Le Guide
The Guest Guide
Our tried-and-tested addresses and day trips around Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, curated by Nina, Mathias and Audrey.
Arrival, check-in & practical details are in the guest info →
Weather in the Luberon
Fri
12°
7°
Sat
14°
5°
Sun
12°
9°
Mon
15°
12°
Forecast for Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt · Data: open-meteo.com
Les Marchés
Markets
Every morning some village has its market – here is the whole week. Our ritual: Tuesdays on the doorstep, Saturdays in Apt.
Monday
- Forcalquier45 min
Held since the 12th century, around 200 stalls – one of Provence's finest markets, worth the trip.
- Cavaillon40 min
Large classic weekly market, all year round.
Tuesday
- Saint-Saturnin-lès-Aptvor der Tür
Our village market on Place Gambetta – small, lovely, two minutes' walk from the house.
- Apt10 min
Marché paysan on Cours Lauze de Perret: producers only, year-round in the morning.
- Gordes25 min
Market in the famous hilltop village – arrive early in summer.
- Banon40 min
Market in the cheese village (Banon AOP).
- Cucuron45 min
Especially picturesque: stalls around the old water basin.
Evening producers' market at the Fruitière numérique, 5–8 pm (until 9 pm in summer).
Wednesday
- Sault35 min
Held since 1515 in the lavender capital – a beautiful mountain drive up.
Small village market in the morning.
Evening market right by the Colorado Provençal.
Evening producers' market, 5–7 pm.
Thursday
- Roussillon15 min
Morning market in the ochre village – combines well with the Sentier des Ocres.
Small farmers' market in the rock-top village above Apt.
Village market in the morning.
- Céreste25 min
Weekly market, all year.
Morning market in the village of “A Year in Provence” fame.
- L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue38 min
Smaller edition of the Sunday market, without the antiques.
Friday
- Gargas8 min
Producers' market in the neighbouring village, 8 am–1 pm.
- Bonnieux22 min
Weekly market in the Petit Luberon village, all year.
- Lourmarin35 min
One of the Luberon's most beautiful markets, filling the village centre.
Night market on Place Gambetta, 5–10 pm – crafts and producers, right on the doorstep.
Sunday
- L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue38 min
The Sunday classic: Provençal market along the canals plus brocante – Europe's third-largest antiques hub.
One of the Luberon's best-known producers-only markets, mornings.
Tiny village market by the mairie – listings vary, just drop by.
Seasonal
Truffle markets (Nov–Mar)
Carpentras on Friday mornings (50 min) · Richerenches on Saturdays – Europe's largest (1 h 15) · Ménerbes: one-day truffle and wine market in late December. In winter, truffle sellers also appear at the Apt Saturday market.
Summer evenings (Jul/Aug)
Night market in Saint-Saturnin, Fridays 5–10 pm · artisan night market in Bonnieux, Mondays from 5:30 pm · producers' evenings: Lourmarin (Tue), Coustellet (Wed), Rustrel (Wed).
Christmas season
Marché de Noël in Apt in mid-December, with Saturday fireworks – plus rotating Christmas markets in the villages.
Bon appétit
Eating & Drinking
Tried-and-tested addresses – from apéro under the plane tree to starred menus. Book ahead in summer; many kitchens take a winter break.
In the village
The village institution since 1852: Lise and Eric have created a wonderful place here – great food, a warm-hearted team, terrace with panoramic view. The story behind it
Honest bistro with a big terrace, Wed–Sun. Note: cash only.
Wine bar and “table de sommeliers” with its own wine shop – the village's most exciting address for wine lovers.
Classic village hotel-restaurant with a terrace on Place Gambetta.
The village bar under the plane tree: apéro, pizza, ice cream – where the village gathers.
Pizza to take away (Tue–Sun from 6 pm) – for an evening by your own pool.
Design domaine just outside the village with two restaurants amid olives and lavender – stylish, book ahead.
Provisions & farm-gate
- Chez BernadetteGet directions
Seasonal fruit and vegetables sold farm-gate, at the village entrance in Quartier le Pont – buy what grows all around.
- La Chèvrerie de VillarsGet directions
The farm shop on Place Gambetta, right next to the Spar: goat's cheese from their own farm in Villars – for dinner in the patio.
Nearby (5–15 min)
Our pick in the neighbouring village: classic French cooking, good wine list – and the host speaks German.
