The chateau garden

Lauris is a distinctive presence hanging over the Durance valley in the southern Luberon, its dominant castle often described as the prow of a ship jutting out from its promontory.

The chateau itself cannot be visited but its striking gardens can - these are themed around dyeing and aromatic plants, amongst others. The main garden is called the Jardin Conservatoire des Plantes Tinctoriales (Conservatory garden of dyeing plants) and is a triumph of 18th century garden construction.

Lauris town hall

Although not on most people's tourism itineraries, picturesque Lauris is actually one of the biggest villages in the Luberon in terms of population. Running away from the chateau the main street has plenty of restaurants and shops, and these are complemented by not one but three year-round, weekly markets: the regular market on Monday mornings and Thuesday evenings, and the farmer's market on Thursday evenings.

Lauris is only 5 minutes from glamorous Lourmarin but the two are very different in terms of visitors. Lauris is neither sexy nor busy, but has everything you need to spend time in a real Provence village, as well as eye-catching details - fountains, little squares, picturesque facades and doorways, washing basins, a beautiful church and maybe the most photogenic town hall in the whole of the Luberon. There is also the wide, high view to the south over the Durance and to the Alpilles and the Sainte-Victoire mountain at Aix-en-Provence. Lauris is perfect for an aimless wander taking pictures, and a stop for a drink or a meal.