Des vignerons engagés

L’ensemble de la cave est en label Haute Valeur Environnementale et 20% de ses surfaces sont en bio et/ou en conversion.

Être engagé dans une démarche environnementale est un travail de tous les jours. Dans les champs, Thibault et Bertrand, vignerons, privilégient des produits naturels et une taille adaptée pour lutter contre le gel.

À la cave, la provenance des emballages cartons et les bouteilles en verre est soigneusement choisie afin de limiter l'empreinte carbone. La cave transmet ses valeurs aux consommateurs en proposant une consigne sur la prestigieuse cuvée “Aubépine”.

Comment trouver la cave ?

Facile, elle est située dans le petit hameau de… Lumières, au pied de Goult !
En plus du caveau-dégustation - bien sûr on peut déguster (!)* - un espace boutique a été conçu pour le plaisir des gourmands. Ici, chaque produit est artisanal et local, l’équipe y met un point d’honneur : miel, tapenades, bières, rhum arrangé, pâte à tartiner… de quoi ravir les gourmands et composer de belles corbeilles et des coffrets cadeaux !

La brillante équipe vous attend à la Cave de Lumières…

A fun way to discover the ochres !

A fun way to discover the Ocher How do we make a painting ? And with what mom ?

My daughter wanted to know and I found the good advice at the Roussillon Tourist Office, the most colourful village in the world. They advised us to take part in a workshop adapted to the 6/106 years old, where we will be able to have fun together.

Okhra, in an old ocher factory, lives with colour and transmits know-how. It's right at the entrance of the village.

Brushes in hand and, ... flour, egg, cottage cheese, linseed oil, the workshop begins. The host organizer gives some information on ochres and techniques. We get to know pigments, plain material (minerals, plants, animals, synthetic and artificial), binders, diluents. But the central question is medium. Wood, paper, plaster, for each, its own recipe. As if we were cooking, we separate, we incorporate, we mix, ... Like a chef ! And the well supervised children, participate and get their hands dirty !

During the workshop, we make paintings and everyone leaves with his personal colour chart.

Come to think of it, ... I have to paint the bedroom. Let's go to Okhra's shop, I'll find everything I need.

In need of peace and serenity for a weekend?

The "Domaine des Andéols" in its green setting welcomes you in an authentic hamlet in the heart of the Luberon. Like a break, when time seems to stop...

A comfortable cocoon

It is love at first sight for the elegant and refined "red house" and its sleek, contemporary linear and refined design. Absolute comfort to relax in the middle of a landscape dreamed of by all city dwellers: gardens and vineyards on the edge of the scrubland; the only neighbors nearby are birds and squirrels.

Last ray of sunshine

Lunch with local products

Noon, the sun is at the highest. The estate offers a meal with a "fresh and fun" concept based on produce from the farm and cooked by Chef Maurice Alexis, 24 years at the Elysee Palace. Moreover, we have lunch under the canopy of a majestic over 300 years old plane tree.

The Andéols: a sweet interlude at the (almost) end of the world and out of time, to share.

Follow me!

Departure around 7:15, in July the temperatures are ideal and at this time, the scents of our Provence are even more developed. [Return planned for 8:30 maximum, hopefully no one will notice your morning getaway and you can even go to the bakery to bring breakfast back to your loved ones!] This circuit goes from Bonnieux, takes the route "Around the Luberon", D3 at the beginning, then follows the D106 to Lacoste, on this road you will have an extraordinary view of the Luberon and Lacoste facing you, Bonnieux in your back with sunrise: grand! In Lacoste, admire at a glance the castle of the Marquis de Sade on your left at the top of the village. Follow the D106, to Lumières, many vineyards line on the road, sometimes a few sunflowers fields... and on the heights, stands Goult !

Go through Lumières, follow the D60 to Joucas, the crossroads on the right will indicate Roussillon "Les Dauphins" D169.

Ride on a few more kilometers!

Direction Bonnieux on D149, an astonishing construction on your right will necessarily attract your eyes: Pont Julien, built on order of Caesar, is over 2000 years old! Today, the bicycle path "Véloroute du Calavon" takes the bridge: to discover soon with family!

Back to Bonnieux where a 4 km climb awaits you!

+ Do not forget to stop at the baker's! And for breakfast, show your photos to your family! You can even post them on social network with #paysaptluberon 

We may meet on the road or at the Bonnieux office where I will welcome you with pleasure!

The Lavender Museum

At the crossroads of the Luberon tourist routes, a traditional farmhouse invites you to discover the history of the true lavender of Provence. The Museum founded by the family Lincelé, lavender growers since 1890 allows to share know-how and passion of this queen flower. Today, Sophie and Jack surrounded by their team develop thematic tours and workshops to address the different uses of lavender in aromatherapy, perfumes, cooking and organic and natural cosmetics.

The place to be in the summer

Many activities for the whole family ! The program of the Fête votive announces it loud and clear. As a newcomer, I expect much more ! It's summer, the evening is sweet and I can hear a background noise.

Almost every village has its saint patron day. Originally, the fete was dedicated to the village patron saint : Saint Loup in Murs, Saint Louis in Ménerbes, Saint Jean-Baptiste in Joucas, Saint Etienne in Saint Saturnin lès Apt, Saint Symphorien in Bonnieux, ...

The bright decorations, the street lights, the laser effects, all attract me. But, I wonder where to begin. So, I'll go as I feel.

The children have already spotted the merry-go-round, teenagers look fo festive attractions, thrills guaranteed.

