Exploring the Luberon

Scott writes:
Day 30

It was a busy day and a hot day. We started out earlyish (9am) after discovering that closing the wooden shutters kept the room dark (thanks for the tip Amanda Rooney). We had a three stop strategy.

After the routine stop at a boulangerie to buy bread we headed for Gourdes. Like so many around here it was an extremely pretty medieval town built in a defensible position at the top of a hill. We did a walk around for about 45 mins. The kids favourite part was the church because it was cool. They are adjusting slowly to the hot days and to walking around villages. The church was very elaborately decorated on its walls, unlike most in this neck of the woods.

Second stop Rousillon, after an obligatory stop in a lavender field for photos. Fortunately we avoided the lavender museum and won't be doing the all-day lavender fields tour (Theresa out-voted 4 to 1). The town was again on top of a hill. However this town's point of difference is that it is coloured orangey- red, using the local ochre to colour the cladding materials. Again the church was the favourite spot because it was cool. Keeping people religious around here might be easier than many other places.

Our third stop was Fort de Buoux, an old medieval fort. For an old ruin it was pretty interesting and it even managed to keep the children's interest despite climbing up a hill through the various defence lines and fortifications in hot weather. The best part was the steep escape route we took to exit. Unlike many historical places this one had hardly any people and no barriers before deep precipices.

On the way home we stopped for cold beer and icecream at a little place called Bonnieux and sat with a glorious view overlooking a valley in Provence.  We could see for miles, looking down at churches, towns, vineyards and, yes, lavender fields.

Back home for a late afternoon swim in the pool and chat with the owner, Pierre - a born and bred local. Apparently house prices have increased in recent years as Parisians buy up houses down here. It is only 2 hours 40 min from the centre of Paris to Avignon (not far away).

All in all a good day. Hot, but nice to have a pool to come home to.