![\"What](\"https:\/\/provencelovers.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/best-things-to-do-gordes-visit.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nThis guide is completely independent<\/strong>, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n Yes, the village of Gordes is worth a visit. Perched on a rocky outcrop in the Monts de Vaucluse, it overlooks the plain and the Calavon Valley. We enjoyed its Renaissance castle, its cobblestone streets, and its views of the Luberon. It is one of the most beautiful villages in the Luberon<\/a>\u2014and in all of Provence<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n If you don’t have a car, organized tours also allow you to explore Gordes from neighboring cities (Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille), in combination with other destinations in the Luberon\u2014 see the options<\/a><\/p>\n\n Along Route D15, a lookout point offers a panoramic view of Gordes. It was from this vantage point that we first saw the village, built in an amphitheater-like layout around its castle. You’ll probably recognize this image, which appears frequently on postcards and in guidebooks about the region. It’s easy to pull over by car on the side of the road, either before or after passing through the village.<\/p>\n\n Place du Ch\u00e2teau is located in the heart of the village, right in front of the building that gives the square its name. We stopped there to look at its fountain, around which several shops and outdoor cafes are clustered. It’s a must-see spot, whether you’re coming from the parking lot or heading back down from the upper alleys. The square also offers a good view of the proportions of the castle that overlooks it.<\/p>\n\n Beneath the Palais Saint-Firmin, we discovered a vast semi-troglodytic underground network, carved into the limestone between the 11th and 18th centuries. The rooms once housed an oil mill, cisterns, and silos, providing a concrete glimpse into the village’s artisanal way of life before the modern era. <\/p>\n\n The tour\u2014which can be taken on your own or with an audio guide\u2014lasts about 30 minutes and ends with a small museum dedicated to life underground. The entrance is located between the church and the lookout point.<\/p>\n\n See our tips<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n The Church of Saint-Firmin stands on the site of an earlier Romanesque church dedicated to Our Lady, built in the 11th and 12th centuries. Severely damaged, it was rebuilt in the 18th century and dedicated to Saint Firmin. Its square tower, which now serves as a bell tower, is believed to have originated from an old belfry. We liked its location, at the intersection of several shopping streets, and its striking interior colors.<\/p>\n\n In Proven\u00e7al, \u201ccalades\u201d refers to narrow streets paved with stones laid on their edges. We came across them at every turn in the village, lined with pale stone houses. This type of paving, typical of the Luberon, makes walking quite challenging in some places, especially when the ground is wet. Take a moment to look up at the facades: you’ll notice arched passageways and small squares dotted along the route.<\/p>\n\n Most people visit Gordes for just a day, which means visitors are concentrated within a few hours. We recommend staying overnight so you can enjoy the village once the tour groups have left. The narrow streets empty out, and the village’s stone takes on different hues depending on the time of day. It’s also a chance to find parking more easily, since the parking lots near downtown fill up quickly during the day. Our favorites: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In Gordes<\/a>, a truly exceptional village: Around Mane and Forcalquier: Around Menerbes, in the heart of the villages: See our selection: Where to Stay in the Luberon<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Gordes Castle has overlooked the village for a thousand years. Rebuilt in 1525 by Bertrand Rambaud de Simiane, it combines a northern facade that still retains its defensive character with a southern facade typical of the Renaissance, featuring a monumental fireplace dating from 1541. We were impressed by its size. <\/p>\n\n Inside, the Pol Mara Museum features several hundred works by the Flemish painter, who settled in Gordes in 1972 and personally oversaw the installation of the exhibits in his museum, which opened in 1996. The castle also houses the tourist office today.