Ménerbes

Ménerbes is a hilltop village in the Luberon area of Vaucluse, officially listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France. Perched along a ridge, it offers sweeping views over the Calavon valley, surrounding vineyards and lavender fields. The village gained wider recognition through British writer Peter Mayle, who lived there and wrote about the region, as well as through past residents such as painter Nicolas de Staël and artist Dora Maar. Notable features include a fortified 14th-century church, a former castle, and narrow lanes lined with the dry-stone architecture typical of the Luberon. Nearby, the Domaine de la Citadelle estate houses a corkscrew museum and offers tastings of local Luberon wines. The surrounding countryside is well suited to walking and cycling, with easy access to neighbouring villages such as Lacoste, Bonnieux and Gordes. The Provençal climate, dry and sunny for much of the year, supports outdoor activities and visits to local markets selling fruit, olive oil and regional produce. Ménerbes remains a popular base for exploring the Luberon Regional Nature Park.