Autumn in Provence: Bonnieux © French Moments
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Pierre

Last Updated: 18 November 2023

"Today I'm going to Provence!" I sent this message to my subscribers on the 14th of September 2023. On that day, Rachel, Aimée and I left the south coast of England to experience Autumn in Provence, from our base in the Luberon!

🎦 Watch our short video on the Luberon, which will inspire you to explore this beautiful region in Provence ⤵

Our French trips in 2023

My previous visits to Provence always left me yearning for more. A week or two never seemed quite sufficient.

There's such an abundance of treasures to uncover in Provence, even just within the Luberon region that I've often mused about dedicating an entire month to this picturesque corner of France.

Ménerbes © French Moments

Ménerbes, April 2023

Such an extended stay would grant me the luxury of leisurely exploration, free from the rush of cramming five village visits into a single day and returning utterly drained! 

We were fortunate to find ourselves in France on multiple occasions this year. In the spring, we found ourselves nestled in the Savoie Alps.

Tarentasia - Les Crinières de Lait © French Moments

Aimée in Granier, French Alps, May 2023

For seven weeks, we embarked on mountain adventures from the charming city of Annecy and later from a picturesque village perched high in the Tarentaise

Then, come June, we set sail from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo, opening the doors to explore the Upper Brittany region.

Brittany Unveiled: Saint-Malo © French Moments

A family selfie in Saint-Malo, June 2023

It proved to be a golden opportunity to immerse ourselves in the enchantment of the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay, the allure of the Emerald Coast, and the rich history of the town of Dinan

And now, we shall embrace the autumn in Provence for our third and final trip to France in 2023.

But before we start, let me offer you a little gift... 🎁

A Provençal gift for you!

To thank you for following our adventures of Provence in Autumn, I'm delighted to offer you my latest eBook: Luberon: 10 not-to-miss villages.

This beautifully illustrated ebook features 10 of our favourite villages in the Luberon, including Bonnieux, our base for this month-long autumn stay in Provence.

Size: 29 MB

The stages of our Provençal journey

Bonnieux will serve as our Provençal home base for a little over five weeks.

Perched atop a hill in the Luberon, this village exudes picturesque charm with its winding ancient streets and breathtaking vistas that stretch over the valley.

Arriving at Bonnieux from Lourmarin © French Moments

Arriving at Bonnieux from Lourmarin

The selection of Bonnieux as our base was influenced by several factors, chief among them its strategic positioning in our 'playground.'

From here, exploring the enchanting villages of Gordes and Roussillon is a breeze. To the south, the D943 road conveniently guides us through the Luberon mountain, unveiling treasures in Lourmarin, Cucuron, and Pertuis.

General view of Gordes © French Moments

Gordes

Lourmarin © French Moments

Lourmarin

Roussillon in Provence © French Moments

Roussillon

The countryside of Cucuron, Provence © French Moments

Cucuron

Avignon and Aix-en-Provence are within easy reach, as is Marseille-Provence Airport, our gateway to this captivating region.

Pierre in Avignon © French Moments

Avignon

Cours Mirabeau, Aix-en-Provence © French Moments

Aix-en-Provence

Autum in Provence

This page collects all the emails sent to our readers with more pictures. Come back often to read the updates!


London to Marseille Flight © French Moments

London to Marseille: A Memorable Flight

On this Sunday, at the end of September, we left the south of England to spend just over five weeks in Provence. The flight from London to Marseille gave us breathtaking views of eastern France. Here’s a photo report. I took the photos on board the plane with my iPhone – my camera was safe in read more…

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Morning Walks in Bonnieux, Luberon © French Moments

Morning Walks in Bonnieux, A Provençal Hilltop Village

Since we arrived in Provence, we’ve climbed up to the hilltop village of Bonnieux several times. We prefer to do our walks in Bonnieux in the morning, when the temperatures are still fairly cool, as climbing up to the upper church (église haute) requires a certain amount of physical effort! Here are a few photos taken read more…

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Walking in the countryside of Bonnieux © French Moments

