On the southern side of the Luberon, at the mouth of the valley between the Petit and Grand Luberon, Lourmarin is recognisable from afar by its three bell towers: the belfry, the church and the temple. Around them are a maze of lanes, terraces beneath the plane trees and, on the edge of the village, the château, described as the first Renaissance château in Provence.
Choosing where to stay in Lourmarin mainly comes down to deciding between a house in the village centre and a place with a pool a short walk away. This guide will help you choose, with accommodation we have hand-picked one place at a time, mainly B&Bs and holiday homes. See the full selection on our accommodation in Lourmarin page.
How to choose an area
Lourmarin is small: most places to stay are less than a kilometre from the centre.
- The village and its surroundings, on rue Albert-Camus or avenue Laurent-Vibert: lanes, cafés and the château are all within walking distance, making this a good choice for a car-free stay.
- The road to Vaugines, to the east: B&Bs with pools, a few minutes’ walk from the lanes.
- The roads to Cadenet and Lauris, to the south and west, towards the Durance plain: more space and peace, but a car comes in handy.
For a weekend, stay in the village; for a summer week, a place with a pool is worth the extra few minutes’ walk. Here are our picks.
In the heart of the village
Leave the car behind when you arrive and forget about it until you leave. Two holiday homes: one for couples, the other for families.
La petite maison
An independent two-bedroom house on rue Albert-Camus, a few minutes’ walk from the cafés and market. The terrace looks out onto the garden and mountains, while the fully equipped kitchen lets you set your own pace. Air-conditioned, it suits a couple or small family.
Maison La Plaine
With 120 m² of space for six people, this is a good choice for families and groups of friends, on avenue Laurent-Vibert, the road to the château. Garden, terrace, fully equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi and private parking: everything you need for a week’s stay. It’s too large for a couple on their own.
On the road to Vaugines
At the eastern edge of the village, the road to Vaugines leads towards Cucuron. These two places combine pools and gardens with easy access to the lanes.
La Luberonne
At the start of the road to Vaugines, near the château and lanes, this B&B has a pool, garden and sunny terrace, as well as air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms. Ideal for couples who want to spend the afternoon by the pool and the evening in the village.
Mas la Chêneraie Lourmarin - Au calme, à 10 mn du centre ville à pied
Further along the same road, about ten minutes’ walk from the centre, this Provençal farmhouse has landscaped gardens and a saltwater pool; depending on the room category, there’s a kitchenette or a spa bath. A good choice if you prefer peace and quiet to the bustle of the terraces.
Towards Cadenet and Lauris
To the south and west, the roads to Cadenet and Lauris descend towards the Durance plain, where there’s more room to spread out.
Château les Gardis
On the road to Cadenet, this Provençal B&B has a heated outdoor pool, garden and restaurant. The air-conditioned rooms look out over the surrounding countryside. A peaceful option for couples, a little way from the lanes.
Charme et authenticité dans une ferme.
On the road to Lauris, this 45 m² hideaway in a farmhouse is designed for two: a terrace overlooking the garden, a fully equipped kitchen and air conditioning. Free private parking makes day trips easier. Too small for a family, it’s well suited to couples seeking a quiet stay.
What to see in Lourmarin
Start your visit at the château, which combines a 15th-century medieval section with a 16th-century Renaissance wing. Saved from ruin in the 1920s by industrialist Robert Laurent-Vibert, it is managed by the foundation that bears his name, open year-round and hosts concerts and exhibitions. Until 31 March 2027, “A Century of Art at Lourmarin Château” celebrates the foundation’s centenary with works by around thirty artists who have taken part in its residency programme.
In the village, stroll between the belfry, the church and the 19th-century temple, which can only be visited with a guide. Albert Camus, who bought a house in Lourmarin in 1958, and writer Henri Bosco are buried in the cemetery.
The Friday morning market takes place year-round on boulevard du Rayol and place Henri-Barthélemy. In the warmer months, a farmers’ market is held at the Fruitière numérique on Tuesday evenings.
Nearby
- The Lourmarin valley: the road across the massif towards Bonnieux and Apt, between the Petit and Grand Luberon.
- Cucuron and Vaugines: two villages at the foot of the Grand Luberon to the east; in Cucuron, the Tuesday morning market is held on place de l’Étang.
When to visit Lourmarin
Spring and early autumn are the most pleasant seasons, with mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer is hot and lively: book well in advance, as the village has few rooms. Winter is peaceful, and the château remains open with reduced hours.
Getting here and getting around
Lourmarin has no train station: most visitors arrive via the TGV stations in Aix-en-Provence or Avignon, or Marseille-Provence Airport, and continue by car.
Without a car, regional bus Zou! 909 runs between Lourmarin and Aix-en-Provence a few times a day, taking a little over an hour, and also serves Apt; route 919 connects with Cadenet and Cucuron. Buses are scarce on Sundays, and timetables change every September.
Everything in the village is within walking distance; elsewhere, a car or bike is essential. Other bases in the massif, such as Apt, are listed on our Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur page.
Lourmarin is featured in our guide to where to stay in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. For comparison, see also where to stay in Gordes, on the other side of the Luberon, where to stay in Aix-en-Provence, the nearest major city, and where to stay in Avignon, at the foot of the Popes’ Palace.
Frequently asked questions
What to know before booking in Lourmarin.
What is the best area to stay in Lourmarin?
For most travellers, the village and its surroundings are best: the château, cafés and Friday market are all a few minutes’ walk away. On the road to Vaugines, B&Bs with pools and gardens are about a ten-minute walk from the centre. The roads to Cadenet and Lauris offer more space and peace, but you’re more likely to need a car.
Can you stay in Lourmarin without a car?
Yes, as long as you stay in or very near the village. Zou! regional buses serve the Centre and La Bastide stops: route 909 connects Lourmarin with Aix-en-Provence, in a little over an hour, and Apt; route 919 serves Cadenet and Cucuron. Services are infrequent, especially on Sundays and public holidays. A car is more convenient for exploring the Luberon freely.
What day is market day in Lourmarin?
The main market is held on Friday mornings year-round on boulevard du Rayol and place Henri-Barthélemy, beneath the plane trees. You’ll find fruit and vegetables, cheese, olives, honey and herbs from Provence, as well as clothing and ceramics. In summer, it’s best to arrive early. In the warmer months, a farmers’ market takes place on Tuesday evenings at the Fruitière numérique.
What can you see in Lourmarin in one day?
Start with the château, open year-round and described as the first Renaissance château in Provence; until 31 March 2027, an exhibition looks back at a century of artists in residence. Then wander through the lanes between the belfry, church and temple, before heading to the cemetery where Albert Camus and Henri Bosco are buried. In the afternoon, the Lourmarin valley leads towards Bonnieux, while Cucuron is only a few minutes’ drive away.
When should you book accommodation in Lourmarin?
As early as possible for July and August: the village mainly has B&Bs and holiday homes with limited capacity, and the best places fill up quickly. Spring and early autumn offer a good balance, with mild weather and fewer people. Some B&Bs may close in winter, so check opening dates before booking.
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