Les Oliviers

This charming villa is just a ten-minute walk from Gordes, regarded as the capital of the Luberon and one of the loveliest little spots in this whole delightful region. Perfectly picturesque and packed with gourmet restaurants, the small hilltop town attracts a discreetly upmarket clientele from all over France and beyond, making houses in the local area highly sought-after.

Les Oliviers sits in its own landscaped plot, with a south-facing terrace and pool for making the most of the long golden days. The elevated position offers far-reaching views over a classic Provençal landscape of olive groves and gently rolling hills, punctuated here and there by tiny hillside hamlets and bathed in the soft southern light that has inspired countless artists to try and capture its ephemeral beauty. The house is neatly finished both inside and out, built of tawny local stone that recalls the unique limestone ‘bories’ that have become emblematic of the region. And while the style may be timeless, the villa is in fact newly built, combining comfort and character to create an easy-living holiday space. It’s a perfect base for an active or foodie holiday (or both!), well suited to one or two couples looking for the quintessential Luberon experiences to enjoy on foot, by bike, car or even on horseback. Les Oliviers works equally well for a smaller family wanting to enjoy access to fine dining along with the enduring appeal of a villa with its own (heated) pool, with a choice of soft-adventure outings in the local area to keep older children happily engaged.

Good to know: Les Oliviers sits on a minor D-road which is a back route into Gordes, so some passing cars can be heard.

The local area
Gordes village centre is 700m away uphill, reachable in about 10 minutes on foot. Here you’ll find a great choice of quality restaurants, plus a minimarket and bakery as well as small artisan shops packed with local produce and hand-made items. The Tuesday market is a feast for all the senses, and when you want to do a bigger food shop, the nearest supermarket is in Coustellet (8km), which is also home to the marvellous Musée de la Lavande. A quick scan of the map reveals a litany of celebrated Provençal villages within a 20-30 minute radius; take your pick from Bonnieux, Ménerbes, Roussillon and Lacoste. The local area offers multiple hiking and biking routes, ranging from gentle to distinctly challenging, and if you’re here during the lavender blooming season (late June to mid August) the landscapes are even more spectacular. Nearby L’Ile sur La Sorgue is a pretty town in itself, and a focal point for activities such as kayaking, or try the high ropes course at Fontaine de Vaucluse. For an early or later season break when the weather is not so hot, it’s well worth a day trip to Arles, Avignon, Nîmes or Orange, all within 60 to 90km drive. For a slightly longer but very family friendly outing, consider the Pont du Gard coupled with the Haribo museum in Uzès.

Explore our pre-bookable experiences in Provence

Our choice of French properties is diverse, ranging from simple charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal.

To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.