Off to see a couple of the famous Provence villages and our roadtrip took us through some wonderful countryside again…we stayed off the main roads and wound our way through vineyards, olive groves and woods…
First stop of the day – Gordes – which is listed as one of the prettiest villages in France…it has another claim to fame as it features in a lovely movie “A Good Year” which stars Russell Crowe, Albert Finney and Marion Cotillard – briefly, Russell’s character inherits a chateau and vineyard from his dead uncle and Marion’s character provides the love interest…the movie shows lots of stunning Provence countryside and a beautiful Chateau near Bonnieux – which we plan to see too…
The drive up to Gordes itself is up a fairly narrow road which winds up the hill until suddenly, the view of the village appears…
Gordes…perched high on the hill..
The village looks as though its been moulded into the rocky hillside and is part of the landscape. Walking into the village from the carpark, we could see across the valley back the way we’d driven up – can see how well protected these places would have been as access is not easy!
Some homes are built into the rocks too…
Exploring the village down little narrow alleys was just wonderful – steep cobbled streets lead up and down – some of the prettiest views across the valley too…
It always amazes me how people continue to live and work in these little places – everything must be carried in as most of the homes are only accessible on foot…
A tiny doorway…
Little alleys everywhere…
Part of the 12c castle peeking over the village…
Rustic…?!
After covering a fair amount of ground, we stopped for coffee in a little cafe just off the main square – in one corner there were posters on the walls with La Marseillaise amongst others, and little old men sat drinking espresso…no doubt putting the world to rights as there seemed to be a heated discussion going on! As we were fairly early, the crowds weren’t too bad but as we wandered back to the car, bus loads were arriving…time to move on – to Rousillon…
View from Gordes over the valley below…
Enjoying the view..
Gordes…
Once again, we took the back roads to Roussillon and stopped on the way in a wood to have lunch…bread, cheese and tomatoes = perfect. As we drove towards Roussillon, we could see the colours of the rocks through the trees – there is an old ochre quarry nearby and the colours have to be seen to be believed…as we drove through the village, the colours of the buildings in the sunlight was just fabulous…
Stunning colours…
Once again, walking back up the hill into the village was like walking back in time…if anything, Roussillon is prettier than Gordes as it has such striking colours everywhere…reds, yellows, oranges and pinks, dotted with blue shutters and flower boxes – fantastic…
We walked up to the top of the village where there is an old church – after the heat outside, it was so beautifully cool and quiet…Further on, there was a view point looking out over the valley back towards Gordes which we could just make out in the distance.
Taking it all in…
Gordes is out there…somewhere…
Beautiful door and bench…
Walking back into the village, we could see the cliffs with all their gorgeous colours in the sunshine…
It seemed there was something around every corner – the cameras were busy! Not many people around either which was lovely…
2CVs and lavender – how very French!
Old stone walls and little alleys…
The square with the ‘Mairie’s’ office…
Blue sky…old buildings…
Roussillon…
Looking over the square…
An eye…
Beautiful ironwork…
Vines….and views….
and my favourite…poppies….
After taking in Roussillon, we headed off home – once again, on the back roads and as we wound down the hill from the village, there was some debate about which road to take – Andrew’s sense of direction is far superior to mine – 
– and boy, am I glad we went the way he said…just at the bottom of the hill we found….lavender!
Only a couple of small fields and not fully in flower, but what a perfect end to a very special day…
Ah….
Our next outing will be further afield…more lavender fields and more beautiful villages…
Tagged: Bonnieux, Gordes, lavender, Luberon, ochre, Provence, Roussillon
