On Monday we spent the afternoon and evening exploring the Luberon Valley. 

We started with a drive to Gordes, a scenic hill town made of stone. Just below Gordes is the peaceful Abbey de Senanque, known for its vibrant lavendar fields. The lavendar is just beginning to bloom – a few weeks later and the abbey will be draped in a lush purple. 

    

  

 Rousillon was next on our tour. Hills of red clay (ochre) give this village a distinctive look. We wandered the streets here admiring the pretty doorways and shutters, and enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant.     

     

On our way to our next stop, we could spy Lacoste in the distance – the little village that my sister studied abroad in while in college. Lacoste looked so idyllic perdectly perched on a nearby hilltop. 

Have you ever seen a bridge built in 3 B.C.? Well, now you have! Pont St. Julien was built on the Via Domitia, an important Roman road which connected Italy to the Roman territories in France. It was used for car traffic until 2005, when a replacement bridge was finally built. Wow, the Romans were serious about building things to last!

   

We ended our day at a winery – which is the only fitting way to end a day in Provence. 😉 We sampled some delicious roses (which the region is known for), whites, and reds, then headed back to our villa with a few bottles in tow to enjoy throughout the week.