<\/p>\n\n Gordes was surrounded by ramparts in the mid-14th century, amid the unrest caused by the Hundred Years’ War. At that time, these fortifications protected a town that was already organized around the castle. <\/p>\n\n We followed some of their ruins, which in places offer beautiful views of the farmland and the surrounding hills. The town eventually outgrew these walls in the 17th and 18th centuries, when the village’s population grew significantly.<\/p>\n\n The Chapel of the White Penitents has been mentioned in the archives only since the 17th century, under the authority of the brotherhood of the same name. It served as a fire station for many years before becoming an exhibition hall.<\/p>\n\n In the Fontaine Basse neighborhood, at the very bottom of the village, a washhouse fed by springs flowing from beneath the cliff has long been the beating heart of Gordes. It was already known in the 15th century. The trail is very steep and can become slippery after it rains: we recommend wearing sturdy shoes. But we really enjoyed the atmosphere away from the tourists.<\/p>\n\n From the washhouse, you can head uphill across the street toward the Rocher Bel-Air overlook (the first on this list) instead of returning to the village, enjoying beautiful views all along the way. Please note: Once you reach the top, you’ll need to take the bike path back toward the village, since there is no sidewalk along this stretch.<\/p>\n\n Located about 1.5 km from the center of Gordes, the Village des Bories consists of about twenty dry-stone huts, built without mortar using the false vault technique. This complex was once used as seasonal farm outbuildings. We enjoyed the self-guided tour, which helped us understand the various uses of these structures: homes, sheepfolds, or sheds. The site is now organized as a museum of rural life.<\/p>\n\n It’s time to book! The Abbey of Notre-Dame de S\u00e9nanque was founded in 1148 by Cistercian monks from Mazan, in the Ard\u00e8che region. It is the fourth Cistercian abbey to be founded in Provence. We found its simple Romanesque architecture to be particularly well-suited to the monastic way of life that continues there to this day. <\/p>\n\n Surrounded by lavender fields (which aren’t always in bloom…), it is home to an active community: as a result, tours take place outside of service times, and the site is closed on certain mornings. <\/p>\n\n And very close to Gordes in the valley\u2014just a 10-minute drive away\u2014you can round out your visit with museums that highlight specific aspects of the region:<\/p>\n\n Every Tuesday morning<\/strong>, the village center of Gordes hosts its Proven\u00e7al market. There, you’ll find stalls run by local producers, offering everything from fruit and cheese to handmade crafts. It’s also the day when the village is at its liveliest, which has both its advantages and its drawbacks: the atmosphere is lively, but traffic and parking become more difficult. If you’re coming that day, you’d better arrive early.<\/p>\n\n All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in Provence<\/strong> a success, will soon be gathered<\/strong> in a single ebook!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n The region is also very popular for cycling. The roads wind up and down through fascinating landscapes.<\/p>\n\n We also took advantage of the area around Gordes to extend our stay in the Luberon<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n Located about 13 km from Gordes\u2014a 20-minute drive\u2014the village of Roussillon is known for its ochre-colored facades. You’ll also find the Sentier des Ocres there, which offers a trail through old quarries that have shaped the colorful landscape. Other villages in the Luberon are worth a visit and can easily be combined with a day trip to Gordes. About 18 km from Gordes\u2014a 20- to 25-minute drive\u2014L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is known for its canals and waterwheels.<\/p>\n\n By car, from the A7 highway, take Exit 25 (Cavaillon), then follow the D15 toward Gordes. By public transportation, the 907 bus connects Cavaillon to Coustellet, from where the 917 bus on the ZOU! network continues on to Gordes. As part of organized tours, several tour operators offer day trips to the Luberon that include a stop in Gordes.<\/p>\n\n If you don’t have a car, organized tours also allow you to explore Gordes from neighboring cities (Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille), in combination with other destinations in the Luberon\u2014 see the options<\/a><\/p>\n\n There are several parking lots around the village where you can pay by the half-day. We recommend that you arrive early, as the spots closest to the center fill up quickly. Parking is metered every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., with about 30 minutes of free parking depending on the zone. <\/p>\n\n Expect to pay around \u20ac8 for 4 hours and up to \u20ac30 for a full day in the most central areas. Buses are not allowed to enter the village and must park at the entrance.<\/p>\n\nIs the village of Gordes worth a visit?<\/h2>\n\n
