Luberon vs. Vaucluse?
 

We're looking at rentals in both these regions. We'll have a car for daytrips, and would like to do some hiking. Any reason to look at one vs. the other? Is one prettier? less crowded in June? Thanks for any info you can provide.

The Luberon is a region within the department of the Vaucluse. There is a north Luberon (Gordes, Roussillon), and a south Luberon (Ansouis, Lourmarin).

You need to be more specific - what are the closest cities near the places you are considering?

Stu Dudley

Sorry--the website I'm using lists them separately. Nearby towns are Sablet and Goult. Thanks.

You'll be near Seguret, a nice village with two very good restaurants and in good wine country like Beaume de Venice and Gigondas.
Stu has a good route for that.

soory, I misspelled , it's Beaumes de Venise!

Those are both fabulous areas. Goult is perfectly located in the Luberon Valley, and Sablet is perfectly located in the Dentelles.

The Luberon is probably more popular, mainly because nobody has written a book about the Dentelles yet (like Peter Mayle did about the Luberon). Some people, however, might prefer the Sablet/Dentelles location because the Luberon is too "well known". It is extremly easy in both places to take off on hikes, and on drives where you will encounter few tourists.

In the Dentelles you will be surrounded by vineyards everywhere and the pretty Dentelles mini-mountain range. Near Goult there are many small villages, lavender fields, and vineyards. In late June, Lavender will be in bloom and you will see several fields in the Luberon. From Sablet you can easily drive to Sault and see huge Lavender fields.

Good markets in Gordes, Apt, l'Isle sur la Sorgue from the Luberon. Markets in Carpentras, Bedoin, Nyons, and Vaison from Sablet.

There are good to OK restaurants in both areas - perhaps fewer tourists & more locals in the Sablet region restaurants. I would give a slight nod to the Sablet area for restaurants of the type I prefer (small, creative, family run, etc). Our favorite is L'Oustalet in Gigondas.

The Goult location is better for accessing St Remy, Les Baux, Arles, Aix, & Lourmarin. Sablet is closer to the Pont du Gard, Vaison, the Rhone wine area (it's IN the Rhone wine area), Nyons, Gorges de l'Ardeche, Aven Orgnac cave, & Uzes.

If you want to venture into more rugged country/mountains, The Mt Ventoux area and the region immediatly north & southeast of that is quite pretty. This region is close to both Goult & Sablet.

The Luberon Valley is laced with bicycle-only paths, which can also be used for walking.

For a first-timer to Provence, I think most people would enjoy the Luberon more. We're going back to Provence next year for our 26th thru 29th week, and we're staying closer to the Dentelles - maily because there are fewer tourists there, and it is more un-explored.

Stu Dudley

Slight unimportant correction - we're returning for our 16th to 19th week in Provence next year - not 26th-29th.

Stu Dudley