When you begin planning a holiday in Provence, the first question is where to stay. Aix-en-Provence? Avignon? Gordes? Each option has its advantages. But we are convinced — and our guests confirm this time and again — that Bonnieux is the best base for exploring Luberon and all of Provence. Here are eight reasons why.
1. The geographic center of Luberon
Bonnieux is located in the very heart of the Luberon Regional Nature Park. This is not just a pretty metaphor — the village is genuinely at the geographic center of the region. To Gordes — 15 minutes, to Roussillon with its ochre quarries — 20 minutes, to Lacoste — 10 minutes, to Menerbes — 12 minutes, to Lourmarin — 15 minutes. Aix-en-Provence — 45 minutes, Avignon — 50 minutes, Arles — one hour. Wherever you are heading, from Bonnieux you are always halfway there.
2. Intimacy and tranquility
Unlike Gordes, which has become a tourist magnet with coaches and crowds, Bonnieux preserves the atmosphere of an authentic Provencal village. About 1,400 people live here — farmers, winemakers, artists, and a few lucky expatriates who fell in love with the place. Cats wander the streets, old men play petanque on the square, and in the evenings the only sounds are cicadas and the bell of the old church. This is the Provence you have seen in films — only real.
3. The Friday market
Every Friday morning, the main square of Bonnieux transforms into a Provencal market. Farmers bring fresh vegetables and fruits, cheeses, olives, honey, and homemade jams. On the stalls — fragrant lavender, handmade soap, Provencal fabrics, and ceramics. You can also have breakfast with a warm croissant from the local bakery and a coffee while watching village life unfold. The Bonnieux market is smaller and more authentic than the famous markets in Apt or L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue — and that is precisely why it is better.
4. Restaurants for every taste
For a village with a population of just fifteen hundred, Bonnieux has a remarkable number of excellent restaurants. Le Fournil — elegant cuisine in a historic bakery. La Bastide de Capelongue — a gastronomic restaurant of Michelin caliber with a panoramic terrace. Cafe de la Gare — a simple and tasty bistro for everyday lunches. Plus several cafes and bars on the square, where it is pleasant to sit with a glass of rose on a warm evening. From our villa, the nearest restaurant is just a few minutes' drive.
5. Views that take your breath away
Bonnieux sits on the southern slope of the Luberon mountain range, at an altitude of about 400 meters. From the village terraces, panoramic views open across the valley, vineyards, cedar forest, and the village of Lacoste on the opposite hill. At sunrise the mountains are wrapped in a delicate haze, and at sunset the sky blazes in every shade of pink and gold. Our villa is positioned so that these views are part of your daily morning ritual with a cup of coffee on the poolside terrace.
6. "Plus Beaux Villages de France" status
Bonnieux is on the official list of the most beautiful villages in France — Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. This is not merely an honorary title but a set of strict standards: historic buildings, no advertising signs, maintenance of stone facades and cobblestone streets, restrictions on new construction. Thanks to this status, Bonnieux looks the same as it did a hundred and two hundred years ago — without plastic signs, neon lights, or concrete blocks.
7. Close to everything worth seeing
From Bonnieux it is easy to make day trips to virtually all the major attractions in Provence:
- Gordes and Senanque Abbey — 15-20 minutes. The famous lavender field in front of the ancient abbey.
- Ochre quarries of Roussillon — 20 minutes. Martian landscapes of red earth.
- Lourmarin — 15 minutes. An elegant village with a Renaissance castle.
- Aix-en-Provence — 45 minutes. The city of fountains and Cezanne.
- Avignon — 50 minutes. The Papal Palace and Pont Saint-Benezet.
- Valensole lavender fields — 1 hour 15 minutes. An endless purple sea in June-July.
- Marseille and the Calanques — 1 hour 10 minutes. The Mediterranean Sea and rocky coves.
8. Our villa — your home in Provence
And finally, the main reason to choose Bonnieux — our villa. Five spacious bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. A private heated pool surrounded by lavender and rosemary. A terrace with an outdoor dining area, where a long oak table seats ten guests. A professionally equipped kitchen for those who want to cook with produce from the market. And complete silence — only birdsong and the chirping of cicadas.
The villa is located just a few minutes from the village center, yet completely secluded — no neighbors, no prying eyes. You could spend an entire week without leaving the grounds and be perfectly happy. Or use the villa as a luxurious base for daily adventures across Provence. Either way, you will return here every evening with the feeling of coming home.
Bonnieux is not a compromise. It is the best choice. Come and see for yourself.