Thomas Gallardo cooks and serves single-handedly – surprise menus of 3–5 courses. Tiny, booking essential.
Creative cooking and the terrace with the sunset view – our address for a special evening. Closed Tue+Wed.
Seasonal cooking on the fountain square of one of the area's prettiest villages. Closed Mon+Tue.
Provençal home cooking in a vaulted dining room – ideal after the Colorado Provençal.
Creative bistro in central Apt, daily changing menu, good vegetarian options.
The five-star wine estate resort on the hill: fine dining and an Italian with views over the vines.
Food experiences
Truffle hunting with Johann and his dogs in the estate's organic oak grove: he explains how truffles are found, cleaned and stored, followed by truffle bites and a tasting of the estate's own olive and truffle oil. Tours in English, during the summer and winter truffle seasons, booking required. Website·Book via Airbnb·GetYourGuide·Viator
Wine bar, vaulted cellar and truffle delicatessen in a 17th-century town mansion: over 170 wines from local growers at cellar prices, tastings of three or five wines, plus sharing boards in the French garden overlooking the Luberon. Check opening hours ahead. Website
For special evenings
The restaurant of the Perréal wine estate, just down the road: Maxime and Lucia cook bistronomy-style with vegetables from their own garden, on the terrace or in the dining room. April to October Tue–Sat, dinner only; separate winter hours – book ahead. Website
The region's top experience: a single tasting menu in an intimate mas – book weeks ahead.
Julien Allano's cooking between emotion and simplicity.
Dream setting above Bonnieux; its sister “La Bergerie” is more relaxed, cooking over wood fire.
Tiny vaulted room in the village centre, dinner only. Closed Tue+Wed, winter break.
Refined cooking with a direct view of the ochre cliffs – June to early October only.
Éric Sapet's market cuisine under 200-year-old plane trees by the water basin.
Street-food tip: Lorenzo
Incredibly good Italian pizza from a vintage Estafette van. Evenings around the villages: Tue + Fri Apt, Wed Caseneuve, Thu Villars, Sat Saignon – from 6:30 pm. Worth ordering ahead.
Ventoux & Luberon
Wine
The house sits on the seam of two appellations: AOC Ventoux slopes to the north, AOC Luberon to the south. Most estates offer tastings without appointment – and on Tuesdays, winemakers set up at the village market.
Organic since 1970, just outside the village – plus juices, vegetables and a free vineyard walking loop. Call ahead.
- Château Saint-PonsVillars · 8 min
Family estate on the hill with a vineyard trail and picnics among the vines. Tastings Mon–Sat.
- Domaine PerréalGargas · 10 min
Biodynamic on the Perréal hill, with summer concerts and estate tours. Website
- Cave de SyllaApt · 12 min
The 1925 cooperative with a large modern tasting shop – the easy first stop. Website
- Domaine de TaraRoussillon · 15 min
Twelve hectares below the ochre village, art shows in the caveau – daily April to October. Website
- Domaine de MayolApt · 15 min
Organic family estate towards Bonnieux, much awarded – a Roman kiln is visible from the caveau. Website
The Luberon's oldest wine estate, once a papal summer residence – historic cellar. Website
- Aureto / La CoquilladeGargas & Goult · 15 min
The Coquillade resort's winery: caveau with cheese and charcuterie boards, vineyard discovery trail. Website
- Cave de LumièresGoult · 17 min
Eighty winegrowers next to the Notre-Dame de Lumières monastery; “Sunsets Vignerons” evenings in summer. Website
Organic pioneer and location of Ridley Scott's Provence film – cellar tastings, Mon–Sat. Website
- Domaine de la CitadelleMénerbes · 28 min
Winery with a corkscrew museum (1,200 pieces) and botanical garden – a nice combined family outing. Website
Le grand air
Out & Active
Hiking from the doorstep
2.6 km · 1 h 30 · easy
Windmills and château loop
The village classic: windmill esplanade, château ruin, chapel, dam and the lanes – breathtaking view over the Luberon.
View route16 km · approx. 5 h · moderate
Sentier des Aiguiers
Across the plateau to hand-hewn rainwater cisterns (1812–1906) and bories. Start: Parking des Longuet, 6 km north.
View route20 km · approx. 6 h · demanding
To the Travignon aiguiers
Big loop from the car park by the piscine: château, Cluyer summit, abandoned hamlet of Travignon.
