Where to Go for Drinks in the Luberon: Our Favourite Evening Spots

The French apéritif, or simply l'apéro, is one of the loveliest traditions in Provence. Traditionally enjoyed with a pastis, today it is just as likely to be a chilled glass of rosé or an Aperol Spritz, shared with friends as the day begins to cool. At Villa Vauvert, it is one of our favourite moments of the day, whether we are heading to one of these addresses or simply enjoying a glass of wine by the pool as the sun goes down.

Visitors are often surprised to discover that it is not always easy to stop for a drink in the

Luberon, especially as dinner time approaches. Many restaurants begin setting their tables and preparing for evening service and may not serve drinks only, after 7pm.

These are our favourite places for a pre-dinner drink: wine bars, terraces and village cafés where you can settle in, enjoy the atmosphere and experience one of our favourite Provençal rituals.

Auberge du Presbytère, Saignon – A Classic Luberon Apéro Spot

Set beneath the shade of a large ash tree on Saignon's beautiful main square, the terrace of the Auberge enjoys one of the most iconic settings in the Luberon. Overlooking the village fountain and opposite the old lavoir, where local families once came to wash their clothes, it feels as though you have stepped onto a film set.

Recently reopened by a local family after several years of closure, the Auberge has quickly become one of our favourite places to stop for a drink. The welcome is warm, the atmosphere relaxed and the menu deliberately simple.

You can certainly come just for a drink, but it is worth arriving early. As dinner service approaches, tables are set and the terrace becomes a restaurant once again, so this is more of a leisurely pre-dinner stop than a place to linger all evening. The bar is generally open from 11am to 12pm and again from 6pm to 7pm, and the Auberge is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Why not take this opportunity to explore Saignon, one of the most picturesque villages in the Luberon? Wander through the cobbled streets, climb to the Rocher de Bellevue for panoramic views over the Luberon, then finish with a drink beneath the ash tree at the Auberge du Presbytère.

Read our complete guide to Saignon →

Mazette, Apt – Relaxed Drinks in the Luberon

Hidden away in the back streets of Apt, Mazette is one of our favourite local addresses. Colourful, relaxed and slightly bohemian, it feels a world away from the busy market streets, with most of the seating spread out on a shady square beneath the trees.

The atmosphere is informal and welcoming, often with music playing, vintage furniture and plenty of local life. Drinks are reasonably priced, and the menu includes cheese and charcuterie boards, small sharing plates and tapas-style nibbles. We particularly love their freshly squeezed juices, which make it just as appealing in the morning as it is at apéro time.

Unlike some restaurants in the area, there is no dinner service waiting to take over the terrace, so this is a place where you can happily linger over another glass. Mazette regularly hosts live music and has a friendly neighbourhood feel that keeps us coming back. In fact, we consider it our local.

Open for coffee, juice, lunch or evening drinks, Mazette is perfect if you enjoy colourful local life, a vintage atmosphere and places with plenty of character. Closed on Sundays, Mondays and Saturday evenings.

After exploring Apt's famous market and independent shops, Mazette is our favourite place to slow down with a drink in the shade. Planning a visit? Read our guide to Apt →

Les Belles Lurettes, Céreste – A Bistro-Brocante Full of Character

A little further from Saignon, but absolutely worth the drive, Les Belles Lurettes is one of our very favourite places for a drink. In fact, if you go, be sure to tell Nico and Aurélie that Rebecca and Michel sent you.

Part bistro, part brocante, this charming address in Céreste is full of personality. Almost everything is for sale, from the glasses and plates to the vintage furniture you are sitting on, giving the whole place a wonderfully eclectic feel.

Nico and Aurélie welcome guests like old friends. The atmosphere is relaxed, authentic and genuinely local, and it is often the liveliest spot in the village. We frequently stop for a quick drink and end up staying for hours, chatting with locals who are doing exactly the same.

The menu is short, simple and homemade, with focaccia, salads, cheese and charcuterie boards served throughout the day. In the evening, sharing platters make it very easy to stay for another glass. Unlike some places, there is no pressure to move on once dinner service begins.

