create their own sheet. The drive from our villa takes 35 minutes.
Donkey rides
Provencal donkeys are patient and affectionate animals adored by children. Several farms near Bonnieux offer donkey walks lasting from one hour to a full day. During the walk, the donkey carries small children or luggage while the family walks along forest paths and through lavender fields. It is a surprisingly meditative experience — the donkey sets an unhurried pace, and you notice landscape details you would drive past in a car. Farms are located 15-20 minutes from the villa, and advance booking is recommended, especially in high season.
Cooking classes for the whole family
Provencal cuisine is simple and beautiful, and even children can learn its basics. Several cooking schools in Luberon offer family workshops where you and your children prepare ratatouille, a tomato tart, or Provencal lavender cookies. Classes usually begin with a trip to the market for fresh ingredients, turning the lesson into a whole adventure. Our villa has a spacious kitchen, so you can recreate the recipes you have learned at home.
Exploring villages — a quest for little knights
The medieval villages of Luberon are living castles for young adventurers. Turn a village walk into a quest: search for old coats of arms on the walls, count the steps to the castle, find the narrowest window or the oldest door. In Oppede-le-Vieux, children can explore real castle ruins, and in Gordes, they can climb to the church at the summit through medieval alleyways. Bonnieux itself is full of discoveries: the old church at the hilltop with panoramic views, a cedar forest for walks, and a bakery where they can choose a pastry after the climb.
More ideas for family fun
- Colorado Provencal in Rustrel — ochre canyons resembling a miniature American Grand Canyon. 25 minutes from the villa
- Horseback riding — several stables in Luberon offer rides for beginners, including children from age 5
- Rock climbing — the cliffs of Buoux, 15 minutes from the villa, offer guided beginner routes
- Starry nights — the absence of light pollution in Luberon makes the night sky incredibly bright. Organize an evening picnic in the villa garden with blankets and stories about constellations
- Ice cream in Lourmarin — several gelaterias offer unusual Provencal flavors: lavender, fig, thyme, olive oil
Practical tips for families
A few recommendations to make your family holiday in Provence even more comfortable:
- Plan activities for the morning — after lunch, the Provencal heat is best enjoyed by the pool
- Always bring water, hats, and sunscreen — the sun in Provence is stronger than it seems
- French restaurants are generally child-friendly and offer children's menus, but it is best to arrive for lunch early — by 12:00-12:30
- Local shops close for a lunch break from 12:30 to 14:30 — plan your shopping accordingly
Provence with children is not a compromise — it is an enrichment. While adults savor wine and views, children discover the world through adventures, flavors, and new experiences. And in the evening at the villa, when tired and happy children fall asleep to the sound of cicadas, you realize it has been a perfect day for the whole family.