View routeThe regional classics
- Sentier des OcresRoussillon · 15 min
The ochre-cliff trail: two loops (30/50 min), €3.50, under-10s free.
- Colorado ProvençalRustrel · 12 min
Ochre quarries from yellow to red, two loops (40 min / 1 h 45). Reserve the car park ahead in summer! Website
- Gorges d'OppedetteOppedette · 30 min
A 150-metre canyon with ladders and cable sections – sure-footedness required, do climb down.
- Forêt des CèdresBonnieux · 30 min
Cedar forest planted in 1861 on the Luberon ridge, shady loops – check fire-risk access rules in high summer.
- Fort de BuouxBuoux · 25 min
Fortress ruin on a rock spur above the Aiguebrun valley (€6.50, closed Tuesdays).
- Mourre NègreGrand Luberon · 40 min
The Luberon's highest point (1,125 m), views from the Alps to the sea – ascent from Auribeau or Cucuron.
Finding routes: Chemins des Parcs·Visorando·Office de Tourisme Pays d'Apt
By bike
The Luberon is cycling country – and Apt is the gateway to the Véloroute du Calavon: about 45 km of car-free former railway line towards Cavaillon, flat and fine-gravelled, past the Roman Pont Julien.
- Stations Bee'sApt · 10 min
E-bike rental (half day from about €20), April–September, delivery on request. Website
- Sun-e-BikeBonnieux · 22 min
Around 200 e-bikes, delivers up to 40 km – so right to our door (from 2 bikes, 3 days). Website
- Xtrem Bike ShopApt · 10 min
Road, MTB and e-bikes – rental and workshop, delivers in the area. Website
Ropes course & kayak
- Colorado AventuresRustrel · 12 min
Treetop adventure park in the forest above the Colorado Provençal: 11 courses from age 3 and a 140 m zipline across the canyon. Reservation required. Website
- Kayak VertFontaine-de-Vaucluse · 35 min
The classic Sorgue descent: about two hours of crystal-clear, cold spring water down to L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, shuttle back. Mid-May to late September, from age 6 (must be able to swim!). Website
- Passerelles des CîmesLagnes · 30 min
The family ropes course just before Fontaine-de-Vaucluse: main courses from age 9, kids' courses from 4 – and a mini course from 18 months. Right at the kayak start point, perfect for a combined day. Website
- Canoë ÉvasionFontaine-de-Vaucluse · 32 min
The same Sorgue stretch as Kayak Vert, departures every 30 minutes – book ahead too. Website
For real white water you have to go further: canoeing the Ardèche gorge or rafting in the Verdon – around two hours' drive each, a full day trip.
La vie du village
Village summer & swimming
Piscine municipale
The village's laid-back open-air pool, a few minutes on foot: 25 m pool with diving board, kids' pool with slide, snack kiosk. Summer only: July + August daily 10 am–7 pm (reduced hours in June). Entry €4 / children €2.50.
Les Mercredis de Saint-Sat
Wednesday evenings from late July to mid-August: open-air theatre, music and dance on the Esplanade Marianne – programme in the town's agenda.
Early August: village fêtes
The fête votive (soupe au pistou, concerts, funfair) and, on the first Sunday of August, the Fête de la Terre et des Vieux Métiers: old farm machinery, crafts, tastings.
Art in the village
Galerie 15 shows changing exhibitions of local artists from April to October; plus the historic four banal, the old communal bread oven in the village centre.
Day trips
- AptSaturday market, the largest in the Luberon · 10 minGet directions
- RoussillonOchre cliffs and the Sentier des Ocres · 15 minGet directions
- Colorado ProvençalRock in every shade between yellow and red · 20 minGet directions
- GordesThe famous hillside village · 20 minGet directions
- Bonnieux & MénerbesVillages of the Petit Luberon route · 30 minGet directions
- Gorges d'OppedetteA scramble down ladders and stairs into the gorge · 30 minGet directions
- Fontaine-de-VaucluseEmerald spring of the Sorgue · 40 minGet directions
- AvignonPapal palace, Pont d'Avignon, theatre festival in July · 1 hGet directions
- Aix-en-ProvenceCézanne's city, Cours Mirabeau · 1 hGet directions
- ValensoleThe lavender plateau (June/July) · 1 h 15Get directions
Know an address we're missing?
This guide grows with its guests: a restaurant, a winery, a favourite spot that belongs here – tell us. Adding to the guide is reserved for friends of the house; simply use the email address of your Les Amis sign-up.