Janet’s guidebook
Sight seeing
Lacoste is a picturesque village for sightseeing and photos. The traditional local architecture and cobblestone streets give the impression that time has stood still.
The origins of the chateau de Lacoste are in the 11th century, but the Chateau de Lacoste is best known for its most notorious resident, Donatien Alphonse Francois Comte de Sade, the Marquis de Sade, who lived in the castle in the 18th century and made extensive renovations including creating a theatre. During the French Revolution, the castle was vandalised and largely destroyed.
In 1952, André Bouer, college teacher, became the owner and dedicated himself to the castle's restoration.
In the 1990s, the ruins of the castle, along with an attached quarry, were bought by fashion designer Pierre Cardin, and in summer each year, he organises a musical /theâtre festival in the castle, its courtyard and the nearby quarry which he transformed into a large outdoor performance area and stage. festivaldelacoste.com
Adding to the town's reputation as an artistic haven, The Lacoste School of the Arts was founded in 1970 by American art professor and painter, Bernard Pfriem. The Savannah College of Art and Design has run the school since 2002 hosting four quarters of classes for art students and professors from all corners of the globe, studying fine arts, writing, architecture, design, fashion, film, photography, sculpture, and theater. The SCAD gift shop is worth a visit and sells some merchandise from former students and professors.
80 locals recommend
Lacoste
Lacoste is a picturesque village for sightseeing and photos. The traditional local architecture and cobblestone streets give the impression that time has stood still.
The origins of the chateau de Lacoste are in the 11th century, but the Chateau de Lacoste is best known for its most notorious resident, Donatien Alphonse Francois Comte de Sade, the Marquis de Sade, who lived in the castle in the 18th century and made extensive renovations including creating a theatre. During the French Revolution, the castle was vandalised and largely destroyed.
In 1952, André Bouer, college teacher, became the owner and dedicated himself to the castle's restoration.
In the 1990s, the ruins of the castle, along with an attached quarry, were bought by fashion designer Pierre Cardin, and in summer each year, he organises a musical /theâtre festival in the castle, its courtyard and the nearby quarry which he transformed into a large outdoor performance area and stage. festivaldelacoste.com
Adding to the town's reputation as an artistic haven, The Lacoste School of the Arts was founded in 1970 by American art professor and painter, Bernard Pfriem. The Savannah College of Art and Design has run the school since 2002 hosting four quarters of classes for art students and professors from all corners of the globe, studying fine arts, writing, architecture, design, fashion, film, photography, sculpture, and theater. The SCAD gift shop is worth a visit and sells some merchandise from former students and professors.
Sight seeing and provisions
Good for sightseeing (Jane Eakins house) gift shopping, clothes shopping (Sacha Decoration), food shopping and buying local wine (La Maison de la Truffe et du vin).
121 locals recommend
Ménerbes
Good for sightseeing (Jane Eakins house) gift shopping, clothes shopping (Sacha Decoration), food shopping and buying local wine (La Maison de la Truffe et du vin).
Provisions
Bonnieux has some interesting places to visit (Le Jardin de la Louve; La Forêt des Cèdres), and is good for provisions: food shopping, bakery, clothes shopping (L'Aubergine has good fashion brands such as Aspesi), antique shopping. L'Auberge de Canorgue is one of the best local wines. Good cafés and Le Fournil is a good restaurant.
159 locals recommend
Bonnieux
Bonnieux has some interesting places to visit (Le Jardin de la Louve; La Forêt des Cèdres), and is good for provisions: food shopping, bakery, clothes shopping (L'Aubergine has good fashion brands such as Aspesi), antique shopping. L'Auberge de Canorgue is one of the best local wines. Good cafés and Le Fournil is a good restaurant.
Goult is our first go to place for food shopping either in L'Epicerie de Lumières (preferred) or Epicerie Maurel. There is also a good butcher, a good baker, a good cheese shop and a very good café. For dining le Carillon or La Bartavelle are good choices I also like to browse the antique and gift shops.
43 locals recommend
Goult
Goult is our first go to place for food shopping either in L'Epicerie de Lumières (preferred) or Epicerie Maurel. There is also a good butcher, a good baker, a good cheese shop and a very good café. For dining le Carillon or La Bartavelle are good choices I also like to browse the antique and gift shops.
MyBioShop Coustellet
13 Rue lou MarcaAn excellent health food shop for all things bio.
There are several local supermarkets. We like Super U in Coustellet for convenience and a good selection of wines and grocery
92 locals recommend
Super U et drive
157 Av. du TourailThere are several local supermarkets. We like Super U in Coustellet for convenience and a good selection of wines and grocery
Markets
A Saturday morning visit to the market in Apt is a must: it takes over most of the town with it's many stalls selling local specialities, produce, and crafts.
108 locals recommend
Apt
A Saturday morning visit to the market in Apt is a must: it takes over most of the town with it's many stalls selling local specialities, produce, and crafts.
For the freshest of local produce possible visit the farmer's market every Sunday morning from Easter through October in Coustellet.
There is also a cooperative run by the local farmers called Naturellement Paysan open everyday other than Sunday all year round.
44 locals recommend
Coustellet
For the freshest of local produce possible visit the farmer's market every Sunday morning from Easter through October in Coustellet.
There is also a cooperative run by the local farmers called Naturellement Paysan open everyday other than Sunday all year round.