In The Area
The D900, running the length of the valley, is an ancient Roman road (la Via Domitia), le Pont Julien a beautifully preserved Roman bridge. The Ochre cliffs have designated walking paths in Roussillon and in Rustrel; ocre mines, and the old factory (usine) at the Conservatoire des Ocres are open for exploration. Samuel Becket passed the war years in Roussillon...thus in summer there are lectures, readings, and theatre productions. Lacoste, another hilltown on the South side of the valley, is dominated by the chateau of the Marquis de Sade. The Abbey of Senanque is nestled in a deep valley below Gordes.
The Landscpe
Rugged and dry, can be surprisingly green and lush...it is a cascade of changing colors.
Cherry orchards blossom white in early Spring; poppies cover our fields in April/May; lavender typically colors the area from mid-June to mid-July; sunflowers in July/August; fall colors are strong, and winter landscapes impress with the rigor of their structure, thanks to olive groves, gnarled fruit trees and vineyards (wines are plentiful and of character). We are often gifted with 'blue nights; light polution is minimal allowing for clear and abundant stars; sun and deep blue skies really do define the seasons.
Arrival
By Air
Marseille's Marignane Airport (MRS) is one hour away.
Nice (NCE) is 3hrs away.
TGV Train
Trains stop multiple times a day at Avignon TGV station (Courtine).
Car rental available at TGV station.
Bus (transVaucluse) departs TGV station regularly to Apt.
By Car
We are 50 min from Avignon (D900 East dir Apt/Dignes) and 1.5 hrs from Marseille (A7 North direction Lyon)
Roussillon, in the area called Le Luberon (the valley between the Luberon mountain range and Les Monts de Vaucluse), is one of France's most beautiful hilltop villages, known for its charming ochre colored walls, buildings and cliffs, with specialty shops, galeries and restaurants. Three minutes by car, it has a bakery, a butcher, a pharmacy, a Casino grocery where one can find most supplies, and a delightful year-round weekly market. St Saturnin les Apt, another fine go-to hill town, is nearby, as are Gordes, Bonnieux, and Menerbes. Apt, a central market town with most amenities, offers one of the largest and most colorful markets in Provence.
Retreat into the heart of the Luberon
Location
Les Reys is a 3 minute drive from Roussillon village, on the D227 direction St Saturnin les Apt, 300m after crossing the D4.
It is about 10 minutes by car from Apt, and 50 minutes from Avignon (D900 direction Apt to D2 (at Coustellet) dir Gordes/St Saturnin les Apt, to the D4 (dir Apt), to the D227 (dir St Saturnin les Apt). 300m on the left.
The TransVaucluse bus runs from Avignon TGV station to Apt several times per day, takes about 1.5 hours. A pick-up can be arranged at Chene.
HOWEVER, we recommend a private car, as there is little public transport in the area.
