The 5 Official Most Beautiful Villages in Luberon Worth Visiting
There are two types of the most beautiful villages in Luberon: 1) the official ones on paper and 2) the ones you fall in love with.
In this article, I’ll tackle the first kind and I’m guessing you’ve already heard of this gang: Ansouis, Gordes, Lourmarin, Ménerbes, and Roussillon.
They are popular among tourists and locals. Chances are, you’ve seen photos of them online without knowing it.
In France, calling a village “most beautiful” is kind of a big deal. In fact, there’s a prestigious title for this: Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (PBVF) or “Most Beautiful Villages of France.”
Some villages fight tooth and nail to get the fancy schmancy award, much like how restaurants clamor for Michelin stars.
Today, there are 184 Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Five of them (the ones I mentioned above) are in the Luberon area, 7 in the Vaucluse department, and 24 in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur.
Wondering what to do in the Luberon? Here’s my curated list of top experiences, perfect for first-time visitors.
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France
When traipsing around France, keep an eye out for this sign at the village entrance:
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France is an association that honors the prettiest French villages—celebrating their charm, history, and culture. A village must apply and pass a rigorous process before earning the title.
How Does a Village Become One of France’s Most Beautiful?
A village must prove itself worthy by ticking three (3) preliminary boxes:
✅ a population of 2,000 or less
✅ at least two protected historical sites, and
✅ proof of collective agreement to apply for the distinction. (Simply put, the village council and/or inhabitants must’ve agreed to go for the title.)
Because first, it’s a commitment if chosen. A village must cough up 1,200€ to 4,800€ in annual membership fees (taxpayer-funded, of course).
Second, BIG changes (good and bad) can happen when a tiny village becomes an official beauty titlist.
So what’s in it for these villages?
Well, the shiny title lures tourists and media attention—boosting the local economy with jobs, restaurants, hotels, stores, and infrastructure.
I’m grateful to have already visited hundreds of French villages. There are those that made me say “Holy cr*p, this place is so beautiful!” They could’ve qualified for the PBVF label, but they didn’t carry it. Perhaps applying for the title did not interest them at all?
Can you imagine an obscure, rural village suddenly mobbed by tourists? Some locals don’t want that.
Once a village clears the preliminary round, it’s time for the big leagues. It must now meet 28 criteria via:
✅ onsite inspections by Quality Managers (think Michelin inspectors, minus the incognito)
✅ an interview with the Mayor, and
✅ a thorough review of town planning docs and photos
And the cherry on top?
The Knights of the Round Table Commission Qualité et Labélisation (or Quality and Labeling Commission), comprised of experts and representatives of member villages, cast their votes to determine who makes the cut.
Psst! Are you like my husband who gets pissed and grumpy when in a famous, touristy place? If you’re not keen on the Big 5 of the Luberon, I think you will enjoy visiting little-known, tiny villages that match your passions and interests.
Can A French Village Retain Its “Most Beautiful” Label Forever?
The answer is no.
Once awarded, a village cannot rest on its laurels. Every 6-9 years, they are reassessed. It’s to make sure they’re keeping that irresistible small-town charm alive, rather than morphing into a Disney theme park.
It is also possible that a village—for whatever reason—chooses not to renew its annual membership.
Subjective vs. Official Beautiful Villages:
Which Should You Choose?
It’s totally up to you. What makes you tick? As the old adage goes, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
Below is my copy of a 1994 coffee table book, Les Plus Beaux Villages de Provence (snagged it for 5 euros at the flea market!).
In the book, the authors feature Provence’s stunning villages, regardless if they’re on the “Most Beautiful” list or not. Curious, I compared the book’s list of villages to the latest brochure I got from a local tourist office.
| 1994 Book’s List | 2023 Tourist Brochure’s List of Official Most Beautiful Villages |
| Ansouis Bonnieux Gordes Lacoste Lourmarin Ménerbes Oppède-le-Vieux Roussillon | Ansouis Gorde Lourmarin Ménerbes Roussillon |
Fast forward to today, the places on the left are still considered some of the nicest villages to visit in Provence. I guess you can say they’re the Luberon Classics, so they’re worth adding to your list of places to visit.
The Official Most Beautiful Villages in Luberon: GRAM-L
I know French names can be hard to remember. So I added basic tips on how to pronounce the Luberon’s Big 5.
Also, I invented (sounds fancy!) this mnemonic acronym: GRAM-L.
In no particular order of beauty (or importance), here they are:
💎 Luberon’s Big 5: The Official Most Beautiful Villages of France 👑
Gordes (pronounced without s. Sounds like gourd in bitter gourd)
Roussillon (pronounced roo-see-yong)
Ansouis (pronounced with s. As in ong-swiss)
Ménerbes (pronounced me-nair-b)
Lourmarin (pronounced loor-ma-rah)
Luberon is pronounced lu-beu-rong, never lu-beh-ron. “Beu” sounds like the color bleu.
As a happy Luberon resident, I have visited those villages many times. My favorites are Lourmarin and Ansouis, and I go there almost weekly.
The best way to visit Luberon villages is by car. Nothing beats freedom and flexibility.
But if renting a vehicle isn’t in your plans, you’ll be pleased to know that there are practical and creative ways of exploring the Luberon villages without a car.
Now, let’s go to the highlights of each place.
GORDES
Anyone who has visited the Luberon will likely mention Gordes, the picture-perfect stone sentry village that appears to “spill” from the side of the hill.
It features in many postcards, and has even appeared on Netflix’s Emily in Paris. (Fun fact: L’esprit du Luberon in real life is a restaurant called Clover Gordes at the five-star Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.)