The funfair

At the fair, the music is in full swing. The stalls are colorful, happy, noisy. Games especially, hook-a-duck, riffle shooting, ... poor ducks. However, I win a bright fluffy toy for my little girl.

Fragrances of sugar, donuts, grilled sausages mix. The "chichi", the golden donut is essential. We have no choice, but taste it. Colourful lollipops, nougats, candy apples compete. The atmosphere does not weaken. Adults meet around the fete reception meal, a traditional "aioli", this time. I'm told it's a giant aioli with everything you need. A good appetite is recommended.

When the crowd dances

The open-air dance begins. Inhabitants and visitors of all generations gather as soon as the band plays. A child dances in the arms of his father, some girls and some boys give a collective show. The older ones are waiting for songs of the past. Everybody dances almost through the night.

For the young, village fetes are part of life, much like a rite of passage. For the older ones, it is a plain happiness shared in the respect of traditions and conviviality. It suits averyone.

Let's do it again tomorrow !

For foodies

Three hundred square meters dedicated to candied fruit, the specialty that has made Apt famous.

This is the gourmet moment of my vacation ! And it's free.

I immediately spot the tasting table. All products may, ... and must absolutely be tested before buying directly from the factory ! And there are quantities, ... Candied melons, peaches, clementines, pears, apricots, ... All fruits can be candied. There are also fruit pastes, Amarena cherries, nougats, calissons, nuggets: real candies made to decorate the preparations, but which are chewed gently (it's also good for the throat!).

In the "museum", we can learn why Apt is the capital of candied fruit. From Antiquity to today, the secrets of confectionary are revealed to us. The company is unveiled: Aptunion is the largest candied fruit factory in the world and counts among its customers some of the largest international agribusiness companies.

A morning take-off

The Colorado Provencal is still asleep. It is 6 a.m. but the early bird catches the worm.

In the middle of a field, Hervé Maucci spreads a 28 meters long canvas. The fans are turned on. And it grows and grows below the sun rise.

The passengers seem impatient: an entire hour flying over the ochers! It is a first for me... in a hot-air balloon. Since 1783, the brilliant Montgolfier brothers have given a dream to generations of adventurers and poets with a balloon.

I am reminded flame and heat will make it take off.

Everyone is aboard in the small vessel: a wicker basket that accommodates up to 12 people. Hervé the pilot starts the four burners, the ball rises slowly, very slowly. The ground is moving away, the sky is mine! No jerks, it is incredibly steady.

We can see the Luberon hilltop villages Rustrel, Caseneuve and its fortress, the lavender grid patterns, vineyards and wheat fields. Below, the colored ochers, hoodoos, cliffs as cut by a giant artist. Some early-morning walkers even wave to me!

We rise again, almost up to 1200 meters. It is so quiet, it seems barely real, the world is so small.

But time goes by. We are looking for an old field to land and the wind makes the decision (if necessary, the basket keeps propane reserves for more autonomy). Loosing altitude, we rely on the expertise of the pilot who knows how to fly using the air currents.

Vol-Terre car followed by road. The hot-air balloon lands with a surprising softness and we all happily take part in packing the gear. The sun is now up.

As a souvenir, Hervé gives everyone a beautiful flying diploma to exhibit home with pride!

As for me I am going to quickly look for a Jules Verne novel.

The Pont Julien

Do you know that the Pont Julien has been used for road traffic until 2005 !

If I were a Gallo-Roman trader living in Narbonnaise Gaul (around 120 BC), I will have crossed the Pont Julien to go to Rome or to the Spanish provinces. Equipped with my of Vicerello itinerary, the "Michelin" map of the time, I have all the useful information: lodges, relays and distances in miles; the shortest and safest route.

Soldiers, civil servants, merchants, travelers, pilgrims, the imperial post office, travel on the Via Domitia, which is already very busy. Thanks to the texts and the archaeological research, it was put together on almost all of its course from the Rhone to the Col du Montgenèvre. It is a public road, maintained by the Empire. At the approach of cities, this route, the oldest in France is 5 to 6 meters wide, and paved inside. This is the case near Apta Julia (Apt) and Cabellio (Cavaillon). Out of town, the road is covered with gravel. The layout is made of rectilinear segments in plain and adapted with a good practical sense to the ground conditions. Every mile (1480m), a column-shaped stone is erected. There were also roadside stops, such as "Ad Fines" (boundary lines) located at the edge of Apt and Cavaillon, between "Albici" and "Cavari".

Structures made of stone or wood equipped the way. Consul Domitius Ahenobarbus built the Pont Julien.

This work of art is one of the best preserved Roman bridges. Located on the Calavon, the bridge is firmly anchored on a rocky outcrop. More than 80m long, 6m wide and 11m high, it is composed of three semicircular arches, the central arch being higher gives the structure a donkey like shape. Large arched openings are arranged to facilitate the evacuation of water during floods. The work is made of local limestone (from Luberon quarries) with the use of wooden or metal spikes embedded in lead (the holes can be seen). The work is preserved in its entirety.

The name "Pont Julien" has been attested since the Middle Ages. It is related to the name "Apta Julia" (Apt), founded between 45 and 27 BC. JC. Julia's title refers to the emperor, Caesar. It is the only city described as "Julia" in the Empire on the route from Rome to Cadiz.

The bridge was built in the first decades of our era. In constant use since, it has undergone over the centuries only punctual repairs as in 1789.

Classified Historical Monument in 1914, this bridge is not adapted to the traffic of our time. Thus, today, the building is highlighted and another bridge allows vehicles to cross the Calavon between Apt and Bonnieux.