5 good reasons to visit Bonnieux
In Bonnieux, discovery unfolds through hilltop streets, heritage and wide-open landscapes.
Set on the northern slope of the Petit Luberon, facing Lacoste, this perched village charms visitors with its terraced silhouette, authenticity and stunning panoramic views. Here, every walk reveals a new viewpoint, a stone staircase, an ancient remnant or a lively terrace.
Between the Upper Church, Rue Droite, Pont Julien, the Cedar Forest and the traditional market, Bonnieux offers a wide variety of discoveries. The village naturally combines heritage, Provençal lifestyle and immersion in the Luberon landscapes.
It is impossible to visit Bonnieux without reaching its famous Upper Church, perched at the top of the village. Overlooking the rooftops and the valley from an altitude of 425 metres, this 12th-century building is one of the village’s greatest symbols.
A blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, the church reveals itself after a charming climb through the steep streets of Bonnieux. Its access, marked by an 86-step staircase, is fully part of the experience and rewards visitors with superb panoramic views over the Calavon Valley, the Petit Luberon, the Monts de Vaucluse and as far as Mont Ventoux.
Inside, the building preserves a rich heritage with a large 16th-century altarpiece, a 17th-century high altar, works of art and an 18th-century organ. Listed as a historic monument since 1980, it reflects the historical and religious importance of Bonnieux.
Surrounded by majestic century-old cedar trees, the Upper Church also offers one of the village’s most iconic atmospheres. It remains a living place today, used for services, ceremonies and a few summer concerts.
Under renovation for summer 2026, it still remains an essential landmark in Bonnieux and one of the highlights of any visit.
Beyond its panoramic views and Upper Church, Bonnieux offers a wonderful variety of discoveries combining heritage, nature and the Provençal way of life. The village and its surroundings can easily be explored at your own pace, between old streets, viewpoints and remarkable sites.
If Bonnieux first charms visitors with its hilltop silhouette and spectacular views, the village also hides many treasures to discover on foot. As you wander through its steep streets, you will come across old houses, fountains, washhouses, remnants of ramparts and several marked sites with panels retracing local history.
Among the must-sees are the New Church, Rue Droite, the Castellas Gate, Rue des Pénitents Blancs, the Louise Bourgeois Church, the Philippe Tower and Pont Julien, a remarkable testimony to the Roman era located just a few kilometres from the village.
Between medieval heritage, viewpoints, Provençal markets and the wide-open spaces of the Luberon, Bonnieux reveals itself as a lively, authentic and deeply charming village.
Built at the end of the 19th century on the Pra de Bourg, Bonnieux’s New Church was created to provide a place of worship more accessible than the Upper Church, whose access was difficult for the village’s older residents.
Built on a Latin cross plan, the building preserves several remarkable elements, including four 16th-century primitive paintings from the Upper Church depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ. Visitors can also admire the fleur-de-lis stained-glass windows and several sculptures enriching the interior.
Bonnieux has the rare distinction of preserving two major churches, each telling in its own way a chapter of the village’s local history.
Easily included in a walk through the old village centre, the New Church is an interesting heritage stop during your visit.
From late November to late January, Bonnieux unveils a traditional Christmas nativity scene that immerses visitors in the atmosphere of 19th-century Provence.
Created with passion by Vincent Gils, this nativity scene features around thirty santons dressed in colourful Provençal costumes, delicately illustrating life in the past and local traditions.
A true winter must-see, this installation offers an authentic and warm pause during your discovery of the village, perfect for completing a stroll through the streets of Bonnieux during the colder season.
Since 2004, the Blachère Foundation has contributed to the international recognition of contemporary African art and its artists. Located within the Jean-Paul Blachère company, it hosts exhibitions, artist residencies and projects committed to both an aesthetic and ethical approach.
This art centre offers an original visit close to Bonnieux, complementing the ancient heritage and landscapes of the Luberon. It provides an open perspective on contemporary creation, cultural dialogue and artistic expressions from the African continent and its diaspora.
The foundation continues the work carried out by institutions, collectors, gallery owners, critics and journalists who contribute to the recognition of contemporary African artists.
Also known as the Goats’ Gate, the Castellas Gate is one of the most precious witnesses to the medieval past of Bonnieux. Located to the east of the former castrum, it was probably the main entrance to the fortified village.
Its construction in finely cut stonework, its triple vault and the visible traces of its defensive system still allow visitors today to imagine the organisation of the old village. You can notably spot the different openings and remains that may have belonged to a guardhouse.
This remnant illustrates the development of the hilltop village during the Middle Ages, when Bonnieux expanded on the heights around the Castellas for security reasons.
During your walk through the village, the Castellas Gate is an essential heritage stop to better understand the ancient history of Bonnieux.
To enjoy one of the most beautiful viewpoints over Bonnieux and its valley, take the Rue des Pénitents Blancs. Its magnificent stone staircases lead up to the belvedere, a particularly appreciated spot for admiring the landscapes of the Luberon.
