Buoux: Discover a Stunning Little Village in Provence

Before our last stay in Provence, I had never heard of Buoux.

This small village, perched at 470 meters above sea level amidst the stunning cliffs of the Grand Luberon, turned out to be one of the most surprising and incredible discoveries of our trip.

Despite its modest size, Buoux captivated me with its rich history and breathtaking scenery.

Wandering through the village centre, I was charmed by the ancient houses and restored farms that exude a timeless beauty.

The peacefulness of the Place de la Mairie, the quaint old telephone booth, and the picturesque fountain created a perfect snapshot of Provençal life.

But the true highlight was the unexpected gem hidden in the forest: the Sainte-Marie Church.

This small Romanesque church, dating back to the 12th century, stands in serene solitude, surrounded by nature.

Its simple yet elegant architecture, with a semi-dome vaulted apse and a unique wall bell tower, left a lasting impression on me.

Join me as I take you on a journey through Buoux, a village that may be small in size but is vast in wonder and history.

Watch this short video on the Luberon!

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Buoux: A Bit of History

Let’s step back in time as we recall the storied past of Buoux.

A Strategic Route in Ancient Times

In Ancient Times, the territory of Buoux was crossed by an important trade route.

It was the merchants' road that linked Apt to the Greek trading post of Marseille, passing through Lourmarin.

In the Middle Ages

A few kilometres from the village lies the main tourist attraction of the commune: the Fort of Buoux.

At the top of its vast spur, this fortress served as a refuge for its population during the invasions of the Middle Ages and during the religious wars.

In the 14th century, Buoux became a place of asylum for the Waldensians, invited by the local lords to repopulate and exploit the region despite the persecutions ordered by king François I in 1540.

The Buoux Fort became a bastion of resistance for Protestant communities.

Taken and retaken several times by Protestants and Catholics, the fort became suspicious in the eyes of the authorities in the 17th century.

Indeed, it remained a potential nest of resistance to the point that Louis XIV ordered its dismantling in 1660.

A New Village

The village that had established itself around the castle was abandoned and soon moved to its current location, where we are now.

The new village had abandoned its defensive purpose and became a rural and pastoral village.

In fact, not much is known about the history of the new village because in 1848, the mayor destroyed all the archives after declaring: "these papers are only good for gathering dust".

The Discovery Guide of Buoux

Here's some tourist information to help you explore the Provencal village.

🎦 Check out my guided walk on YouTube to explore Buoux with me:

Understanding the Village

The small village of Buoux is situated at an altitude of 470 metres amidst stunning cliffs at the foot of the Grand Luberon.

The rugged surroundings of Buoux are a true paradise for climbing enthusiasts.

The irregular outlines of the Aigue-Brun River are dominated by a succession of caves, cliffs, and peaks that make Buoux an internationally renowned climbing site!

Buoux is nestled in a green valley of meadows, almond orchards, walnut groves, and lavender fields.

Today, as you stroll through the village, you will notice that it is not very large, and you can walk around it in 10 minutes.

Indeed, the village consists of a few houses, the oldest of which date back to the late 17th century.

These include sturdy farms that belonged to wealthy Protestants.

These houses have been recently restored with care, adding a lot of charm to the village.

By observing the houses in more detail, you will notice arched gates, mullioned windows, and small gardens.

The Village Walk of Buoux

Let's begin our exploration of Buoux from the car park where I parked my car. It is located downhill and outside the old village (road coming from Apt).

The Michelin Sign at the Village Entrance

At the village entrance, you will find a sign in Provençal language.

And next to it an old Michelin sign that dates back to 1938.

This type of signage, typical of our French countryside, was produced by Michelin between 1910 and 1971.

Many of these signs were destroyed between the 1980s and 2010s, making them quite rare nowadays.

There is another Michelin vintage sign at the other end (or entrance) to the village.

The Village Centre

At the village centre is the Place de la Mairie bordered by the town hall.

There is also an old village fountain with its goldfish.

The fountain feeds the old covered washhouse, which still has water.

Take the cobbled path that joins the Chemin de l’Oratoire at the top of the village.

The Village Church

The church was built in 1706 and then remodelled in 1778, which is the date displayed on the building.

The Sainte-Marie Church

After a 500-metre climb from the village, you will discover a small Romanesque church in the middle of the forest: the Sainte-Marie church.

In the Middle Ages, it was a parish church whose secluded location might seem unusual today.

Before the establishment of the current new village in the 17th century, it was the place of worship for the nearby castle as well as for a scattered rural population.

The building dates back to the 12th century and has a sober architectural elegance.

Its roof is covered with overlapping slabs, and it features a wall bell tower with two unequal bays.

Around the church are the old and new cemeteries.

Inside Sainte-Marie Church

There is a single nave and a vaulted apse with a cul-de-four, that is a semi-dome.

The altar is a 17th-century addition, topped by a stone altarpiece with a scroll pediment.

From the chapel, you can take a path that descends through the forest to reach the Buoux castle.

Find out more

Here are some pages from our blog and other websites to find out more about this Provencal destination.

• Discover the hilltop villages of the Luberon
• Explore the neighbouring villages of Bonnieux and Lourmarin
• Find out more about Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
• The official tourist office of the area

Where to stay near Buoux

Buoux and surroundings have a high capacity for holiday accommodation. The commune and its surroundings has hotels, bed and breakfasts (covering all price ranges), estate agencies offering seasonal rentals and gîtes.

Click here to book your accommodation in the Luberon or browse the map below:

What to do in the Luberon

Be inspired by a list of things to do in the Luberon:

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