Part Two: The Pretty Villages
In the Luberon valley, there are a number of old, quaint hilltop towns that appeal to the tourists -- Gordes, Roussillon, Oppede, Lacoste, Menerbes, Les Baux de Provence.  Each town has an old church, good restaurants and narrow cobblestone streets with nice tourist shops (definitely not T-shirts).


Oppede-le-Vieux
(Old Oppede)

Oppede-le-Vieux
 


Oppede-le-Vieux


Lavender blooming along the pedestrian approach to Oppede-le-Vieux


Roussillon is known for its ochre hills and pottery.


Ochre is mined from these cliffs,
which range from greenish-gold to red

Art using ochre pigments


The art school at Lacoste


High atop Lacoste is the ruins of the chateau of the Marquis de Sade


Bonnieux


Les Baux de Provence is the namesake of bauxite.


This gite, or farm house, outside Menerbes looks completely pastoral,
until you notice the swimming pool.

       

Go to Part 3

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