From this viewpoint located below the Upper Church, your gaze opens onto the Bonnieux valley, the surrounding hills and the ever-changing light that enhances the scenery at every hour of the day.
It is also one of the best places to admire a sunset over Bonnieux and fully experience the peaceful atmosphere of this hilltop village.
Between heritage, stone stairways and panoramic views, this walk is one of the experiences not to be missed during your visit.
Among the most beautiful walks to enjoy in Bonnieux, Rue Droite holds a special place. This ancient cobbled street, one of the oldest in the village, captures all the charm of Bonnieux with its old houses, waterwheel fountain, narrow passages and remnants of ramparts.
Walking along it, you discover a village shaped over centuries, between medieval architecture, stone staircases and beautiful Provençal façades. Every detail tells a part of the local history.
Bonnieux can also be explored thanks to a heritage trail marked by 15 explanatory panels. Allow around 1.5 to 2 hours to follow the full route through the village.
About 7 kilometres from the village, the Cedar Forest is one of the major natural sites to discover around Bonnieux. Located on the ridge of the Petit Luberon between Bonnieux and Lacoste, this vast cedar grove of more than 250 hectares offers a true breath of fresh air and coolness.
Planted from 1861 using seeds of Atlas cedars from Algeria, this forest was born from an ambitious reforestation project. Perfectly adapted to drought and fire, the cedars have become fully integrated into the landscape of the Petit Luberon and have stood the test of time, including the major fire of 1952.
Along the marked and maintained trails, the walk becomes a peaceful experience. The wind in the treetops, birdsong, the diversity of flora and fauna, and the presence of these nearly two-hundred-year-old trees create a particularly rejuvenating setting.
The forest also offers superb views over the Durance and Luberon valleys. Among the curiosities not to be missed, the natural arch of the Portalas, located below the trail of the same name, is well worth the detour.
Easy to access, including for families and some visitors with reduced mobility, the Cedar Forest is the perfect natural extension of a visit to Bonnieux.
The Cedar Forest can easily be reached by car from Bonnieux via a narrow road overlooking the Pays d’Apt valley. Once there, several marked and maintained trails allow visitors to enjoy the site peacefully.
The site is especially appreciated for its accessible walks, information panels and facilities designed for families with strollers as well as for some visitors with reduced mobility.
To fully enjoy the walk, it is recommended to wear good walking shoes, stay on the marked paths and remain attentive to safety instructions during the summer season.
Located about 5 kilometres from the village, in the plain of Bonnieux, the Pont Julien is one of the most beautiful Roman remains in Provence. Built along the route of the Via Domitia, it recalls the importance of this ancient road linking Italy to Spain through Roman Gaul.
Completed in 3 BC, this bridge has withstood centuries of history and the many floods of the Calavon River. Its remarkable state of preservation makes it an essential site today for lovers of heritage and ancient history.
Since 2005, a new bridge has been built to divert traffic and preserve this exceptional monument, now notably crossed by the Calavon Cycle Route.
Easily accessible from Bonnieux, Pont Julien perfectly completes a visit to the village between Roman heritage, open landscapes and a peaceful walk along the Calavon.
©la_baptistine_de_gordes In Bonnieux, the visit is experienced as much through the village streets as through the surrounding landscapes. Between hilltop heritage, panoramic walks, Provençal markets and gourmet breaks, there is no shortage of experiences to enjoy.
Take the time to climb up to the Upper Church, wander through the narrow streets, enjoy the viewpoints and extend your discovery into the Cedar Forest or as far as Pont Julien.
Explore the village on foot
Cobbled streets, stairways, ramparts and beautiful old houses line the walk.
Enjoy the Friday market
Place du Terrail and Rue d’Ittenheim welcome artisans, local producers and regional flavours.
Admire the panoramic views
The belvedere, Cedar Road and stopping areas offer superb views over the Luberon.
Take a relaxing terrace break
Restaurants and cafés let you enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the village.
Explore the surroundings
The Cedar Forest, Pont Julien, contemporary art and the landscapes of the Petit Luberon extend the visit.
There is something immediately captivating about Bonnieux. Perhaps it is its silhouette clinging to the slope of the Petit Luberon. Perhaps it is the light gliding across the stone walls, stairways, façades and the open views over the valley.
Visitors come to discover its Upper Church, steep streets, ancient ramparts, market, terraces and wide landscapes. The experience continues between Romanesque heritage, the Cedar Forest, Pont Julien and viewpoints that are among the most beautiful in the Luberon.
More than just a hilltop village, Bonnieux offers a true immersion into the Luberon way of life, between heritage, nature, history and conviviality.
Whether you are passionate about old stones, panoramic walks, culture or gourmet breaks, Bonnieux fully deserves its place among the must-see villages to discover in the Luberon.
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