The Countryside of Bonnieux and Lacoste, A Provençal Exploration

Our accommodation is in a Provençal farmhouse in the middle of the Luberon countryside. This location is ideal for exploring the surrounding area without taking the car. For us, the countryside of Bonnieux is a complete change of scenery.Bonnieux early morningSince arriving in Provence, we’ve been walking around our accommodation, especially in the mornings when read more…

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Walking in the countryside of Lacoste, villages of the Luberon © French Moments

Strolling through 10 Villages of the Luberon

The villages of the Luberon are exceptional in many ways. Most are perched like a stone watchtower over the valley or plain. Some have been awarded the prestigious label of “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” (The Most Beautiful Villages in France), which enables them to welcome a host of tourists in the summer. But what read more…

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Campaniles of Provence - Roussillon © French Moments

Exploring the Iconic Clock Towers and Campaniles of Provence

In the Luberon’s picturesque towns and villages, I’ve been captivated by the towering structures that grace the skyline – the campaniles and clock towers and campaniles of Provence. These architectural marvels symbolise the heart of each community and serve as guardians of time and tradition. Join me as we delve into the world of Provence’s beloved read more…

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Provence under the clouds © French Moments

Provence under the Clouds: A Different Hue of Beauty

For the past three weeks, we’ve been blessed with radiant skies and the sun’s golden rays. However, in true Provencal fashion, the weather took a turn, and the clouds and rain appeared. But I wasn’t dismayed; Provence is no stranger to these brief interludes of rain, unlike some places where gloom can stretch on for read more…

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Photos of Provence: Gordes under the clouds © French Moments

My 50 most beautiful photos of Provence

As our time in Provence comes to an end after a delightful stay spanning over five weeks, anchored in the picturesque hilltop village of Bonnieux in the heart of the Luberon, we would like to pay tribute to this magnificent region. In commemoration of this charming corner of the world, we’ve curated a compilation of read more…

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Honey from the Luberon at GAEC Aude Malbec Bonnieux © French Moments

Honey from the Luberon – A Visit to a Farm in Bonnieux

During a recent countryside getaway, we had the privilege of visiting Malvina, the curator of the family-run boutique at Clément and Malvina’s farm. In 2014, this passionate couple established a Groupement Agricole d’Exploitation en Commun (GAEC) in the picturesque commune of Bonnieux, nestled in the heart of Luberon. They manage a sprawling 30-hectare estate, home read more…

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Escape in Provence © French Moments

Watch a 5-minute escape in Provence!

During our 40-day stay in the Luberon, I took dozens of short films of our excursions. Back home in England, I selected a few of my best shots to compose a short tribute video to the Luberon. This is an invitation to escape in Provence for a few minutes!A 5-minute Escape in ProvenceThis short video read more…

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Apt Candied Fruits © French Moments

Apt Candied Fruits: Discovering the Sweet Secret of Provence

Every time we’ve stayed in the Luberon, wandering through the village markets has been a highlight. Among the bustling stalls, the famed Apt candied fruits often caught my eye. Yet, I scarcely gave them more than a passing glance in the past. Each time I returned home, my thoughts lingered on these quintessentially Provençal treats, tinged read more…

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Bonnieux Guided Walk Featured Image copyright French Moments

Bonnieux Guided Walk: A Tour of the Hilltop Village in Provence

Welcome to the ‘Bonnieux Guided Walk’, an enchanting chapter from our last journey through Provence! During a memorable 40-day stay in Bonnieux, our lovely home base, I explored this picturesque village under the warm, gentle embrace of the early autumn sun.  As the Provençal landscape basked in a serene, sunny glow, I meandered through the charming read more…

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Lourmarin Guided Walk © French Moments

Lourmarin Guided Walk: A Tour of the Charming Village in Provence

Welcome to the ‘Lourmarin Guided Walk’, an enchanting chapter from our last journey through Provence! During a memorable 40-day stay in Bonnieux, our lovely home base, I explored this other picturesque village under the warm, gentle embrace of the early autumn sun.  As the Provençal landscape basked in a serene, sunny glow, I meandered through the read more…

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Roussillon Guided Walk © French Moments

