A Guidebook to the Beautiful Luberon Region of Provence
“My brother-in-law, who travels to Provence often, says your book is essential!” — Libby S., March 2011
Inside the Guidebook
Our Provence Byways guidebook is in the form of a digital PDF file. When printed out it is eighty-eight 8 1/2 by 11 pages. It has ten maps, some drawings, and a number of black and white photographs. We no longer sell it in print form, but travelers who prefer a print version can have it printed and spiral bound at a copy shop for less than $10. Our current edition was last updated in the fall of 2015, but most of the book contains the kind of information that does not go out of date. The guidebook contains the following sections:
A Very Brief History of Provence: A concise overview of 2500 years of history of the region. The emphasis is on the visible history--the traces of the past that remain in the present landscape.
Notes on Rural and Village Architecture: A quick survey of the kinds of rural buildings you will see in the countryside in Provence, along with some architectural features to note in the villages.
Back Roads of the Luberon: This section contains three back-road itineraries that take you to some of our favorite out-of-the-way places in the Luberon: tiny villages, evocative ruins, dramatic canyons, and intimate valleys. Itineraries include detailed directions, interpretive commentary, maps, and suggested places to eat.
Beyond the Luberon: This section includes five day-trips to sites within easy driving distance of the Luberon. The first takes you north of the Luberon into the Vaucluse plateau, with its lavender and wheat fields, rocky ridges, and sweeping vistas. The second takes you via Roussillon and Gordes to the superb Cistercian Abbey of Sénanque and the remarkable Fontaine de Vaucluse. The third takes you along scenic back roads to Les Baux and St. Rémy. The fourth takes you north through a wilder Provence to the pleasant town of Sault at the foot of Mt. Ventoux, and the fifth takes you even farther north, into the wine region of the craggy limestone peaks called the Dentelles.
Two Great Cities of Provence: This is our personal guide to two of the most visitor-friendly cities in Provence: Aix-en-Provence and Arles. Each is rich in history, full of life, and easy to explore on foot. Our itineraries give historical background as well as detailed information about where to park, where to eat, and what sites and scenes not to miss.
Wines of the Luberon: This section discusses the Côtes du Luberon appellation and then describes the wines of nine wineries that can be visited on both the south and the north sides of the Luberon..
The Food of Provence: This section includes an introduction to Provençal cuisine, some tips to help you enjoy your eating-out experiences, a discussion of the outdoor markets in Provence, and a French/English food glossary.