1. View from the Gordes lookout point (D15)<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Gordes](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Point-de-vue\/i-RdHj8f7\/0\/MwDwPZ84w5739wBjpdZjr7BC36cTcWSgcjspVMH4h\/L\/Gordes_vue_IMG_7429-L.jpg\")
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2. Place du Ch\u00e2teau and its fountain<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Place](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Village\/i-ggNpnM2\/0\/Ks8Z9z9h5g5JWmNQjF7XHnJh2v8WZV2kDBwPMP8Bj\/L\/village_gordes_IMG_7808-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n3. Cellars of the Palais Saint-Firmin<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Caves](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Cave-Palais-Saint-Firmin\/i-Qqvb5GH\/0\/KdjdNRL7Whthwrkr8NTKzkpnXPGD96G5JJf9QnRBP\/L\/Cave_palais_saint_firmin_IMG_7655-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Cave-Palais-Saint-Firmin\/i-KQXPjjW\/0\/Mp9Gkj8sc8V5xbVJTqKkMnSJ7wZsBZrRPSXKpKccS\/L\/Cave_palais_saint_firmin_IMG_7676-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN \nProvence<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/provencelovers.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Vieux-Nice-ruelle-L.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/provencelovers.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/ArrowRight.webp\")
<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n4. Saint-Firmin Church<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Saint-Firmin](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Eglise-Saint-Firmin\/i-8djThjf\/0\/NPSptQZ2nvLV4mfppc69mdTbcHMBhXxWG2hPns2Lw\/L\/Eglise_Saint_Firmin_IMG_7712-L.jpg\")
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5. The cobblestone streets<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Calades](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Village\/i-P82qFw9\/0\/NJRQvPMZ9jpHszLMsmCTqKZ9L6CBxdbZfqnrFH749\/L\/village_gordes_IMG_7844-L.jpg\")
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6. Spend a night in Gordes<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Gordes](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Village\/i-fVfk96H\/0\/MrrxwX3VK56RrxgFfrpdL93krqXb92q6Bm6TGnPzs\/L\/village_gordes_IMG_2778-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n
WHERE TO STAY IN Lub\u00e9ron<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Mas](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Saint-Remy-de-Provence\/Hotels\/n-94SV7T\/Hotel-Sous-les-giguiers\/i-VFsscLp\/0\/NJC2HHsRzRxZQVPCLrs2Tcps7DBN3MZ3NHNhnmXzQ\/S\/Hotel_sous_Figuiers-S.jpgahttps:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/Hotels\/n-cqkkWr\/Hotel-Mas-Romarin\/i-tWLhS6c\/0\/NdFB8kfbskwLTKV3xGDv6sqx5zkHq82RZ7BvCpjKR\/S\/Hotel_Mas_Romarin_IMG_2755-S.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n7. Gordes Castle and the Pol Mara Museum<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Gordes](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Village\/i-DrWJKB3\/0\/MHFC2bV4Tb89KH5zB2fxHvCZTwgVRkTBgRtWxqL5v\/L\/village_gordes_IMG_7746-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Chateau-de-Gordes\/i-4p6bKv8\/0\/LTbcT4LVJ4psqZHz3V5qcVnRCnjDZ2NNznZS6sDc5\/L\/Chateau_gordes_IMG_7772-L.jpg\")
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8. Remains of the medieval ramparts and views<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Medieval](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Village\/i-79WxLNG\/0\/MbS3rZvPKh7rWmxLq3TCzKNCqTv6RNP7hBNkj9Qzb\/L\/village_gordes_IMG_7705-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n
![\"Hot-air](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/n-dQ5zK3\/Divers\/i-2t4LXfd\/0\/MWFBvvfrL36GrCD6QZH9ZhVxP4df6n4PS5vvHhLkP\/S\/IMG_6799-S.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n9. Chapel of the White Penitents<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Chapel](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Village\/i-XHTHc5P\/0\/MHnP2vqGMCn4jqkmmGmtGHmqbQqVX6NwDHkgJgftm\/L\/village_gordes_IMG_7823-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n
