Hi! We are planning a trip to France next September and are considering Menerbes as a central location. We like to base in one place and very slowly tour the area. We do know we can't see it all and it doesn't matter. We just like to see and be! Any advice on this town or any others. Stu, if I remember correctly, was very taken with this area.... and if it is good enough for Stu......

Shanart -

Welcome to the Luberon. You have the perfect attitude for enjoying a nice stay here. Menerbes is a gorgeous village (one of our favorites) and will make a fine base for exploring the area.

-Kevin

Kevin, Thanks for the reply. I can't seem to get a handle on this area. We need somewhere for dinner. Does this village provide that or do we have to go to another town to eat. We are happy eating in part of the time. We are ignorant, but happy winies. I am trying to find a place to stay, but researching on this board hasn't helped in that area to much. There will be just the two of us. thanks, Sharon

I've never seen a restaurant in the village of Menerbes that intrigued me. There are plenty in other villages and out in the countryside. We love driving to dinner because that area is very pretty around sunset - especially around Menerbes.

Here are some restaurants close by:
le Fournil in the village of Bonnieux
Auberge du Presbytere in the village of Saignon
Bernard mathys in le Chene (our favorite)
Auberge du Fiacre off the N100 in the countryside - towards Goult
Bartaville in the village of Goult
le Roy Soleil in the countryside near Menerbes - we've never dined there
Le mas Tourteron in the countryside near les Imberts (Gordes)
Les Estellan outsid of les Imberts

Kevin knows several others, I'm sure.

Stu Dudley

We had an excellent lunch at a small restaurant in Ménerbes, but I can't remember the name--it was quite near the little grocery store.

Thanks Stu. We will be staying in Paris at the end of the trip. Having another city to visit is not a top priority for this trip. Im the city girl, Husband is the country boy.
Underhill, I will look for the restaurant in Menerbes. thanks, again! Sharon

bookmarking for restaurant recs...

Hi! We are considering staying in a place that is known as the "Highest House" in Menerbes. I have emailed Paulo for pictures and more information, Has anyone stayed here? I would love some Fodor's imput if you have any please. We aren't terribly picky, but since this is our first and possibly last trip here I would love to have a really neat place. (The reason being, my husband, with his italian genes, wants to go back to Italy every year.Thanks, Sharon

shanart

I don't understand your response to my suggestion. I wouldn't consider Saignon, or Bonnieux as "cities". All the other restaurants I mentioned are in the countryside - you'll probably be driving by the restaurants several times when you explore the area. There isn't much in the village of Menerbes - it's smaller than you might think.

Stu Dudley

Stu Dudley

You mite want to start a new post for your ? about Highest House. That way more people mite see it. I am also a sloooooooow traveler so I love your attitude about not seeing everything.

Seems like lots of us have trouble wrapping our brains about Provence in general.

StuDudley, you rock! Thanks for all your insightful info.

Stu...Not only am I a slow traveler, I guess I am a slow thinker as well. Once I get somewhere, I am very good with things. Before I see it, I can't imagine. I am having trouble with villages, small towns and cities, with the distances apart,size,etc I have ordered my map and when it arrives I will hopefully have a better understanding of the size of the place. Smaller than a suitcase and larger than a breadbasket? womasu, thanks, I will repost! Thanks, everybody..Sharon

Stu, Are the hill towns in Provence similar to Tuscany? Are they similar in miles? This I can understand. Thanks, Sharon I know these are probably very silly questions....

The hill towns in the Luberon valley in Provence are closer to each other than those in Tuscany. For example, a drive to Montalcino, San Quirico, Pienza, Montepulciano, and Monticchiello will take you longer than from Gordes, Oppede, Menerbes, Bonnieux, and Roussillon. The Luberon villages are smaller than Montepulciano & Montalcino. Most of the restaurants in this Tuscany region are in the villages - many in the Luberon are outside the villages in the countryside.

Stu Dudley

Apt is much larger than the other villages in the Luberon.

Stu Dudley

Stu. Thanks, so much..Now, I have it.. for a while anyway. Sharon

Stu - very helpful info about the towns' locale and distance from each other. It's easier to envision now...thanks!

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