Are you looking for the perfect location for a family retreat over the Christmas holidays?
Christmas markets, homemade wares, local delicacies, mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, steaming hot chocolate and beautiful country landscapes.
Far from the maddening crowds, the Luberon has it all, even in the off season (some would say especially in the off season). Do you day dream about waking up to the sounds of nature, watching the birds feeding from their perches while you drink your morning coffee, the wooden burning stove crackling in the background? Look no further.
French country life at it's best: cool mornings, bright sunshine, christmas lights in the streets, lovely shop window, village fairs, local markets, beautiful walking trails, fresh produce, thick soups, slow cooked casseroles, sticky puddings...
Here are our top 10 ideas for things to do in the Luberon over Christmas:
Discover the perched villages of the Luberon. Take advantage of the exceptional, golden winter light to take phenomenal photos of hilltop villages, ocre streets and spectacular sunsets, particularly beautiful with their Christmas lights.
Enjoy the unique Christmas traditions of Provence. Visit the weekend Christmas market in Lourmarin, the little village of Saignon, where provencal christmas creches adorn balconies, doorsteps and shop windows, or the village church in Bonnieux where hundreds of Santons make up the Christmas display. This is the perfect opportunity to complete your Christmas shopping: woollen scarves, antique homewares, nougat, honey, truffles, silver jewellery, handmade ceramics...
Marche de Noel à la Maison Dora Maar, Menerbes, 7 & 8 December
Marche de Noel d'Apt, 13,14 & 15 December
Marché des Artisans, Pertuis , 17 December
Marche de Noel de Gordes, 21 & 22 December
Enjoy your own gastronomical tour of the area. Visit some of the local wineries and choose your own wine and champagne for the festive season. Visit the truffle fairs or sample a huge selection of fresh, wild mushrooms at the local markets. Why not add candied fruit, provencal nougat, olive oil or homemad icecream to the shopping list? Visit a local supermarket and see what the French eat in the festive season...
Visit Apt, "ville des lumières" and home to Blachère Illuminations, famous for its production of Christmas lights. Let the Christmas magic wash over you, visit their professional showroom, get your photo with Father Christmas, have your afternoon tea at the "chalet gourmand" and select your christmas lights.
Make your own Christmas wreath and decorate your celebration table with pine cones, dried flowers and winter foliage forraged directly from our grounds at Villa Vauvert. The winter markets and local boutiques abound with inspiration at this time of the year.
Hike the Luberon trails, enjoy the winter sun, without the heat of the summer and discover the Foret des Cèdres, the Sentier des Ocres or the beautiful hilltop villages of Bonnieux, Lacoste, Buoux and Saignon, on foot.
The south of France has attracted artists for ever, as a result, the villages of the Luberon abound in art galleries big and small. For art lovers we recommend the Fondation Blachere in Bonnieux, la Fondation Villa Datris in Isle sur la Sorgue, the entire village of Gordes and Lacoste. Why not treat yourself to a christmas gift in Pierre's Atelier in Saignon?
Take in over 80 the antique markets in Isle sur la Sorgue, every day from Thursday to Sunday. For a truly exceptional gift, visit the Woollen mill Brun de Vian-Tiran and for the best cakes in town, la Maison Jouvaud.
Relax and unwind by the fire at Villa Vauvert, stroll the forest at your own rhythm and soak up the delights of the french countryside.
Indulge in a fine dining experience.
Put your feet up and enjoy a fully catered Christmas dinner in the comfort of your home away from home (service available exclusively for guests of Villa Vauvert). Let us do the heavy lifting for you. View our Christmas menu below, and contact us for a quote for your party.
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