Perched on a rocky hill above the Luberon, Ménerbes is officially recognised as one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, a prestigious national association dedicated to preserving and promoting France’s most remarkable historic villages for his architecture and heritage, much of it dating back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Today, the village is one of the most enchanting places to discover in the Luberon. Surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and lavender fields, Ménerbes rises above the Provençal landscape like a stone ship, with spectacular views towards the Luberon, the Vaucluse mountains and Mont Ventoux.
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Ménerbes has long attracted artists, writers and creative minds. Nicolas de Staël lived here, while the photographer and artist Dora Maar owned a house in the village and was closely associated with Pablo Picasso.
The village also became internationally famous through English writer Peter Mayle and A Year in Provence, whose affectionate descriptions of Provençal life helped turn the Luberon into one of France’s most romantic destinations.
I came to Ménerbes for a very special reason. Some of our Parisian friends have a home here, where they spend their summers, and they invited us to celebrate a birthday with them. It gave me a rare opportunity to experience Ménerbes not as a tourist following a guidebook or a map, but as a guest of people who truly belong to the village.
For a few days, we slipped into the rhythm of local life: long breakfasts and leisurely lunches together, evenings with friends, excellent local produce and, of course, chilled rosé served generously throughout the day. French cheeses appeared after almost every lunch and dinner, as they should in Provence. There were no schedules to follow and nowhere we needed to rush – just good food, conversation and the pleasure of slowing down after the intensity of Paris.
What I loved most was this feeling of authenticity. I hardly saw any large supermarkets; instead, there were small local producers selling beautiful fruit and vegetables, and wines coming from equally small domaines. The air seemed to smell of lavender, while the constant sound of cicadas became the soundtrack to our days.
It was a complete immersion into the relaxed Provençal way of life and perhaps the best possible way to discover Ménerbes. I left with the most beautiful impressions and a strong desire to return.
Things to Do in Ménerbes
The best way to experience Ménerbes is simply to wander through its narrow stone streets and discover its historic architecture at your own pace. Climb up to the Clock Tower for beautiful views across the Luberon and towards Mont Ventoux, then visit the Saint-Luc Church and the old medieval gates. Art lovers can explore the village’s connection with Dora Maar and other artists, while the nearby Abbaye de Saint-Hilaire offers a glimpse into the medieval history of the region. For something more unusual, visit the Corkscrew Museum at Domaine de la Citadelle, home to more than 1 200 corkscrews and a beautiful botanical garden. And in summer, make time to explore the lavender fields surrounding Ménerbes – their colours, fragrance and Provençal landscape make them perfect for photography.
