Menerbes has medieval buildings, churches and towers, narrow roads and arches leading who knows where. Because it is on a hill there are always views on every side - the vineyards and the Luberon mountain to the south, and other 'perched' villages like Gordes to the north, as well as the white-capped Mont Ventoux.

There is some striking architecture around the main square, some of which is pictured here.

What's in Menerbes:

Three restaurants.
One bar.
Two bakeries and a butcher.
Post office and pharmacy.
La Maison de la truffe et du vin - a lovely restored building in the Place de la Mairie which celebrates the wines and truffles of the area.
Two shops for Provencal furniture, and one selling more affordable souvenirs like herbs and olive oil.

Menerbes is in the Luberon's Golden Triangle of glorious hill-top villages. (See other by clicking here). It is inside the Luberon park, so protected against the ravages of development.

It is also where Peter Mayle wrote his bestseller 'A Year in Provence', and its sequels. He may have taken liberties with characterisations, but A Year in Provence serves as a pretty good guidebook to the region.

Picasso was equally inspired to install his mistress, the artist Dora Maar, in a house in the village. The Russian expressionist Niclas de Stael lived here, and today Menerbes is still an attractive dwelling place for artists, performers and writers.

I've also put together some information on the Luberon and Provence which you can see by clicking here. It includes links to newspaper and magazine articles so you can see what others think.

You can get back to the villa by clicking here.