Hilltop Villages of the Luberon

Posted on May 17, 2014 by Peter and Nia — Leave a comment

Camping La Rivière

We moved a few miles to camping La Rivière near St Maime, one of the hilltop villages of the Luberon mountains.

It is a pleasant, informal, site with large pitches; we parked in front of a lake.

Max

There is a river running through the campsite.

House in St Maime

Chapel at St Maime

St Maime

The next day we cycled up the hill to St Maime, about half a mile horizontally and a bit more vertically (well that’s how it felt).

There is a ruined castle and the castle chapel at the top of the hill; the castle is famous for having been the home of the Comptes de Provence. The four daughters of Raymond Berenger V were bought up here; all married Kings. Éléonore married Henry III of England.

Dauphin

Across the valley from St Maime is the village of Dauphin, our next port of call. This is a stunningly beautiful village, with great views from the top.

Church at Dauphin

Dauphin

Whilst we were walking round Dauphin the Mayor walked over and introduced himself. A charming man, he was clearly very proud of his village.

Dauphinn…Top of the Village

14th century arch at Dauphin

Basking

Mane

Next stop Mane, a larger village about 4km to the West. One of us (not Nia) took the wrong turning and after about a mile up a hill against a bit of a headwind there was nearly a divorce. However we did get here eventually and walked up the hill to the 12th century citadel.