With Gordes’ golden limestone buildings and sweeping views of the Luberon valley, it’s no wonder it’s a crowd favorite…which also means big crowds.
While exploring, walk down to the viewpoint and theatre de terrasse via the old, sloping cobblestone path (be careful if wet).
Unpopular Opinion: Gordes reminds me so much of the Eiffel Tower in Paris–drop-dead gorgeous from afar, less thrilling when you’re in it.
Hands down, Gordes is the most beautiful perched village. It’s so dramatic when you stare at it from afar, especially at sunset.
However, I feel the village itself lacks interesting things to see and do, except for the Tuesday market and the viewpoint. You’ll need to visit Gordes to form your own opinion. 😉
Make sure to visit the nearby Village des Bories, where you’ll see traditional stone huts that will make you go, “How on earth did they do that with only a mallet?”
If you love lavender fields, go to the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque (only 4 km or 2.5 mi from Gordes). Their souvenir shop is amazing, with a great selection of food and non-food items.
In popular tourist spots, items are usually overpriced, but based on my experience, this gift store has reasonable prices. The last time I was there, I bought some savon noir, honey, biscuits, lavender, postcards, and a cookbook. Yep, I hoarded goodies.
Gordes Market Day: Tuesday
ROUSSILLON
Roussillon is a perched village known for its striking ocher cliffs and vibrant red, yellow, and orange buildings. It’s a photographer’s dream and can add pizzaz to any Instagram feed.
These colors are not for vanity. Roussillon sits on one of the largest ocher deposits in the world. The Massif des Ocres is a 25-kilometer (15.5 miles) site between Goult and Viens, running through Roussillon, Gargas, Villars, and Rustrel.
Visit the Conservatoire des Ocres et de la Couleur (Ocher and Color Conservatory) for a guided tour or art workshop.
Explore the Sentier des Ocres (Ocher Trail), a stunning walk through the area’s unique landscape. Get ready for some red-orange marks, so don’t wear white (or fancy shoes!).
Here’s a nice idea for (edible) souvenirs: Head over to Maison Brémond, a fine épicerie founded in 1830. If you’re looking for a one-stop shop to buy traditional Provençal food–from jams and biscuits to truffles and dips, this is a nice detour.
It’s obvious they spent a lot of effort on their packaging. It has that old-fashioned look that makes for a nice souvenir or gift. Take note, though: They mainly cater to tourists, so their prices are a bit higher than if you were to buy from a local market.
Roussillon Market Day: Thursday
ANSOUIS
Ansouis is a tiny but mighty village in southern Luberon. Surrounded by vineyards, it’s a hilltop village that blends history, charm, and unexpected finds.
Check out this mix:
- 10th-century Château d’Ansouis and its garden (private but you can reserve a guided visit done by no other than the owner/s)
- fortified Church of Saint Martin (gold motif and chandeliers, anyone?)
- Quirky, family-run Musée Extraordinaire (weird but fascinating collection of a diver’s ocean souvenirs), and…
- La Closerie, a one-star Michelin restaurant (closed in 2025. Now a new restaurant called “Garrigue” with new owners)
Wander through the narrow streets and calades—those lovely limestone, cobbled streets that scream “South of France!”
Finally, remember to pronounce Ansouis with an ‘s’ (“ong-swiss”), okay?
Tip: Beside the post office is a damn good pâtisserie. Pop into Pâtisserie Volpert for their exquisite pastries and cakes. Sit in the terrasse and let your taste buds decide if the raving reviews are true.
Ansouis Market Day: Sunday
MÉNERBES
Ménerbes is a walled, perched Luberon village that has a rich but dark history. Its strategic location made it a battleground during the French Wars of Religion in the 16th century.
As you stroll its cobbled streets, don’t miss the citadel, Maison Dora Maar (Picasso’s muse), the unique Truffle and Wine Museum, and the many shops and cafés.
Peter Mayle’s 1989 bestselling memoir A Year in Provence helped put Ménerbes (and the Luberon) on the tourist map.
Ménerbes Market Day: Thursday
LOURMARIN
With its Renaissance Château de Lourmarin, cozy cafés, and vibrant art scene, Lourmarin is a delight among foodies, creatives, and shoppers.
Unlike the other four Luberon “Most Beautiful Villages,” Lourmarin is not on a hilltop. Instead, she is on a flat terrain among vineyards, olive groves, almond trees, and dreamy houses.
As you soak up the sun in one of the many outdoor cafés, you’ll understand why artists and writers, like Albert Camus, found inspiration in this village.
Read: Comprehensive guide on Lourmarin and best things to do in the village
Tip: You can sip coffee and people-watch at any terrasse in the village. But in my opinion–as someone who frequents Lourmarin weekly–Café Gaby is the best spot.
From its central location in the village to the way the sun shifts and hits the tables, this is a great corner to watch the world go by.
Lourmarin Market Day: Friday
Wrap-Up: Les 5 Plus Beaux Villages du Luberon
And there you go! The Luberon’s very own 5 official Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.
So the next time you hear someone rave, “Ahh, this is one of the most beautiful villages in France!” You can say, “Oh, did you mean the exclusive label or it’s one of the most beautiful for you?” (I’m kidding. Don’t be a smarty pants.)
Whether you’re captivated by Ansouis‘ medieval castle, Gordes‘ dramatic hilltop location, Lourmarin‘s lively café scene, Menerbes‘ truffle history, or mesmerized by Roussillon‘s vibrant ochre hues, these Luberon villages are worth a visit.
Read Next to Help You Plan
Now that you know about the Luberon’s prettiest villages, read my articles for tips on what to do, where to go, and where to base. Even better, bookmark my full list articles to help you plan your Luberon trip.