Luberon or Drome Provençale?
 

We live in Barcelona and every year we spend 4 or 5 summer days in the Luberon (Provence). We like to visit villages like Gordes, Menerbes, Roussillon or Saignon, spend time in markets, sunbath in the swimming pool and eat in the good restaurants in the area.
This year we are thinking in change the area to visit. We are considering the possibility to go to Drome Provençale and stay in Grignan and visit villages like Grignan, Dieulefit, La Garde Ademar, le Poët Laval,... We would like to do more or less the same life as in Luberon, but changing the area. The problem is that we have visited other areas in Provence and Cote d’Azur and we didn’t like them as we like the Luberon. We would like some help. Have you visited the Drome Provençale? Do you like the area? Is it as charming and beautiful as the Luberon?
Another possiblity is make a one-day trip to Grignan area. Is it feasable from Gordes?
Thanks for your help.

Àlex

We are especially fond of the Drôme Provençale and the area area around Dieulefit in particular. It's a fine area in which to relax, with the option of visiting interesting towns (Nyons) and villages (Le Poët-Laval, with our favorite hotel, Les Hospitaliers).

We actually prefer the Drôme Provençale to the Lubéron; not nearly as touristy and with more variance in scenery.

Besides the places you mention you can easily hop over to Montélimar, a very pleasant large town with a lovely, wide main avenue. Also within easy reach is the area of the Ardèche river; the corniche above it makes for a wonderfully scenic drive, and you can take that route to visit the fabulous Aven d'Orgnac, a vast cavern that is cool in the summer's heat.

Don't omit Nyons and Vaison-la-Romaine if you haven't already visited those two towns. Nyons is a major olive center, and there's a cooperative where you can buy all sorts of products, including vrac wine. Vaison, of course, has major Roman ruins, including a fine arena.

I'm not quite as fond of the Poet Laval/Dieulefit area as Underhill is. We spent a couple of days in that region in June - staying overnight in Poet Laval (we've spent time in that area on other visits also). I can certainly understand, however, why some might prefer it, because it is less touristy and perhaps more "authentic" than the villages in the Luberon.

Since '99, we've spent 4 weeks in the Luberon, 2 weeks near St Remy, 4 weeks near Vaison, and 2 weeks near Uzes. I think the Luberon is the prettiest, and the Vaison/Dentelles/Mt Ventoux area is our second favorite. We stayed in the Vaison/Dentelles/Ventoux region near Bedoin this past June, and near Entrechaux on a prior trip. I think I prefer this region because it is less arid than the Poet/Laval region. We also stayed 2 weeks in the Ardeche near Lemastre in June, and hit parts of the Drome from there (Crest area).

Stu Dudley

I've spent time in the drome but also prefer the Luberon but if you do decide on the Drome, lunch at the les Hospitaliers has a great view and food!!! Drive to some of the vineyards, very friendly and of course an olive mill in Nyons famous for the olives.

Alex, I can't help with your question but hope you don't mind my asking if you have stayed at a table d'hotes? You seem to like the same things I do and I'm trying to decide if I should go to one and participate in the hosts dinner or forgo it to eat in surrounding restaurants. We will only have 2 nights in Provence (and I have never been).

I see that there are different opinions about the question I made. Therefore, it's more difficult for us to decide. If we finally decide to go to the Drome Provençale, Les Hospitaliers seems a good place. Other options we've considered are La Maison du Moulin in Grignan and Mas Bella Cortis in La Garde Adhemar. Do you know anything about them?
JES, I've never been to a table d'hôtes, so I can't help you. When we stay in Provence we normally go to restaurants. There is a big offer there. Searching in this forum, and depending on the area you are going to stay, you can find a lot of helpful information. If, you are going to stay in the Luberon, I can give you some information.

Send my a message at

[email protected]

and I'll forward to you the article on Les Hospitaliers that I wrote for a travel web site.

Alex,
Thank you. We will be staying in Luberon. But it seems to be such a large place I'm still deciding where to stay. (I'm looking at Bonnieux, Robion, Le Thor)
Any suggestions or favorit things to do in the area would be great!

>>We will be staying in Luberon. But it seems to be such a large place I'm still deciding where to stay. (I'm looking at Bonnieux, Robion, Le Thor)<<

IMO, the Bonnieux area is the most scenic of the three. I would not consider le Thor to be in the Luberon, and it's too close to some areas that have a little too much ugly commerce for my tastes. Robion is also close to some ugly commerce along the D4. Maubec is about as far west as I like to get below the N100/D22.

Stu Dudley

Thank you Stu--that is so helpful!
How about Lagnes? I would stay in Bonnieux in a heartbeat if the B&B I liked offered tables d'hotes. I'm still trying to figure out if I should let that go or not.

I say Bonnieux too if you are talking about the Luberon.
Myself I visit Bonnieux and around there every year, but stay in the Alpilles.

Lagnes would be fine.

Stu Dudley

Thanks again. Stu--have you done tables d'hotes? What are your thoughts on it if I'm staying only 2 nights/first time?
If you had your choice, would you stay in Bonnieux without it or Lagnes with it? Thanks for all of your advice and Alex, sorry to heist your posting.

Stu, we stayed in Lagnes one year at the Mas de Gres.
http://www.masdesgres.com/

run by a young German woman who is married to the Provençal chef.
She was very helpful to us finding us a hotel at our next stop.

Hi again (topping)
One last call for Stu and Cigal--if you had the option, which would you choose? I value both of your opinions greatly as I know you both are the experts in the area!

Hi,
We visit the Luberon every year usually staying in Saignon. I would definitely vote for Bonnieux, it is a beautiful village with spectauclar views across to Lacoste.

JES & others,

Maybe this information can be helpful for you, if you don't know the place.
We stay every year in a fantastic B&B in Gordes called Les Balcons du Luberon

http://www.luberon-news.com/les-balc...n/index-uk.php

Nice house, only 4 rooms, beautiful garden and swimming pool and oustanding views. The owners, Christine and Jean Marc are very gentle and they've became friends of us. For us, it's a paradise.
They don't have table d'hôtes but you have a good restaurant (Les clos de Gustave) in a walking distance.

Àlex

I would choose Bonnieux for the location. I don't know anything about the specific B&Bs you are considering.

Stu Dudley

It sounds like the general consensus is to forget the tables d'hotes.
Bonnieux does look beautiful.
Stu, the 2 I was considering was Mas de deux puits http://www.avignon-et-provence.com/p...-breakfast.htm
and Le Clos d'Estellen http://www.avignon-et-provence.com/c...lan/index.html
Not sure if you recognize either?

(The Tables d'hotes in Lagnes is sous L'Olivier http://www.chambresdhotesprovence.co...beron_provence)

Alex--that looks gorgeous too!

We stay in Gites while in Provence - not B&Bs, so I'm not familiar with the two you are considering.

Stu Dudley