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
Tue
30°
18°
Wed
29°
18°
Thu
30°
15°
Fri
28°
16°
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.
For special evenings
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?
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