Visiting Gordes —The Crown Jewel Village of the Luberon Valley

Placed in a commanding position with all her majestic glory is a village that shines like a jewel above all others. She wears her crown well as visitors flock to capture her image from the valley below.

The best time to see Gordes is when it’s calm in the early morning or the evening as the sun is setting and the light is magnificent for photos. It’s never been too busy when we have visited since we always go slightly off-season.

Original article by Cheryl of Cobblestones and Vineyards with lovely photos of this perched (hilltop) village in the Luberon Valley. This town is glorious to see in the evening light when the crowds and tour buses have left for the day.

Ideas for Visiting Gordes

The Tuesday morning market – Ashely shares tips on where to have coffee and her photos of the market.

Village des Bories is located just 1.5km outside of Gordes. The hamlet is a collection of restored dry stone structures that once formed an 18th-century village called “Hameau des Savournins.” Some of these buildings are large enough to stand in, yet others you can barely get into. The bories are interesting to see as there are various architectural styles even though the builders all worked with the same natural stone. These huts (les cabanes) were used for all manner of domestic functions: animal shelters, villager’s homes, bakehouses, a silkworm factory, grain storage and more. Don’t miss the tiny reference library with artefacts collected from Gordes and the surrounding area. The site was registered as a national historic Monument in 1977.

Spa Time in the Luberon

There are several choices for luxury accommodation and relaxing spa treatments in and near Gordes.

La Bastide de Gordes reopened on June 24, 2015, after an 8-month renovation involving 150 construction workers and a design team with an 18th-century vision. Some €20 million later, the hotel has renewed finishes and additional reception space to accommodate wedding parties of up to 120 guests. Hotel guests can enjoy the commanding views of the Luberon Valley, fine dining and Sisley Spa treatments.

Boutique Hotel Le Petit Palais d’Aglaé after the Greek goddess Aglaea (in English) of splendour. Located less than two kilometres from Gordes’ village core and 900 metres above sea level, this 16-room hotel invites guests to relax and enjoy unobstructed views of the Luberon and Mont Ventoux. The spa “Les Moments de Thalie” is open to hotel guests.

Hotel les Bories & Spa is Cheryl’s recommendation (that she would like to keep secret). She enjoyed a luxurious spa experience called Coeur de Provence Therapy, a dreamy combination of exfoliation, wrap and massage.

Saint-Tropez - Jewel of the French Riviera: Full day tour with a winery visit

Spend your day as a movie star in Saint-Tropez! The departure is set early in the morning to avoid the traffic towards the legendary town, with which a thousand stories are associated. The experience will start with a tour of this enchanting small fishing town of Saint-Tropez, which inspired numerous painters and whose beauty of the port always attracted the cinematographic world.

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Cheryl Shufflebotham

Although, Cheryl and her husband live in upstate New York, she tells us that she is always yearning, planning, maneuvering to make her way back to France.

Cheryl's love for France started almost eleven years ago with "a once in a lifetime" ten-year anniversary trip. These wannabe expats have been back every year since that trip!

Cheryl's first French love is the region of Burgundy, but then a few years ago, she discovered Provence. Now she admits that she is torn between Burgundy and Provence. It sounds like Provence has her spellbound, "I can’t quite put a finger on what it is about Provence, but its intoxication keeps luring me back for more."

Cheryl started her blog Cobblestone and Vineyards to explore the simple charms of France, those small details that capture the heart.