July was about to end. We were waiting breathlessly to start our adventure in search of lavender in Provence. With the lessons learned, after long searches and information gathered in the notebook that gathers the routes of our travels, we started our adventure. Slightly stressed because lavender is already mature end of July where we were to arrive, I put my hopes in the chance. A well-defined itinerary helped us to tick everything we had set out to do, even though we often deviated from the route, because, in Provence, lavender amazes you and takes you on twisted paths, like a maze. I didn't forget to put in my luggage Peter Mayle's book: A year in Provence, only good to read in the evening, in the company of a glass of wine and the crickets you hear obsessively playing the ballad.

We arrived in Luberon, the favorite destination for those looking for la belle vie in the south of France. We enjoyed the sight of the lavender and inspired the fragrant air, in the subtle violet notes. We stopped on the edge of the road and we went in front of the stretches of a tinted purple, without uttering a word.

What we visited?

Gordes, known as one of the most beautiful villages in Luberon and France. It is located on a rock, at a height of 635 meters and has no way of not attracting your attention. We stopped in the parking lot at the entrance to admire the view, and then took a step on the cobbled streets. Houses, also made of stone, were cramped stubbornly to make room.

You can visit the castle dating from 1031, but rebuilt in 1525. It is open from March to November, every day between 10.00 and 18.00. The entrance ticket costs 5 euros

If you've seen "A Good Year" with Russel Crowe and Marion Cotillard, it's good to know that here is the restaurant Le Renaissance, where many scenes from the film were shot. It is an extremely romantic place, you will surely relax preparing for the next destination.

Roussillon, located in the heart of one of the largest ocher deposits in the world.

Perched on one of the hills of the Luberon Natural Park, overlooking Mount Ventoux, it is by far one of the most beautiful places in Provence. The facades of the houses, from ocher to shades of pale yellow, orange and dark red, enchant you with every step. A cheerful village, with flamboyant souvenir shops, terraces and restaurants, art galleries and shops specialized in painting products, offers you all the best to make you spend hours in a row. Here, on Rue de la Poste, I discovered Radu Focsa's workshop, an extremely talented novel ( http://www.foxarte.com ).

In order to be able to enjoy all that Roussillon has to offer and to mingle with the ocher of the place, you must pay an entrance ticket. There are two routes (short and long) of 30, respectively 60 minutes, for which you have to get out of pocket 2.50 euros (free for children under 10 years). The ocher site offers you the possibility to find a lot of interesting things about this natural pigment (on the route you will find pleasant information about the flora and history of this ocher massif of the Luberon).

Bonnieux, which is on the list of "villages on the hill" in the region.

Without having any importance on what route you took to get here, you will see the church tower before you arrive. With a height of 425 meters, it dominates the area and attracts your attention immediately. The houses, spread on the hill, combine in perfect harmony of shapes and colors. The beautiful houses, dating from the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, are proof that Bonnieux was a very rich village. In fact, it belonged to the papacy until the Revolution.

I advise you not to leave Bonnieux without visiting the Bakery Museum where you will see a collection of bread and learn a lot of interesting things about its history and manufacture. It is open from April to October, from Monday to Thursday, from 10.00-12.30 if 14.30-18.00. Admission costs 3.50 euros (adult,) and children can enter for free.

Menerbres, located in the middle of the natural regional park of the Luberon, in the triangle formed by Gordes, Roussillon and Bonnieux.

A village with a special charm, which is unfortunate not to discover and not enjoy what it offers. Surrounded by plantations of fruit trees and vines, it makes the typical Provençal market one to not miss. It is open throughout the year, every Thursday and Saturday morning and is filled with local producers of fruits, vegetables, goat cheese, olives, wine, etc. Also in Menerbres there is also black truffle, specific to the region. A market dedicated to this black diamond takes place in winter, when truffles are sold and bought, to the delight of gourmets.

If you have more time available, visit the Truffle and Wine House in Luberon, open every day from April 1 until October 31, between 10.00-12.30 and 2.30-18.00. There is also a restaurant, a shop and a wine cellar where you can taste local wines.

Saignon, a typical village of the Luberon.

Located on a hill, dominates the whole valley, with a unique panorama of the mountains in the area. You can see the mountains Lure, Peak Ventoux and Avignon, if it is clear and the visibility is good. For me, this was one of the most beautiful and romantic villages in Provence. If you arrive here, you will definitely be delighted by the calm and authenticity of the place. Notre-Dame de Pitie, a charming Romanian church dating from the 12th century, invites you to meditation.

You can go to the Garden of the curious where you will meet Jean-Luc Danneyrolles, a passionate gardener. Here you will have the opportunity to see an impressive collection of plants and vegetables (unknown or forgotten) and to try new flavors. The garden is an original and colorful one, in which you will find rare species, which will arouse your curiosity. Admission is free, between 8.00 and 19.00. You can find Jean-Luc every Saturday morning, at the market in Apt.

I can't finish this article without leaving here the song that accompanied us more than a week in Provence - https://youtu.be/xyqSAsR_Tms

With the windows in the car down, very happy, in the aroma of lavender, singing until the exhaustion in the most beautiful language in the world, in one of the most beautiful vacations ...

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