Roussillon Guided Walk: A Tour of the Ochre Village in Provence

Welcome to the ‘Roussillon Guided Walk’, an enchanting chapter from our last journey through Provence! During a memorable 40-day stay in Bonnieux, our lovely home base, I explored this other picturesque village under the warm, gentle embrace of the early autumn sun.  As the Provençal landscape basked in a serene, sunny glow, I meandered through the read more…

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Ménerbes Guided Walk © French Moments

Ménerbes Guided Walk: A Tour of the Historic Village in Provence

Welcome to the ‘Ménerbes Guided Walk’, an enchanting chapter from our last journey through Provence! During a memorable 40-day stay in Bonnieux, our lovely home base, I explored this other picturesque village under the warm, gentle embrace of the early autumn sun.  As the Provençal landscape basked in a serene, sunny glow, I meandered through the read more…

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Guided Walk of Lacoste © French Moments

Lacoste Guided Walk: A Tour of the Hilltop Village in Provence

Welcome to the ‘Lacoste Guided Walk’, an enchanting chapter from our last journey through Provence! During a memorable 40-day stay in Bonnieux, our lovely home base, I explored this other picturesque village under the warm, gentle embrace of the early autumn sun.  As the Provençal landscape basked in a serene, sunny glow, I meandered through the read more…

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Valentine's Getaway - Gordes Guided Walk © French Moments

Gordes Guided Walk: A Tour of the Acropolis of Provence

Welcome to the ‘Gordes Guided Walk’, an enchanting chapter from our last journey through Provence! During a memorable 40-day stay in Bonnieux, our lovely home base, I explored this other picturesque village under the warm, gentle embrace of the early autumn sun.  As the Provençal landscape basked in a serene, sunny glow, I meandered through the read more…

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Fontaine-Basse District, Gordes © French Moments

Fontaine Basse District: Unveil the Hidden Gem of Gordes

Most visitors to Gordes tend to stick to the upper reaches of the village, seldom making their way down. The prospect of climbing back up, facing a 70-meter elevation, can be somewhat daunting. My curiosity about the Fontaine Basse district was piqued by a tourist leaflet, and I was keen to delve deeper. On a recent read more…

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Fontaine-de-Vaucluse guided walk © French Moments

Fontaine-de-Vaucluse Guided Walk: A Tour of the Riverside Village

Welcome to the ‘Fontaine-de-Vaucluse Guided Walk’, an enchanting chapter from our last journey through Provence! During a memorable 40-day stay in Bonnieux, our lovely home base, I explored this other picturesque riverside village under the warm, gentle embrace of the autumn sun.  As the Provençal landscape basked in a serene, sunny glow, I meandered along the read more…

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Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Guided Walk © French Moments

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Guided Walk: A Tour of the Country Town

Welcome to the ‘Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Guided Walk’, an enchanting chapter from our last journey through Provence! During a memorable 40-day stay in Bonnieux, our lovely home base, I explored this charming country town under the warm, gentle embrace of the autumn sun.  This video marks the eighth of a series where I unveil the wonders of Provence’s read more…

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Les Baux-de-Provence Guided Walk © French Moments

Les Baux-de-Provence Guided Walk: Village and Castle Tour

Welcome to the ‘Les Baux-de-Provence Guided Walk’, an enchanting chapter from our last journey through Provence! During a memorable 40-day stay in Bonnieux, our lovely home base, I explored this charming village and its formidable castle under the warm, gentle embrace of the autumn sun.  This video marks the ninth of a series where I unveil read more…

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Eygalières Guided Walk © French Moments

Eygalières Guided Walk: A Tour of the Hilltop Village

Welcome to the ‘Eygalières Guided Walk’, an enchanting chapter from our last journey through Provence! During a memorable 40-day stay in Bonnieux, our lovely home base, I explored this charming village and its formidable views under the warm, gentle embrace of the autumn sun.  This video marks the tenth of a series where I unveil the read more…

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Joucas Guided Walk © French Moments

