Beautiful Saignon a Village Perched Above Apt in the Luberon

There are many beautiful villages in the Luberon – Gordes, Ménerbes, Roussillon and Bonnieux to name but a few. I think Saignon is one to add to your list to visit. It’s just above the town of Apt so you could perhaps head to its wonderful market on a Saturday morning and then pop up to Saignon. I say ‘up to Saignon’ as it’s situated on a steep ridge with a huge rocky outcrop and is quite distinctive as one drives towards it.

Walkable Saignon

You’ll see a car park as you approach the village so park there, and then explore the village on foot; past old houses, shuttered to keep out the heat of the midday sun and a couple of shops, one selling, I am told, delicious cakes. Chez Christine is its name; there are tables outside.

You’ll soon come to one of my favourite squares in the whole of France, place de la Fontaine, with its old auberge and café opposite. Its location in the square is second to none, under shady trees with stone buildings of beauty all around.

Further on, if you’re lucky enough to be there from roughly the end of June to early August, and you peer over the wall, you’ll see lavender fields below. There’s something special about looking down at lavender fields as those straight lines of purple beauty show up distinctly against the rough Provençal earth.

Panoramic Views

Saignon is a place for wandering, up-along past Chez Christine to the town hall and Roman church, down to another tiny square with a totally different type of fountain or up, up, up to the chapel, Rocher de Bellevue and fairly new, contemporary restaurant, Un Jardin sur le Toit. Somehow, contemporary blends beautifully with old stone and terracotta tiles. It certainly does here. It was closed when I was there but, if you’re looking for something special, its unique position and the spectacular panorama might make it worth checking out. Again, there are lavender fields in the distance. Alternatively, wind your way down to Chez Christine or head to Le Bistrot du Coing on the road to Rustrel. Tasty treats await.

Add Saignon to your Luberon list – you won’t regret it…

Restaurant Suggestions

Chez Christine
Rue Saint-Louis
84400 Saignon
Telephone: +33 (0)4 90 04 50 10
Closed on Tuesdays

Un Jardin sur le Toit
Rue de Cassy
84400 Saignon
Telephone: +33 (0)4 90 75 63 81
Reservations Required
Closed on Tuesdays

Le Bistrot du Coing
D900, 84400 Saignon
Telephone: +33 (0)4 90 05 16 01
Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

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Jane Dunning

A four-month house-sitting stay in a vineyard in the Var, inspired Jane Dunning to write a novel ‘Thirty-five minutes from St Tropez’, and its sequel 'Stolen Summer'. Jane's third novel ‘Sunshine and Shadows at the Vineyard’ was published in early 2022 and is partially set in Gordes in the Luberon. All three novels are available on Amazon Kindle. If you don't have a Kindle, it is still possible to download the books to your laptop, smartphone or tablet.

Since then, Jane has stayed in numerous towns and villages in Provence where she's enjoyed exploring the countryside around and sampling the local cuisine and wines, along with taking a huge number of photos.

Her Facebook Page is where you will find information about her books together with numerous photos and ‘shares’, many featuring Provence. She now has a colourful Instagram account @irresistiblefranceanditaly.