Lourmarin, ranked among the Plus Beaux Villages de France
Lourmarin is a charming Provençal village, listed among the Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages of France).
It is nestled in the heart of the Grand and Petit Lubéron mountain ranges, in a picturesque valley planted with olive trees, almond trees, and vineyards, and traversed by the Aigue Brun stream.
This valley, which benefits from an exceptional geographical location.
It was thus inhabited as early as the Neolithic period, as evidenced by the numerous discoveries and remains still visible today.
The fortified village began to develop in the High Middle Ages around its 12th-century fortress, which, although rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries, retains all its former beauty.
The splendid private apartments of the Renaissance building are now open to the public.
Lourmarin is renowned for its picturesque atmosphere.
Charming streets lined with carefully restored Provençal houses adorned with vibrant flowers lead to the heart of the village, where you will find numerous cafés, terraces, restaurants and artisan shops.
Peter Mayle, Albert Camus and Henri Bosco
The charm of Lourmarin did not escape the British writer Peter Mayle, who chose this picturesque village as his home.
His best-selling novel, “A Year in Provence,” undoubtedly contributed to Lourmarin’s renown. Mayle’s second novel, “A Good Year,” was adapted into a film, which was shot in the surrounding area, once again putting Lourmarin in the spotlight!
However, Mayle was not the only one to write about Lourmarin.
The famous French writer, journalist, philosopher, and Nobel laureate in Literature, Albert Camus, had discovered the village long before him. Camus indeed lived there, and was buried in municipal cemetery.
Another renowned literary figure associated with the village is the writer HHenri Bosco, a native from Avignon. Captivated by Lourmarin’s charm, he also chose to make it his home and to be buried there.
Department of Vaucluse
Coordinates: Lat 43.763477 – Long 5.362582
Photos via Wikimedia Creative Commons: Header and picturesque village by Georges Seguin (Okki) CC BY-SA 3.0 – Castle by Blueberry-026 CC BY-SA 4.0 – Village street by BlueBreezeWiki CC BY-SA 3.0
