Gordes: Visiting Provence's Most Photographed Village
1. That iconic view of Gordes from the Gordes Lookout | 2. Rue Des Tanneurs | 3. Rue Jean Deyrolle | 4. Wandering Gordes: Rue Jean Deyrolle had so many beautiful photo opportunities
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The view from Rue André Lhote
Originally planning to visit Provence on a solo trip, I contacted the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Tourism Board with a question: which hilltop village in the Luberon is the most photogenic? Their answer was Gordes. Those travel plans shifted, but when I eventually made it to Provence, Gordes remained firmly on my itinerary.
1. Rue Jean Deyrolles | 2. Home entryway on Rue Jean Deyrolles | 3. Door of the townhouse Hótel de Pluvinel at Place de l'Eglise | 4. Rue Jean Deyrolles
Picking up our rental car at the Avignon TGV proved more time-consuming than anticipated - endless forms to sign and a thorough inspection of every scratch and dent on the vehicle. Laura took the wheel while I handled navigation from the passenger seat. Once we finally left Avignon behind, the route to Gordes was straightforward, the urban landscape quickly giving way to the rolling hills and farmland of the Luberon.
We pulled in mid-morning only to discover that parking would require both time and persistence - we should have arrived an hour or two earlier as planned. Gordes reserves its historic core for pedestrians only. Vehicles cannot access the tight medieval passageways, so visitors must leave their cars in designated parking areas and explore the village entirely on foot.
1. Place Genty Pantaly | 2., 3., 4. Rue Jean Deyrolle
Drinks on the patio at La Bastide à Gordes - photo by Laura Woodard
Once parked, my sister Laura and I headed off to explore. Strolling through Gordes needs no itinerary, and honestly, we did not have one. The village's labyrinthine alleyways invite aimless exploration, where centuries-old stone dwellings and every bend unveils another postcard-worthy scene. Between these visual discoveries, you'll encounter an eclectic mix of commerce: artisan workshops displaying regional crafts, perfumeries specializing in lavender-infused goods, and inviting patisseries.
The fountain in the main square, La fontaine de la Place Genty Pantaly, was the main source of water from 1826 till 1956. Surrounding this square are shops and galleries. We found a lovely small gallery with wonderful paintings inspired by the area. Beyond the gallery, we spent little time shopping and most of our time just wandering the village and getting lost down its winding lanes. The best part was simply following wherever the streets led - through stone archways and up staircases to unexpected viewpoints. Gordes doesn't really need a plan; the village itself is the attraction, and you'll see its best sides just by exploring aimlessly.
1. Rue des Tanneurs | 2. Rue de Belvédère | 3. Ornate doorway of the former home of painter Andre Lhote on Rue du Four | 4. Rue des Tanneurs
Unlike villages such as Les Beaux with its concentrated collection of historical landmarks, Gordes offers a different kind of appeal. There's no checklist of must-see monuments here. Instead, the entire village, officially designated as one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages of France), functions as a living historical site. The experience is more about soaking in the atmosphere and architecture as a whole rather than ticking off individual attractions.
1., 2., 3. Rue du Four | 4. Rue Jean Deyrolle
SITES IN GORDES
CHAPELLE DES PENITENTS BLANCS (WHITE PENITENTS CHAPEL)
Built in the 17th century, this Baroque chapel features a bell tower that marks its exterior
Location: corner of Rue de la Combe and Rue des Tracapelles
CHÂTEAU DE GORDES (GORDES CASTLE)
Gordes was tasked with defending the city of Cavaillon and served as a refuge during invasions and religious wars. The castle was constructed during this time in 1031. The 11th-century Château de Gordes rises at the village center, combining medieval foundations with Renaissance updates. Over the centuries, it's functioned as a prison, grain storage facility, boys' school, post office, pharmacy, and town hall, and now houses the Musée Pol Mara and regularly hosts art exhibitions.
Location: Place Genty Pantaly
Entry Fee: Adults: €6 | Students: €4 | Ages 12-17: : €4 | Children under 12: free | Groups (10+ people): €4
EGLISE SAINT-FIRMIN (SAINT-FIRMIN CHURCH)
Built in the 1700s and dedicated to Saint Firmin, Gordes' patron saint, Eglise Saint-Firmin blends seamlessly with the village's stone exterior but surprises visitors with a colorful interior.
Location: Rue de l’Église
Entry Fee: Free
LES CAVES DU PALAIS SAINT-FIRMIN (CELLARS OF THE SAINT-FIRMIN PALACE)
A chance to explore beneath Gordes itself. This network of restored cellars spans three levels and includes oil mills, cisterns, storage rooms, and a bread oven - structures built and used between the 11th and 18th centuries, each reflecting different architectural styles from their respective eras.