Open from morning until evening, with a break in the afternoon, Les Belles Lurettes is equally good for coffee, lunch, apéro or a relaxed supper. Friendly, creative and full of character, it perfectly captures the kind of local address we love to share with our guests. They are closed on Monday evening and all day Tuesday.

Domaine des Andéols, Saint Saturnin-lès-Apt – Elegant Evening Drinks in the Luberon

For evenings when you feel like dressing up a little, Domaine des Andéols offers a completely different kind of apéro experience. Set among olive trees and contemporary gardens, this beautiful hotel combines Provençal landscapes with elegant design, making it one of the most stylish addresses in the Luberon.

This is where we go when we want to treat ourselves to a beautifully made cocktail, attentive service and a touch of luxury. The atmosphere is sophisticated without being intimidating, and the terraces are particularly lovely on a summer evening.

Unlike the lively village cafés, Domaine des Andéols is perfect for those occasions when you want to linger over a designer cocktail, enjoy the setting and feel thoroughly looked after. It is an ideal choice for a special evening, an anniversary, or simply a night when you feel like adding a little glamour to your stay in Provence.

If you decide to stay for dinner afterwards, you can, but we also love it simply as a destination for an elegant pre-dinner drink.

Bonus tip: the Tuesday evening market in Lourmarin

This may not be a bar, but it is one of our favourite places for an apéro.

Every Tuesday evening in summer, Lourmarin hosts a small evening market, and we often wonder why every village doesn't do the same. Tables and chairs are set out in the square, local wine is sold by the glass or bottle, and glasses are provided. You can wander from stall to stall buying cheese, bread, fruit and other delicious things to share.

Many of the vendors sell food that is perfect for snacking, and the whole atmosphere is wonderfully relaxed and social. It is also one of the few lively options on a Tuesday evening, when many restaurants in the area are closed.

This is the sort of place where you always seem to bump into someone you know. Friends gather around improvised tables, children run around the square, and visitors mix easily with locals. It can still be very warm at the beginning of the evening, as the market starts around 6pm, so take a hat and perhaps arrive a little later if the weather is particularly hot.

Simple, convivial and very Provençal, this is one of our favourite summer traditions.

One of our favourite ways to spend a summer Tuesday is to arrive in Lourmarin late afternoon, wander through the village, then settle into the evening market with a glass of local wine and a picnic of Provençal produce.

Discover our favourite places in Lourmarin →

A final tip: summer evenings at the wineries

Some of our favourite summer apéros don't take place in bars at all, but at the local wineries. Throughout the summer, many estates organise evening events, concerts, food trucks, tastings and relaxed gatherings among the vines. It is well worth following your favourite wineries on Instagram or signing up to their newsletters to keep track of what is happening during your stay.

Two of our favourites are Château de Mille and La Citadelle. Both offer beautiful settings, excellent wines and a warm welcome. Even without a special event, we love stopping by for a tasting or a glass of wine in their shady courtyards on a summer evening.

If you are staying in the Luberon for a week or more, keeping an eye on the local wine estates can often lead to some of the most memorable evenings of your holiday.

If you are staying at Villa Vauvert, we can recommend the best wineries to visit during your stay or organise a private wine tour, so you can enjoy the tastings without worrying about driving.

Find out more about our wine experiences →

Apéro by the pool at Villa Vauvert

Of course, some of our favourite apéros take place at home. After a day exploring the Luberon, many of our guests choose to stay at the villa, open a bottle of local rosé and enjoy the cooler evening air by the pool or on the terrace.

For those evenings when you don't feel like going out, we are happy to prepare one of our sharing platters, with local cheeses, charcuterie and seasonal produce. It is a simple and relaxed way to enjoy one of Provence's favourite traditions without leaving the villa.

And sometimes, after visiting one of our favourite addresses, the perfect ending to the evening is simply returning to Villa Vauvert for one last glass under the stars.

Discover our chef and catering services →