Bonnieux

Bonnieux is a hilltop village in the Luberon, within the Vaucluse department, and is listed among the 'Plus Beaux Villages de France'. Built on a hillside at around 425 metres above sea level, it offers sweeping views over the Luberon valley and, on clear days, towards Mont Ventoux. The old upper church, reached via a stone stairway lined with ancient cypress trees, sits above the village and is one of its most photographed features. Cobbled lanes, flanked by ochre-stone houses, lead to shaded squares and a handful of small shops, including a museum dedicated to traditional bread-making. The surrounding countryside is dominated by Côtes du Luberon vineyards and the Cedar Forest, a wooded area popular for walking. Bonnieux lies close to other well-known Luberon villages such as Lacoste, Ménerbes and Gordes, and not far from the ochre landscapes of Roussillon. The typically Provençal climate, dry and sunny for much of the year, lends itself well to outdoor pursuits, exploring local heritage, and visiting the traditional markets found throughout the region.