5 lesser-known villages in the Luberon to discover
Discover 5 lesser-known villages in the Luberon: Cabrières-d’Avignon, Les Taillades, Lauris, Mérindol and Maubec, combining heritage, nature and views.
Discover 5 lesser-known villages in the Luberon: Cabrières-d’Avignon, Les Taillades, Lauris, Mérindol and Maubec, combining heritage, nature and views.
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When you think of the Luberon, villages such as Gordes, Lourmarin, Roussillon and Ménerbes often come to mind. These iconic villages have helped make the region famous. But beyond these must-see destinations, the Luberon is also home to lesser-known gems that are every bit as charming and authentic.
Spring and autumn are particularly lovely times to explore them: the softer light enhances the landscapes, the villages are quieter and each one reveals its own distinctive atmosphere.
In this article, we take you on a journey through 5 lesser-known villages in the Luberon: Cabrières-d’Avignon, Les Taillades, Lauris, Mérindol and Maubec. Five villages with unique identities, where dry-stone heritage, gardens, Waldensian history, panoramic views and nature walks come together.
Dry-stone heritage, historic sites, gardens, panoramic views or nature walks: compare these 5 villages in the Luberon at a glance.
Atmosphere: nature and dry stone
Don’t miss: the Cedar Forest and the Plague Wall
Perfect for: combining village charm with a walk in the heart of nature.
Atmosphere: peaceful and shaped by stone
Don’t miss: the Théâtre des Carrières and Saint-Pierre windmill
Perfect for: discovering a heritage shaped by stone.
Atmosphere: panoramic and artistic
Don’t miss: the château terraces and the dye plant garden
Perfect for: enjoying views over the Durance Valley.
Atmosphere: historic and close to nature
Don’t miss: the remains of the Castrum and the village’s Waldensian heritage
Perfect for: combining history, hiking and panoramic views.
Atmosphere: intimate and Provençal
Don’t miss: the old village, the belfry and its narrow streets
Perfect for: strolling through the village and exploring the surrounding countryside on foot.
Cabrières-d’Avignon stands out for its heritage, closely linked to dry-stone architecture, and its immediate proximity to wide-open natural spaces. Between the village, the Plague Wall and the Cedar Forest, a visit combines rural heritage, history and walks in the heart of the Monts de Vaucluse.
In the village, the Saint-Vincent church, fountains, washhouses and stone houses create a simple and typically Provençal setting. The Château de Cabrières-d’Avignon, a private property that can be viewed from the outside, is another reminder of the village’s long history.
Nearby, the remains of the Plague Wall are one of the area’s most distinctive heritage features. They can be discovered along hiking trails that provide a natural extension to a visit to the village.
Another highlight of Cabrières-d’Avignon is the Cedar Forest, a vast wooded area crossed by marked trails. Accessible to everyone, it is ideal for both family walks and outings for hikers, offering a very different atmosphere from the heart of the village, with cooler temperatures and plenty of shade. An ideal setting for extending your heritage discovery with a walk in the heart of nature.
3 good reasons to visit Cabrières-d’Avignon
Les Taillades stands out for a heritage deeply shaped by stone and former quarries. Here, the landscape, walls and traces of extraction still tell the story of the quarry workers and stonemasons who shaped the village over the centuries. This strong mineral identity gives Les Taillades a distinctive character at the foot of the Petit Luberon.
As you stroll through the old village, you will discover the Saint-Gens church and, above all, the Théâtre des Carrières, set within a former quarry. Its dramatic stone setting makes it a remarkable place and today provides an original backdrop for cultural events.
Another landmark of Les Taillades is the Saint-Pierre mill, built in 1859. Originally used for processing madder and later converted into a flour mill, it recalls the village’s industrial past. Fed by the Carpentras Canal, which runs through the village, it still features an impressive 24-blade waterwheel.
To extend your visit, the surrounding countryside is particularly well suited to hiking and cycling. In spring and autumn, you can quickly leave the old village behind for limestone hills, paths lined with Mediterranean vegetation and open views over the Petit Luberon.
3 good reasons to visit Les Taillades
Perched on a rocky spur, Lauris overlooks the Durance Valley and offers some of the finest viewpoints in this part of the Luberon. The village is worth discovering both for its heritage and its views, with the château, its terraces and an old centre opening onto the surrounding landscape.
The terraces of Lauris Château are one of the highlights of a visit. They offer sweeping views over the Durance Valley and the surrounding hills. In spring and autumn, the softer light beautifully enhances the gardens, façades and landscapes stretching out below the village.
Nearby, the garden of dye plants is one of Lauris’s most distinctive attractions. It introduces visitors to plants that have been used for centuries to dye textiles, as well as in cosmetics, fine arts and food. Its themed trail reveals a wide variety of species with colouring properties originating from different regions of the world.
The visit naturally continues through the narrow streets of the old village, past fountains, washhouses and Provençal houses. Lauris owes much of its charm to this combination of village, gardens and panoramic views, inviting you to slow down and simply enjoy the setting.
3 good reasons to visit Lauris
Mérindol, on the southern foothills of the Petit Luberon, is one of the villages in the area most closely linked to Waldensian history. In the 16th century, people from the Alpine valleys settled here and took part in rebuilding the village. This history has profoundly shaped Mérindol’s identity.
The remains of the Castrum and the Waldensian Memorial offer a deeper understanding of this history. As you climb higher, sweeping views open up over the Durance Valley, creating one of the most memorable viewpoints of the visit.
Mérindol is also an excellent starting point for exploring the Luberon Regional Natural Park. Trails wind through scrubland, pine forests and open landscapes, with plenty of opportunities for walks and hikes around the village.
Combining history, panoramic views and nature, Mérindol reveals a more intimate side of the Luberon. In spring and autumn, the light and colours of the landscape beautifully highlight the hills of the Petit Luberon and the Durance Valley.
3 good reasons to visit Mérindol
Maubec stands out for its old village perched on the Montagnette, a hill running parallel to the Luberon. As you wander along its paved streets, you will discover old houses, 18th-century façades and understated heritage that gives the village an intimate atmosphere.
From the higher parts of the village, Maubec offers beautiful views over the surrounding landscapes: the Luberon massif to the south, and Mont Ventoux and the Monts de Vaucluse to the north. Its location makes it a particularly pleasant village to explore, combining panoramic views with easy access to nature.
Maubec is also a good starting point for hiking and cycling. Routes around the village pass through vineyards, hills and wooded areas, offering changing scenery throughout the seasons.
In spring and autumn, Maubec reveals a quieter side of the Luberon, combining old village charm, panoramic views and nature walks. This combination is exactly what makes this lesser-known stop so appealing.
3 good reasons to visit Maubec
These lesser-known villages reveal another side of the Luberon, quieter and more intimate.
But for a complete experience, be sure to also discover the Luberon’s must-see attractions and the villages ranked among the Most Beautiful Villages of France. Together, they reflect the full richness and diversity of a region that never ceases to surprise and inspire.
Article updated on 15 September 2026 • Destination Luberon
Léa Moreira - Community Manager and Web Content Writer for destinationluberon.com
Passionate about the Luberon and all it has to offer, Léa creates and shares engaging, authentic content every day to showcase the region, its events, local people and hidden gems across the website and social media.
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