I am planning to stay the better part of a week in the Luberon; I haven't visited this part of France before. I have friends who liked Lourmarin, but Roussillon seems like a possibility, too. I am a bit apprehensive in the driving and parking situation in both towns, too, since I will have a car.

Any suggestions about which town I should stay in while I am in the Luberon would be appreciated!

Personally I like Bonnieux, because roads branch off in different directions.

Mosey,

No need to worry about driving and parking in either place as both have very big parking lots located just on the edge of the villages. In Roussillon, you'll pay 3€ for the privalege (a scandal as far as I am concerned). In Lourmarin, it's free. Driving within the villages themselves is not advisable. Anyway, they are so small, you can just park on the edge and walk in.

Either one would be a fine place to stay. Both are quite touristy, but deservedly so as they are gorgeous. Obviously, Roussillon gives better access to the north side of the Luberon and Lourmarin to the south (as well as Aix, etc.). It's about a 40 minute drive between the two villages, to give you and idea.

- Kevin

If your goal is to visit primarily the Luberon, Lourmarin seems a bit remote. The road N from there is not long but small, twisty and slow.

Bonnieux is a good suggestion and there are nice places to stay just outside the twin as well as inside. (We last stayed at Mas des Trios Sources)

Then, adjacent to Bonnieux, are other towns made famous by Peter Mayle - Menerbes is lovely. Gordes is heavily touristed but mostly with day trippers. It is still quiet after they leave.

We stayed several times in romantic Lacoste but now, Paula Wallace seems to have bought up most of the village for her Savannah College of Art & Design, SCAD. (You have to be from Savannah GA to understand what I'm talking about)

Roussillon's appeal escapes me. Manicured, gated, over regulated - nothing about it welcomed me. If I want red earth, I can go to Prince Edward Island.

We spent 2 weeks in a gite in the Luberon. Actually in Boux which is a tiny village, we loved the area. We had also seriously looked at staying in Roussillon, but am glad we didn't. It was a nice village to visit but I must admit we did like Lourmarin better. Nice little streets and cafes and stores. And a great market day.

So if it is between the two I would stay in Lourmarin.

We also visited Bonnieux a couple of times. It is a nice village and quite popular for stays.

Get out a map of Provence and circle all the places you plan on visiting. I bet most will be much closer to Roussillon than Lourmarin. Also, as tedgale mentioned, the Combe de Lourmarin road to the north of Lourmarin is twisty & winding. You may get a little tired of driving it multiple times.

Stu Dudley

I've stayed in Lourmarin twice, both for 2 weeks. I love the town and find it to be perfect for just hanging out and as a base for exploring the area. It's a lovely village. It may not be as central as Roussillon, but it has a lot more to offer as a village. There is a good selection of restaurants, cafes, and shops. I also like the surrounding countryside for walks and morning runs. Parking is free, right next to the village, and easy. The Friday market is fabulous.

You might want to invest in this wonderful guidebook for exploring the area-
http://www.provencebyways.com/guides.htm

All day trips are mapped out from Lourmarin, so it's an excellent tool for exploring the region from a base in Lourmarin. It would also be a good guidebook when staying in any of the other towns in the area. In addition to day trips and drive suggestions, it provides great advice on food and wine in the area. I wouldn't visit without this guidebook.

In the end, I stayed near Roussillon, which I really enjoyed visiting. But I think if we were going back, I would stay in Lourmarin. It is true that the Combe de Lourmarin road is a disagreeable drive! And Roussillon is better located for visiting Gordes, the Abbey of Senanque, and the northern slope of the Luberon. But I found Lourmarin to be very relaxing and pleasant, and the farmers' market was delightful. It is perhaps not as striking as some other villages, but it seemed like the most charming one I visited.

Next time, try someplace between the 2!

We love St Saturnin Les Apt. It is well located to do short and medium length day trips quite easily and the little village has a nice weekly market and a lovely chateau.

We stayed at a gite and really felt like it was the perfect way to explore the Luberon.

http://www.accommodationinprovence.com/