Luberon, Shortlisted
Hi all,
I hope you’re having a lovely April so far. Summer is fast approaching and for the past 10 years of my life this has meant trips to the south of France (so much so that I wrote le SUD!). The region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur covers a huge area and each part has its own unique beauty and character. So far, Shortlisted has been to Nice, Marseille and Arles in le sud and this month, rather than a specific city, we’re heading to one of my personal favorite parts of the region: the Luberon.
The Luberon is made up of countryside and hilltop villages and cobblestone streets and lavender fields and sunflower fields and olive groves and vineyards. It is home to some of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (“the most beautiful villages in France”) including Gordes, Roussillon, Ménerbes and Lourmarin. There are some of the very best outdoor marchés in all of France. The light is like nothing else. The wine is phenomenal. The sound of cicadas in the summer is pure magic. All to say, the Luberon is the Provence you think of when you think of Provence.
My absolute favorite way to spend a week+ here is to rent a car and bop around marchés + villages in the mornings, spend afternoons with a glass of rosé or pastis beside a pool or pétanque court and either head out again for dinner or, if I have a kitchen, cook everything I picked up at the market that morning…repeat. With that in mind, the list below is heavy on marché recommendations (food + antiques), includes a mix of hotels + home rentals, favorite spots to drink and/or buy wine + cheese + fougasse aka everything you need to plan your own time in this stunning part of le sud. Since the recommendations are spread across different villages, I’ve noted where each recommendation is located for your ease.
As always, thank you for your support and I’ll see you next month. Also keep an eye on your inboxes for the next installment of Short Stay in a few weeks—this time we’re heading to one of my very favorite hotels by the sea (also in the south of France).
xR
PS! If you want to come to le sud *with* me (!) there are two spots left on a trip I’m hosting with Capital One and PRIOR from May 27 - 31, 2026. We’ll be based in Nice at Hôtel du Couvent, I’m plotting an epic apéro at Villa Santo Sospir (an incredible private estate in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat with interiors painted by Jean Cocteau), we're wandering the marché, eating at Chez Davia (aka one of my favorite restaurants in the world), heading to the Maeght Foundation after hours and so much more. All to say, it’s going to be magical and I would love for you to join. More information + link to sign up here.
[eat | drink]
Le Saint Hubert | one of my *very* favorite places in the whole world, the terrace at Le Saint Hubert is a ideal spot for apéro / the front bar for breakfast or lunch / the back patio (with the most incredible views) for dinner…plus you can book a (beautiful) room upstairs for the night. Please say hi to Lise and Eric for me if you go! [Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt]
Bistrot le France | in Apt. Order the œuf mayo if they’re on the menu + anything with frites maison (if you like andouillette, they source from the renowned Maison Bobosse) + pair it all with a glass / bottle of natural wine. Sit outside on the terrasse if you have nice weather! [Apt]
Auberge La Fenière | Nadia Sammut’s food is stunning and delicious (and entirely gluten-free + lactose-free). Book a gastronomic brunch, lunch or dinner at Le Goût du Bonheur or opt for lunch or dinner at the more casual Une Table à la campagne and/or stay the night in the 11 beautiful rooms on seven hectare property. She’s also doing ateliers (workshops) every Sunday starting April 19, 2026 through September that I’m desperate to get to myself. Everything Nadia does is with such care, don’t miss it! [Cadenet]