Our most recommended things to do in Ménerbes

From Avignon: Best of Luberon Afternoon Day Trip by Van

1. From Avignon: Best of Luberon Afternoon Day Trip by Van

Spend an afternoon discovering the Luberon region's most charming villages. Depart from Avignon in an air-conditioned minibus and explore the picturesque villages of Lacoste, Ménerbes, Roussillon, and Gordes with a guide. From the meeting point in Avignon, set off to the village of Lacoste, once the residence of the Marquis de Sade, for a photo stop. Then, continue to Ménerbes, a village that became famous due to Peter Mayle's book A Year in Provence. Enjoy free time to discover the village. From April 1st, the visit to the village of Menerbes will be replaced by various photo stops of the must-see landscape of Luberon during the tour. On the way to Roussillon, take a look at the Roman bridge Pont Julien, one of the numerous Roman remains in Provence. Arrive in Roussillon and admire how the village is built at the top of an ochre cliff, as well as the ochre-washed façades of its buildings. Next, head toward Gordes, another village erected on the top of a cliff, and discover its fortified castle and church. See the village's typical houses, built from the rock on which they stand, before returning to Avignon.

From Avignon: Châteauneuf du Pape and Luberon Tour with Wine

2. From Avignon: Châteauneuf du Pape and Luberon Tour with Wine

Enjoy a scenic drive through the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape followed by wine tastings at two different wineries. From the ruins of the Pope's summer residence, enjoy a panoramic view over the Rhône River valley and the hill ranges surrounding the village. In the afternoon, discover the village of Roussillon and its colorful houses. Enjoy a photo stop at Pont Julien with a history dating from Roman times. Drive through the village of Lacoste, where you will see the remains of the castle of the Marquis de Sade. Conclude the tour with free time in the dry-stone-built hilltop village of Gordes.

From Avignon: Full-Day E-Bike Tour in the Luberon Region

3. From Avignon: Full-Day E-Bike Tour in the Luberon Region

After a short drive aboard our minibus to Bonnieux, one of the most impressive Luberon villages with stunning views out across the patchworked valley of orchards and vineyards, it’s time to get pedalling. Enjoy your ride through olive tree plantations, vineyards and lavender fields. A melting pot of France’s most beautiful landscapes! Continue on towards Oppède le Vieux, one of the most authentic perched villages of the Luberon region. Follow your local guide who will lead you on to an olive farm and its fascinating olive oil museum. Learn more about one of the richess of the region and savor different varieties of oil. But that’s not all! Head through the boutique and finish up with a guided tasting session of local wines. Time for a break and a delicious lunch (not included) in the charming village of Ménerbes, listed as “one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France”. Snap away at the incredible views over the valley and the neighbouring villages. Back on the saddle for a pleasant ride to a viewpoint overlooking Château de Lacoste, one of the Luberon’s unmissable 11th century jewels, the Abbey of Sainte Hilaire and the village of Bonnieux. A few more pedal rolls before arriving back in Bonnieux, ready for a well-deserved rest in the minibus with wonderful memories of Provence well-entrenched in your mind.

From Aix-en-Provence: Cassis & Luberon

4. From Aix-en-Provence: Cassis & Luberon

Embark on a tour to several villages from Aix-en-Provence. Stop at several picturesque villages and admire the fantastic scenery. Depart from Aix-en-Provence by minivan and first drive to Cassis and Cape Canaille. Spend some free time strolling through the charming fisherman port of Cassis, before stopping to admire the views of the highest seaside cliff in Europe, Cape Canaille. Next, continue north to the Massif du Luberon, known for its many quaint villages. First, discover the village of Lourmarin famous for its Renaissance-style castle. Enjoy a photo stop in Bonnieux, followed by a visit to the colorful village of Roussillon, where the houses are painted with ochre. Stroll in the medieval village of Gordes, a scenic village perched on a steep hilltop. Afterward, be returned to the city center of Aix-en-Provence.

From Avignon: Luberon Hilltop Villages

5. From Avignon: Luberon Hilltop Villages

Your first stop will be Fontaine de Vaucluse where you will be charmed by the biggest French spring. Spontaneous stops at poppy fields on the way are included (in season). Next, enjoy strolling through the streets of the spectacular hilltop village of Gordes, where you can admire the play of warm light on the dry stone walls. Move then on to Roussillon and observe all the different shades of the ochre by wandering along the Ochre Trail (entrance fee not included - 3€/adult) and the colored roads of the village. Then, walk on the streets of Ménerbes, the fortified hilltop village that inspired Peter Mayle to write his most successful novel "One Year in Provence".

