The most famous hilltop village in Provence is undoubtedly Gordes, France. Perched high up on a hill with a view of the Luberon, Gordes is a must-visit village.
I have personally been to Gordes a handful of times and am always enchanted with the charm of the cobblestone streets, views, and history. The village has changed over many generations, with a long history dating back to Roman times and then through the Middle Ages. Over the years, Gordes has become a hub for art, attracting artists and writers.
Today, Gordes has a bit of everything. And while small in size, the experience is quintessential Provence. For myself, Gordes is one of my favorite villages to visit when exploring the region — and it’s even one of my favorite villages to stay in Provence for incredible bucket list hotels set on the foothills of the Monts of Vaucluse.
So if you’re planning a visit to Provence, be sure to put Gordes at the top of your visiting list. I’m going to share everything you need to know about visiting, and some hotel recommendations if you want to stay overnight.
Short on Time? Here Are My Top Picks for the Best Hotels in Gordes:
Airbnbs
- 1 Bedroom Stone House Studio with Pool, for a beautiful retreat on the edge of town
- 1 Bedroom Home with Hot Tub and Views, for a beautiful home with stunning valley views
- 4 Bedroom Provençal Farmhouse with Pool, for the best family-friendly and group stay
Hotels
- Airelles Gordes, La Bastide, for the best luxury hotel in town
- Mas de la Beaume, for the best traditional, boutique hotel in town
- Les Bories & Spa, for the best countryside hotel near town
Helpful Guides to Plan Your Trip
For more guides on Provence, don’t miss my in-depth Provence guide, 7-Day Provence itinerary, and recommendations for the best villages to base yourself and the best markets in Provence! If you’re exploring more of France, check out my guide to the South of France with toddlers.
Travel Tip: The best way to explore Provence is by driving yourself. We use Discover Cars for our rental cars in Europe, choose full coverage insurance, and opt for trusted companies like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt. Renting a car and driving in France is quite easy. Book your car with Discover Cars here.
The Complete Guide to Gordes, France
A Bit of History About Gordes
Its most present roots are in the arts. Over the years, artists like Marc Chagall and Victor Vasarely have come to Gordes to stay. Chagall even settled in the village post-war, and Vasarely in the 1970’s opened his first art museum in town. Every year, cultural events and festivals bring in many visitors throughout the summer, a reminder of the art alive today.
But long before that, there was a much more “spirited” tight-knit community during the war. The area was under German occupation until 1942, and the Vaucluse department and Gordes took part in active resistance activities. As such, Gordes was awarded a “Croix de Guerre,” a French military honor awarded to soldiers and units for acts of bravery and distinguished service during World War I and World War II. Gordes was recognized for its role in the broader resistance network and its endurance through the hardships of occupation.
Things to Know About Visiting Gordes
Getting to Gordes Village By Car
I highly recommend renting a car when visiting Provence. If you’ve rented a car, self-driving is the easiest way to get Gordes. Like most of Provence, you’ll take small country roads that wind around lavender fields and the Luberon. You’re about 40 minutes from Avignon, 50 minutes from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, and just over an hour from Aix-en-Provence.
Rental Car Tip: I use Discover Cars for our rental cars in Europe, choose full coverage insurance, and opt for trusted companies like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
Where to Park When Visiting Gordes
Parking in Gordes can be the most challenging part which is why I always suggest arriving early morning or later in the afternoon. On market days, in particular (Tuesday), the parking can be very challenging, so plan for an earlier start. You will need to pay to park and walk up or into the village as it is pedestrian only. The two main lots are this parking lot at the bottom of the hill (10-minute walk up) or this preferred main lot just about the village (5-minute walk down).
Getting to Gordes Village By Public Transport
You can access Gordes by bus, the most convenient is from Gare de Cavaillon where you can take the bus line 917 to Place du Château in Gordes in 30 minutes. To get to Gare de Cavaillon, you can take the train from Avignon in 35 minutes.
How Much Time to Visit Gordes
You could easily see Gordes in a half-day visit if you plan to stroll the village, see a few sights, and have a meal. With that said, you may find yourself wanting to enjoy Provencial life here, and wanting to come back for a slow afternoon with a drink on a terrace.
Travel Tip: For what it’s worth, I typically visit Gordes 2-3x each trip, once for market day, a dinner, and an afternoon.
Where to Stay in Gordes
Best Airbnbs in Gordes
- 1 Bedroom Stone House Studio with Pool, for a beautiful retreat on the edge of town
- 1 Bedroom Home with Hot Tub and Views, for a beautiful home with stunning valley views
- 4 Bedroom Provençal Farmhouse with Pool, for the best family-friendly and group stay
Best Hotels in Gordes
Gordes is home to several bucket-list hotels well worth considering as a destination themselves. These are my favorite ones that you wouldn’t have to ask me twice to stay at.
- Airelles Gordes, La Bastide — A 5-star hotel with panoramic views of the Luberon Valley, this is one of the best hotels in Provence. The terraced hotel is home to five restaurants, stunning pools, a Sisley Spa, and incredibly well-designed rooms. If I could pick one hotel to splurge at, it would be La Bastide de Gordes.
