Ménerbes

Ménerbes is a charming medieval village situated at the top of a small hill in beautiful natural surroundings between the Plateau de Vaucluse and Montagne de Lubéron mountain ranges. A holiday in Ménerbes offers fantastic nature experiences and excellent opportunities for outdoor activities in the mountainous and lush surroundings.

Touted as one of the most beautiful villages in France, Ménerbes has managed to preserve much of its many historical and cultural memories from a tumultuous past. Ménerbes was a Protestant stronghold during the religious wars of the 16th century.

Ménerbes is home to several historic buildings: Including la citadelle, la Carmejane, where General d'Empire Robert lived, the old presbytery, Count Rantzau's mansion as well as Nicolas de Staël and Picasso's properties. Ménerbes has attracted countless artists, musicians, writers and actors over the years, who have now settled on the outskirts of the town.

In Ménerbes you can still admire the old defences built between the 12th and 17th centuries. Ménerbes also boasts an old medieval abbey church, Abbaye St Hilaire, an old hospice and a bell tower with the typical Provencal wrought iron campanile.

Inspiration for your holiday:

Attractions:

The medieval abbey church, Abbaye St Hilaire, where St Louis stayed after returning from the Crusades.

Church from the 14th century

Chapelle Ste Blaise from the 18th century.

Beautiful medieval and Renaissance properties

Musée du tire-bouchon: A nice little museum where you can see no less than 1000 different types of corkscrews. The corkscrew was invented in France in the 17th century.

Le Dolmen de la Pichouno: An old stone dolmen on the outskirts of the city, a unique specimen in Vaulcuse.

Activities in Ménerbes

There are good opportunities for outdoor activities in the Vaucluse area, see for example the following websites: http://www.provenceguide.com/gbcdt/index.asp; http://www.hautvaucluse.com/pdf/guidea.pdf (Guide to activities and attractions in the Haut Vaucluse area).

Cycling: Challenges for everyone, from elite athletes to families with children. There are several great tours to other towns in the area, a wealth of less demanding mountain routes and the tough Mont Ventoux. Bicycles are available for hire in the town.

Golf: There is a wealth of golf courses in the area, 4 in the department of Vaucluse and several in the neighbouring southern department of Bouhes du Rhône. The French Golf Union has a website where most courses are presented. Unfortunately, the website is in French. Go to Guide de golfs and search here under the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region: www.ffgolf.org.

See all our holiday rentals
  • {{tab.name}}
There are no available houses that match your search criteria
see more results {{activeTab.linkText}}