Cucuron

Cucuron is a hilltop village in the Luberon area of the Vaucluse department, known for its plane tree-lined basin at the heart of the village, a former washing pool now transformed into a shaded promenade. This ornamental pond featured in a few scenes of the film "A Good Year" starring Russell Crowe, which helped bring wider attention to the village. Cucuron retains architecture typical of Provence, with cobbled lanes, stone façades, remnants of old ramparts, a Romanesque church, Notre-Dame-de-Beaulieu, and a former château overlooking the village. The Tuesday morning market brings the central square to life, offering local produce, fruit, vegetables and Provençal specialities. The surrounding countryside features vineyards under the Luberon appellation and lavender fields, creating a well-preserved rural setting. Its location makes it a convenient base for exploring the Luberon massif, with neighbouring villages such as Lourmarin and Ansouis nearby, and Aix-en-Provence less than an hour's drive away. The Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers, makes walking and cycling popular activities for much of the year.