10. Washhouse and Rocher Bel-Air Trail<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Gordes](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Lavoir\/i-D4PgXMt\/0\/MVdKXtFxQR8Jsd8WzScvFWj3K7nZPHG379m9s7SDf\/L\/lavoir_gordes_IMG_7873-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Chemin-Lavoir-point-de-vue\/i-JG5g6Hk\/0\/NVsLXt9JWv385k5fKCG5JfmprxjLBZHfFmSxWStCV\/L\/Gordes_chemin_lavoir_vue_IMG_7895-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n11. Village of Les Bories<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Village](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Village-Bories\/i-pjBRsqn\/0\/KDxBdFX2d8ZrmCCmrNDjZHdSz6NTCncS6h4SD84Ps\/L\/village_bories_IMG_7993-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"houses](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Village-Bories\/i-mfzxwdB\/0\/Lfkkzjb4GbJHvwt6gkC7ZkRMHRWH6HRF6NJkm46ff\/L\/village_bories_IMG_8031-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n
![\"provence](\"https:\/\/provencelovers.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/provence-plane.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n12. Notre-Dame de S\u00e9nanque Abbey<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Notre-Dame](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Abbaye-Notre-Dame-de-Senanques\/i-W5ZDLdm\/0\/NCscqkVCtF7XM5jdGxcrckNQ5nr9VCJW576dvgRBm\/L\/Abbaye_Notre_Dame_Senanques_IMG_7467-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Abbaye-Notre-Dame-de-Senanques\/i-M5Q2Z9M\/0\/NRkQGv67NdvckGBVPMRr4X7FmHgT37jhwdwzVmTZ5\/L\/Abbaye_Notre_Dame_Senanques_IMG_7508-L.jpg\")
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13. Nearby museums: Lavender, stained glass, olive oil…<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Moulin](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/n-dQ5zK3\/Musee-Verre-et-Vitrail\/i-42HMGqd\/0\/M2dZXNWTSgKNsqCs5FvcsBjSccwRrz7jDdNkK6fX7\/L\/musee_verre_vitrail_IMG_2715-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n
![\"Lavender](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/n-dQ5zK3\/Musee-Lavande\/i-Jr37C4W\/0\/LThM9psJ22kQPHWsnNgw5d4vmWhhJzNC9fGHwQXjx\/L\/musee_lavande_IMG_2692-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n
14. Proven\u00e7al Market<\/h2>\n\n
A LITTLE MORE patience<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
![\"Box](\"https:\/\/loirelovers.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ebooks_CorseNormandie_FR.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n15. Exploring the Surroundings by Bike<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Gordes](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Vue-route-dessous\/i-HgJPNVr\/0\/MxpBfVB66LTdnDbnh3R5qwSzfGVrnfbWgs2kpvbDv\/L\/route_vue_gordes_IMG_2742-L.jpg\")
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\nThings to Do Around Gordes<\/h2>\n\n
Roussillon and the Ochre Trail<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Roussillon](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Roussillon\/n-FQWKbV\/Village\/i-LLVs9VZ\/0\/MkBmtQp2PBF2fM2rsTxTJpVhjR68MqnkHkJvpB33F\/L\/roussilon_village_IMG_9311-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nThe Other Villages of the Luberon<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Saignon\"\/](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/n-dQ5zK3\/Saignon\/i-4hx4mBw\/0\/MHNLfqDbsW9BjHM3KpwQTWBL3dZxf5Ls9x6kj2zFQ\/L\/Saignon%20place%20fontaine-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nL’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Isle-sur-la-Sorgue](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Isle-sur-la-Sorgue\/n-4Tjj7c\/Ville-et-rivière\/i-K32G7cj\/0\/LFtM4CfsRzHDm8BcLMNfqHr5KCGttpNt23rcJ466N\/L\/alpilles-isle-sur-la-sorgue-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nHow to Get to Gordes + Parking<\/h2>\n\n
Where is Gordes?<\/h3>\n\n
\n
![\"Map](\"https:\/\/provencelovers.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Map-Gordes-Provence.jpg\")
How to get there<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Gordes](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Route-acces\/i-KvsqWx7\/0\/KFW39K8FBtd5FpN3dpwHMrnVTrxqgdxRz4mZxDVLC\/L\/route_gordes_IMG_7407-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nParking in Gordes<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Gordes](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Apt\/Gordes\/n-W9NWbR\/Parking\/i-BQmzKM9\/0\/LXCJWVvtHMLsCvTKQK5JcqtqPZvc5q2fjdd4xjTBR\/L\/parking_gordes_IMG_7597-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nEXPLORE the Luberon<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n