Location: Rue du Belvédère
Entry Fee: Adults: €6 | Children, Students, Job-seekers, Large Families: €5 | Children under 5: free | Groups (10+ people): €5
ROCHER DE BEL AIR (GORDES LOOKOUT)
If you've researched Gordes at all, you've already seen photos from this stunning viewpoint. The panoramic pull-off captures the classic image of the village - tiered stone houses climbing the hillside with the Luberon countryside beyond. A tiny parking lot serves the overlook, but with only a few spaces available for a short, convenient stop for quick snapshots.
Location: Route de Cavaillon, right before the village entrance.
1. Rue Jean Deyrolle | 2. Rue des Tanneurs | 3. Rue Jean Deyrolle | 4. Rue des Tanneurs
1. Rue André Lhote | 2. Ivy-covered building in Gordes | 3. Rue Des Tracapelles | 4. Cobblestone street
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
MARKET DAY
Gordes market, held on Tuesdays, centers around the Chateau de Gordes and spills into the surrounding streets. Vendors sell lavender products, handmade soaps, olives and olive oil, fresh produce, clothing, and local art and photography prints.
DINING & DRINKS
La Bastide à Gordes
We only stopped in for a beverage, but wow! We enjoyed breathtaking views of the Luberon while sitting on the patio. I highly recommend this beautiful setting for a quick escape from wandering the town and a cocktail, if not for a meal at one of their restaurants.
Location: 61 Rue de la Combe
La Trinquette
Reservations recommended. A bistro-style restaurant with country views from terrace tables, serving French and Mediterranean cuisine.
Location: 55 Rue des Tracapelles
Tel: +33 04 90 72 11 62
E-Mail: latrinquettegordes@gmail.com
ACCOMMODATIONS
La Bastide à Gordes
The modest entrance on rue de la Combe conceals what lies beyond: terraced gardens, historic interiors, and sweeping views cascading down the hillside. Opened as an Airelles property in 2015, La Bastide required over 150 craftspeople to restore this historic bastide. Architect Christophe Tollemer filled the space with European antiques, period art, and hand-carved woodwork to create an authentic Provençal retreat.
Location: 61 Rue de la Combe
La Ferme de la Huppe
A four-star hotel with 10 rooms, restaurant, and bar in an old Provençal building from the 18th century with a garden setting.
Location: 570 route du Goult - RD 156
SHOPPING
Galerie d’Art Doro.T
Small art gallery of abstract landscape paintings and prints by Doro T. I personally love bringing home art rather than just your typical souvenir that gets tossed into a drawer.
Location: Place Genty Pantaly
Un weekend a Gordes
Cute little decor and fashion shop in the heart of Gordes near the fountain. Laura found a straw hat here that she absolutely loves.
Location: 63 Place Genty Pantaly
TOURISM INFORMATION
Destination Luberon
Offers a very handy downloadable PDF map of Gordes.
Location: Gordes Castle
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France
Information on the Most Beautiful Villages of France.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Tourism Board
Ville De Gordes
Location: Village of Gordes Town Hall, 1 Place du Château
1. Rue André Lhote | 2. View from the Gordes Lookout | 3. Door on Rue Baptistin Picca | 4. Rue des Tanneurs
1. Cute little car on Rue Jean Deyrolle | 2. Doorway on Rue du Four | 3. Potted plants on the wall on Rue Baptistin Picca | 4. La Bastide à Gordes,
HOW TO GET HERE
By Car: From the A7 motorway (exit 25 Cavaillon), the village is easily accessible via the D15. From Avignon, the drive is approximately 25 minutes.
By Bus: I would not recommend taking the bus for this route, as there is no direct bus service, but from Cavaillon, you can take line 907 to Coustellet, then transfer to line 917. Zou! bus timetable links can be found here. To get to Gare de Cavaillon, you can take the train from Avignon in 35 minutes.
PARKING
The village has paid car parks as well as about sixty parking spaces in the heart of the village, regulated by parking meters. Municipal by-law prohibits all parking outside the car parks as well as in unmarked spaces on the ground.
Gordes Viewpoint: Only a few spaces are available for short stop for quick snapshots from the viewpoint. Free.
Gendarmerie Parking Lot: Includes 96 parking spaces, 10 motorhome pitches and a water hydrant and drain, and 5 parking spaces for buses.
Charles De Gaulle Car Park: Parking for up to 270 vehicles
Reservoir (Route de Murs): Parking for up to 120 vehicles
Parking Fees for Vehicles:
30 free minutes to use the parking meter
Up to 4 hours: €8
Beyond 4 hours, until 11 hours: €10
After 11 hours: €30
1. Rue Jean Deyrolle | 2. Doorway in the church area near Rue de Belvédère | 3. La fontaine de la Place Genty Pantaly | 4. Rue Des Tracapelles