From Aix-en-Provence: Luberon Region E-Bike Full-Day Tour

6. From Aix-en-Provence: Luberon Region E-Bike Full-Day Tour

After a short drive aboard our minibus to Bonnieux, one of the most impressive Luberon villages with stunning views out across the patchworked valley of orchards and vineyards, it’s time to get pedalling Enjoy your ride through olive tree plantations, vineyards and lavender fields. A melting pot of France’s most beautiful landscapes! Continue on towards Oppède le Vieux, one of the most authentic perched villages of the Luberon region. Follow your local guide who will lead you on to an olive farm and its fascinating olive oil museum. Learn more about one of the richess of the region and savor different varieties of oil. But that’s not all! Head through the boutique and finish up with a guided tasting session of local wines. Time for a break and a delicious lunch (not included) in the charming village of Ménerbes, listed as “one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France”. Snap away at the incredible views over the valley and the neighbouring villages. Back on the saddle for a pleasant ride to a viewpoint overlooking Château de Lacoste, one of the Luberon’s unmissable 11th century jewels, the Abbey of Sainte Hilaire and the village of Bonnieux. A few more pedal rolls before arriving back in Bonnieux, ready for a well-deserved rest in the minibus with wonderful memories of Provence well-entrenched in your mind.

From Avignon: Half-Day Baux de Provence and Luberon Tour

7. From Avignon: Half-Day Baux de Provence and Luberon Tour

Explore the Alpilles and Luberon regional parks in this half-day trip from Avignon. Focusing on a fusion of cultural heritage and natural beauty, you'll discover your own mini "year in Provence" within the space of a mere few hours with these twin attractions. Admire the panoramic view of the Alpilles from the hilltop village of Les Baux de Provence. Visit the Luberon and its precariously perched villages, along with Gordes, listed among "the most beautiful villages in France". Lest we forget Roussillon with its red houses and ochre textures. Final stop will be a fab photo opp at famous Senanque Abbey.

From Avignon: Full-Day Experience in Luberon with Lunch

8. From Avignon: Full-Day Experience in Luberon with Lunch

Take full advantage of the slower pace of life in Provence and take your time on your Luberon tour from Avignon. Laze about and experience the quiet life in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue with its quaint antique shops. Have a stroll in Gordes, widely celebrated as one of the most beautiful villages in France, and take in a panoramic view of the Luberon. Snap photos at Senanque Abbey in its lavender surroundings in bloom. Marvel at the perched village of Menerbes. Have a leisurely lunch in a Provencal restaurant, pairing the wines expertly with your food. Explore the famous Luberon village of Roussillon - its passionate red houses and ochre textures will inspire you.

Live a sweet evening in Luberon nicest villages !

9. Live a sweet evening in Luberon nicest villages !

In order to live the sweet energy of Provence, the best moment is at the end of the day, when the sun is less strong. We offer you the opportunity to be among locals in one of the loviliest villages of Luberon : Lourmarin, Cucuron, Ansouis, Bonnieux, Gordes, Ménerbes... Whether you want to have diner in a typical square with fountain, a stroll in a charming provencal market or enjoy a picnic in the grapes, you will end your day in the most perfect way. Why not playing the famous pétanque game, under the shadows of the plane trees, with a rosé bottle or a pastis, the iconic licor of the region ? Be a local for one night...!

From Avignon: Half-Day Hilltop Villages of Luberon

10. From Avignon: Half-Day Hilltop Villages of Luberon

Visit the French regional national park of the Luberon and the typical Provençal villages perched atop cliffs that Peter Mayle described so well in his popular books about life in Provence. Your driver/guide is experienced and knowledgeable and will help ensure that this half-day tour is a memorable one! Wander along the narrow streets of Gordes, admire the ochre-red façades of Roussillon and stop to see the magnificent Abbey of Sénanque, surrounded with lavender fields in bloom during the summer (15 June to 15 August). On the tour you’ll make stops in Ménerbes and Lacoste to admire these typical Provençal villages as well.

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What people are saying about Ménerbes

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 38 reviews

Veronica is very friendly, informative and funny, and also an excellent driver! The trip includes four beautiful villages - Vaucluse, Gorde, Rousillon and Menerbes, plus Notre Dame de Senanque Abbey which is famous for its lavender fields in summer (went there in September thus not in bloom, but still it was stunning and tranquil). These four villages are well picked because they show different sides of Luberon, Provence, and also each one is quite small so the time Veronica reserved for each village was quite enough for strolling around and taking some cool pictures.

Excellent day spent with Nicolas, our very friendly guide. We might just like to spend a little more time in the village of Roussillon. It is difficult to both go on the ocher path and visit the village, for lack of time. We have very fond memories of that day. Good luck to our guide. Christiane and Thomas

We enjoyed the tour very much. Our guide Pierre was very friendly and knowledgable and the transport comfortable. It is a good introduction to the beautiful villages of Provence.

More than enchanted by this visit, beautiful sites, full of memories in mind and in photos, and our driver Jérôme was an excellent guide. Cheer

Excellent informative and enjoyable! Great host too.