- Mas de la Beaume — Set on the sloped edge of town, this beautiful boutique hotel offers an outdoor pool with views of the Luberon Valley and Alpilles’ mountain range and quintessential Provincial-styled rooms that open to lush gardens and stone terraces.
- Les Bories & Spa — Set about 5 minutes from town, this countryside stay sits on a large 8-hectare property surrounded by natural parks. It’s home to a Michelin-starred restaurant, indoor/outdoor pools, and a well-established spa.
- Domaine Les Martins — This charming bed & breakfast gives you a feeling of having your very own villa. Just out of town, it is a luxurious stay with retreat-style rooms, some even having kitchens.
- Le Jas de Gordes — Close to Gordes, this is the best choice for a luxury boutique hotel that is well-priced. It has a private terrace with a pool, thoughtfully designed rooms, and close to all the sights.
- Villa HautVallon — This is a boutique “chambre d’hotes” where you stay in a guesthouse on the property. There are only a handful of rooms, but the experience is very intimate with luxury guest rooms.
The Best Things to Do in the Village of Gordes
Explore Town: Historical Sights, Shops, and Cobblestone Lanes
One of the best things to do in Gordes is simply go for a stroll. You can walk the whole village in under 30 minutes, but take your time strolling around and following the little lanes that intertwine. Across the village, there are several boutiques to visit.
The Best Shops in Gordes
A few shops I love to pop into are Le Miel Peyron, Le GABOUTON Chapellerie, Un weekend a Gordes, Maison Brémond 1830, and Vanille & Lilas.
L’Eglise Saint Fermin (Church of Saint Fermin)
An 18th century church known for its serene setting was created for the Bishop of Uzes, Saint Fermin. This church is well worth a pop-in if you can. We had the chance to stop by when a band was playing and it was one of the most lovely experiences. Hours are open daily.
Le Château de Gordes
In the heart of the village is the historic, medieval fortress chateau that is still open today to visit. Its roots go back to the 11th century when it was first built in 1031. It is €5 to enter, and seasonal exhibits plus a Christmas market are housed here during the Christmas season. Hours are 10 am to 6 pm seasonally.
The Caves of the Palais Saint Firmin (Les Caves du Palais Saint-Firmin)
If you’re looking to escape the heat, go visit the caves of Gordes. It was a place where the villagers stored goods from everything from olive oil to grain. You’ll learn about how they excavated it and learn more about the National Heritage Site. Hours are 10:30 am to 1 pm and 2:30 pm to 6 pm daily. It’s €5 to €6 to enter.
Enjoy Market Day
Market day is Tuesday mornings when loads of stalls open up to the public. Fresh produce, regional ingredients, and more are available to shop. It’s a lively day to visit Gordes, I recommend an early start to beat the crowds.
Soak in the Sunset From the Famous Viewpoint
You’ve likely seen the photos of Gordes sitting out in the distance where the limestone rock village is glowing in the sun. The viewpoint of this ‘les plus beaux villages de France’ is one of the best sights to see and I’d recommend the end of the day to do so. This is the exact location, and just past it, there is a small parking lot on the left. It may take a few tries to park, but once there it’s a 5-minute walk.
Village des Bories
Village des Bories is an open-air museum located just 10 minutes from Gordes. This historic site showcases a collection of traditional dry-stone huts, or “bories,” that date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. These structures were originally used by local farmers for storing crops and livestock.
Typically open from April to October, with hours usually from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Admissions are Around €6 for adults, with discounts available for children and groups.
Abbey de Senanque
One of my favorite spots to visit near Gordes is the stunning Abbey de Senanque, a Cistercian monastery located in the serene Sénanque Valley near Gordes. Founded in 1148, this abbey is renowned for its picturesque setting amidst fields of lavender, which bloom beautifully in the summer. The abbey remains an active monastery, with Cistercian monks living and working on-site.
Open daily from April to October, with hours usually from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Admissions are €7 for adults or you can join a guided tour for more.
Best Restaurants in Gordes, France
La Trinquette
One of my favorite dinners in Gordes was La Trinquette. You need to book well in advance. It’s more casual, but the food is incredible, with classic dishes and a stunning terrace. There is one table upstairs on a terrace which you can reserve specifically.
Le Cercle Républicain
We came into the cafe Le Cercle Républicain on two different occasions because the views were just so amazing. The first was for a morning coffee, and then the second time was for a drink before dinner. There is a small terrace and back room with incredible views.
Le Fournil de Mamie Jeanne
For all baked goods like pastries, fresh bread, and more, come here.
Le Potager Du Chateau
It’s the village store that does a bit of everything. From fresh pressed juice to prepared dishes, you can get a bit of everything at this market-style store.
Dining at Airelles Gordes
The luxury hotel houses several restaurants to choose from if you’re looking for Michelin-starred dining and elevated experiences. Over the years, I typically like to go to the bar and sit on the terrace (it is space-dependent), where I’ve enjoyed afternoon tea. If you want to book ahead, the three best-rated restaurants on site are the L’Orangerie, Clover Gordes, and La Bastide de Pierres.
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I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
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Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
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5. Get Cell Data for Your Trip
I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
