Listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France", Gordes exudes an extraordinary mineral harmony where stone is the principal star. Stroll around Gordes through its tiny, steep streets paved with pebbles that wind between the tall houses built on the side of the cliff. The best way to visit the village is on foot as many of the alleyways are too narrow for cars and not safe for motorbikes making the centre a safe and quiet place to explore. The Place de la Fontaine, its church, its mansions, and its old houses such as the Saint-Jacques chaplaincy, a former inn which once welcomed pilgrims on their way to Compostela, breathe a thousand stories and legends. Dating back to the 11th century but considerably redesigned during the Renaissance period, the imposing Château de Gordes is well worth a visit, if only to admire the monumental fireplace that adorns the remarkable hall of honour, classified as a historical monument. So much to discover on your holiday in Gordes in any season.
During your visit to the
South of France, you can easily discover the magnificent
Luberon and the surroundings in Provence from your holiday rental in Gordes in the charming
Residence La Bastide des Chenes. Located just 2km north of Gordes, the Sénanque Abbey is a timeless place not to be missed. Founded in 1148 by Cistercian monks, this abbey nestled in a hollow of greenery and surrounded by lavender in the early summer, houses an impressive dormitory, a sublime church and a very pretty cloister that can be visited only as part of guided visits. Another must-see place is the Bories village located 4km south-west of Gordes. Classified as a historic monument, this former agricultural estate is made up of dwellings, sheepfolds, bread ovens, wine vats, enclosures and other enclosure walls exclusively built of dry stone. This hamlet straight out of prehistory bears witness to a 3,000-year-old construction method that can only be found in Ventoux, the Luberon and the Lure mountain.
From stunning lavender fields stretching into the distance, seemingly endless olive groves to rolling hills covered in lush green vines weighed down by plump grapes in the many vineyards of the region, staying in a
holiday rental with Odalys in Gordes offers the opportunity to discover the rich natural and agricultural heritage of the charming Luberon region. You can already get an idea of the vast expanses of stunning landscapes just waiting to be explored from the wonderful view point at over 300m above sea level just outside the village centre. Visit the village des Bories, an open-air museum where you learn all about local farming techniques dating back to the 18th century when almonds, olives, honey, and mulberries were harvested here and not forgetting the local silk farms. After the great frost of 1956, most of these activities were abruptly bought to an end and now the stone “bories” remain as a reminder of this fascinating period. Even if there are lavender fields as far as the eye can see in the Luberon, the unmissable spot to visit in the summer season is the Senanque Abbey, backed by forest-covered hills and overlooking an immaculately kept lavender field. The many vineyards open their doors for wine-tasting visits daily – the choice is endless, just follow the signposts !