Joucas Guided Walk: A Tour of a Quaint Provençal Village

Welcome to the ‘Joucas Guided Walk’, an enchanting chapter from our last journey through Provence! During a memorable 40-day stay in Bonnieux, our lovely home base, I explored this other picturesque village under the warm, gentle embrace of the early autumn sun.  As the Provençal landscape basked in a serene, sunny glow, I meandered through the read more…

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Cucuron Guided Walk - Rue de l'Église © French Moments

Cucuron Guided Walk: A Tour of a Historic Provençal Village

Welcome to the ‘Cucuron Guided Walk’, an enchanting chapter from our last journey through Provence! During a memorable 40-day stay in Bonnieux, our lovely home base, I explored this other picturesque village under the warm, gentle embrace of the early autumn sun.  As the Provençal landscape basked in a serene, sunny glow, I meandered through the read more…

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Maubec Guided Walk © French Moments

Maubec Guided Walk: A Tour of a Little-Known Provençal Village

Welcome to the ‘Maubec Guided Walk’, an enchanting chapter from our last journey through Provence! During a memorable 40-day stay in Bonnieux, our lovely home base, I explored this other picturesque village under the warm, gentle embrace of the early autumn sun.  As the Provençal landscape basked in a serene, sunny glow, I meandered through the read more…

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Beaumettes Guided Walk © French Moments

Beaumettes Guided Walk: A Tour of a Troglodyte Provençal Village

Welcome to the ‘Beaumettes Guided Walk’, an enchanting chapter from our last journey through Provence! During a memorable 40-day stay in Bonnieux, our lovely home base, I explored this other picturesque village under the warm, gentle embrace of the early autumn sun.  As the Provençal landscape basked in a serene, sunny glow, I meandered through the read more…

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Castellet Guided Walk - Rue de la Combe © French Moments

Castellet Guided Walk: A Tour of a Little-Known Provençal Village

Welcome to the ‘Castellet Guided Walk’, an enchanting chapter from our last journey through Provence! During a memorable 40-day stay in Bonnieux, our lovely home base, I explored this other picturesque village under the warm, gentle embrace of the early autumn sun.  As the Provençal landscape basked in a serene, sunny glow, I meandered through the read more…

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Cabrières Guided Walk © French Moments

Cabrières Guided Walk: A Tour of a Little-Known Provençal Village

Welcome to the ‘Cabrières Guided Walk’, an enchanting chapter from our last journey through Provence! During a memorable 40-day stay in Bonnieux, our lovely home base, I explored this other picturesque village under the warm, gentle embrace of the early autumn sun.  As the Provençal landscape basked in a serene, sunny glow, I meandered through the read more…

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Murs Guided Walk © French Moments

Murs Guided Walk: A Tour of a Perched Provençal Village

Welcome to the ‘Murs Guided Walk’, an enchanting chapter from our last journey through Provence! During a memorable 40-day stay in Bonnieux, our lovely home base, I explored this other picturesque village under the warm, gentle embrace of the early autumn sun.  As the Provençal landscape basked in a serene, sunny glow, I meandered through the read more…

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Lauris Guided Walk © French Moments

Lauris Guided Walk: A Tour of a Quaint Provençal Village

Welcome to the ‘Lauris Guided Walk’, an enchanting chapter from our last journey through Provence! During a memorable 40-day stay in Bonnieux, our lovely home base, I explored this other picturesque village under the warm, gentle embrace of the early autumn sun.  As the Provençal landscape basked in a serene, sunny glow, I meandered through the read more…

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Provence in a 2CV © French Moments

Provence in a 2CV: A Scenic Drive From Villages to Vineyards

Join us on an unforgettable journey through the picturesque landscapes of Provence in a 2 CV, affectionately named ‘Fleurette’.  From the winding canals of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue to the breathtaking views of Gordes and the serene beauty of Ménerbes, we explore some of the most beautiful spots in this stunning region. This is going to be epic and we read more…

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Photos © French Moments except where indicated 

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About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

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  • Bon voyage to all of you! I hope you have a wonderful, educational and fun-filled five weeks and I look forward to following your adventures as usual.

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    10 MUST-SEE VILLAGES OF THE LUBERON

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