Ménerbes

Le Pavillon, Menèbres

‘Ménerbes is like a ship rising from a sea of vines’ -Nostradams

Well it is if you are approaching from the north… and the bow of the ship will appear to be to the west, in the corner of the castle’s gardens. The church is to the east; here you will see the 18th century belfry on the townhall, surrounded by the former ramparts.

The citadel received a severe pounding during the wars of religion; 900 cannon balls and 14 tons of lead bullets to be precise! And the towers were destroyed by incendiary weapons. Ménerbes was one of the last holdouts of the Huguenots -who finally surrendered in 1578 after a 15 month siege.

Ménerbes has since been occupied by Nicolas de Stael, Dora Maar and Picasso as well as hoards of British tourists after the 1989 book by Peter Mayle, ‘A Year in Provence’. The fad has now calmed down and you are able to wander round this quaint medieval market town effortlessly. Tasteful souvenir shops, restaurants and bars sprawl out onto the terraces at the bottom of the village. Where in summer months you can enjoy artistic, musical and cultural events.

At the crown of the village you can admire panoramic views of vineyards, orchards, and the Luberon National Park -where you can hike, cycle and sniff out black truffles if you are lucky! The stunning vistas continue over to the villages of Lacoste, Gordes, Roussillon and Mont Ventoux.

Ménerbes still attracts artists, poets, writers and film producers. Yves Rousset-Rouard became mayor and then went on to convert an old town villa into the House of Truffles and Wine of the Luberon and oddly, or fittingly,  a Corkscrew Museum. It does however make a great combi of wine tasting, truffle buying and devise observing for helixophiles. 

Then its back to your villa to try out some truffle recipes but on your way look out for the Neolithic Dolmens de la Pitchoune, remains of the Roman cemetery and villas and the 14th century St Hilaire Abbey between Ménerbes and Lacoste.

Ménerbes checklist

  • Neolithic dolmens de la Pitchoune
  • 18th century belfry, former hospice, citadel, castle
  • Corkscrew museum at the Domaine de la Citidelle. 2km
  • Go wine tasting at Domaine de la Citidelle
  • Visit the surrounding villages. Learn more here; Lacoste, Bonnieux, Goult, Roussillon
  • Le Mas des Abeilles in Bonnieux offers aromatic lavender products.
  • Hike or cycle in the Cedre Forest and the Luberon valley

St Julien bridge, Bonnieux
St Julien bridge, Bonnieux

Nearest Villages

Lacoste
Once home to Marquis de Sade
7kmMap
Goult
Fabulous restaurants
10kmMap
Bonnieux
Perched village
10.7kmMap
Gordes
Sénanque Abbey, Neolithic settlement
10.8kmMap
Roussillon
Spectacular ochre trail
17.3kmMap
Apt
Truffle market
22.4kmMap
Lourmarin
Pretty village
22.7kmMap
Oppède
Oppède

Nearby Restaurants

Lacoste 

Bonnieux 

Ménerbes 

Goult 

How to get there

Train: Avignon (50mins)

Airports: Avignon (32 mins). Marseille (1h)

Car: See map

Le Pavillion villa, Mènerbes, Luberon

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