Puyvert, Luberon
Between Lauris and Lourmarin, nestled in the heart of the Luberon, this wonderful little village charms with its authenticity and lives up to its name, which means "green hill". Typical of Provence, Puyvert conceals ancient riches, which testify to its historical past. It is the ideal place for lovers of calm and hiking.
What makes this village special?
The discovery of Puyvert begins with a bucolic walk in its heart, where one can admire old residences and farms surrounded by vineyards, orchards and olive groves. There is also a mulberry classified as a remarkable tree, the Sully mulberry, one of the oldest in France.
Here, everything exudes serenity and authenticity. A stone's throw from the village, at the top of the Jas hill, don't miss the magnificent dovecote sheltered by the old keep of the Château des Seigneurs de Puyvert, one of the most interesting in Provence, with its 3,000 nests or glazed terracotta putlogs. Coming out of the building, you will be taken in by the panorama that awaits you, with the Petit Luberon and the village to the north and the Durance valley to the south.
The small farmers' market which takes place in the summer is very pleasant, and allows you to discover local products.
Sports enthusiasts will be spoiled for choice. They can indulge in hiking, thanks to the many marked trails around the village, canoeing on the Durance, cycling or mountain biking, paragliding, horse riding, etc.
On the other side of the Durance, the Abbey of Sylvacane is a particularly inspiring place. The most recent of the three Cistercian abbeys in Provence – the other two being those of Thoronet and Sénanque –, founded in 1144, offers a simple and austere architecture. The atmosphere that emanates from this place is serene and invites meditation. It is also a place of culture, which hosts the Luberon International String Quartet Festival at the end of August, and, on a regular basis, concerts, exhibitions and sometimes very original artistic performances. Note: the abbey can also be visited at night…
Puyvert is also the ideal base for discovering the Luberon: the listed villages of Lourmarin and Ansouis, the perched villages of Bonnieux, Ménerbes and Oppède-le-Vieux, the Provençal Colorado at Rustrel, the ocher village of Rousillon…
